Communication in Multicultural Teams. Do Cultural Differences Imply Unbearable Challenges or Opportunities for Success?

Seminar paper from the year 2020 in the subject Communications - Intercultural Communication, grade: 1,0, Fresenius University of Applied Sciences Idstein, language: English, abstract: The paper concentrates on the intercultural communication process at the workplace with a focus on multicultural teams. It is a research that investigates the differences and challenges of communicating in a multicultural team as well as the opportunities and ways of improvement. The aim is to identify whether a multicultural team is supposed to be viewed as a burden or rather as a chance for growth. Therefore, definitions for culture, a multicultural team, communication, and intercultural communication are presented. Cultural variations in regard to communication, or more precisely high and low context communication, fast and slow information flow, neutral and affective communication and nonverbal communication, are illustrated. An analysis of challenges and opportunities for multicultural teams and the leadership follows. Furthermore, concrete ideas and measures including essential competencies to improve the intercultural communication process are given.

Todays globalized world is characterized by rapid changes, whether it is in technology, immigration policies, transportation systems or in the economy. The contact to people from other countries with different cultural backgrounds is on the rise, there is a global workforce and more cultural diversity than ever before. Considering the workplace, more multicultural teams can be found with each employee bringing along his own cultural practices, work habits, expectations, goals and communication desires as well as values, norms and rhythms. This can lead to challenges, increased miscommunications or intercultural conflicts due to the perceived incompatibilities. Communication forms an important part in the handling of intercultural encounters.