Study analyzing how a multicultural workforce might affect teamwork Essay

Study analyzing how a multicultural workforce might affect teamwork and communications in large companies - Essay Example Based on different cultural beliefs, there are different ideologies, for instance, those that arise due to difference in religious beliefs. For a successful business operation, any individual worker should be able to work with people of different cultural backgrounds, irrespective of their cultural orientation. A definite example is the management and operation of various Western Companies operating in the Middle East (Kawar, 2012). This essay will utilize Tagreed’s book in analyzing the various ways through which multicultural workforce affects teamwork and communication within the companies. Hofstede (2005) described cultural difference and variation in four distinct categories. The first category is individualist versus collectivism. He states that in certain cultures, individualism is emphasized whereas in others group or teamwork is given an upper hand. For instance, among the Latinos, group work is given a priority over individual work. In such communities, goals are made based on communal or group needs. Most Native Americans, on the other hand, prefer individualism to collectivism. When individuals from the two societies are employed within the same company, it is always hard for them to come to term and agree on the achievement of the company goals and target. Latino workers may find the organizational culture favorable and normal to them unlike the Natives who will look into individual worker achievement before giving considerations to the group or company output. Another way through which cultural variations and diversity may affect a multicultural company is through the existence of cultural variation at the occupational level. An example is teaching career, which requires any employee to have certain definite cultures in order to succeed in their jobs as well as relate well to fellow employees. It becomes a great challenge to individuals who do not