Making Multicultural Group-Work, Work!

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
File version
Author(s)
Woods, Peter
Barker, Michelle
Hibbins, Raymond
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)

Leslie A. Toombs

Date
2010
Size

190308 bytes

File type(s)

application/pdf

Location

Montreal, Canada

License
Abstract

This exploratory research aimed to answer the question, of 'how can the potential benefits of multicultural group-work be realised in the postgraduate management classroom?' Postgraduate management students at an Australian University experienced multicultural group-work through a completing a specific course module designed to enhance multicultural group functioning. The module centred around a group presentation project requiring students to draw on the cultural resources within their group. Sixty-two students then evaluated their experience of multicultural group-work in the course through nine focus groups using the nominal group method. The focus groups asked students what they learned from working in a multicultural group in the course; what is important in working culturally diverse group; and what did they learn about other people's culture through the multicultural group experience. Students' answers emphasised that successful multicultural group-work needed members to have certain attitudes such as respecting other people's culture, personality traits such as patience and openness, skills such as building team work or integration and knowledge relating to understanding the culture of others. These answers were contrary to the expectation that students would emphasise the importance of relevant group processes. This research provides guidance for faculty in overcoming challenges and provides an example of how to tap the benefits of multicultural group work in the multicultural classroom.

Journal Title
Conference Title

The Academy of Management

Book Title
Edition
Volume
Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
DOI
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement

© 2010 Academy of Management (AOM). The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the conference's website for access to the definitive, published version.

Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Business and Management not elsewhere classified

Persistent link to this record
Citation