importance of multinational companies and its scope

Student Name: ShaistaParveen
Registration Number: 2101280
Course Name: Research Methods
Course Module: BE-955
Date: 15/1/2022
Word count: 2000

Table of Contents
1. Introduction.................................................................................................................................3
2. Rationale for the research...........................................................................................................3
3. Objectives and Scope of research...............................................................................................4
4. Literature Review........................................................................................................................4
4.1 Key Definitions:.....................................................................................................................4
4.2 Role of leaders.......................................................................................................................6
4.3 Existing studies......................................................................................................................6
4.4 Gaps in literature....................................................................................................................7
5 Methodology.................................................................................................................................7
5.1 Research philosophy, approaches and design........................................................................7
5.2 Main data collection and analysis techniques........................................................................8
6 Expected outcomes......................................................................................................................8
7 TIMEFRAME..............................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..................................................................................................................................10

Managing cross-cultural differences in the workplace
1. Introduction
As the world is becoming a global village, companies and organizations are spread far and wide over
the world, functioning in multiple countries at once(Richardson, 2005; Singh, 2008). These
multinational companies are workplaces of multicultural employees working in unison. These
companies present opportunity for cultural growth, social interaction and financial advantage by
creating global competitiveness(Kundu, 2001). Therefore, challenges and opportunities in cultural
diversity need to be outlined. Thus Cultural diversity offers potential for competitive and innovative
thinking. However, multicultural employees also present cultural differences which have the potential
to hinder productivity and positivity in a workplace. These cultural differences occur at national level,
organizational level, and occupational level and gender levels(Issa Kawar, 2012). In order effectively
manage these cultural differences, managers and leaders need to be aware of their workplace
dynamics and find ways to promote organizational well-being through the cultural diversity. This
research will focus on finding manager’s perceptions of managing diversity in the workplaces.
2. Rationale for the research
Martin Khor predicted in 2017 that politics and dialogue are expected to become limited and divisive
across American and European landscape, in light of the changing leaderships and
secularisation(Khor, 2017). In such situation, international business owners and workers are crucial
to maintaining positive relations with cultures and nourishing international dialogue. This strategy can
only help businesses grow more successful and competitive in the international market(Reynolds,
2019).Cullen, J.B. and K.P. Parboteeah(2008) reported that managers of multinational companies
need to be culturally intelligent. They are expected to have knowledge and understanding of external
and internal politics in workplace to be efficient at managing diversity(Cullen & Parboteeah, 2008).
Leaders are required to be aware of the cross-cultural differences in order to efficiently play them to
advantage. However, there are gaps in literature including a lack of analysis on organizational level,
tokenism and highly arbitrary research situations. Additionally, the interplay and role of managers and

leaders in culturally diverse workplaces hasn’t been studied(Jonsen et al., 2011).Therefore, it is
essential to fill the gap on roles of managers and leaders in managing cross-cultural conflicts and
promoting intercultural collaboration in workplaces.
3. Objectives and Scope of research
Due to the challenges faced in managing a culturally diverse workforce, organizational managers and
leaders of the future need to be aware of management tactics and strategies employed by leaders
today(Singh, 2008). This research may help initiate conversation regarding efficient management of
culturally diverse workforce. Kaiser Permanente is a USA based company which employees a wide
range of culturally diverse workers. The company is known for being included in the Hall of Fame on
DiversityInc.(Socialtalent, n.d.). This study will focus on the strategies employed by Kaiser
Permanente in managing its diversified workforce. The objectives of this study are:
 To study how different kinds of cultures are represented in workplaces
 To study what kind of challenges are created due to these differences
 To study what potential benefits cultural diversity has for companies
 To study how managers and leaders perceive the conflicts arising due to cultural differences
 To study what tactics and strategies managers use to overcome the issues
The main research questions of the study are as follows:
1. What are the challenges faced due to cultural differences in workplace?
2. How does cultural diversity benefit the workplace?
3. How do leaders manage cultural issues in the workplace?
4. Literature Review
4.1 Key Definitions:
4.1.1 Culture
The word ‘culture’ is originated from the Latin word cultura.Cultura is derived from colo in Latin,
meaning to cultivate, to tend etc. Thus it is associated with agriculture, horticulture etc. Culture, thus,
means to cultivate the human character(Minkov, 2014). Culture is defined as the motivations, beliefs