MGT502 Assessment 1B: Problems in Managing Global Projects Report

This report addresses the challenges encountered in managing global projects, particularly focusing on the impact of globalization on business opportunities across international borders. It highlights language barriers and cultural differences as significant hindrances to effective communication and successful project execution. The report emphasizes the importance of overcoming these barriers to ensure the success of international projects. It argues that language differences complicate communication, and cultural misunderstandings can impede negotiations. The report provides a concise overview of the key issues that organizations must address to navigate the complexities of global project management effectively. The report also includes references from relevant academic journals and publications to support its arguments and provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Problems in managing global projects
With the advent of globalisation, there are a series of opportunities opened in the
global market for business. Numerous projects and business are made possible in foreign
lands with the melt down of international borders (Shenkar, Luo & Chi, 2014). However,
there are numerous hindrances in managing global projects. International projects have the
barriers of language and cultural differences as prevalent in foreign countries where those
businesses are operating.
A good communication channel is a core for successful international projects.
However, the different language prevalent in the world acts as a barrier to the process
(Harzing, Köster & Magner, 2011). The employees based in the head office or representatives
sent to the foreign lands find it difficult to communicate with the locals if they do not share
common languages. Another common misconception is that the strategy that worked in the
home country will stand true for foreign lands as well (Kelly, 2015). But often the cultural
differences and its implications are not a hindrance. Two countries will have a different way
of doing business based upon the culture and customs prevalent in their respective country
(Lu & Fan, 2015). To achieve successful in global projects, one has to be accustomed to the
culture prevalent in the host country where the projects are augmented (Anantatmula &
Thomas, 2010).
To conclude, in order to be successful in international projects, organisations have to
overcome the barriers of language and cultural differences prevalent between the countries.
The differences in culture is hindrance to the execution of successful negotiations and
business meetings between the representative of the head office and the host country. The
language barrier makes it impossible to communicate effectively.

References
Anantatmula, V., & Thomas, M. (2010). Managing global projects: A structured approach for
better performance. Project Management Journal, 41(2), 60-72.
Harzing, A. W., Köster, K., & Magner, U. (2011). Babel in business: The language barrier
and its solutions in the HQ-subsidiary relationship. Journal of World Business, 46(3),
279-287.
Kelly, N. (2015). The Most Common Mistakes Companies Make with Global Marketing.
Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2015/09/the-most-common-mistakes-companies-make-
with-global-marketing
Lu, C., & Fan, W. (2015). Cross-cultural Issues and International Business Communication
Practice: From an Anthropological Perspective. The Anthropologist, 22(1), 15-24. doi:
10.1080/09720073.2015.11891852
Shenkar, O., Luo, Y., & Chi, T. (2014). International business. Routledge.