Tone, K; Skitmore, M and Wong, J K W (2009) An investigation of the impact of cross-cultural communication on the management of construction projects in Samoa. Construction Management and Economics, 27(4), pp. 343-361. ISSN 1466433X
Abstract
Communication problems have emerged as one of the most significant contemporary challenges facing construction project managers in an increasingly international construction market. However, little research has investigated the impact of cross-cultural communication (CCC) on management systems in this context. The key problems of CCC and their impact for construction project management systems in Samoa are investigated via a questionnaire survey of 41 project managers to solicit their views and experiences concerning the impact of human and cultural influences on project management and CCC evaluation processes in Samoa. Also provided are the results of a series of interviews with 32 practitioners and key stakeholders concerning the key barriers to effective communication, and suggested strategies and proactive measures for improving the CCC in Samoa. The findings highlight the need for cultural sensitivity when designing an inter-organizational communication strategy for the management of international projects. An organization also needs to have a global perspective if it is involved in the international construction market, and be willing to modify communication strategies that are appropriate within the context of host cultures. A strong link is established between changes in perspectives as a result of experiences and the impact of CCC on project management systems.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | communication; culture; international project; project management; Samoa |
| Index terms: | construction project management, international construction, investigation, project management, project manager, Samoa, practitioner, questionnaire, construction project, inter-organizational communication, international project, management system, manager, interview, survey, strategy |
| Subjects: | strategic management, profession, data collection methods, integration, practitioner, management, Geography, production management, project management theory and practice |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, International Construction, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Project Management, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here