International Project Teams

CIS 3317: E-Business Assignment #3: (Individual)

“International Project Teams (Workplace Diversity)” *Last Updated: 3/4/2021*

Refer to the Course Syllabus/Schedule for Due Dates!

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Diversity: Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_%28business%29

In a business context, diversity, meaning appearance diversity, (ethnicity, gender, color, sexual

orientation, body size, age) is approached as a strategy for improving employee retention and

increasing consumer confidence. The "business case for diversity", as it is often phrased, is that

in a global and diverse marketplace, a company whose staff embrace ethnic representation and

gender composition which mirrors the demographics of the marketplace it serves is better

equipped to thrive in that marketplace than a company whose appearance is out of step with its

market's appearance.

A Great Resource: The 6D model of Professor Geert Hofstede TM (Cultural Dimensions):

• http://geerthofstede.com/ *Geert Hofstede’s Website

• http://geerthofstede.com/culture-geert-hofstede-gert-jan-hofstede/6d-model-of-national-

culture/ *Dimensions of National Culture

• https://www.hofstede-insights.com/product/compare-countries/

Use THIS link and merely start to type/drop downs *Country Comparison Tool

"For those who work in international business, it is sometimes amazing how different people in

other cultures behave. We tend to have a human instinct that 'deep inside' all people are the same

- but they are not. Therefore, if we go into another country and make decisions based on how we

operate in our own home country - the chances are we'll make some very bad decisions."

Geert Hofstede's research gives us insights into other cultures so that we can be more effective

when interacting with people in other national and organizational cultures. If understood and

applied properly, this information should reduce your level of frustration, anxiety, and concern.

But most important, Geert Hofstede will give you the 'edge of understanding' which translates to

more successful results. The 6 Dimensions of National Culture via the Cultural Tools Country

Comparison resource include:

1. Power Distance (high .vs. low) is the extent to which the less powerful members of society

accept that power is distributed unequally.

2. Individualism (Individualists .vs. Collectivist):

Collectivism: people belong to or are in groups (families, organizations…) who look after them in

exchange for loyalty

Individualism: people only look after themselves and their immediate family.

3. Masculinity (high .vs. low):

Masculinity: the dominate values in society are achievement and success

Femininity: the dominate values in society are caring for others and quality of life

4. Uncertainty Avoidance (high .vs. low) is the extent to which people feel threatened by

uncertainty and ambiguity and try to avoid such situations

5. Pragmatism (Pragmatic .vs. Normative) is the extent to which people show a pragmatic

(future-oriented) perspective rather than a normative (short-term point-of-view).

6. Indulgence (Indulgence .vs. Restraint) is the extent to which people try to control their desires

and impulses. Relatively weak control is referred to “Indulgence” and relatively strong control is

called “Restraint”.

CIS 3317: E-Business Assignment #3: (Individual)

“International Project Teams (Workplace Diversity)” *Last Updated: 3/4/2021*

Refer to the Course Syllabus/Schedule for Due Dates!

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The Scenario:

You are one of the main users of a new information technology system that is currently being

developed and YOU have been designated as the Project Leader/Manager. You work for an

international firm and the other key users, let alone the system developers, are from other U.S.

plants scattered around the country – each team member being multi-cultural (as in not the same

traits/culture/background) as YOU.

A division of your firm is an <YOU pick the country which ultimately defines the culture>

technology consulting and outsourcing firm and, due to their level of expertise and availability,

has been selected as the technology team to design and develop the technology solution that is

the object of the project team that you are a member of.

The project has recently gotten under way once all the key players were identified and is off to a

rough start on clearly communicating the objects of the project while at the same time, overcome

the basic issue that the team is scattered literally all over the world both domestically and

internationally.

YOU, as the Project Manager, have been reading about how other organizations are using Web

2.0 technologies to overcome a variety of issues facing today’s employees, let alone the unique

situation that you find yourself in charge of – a mission critical project with an unrealistic

deadline coupled with the simple fact that none of the project team members are in the same

office let alone the same state/country, your technology partner is a overseas division of your

firm, and no one has ever met each other in a face-to-face situation.

The Assignment:

Write/Create a 3-4 page (double-spaced) paper that addresses these items fully, completely and

thoughtfully clearly labeling the sub-parts of this assignment. Hand-written submissions will not

be accepted. Using the outline on the next two pages to organize your paper!

For submission – you will submit it to the TRACS Assignment Tab: Assignment #3

HINT/KEYS to Success for this Assignment: 1. Identify/Select/Pick a COUNTRY first!

2. Go to https://www.hofstede-insights.com/product/compare-countries/ then start entering

the name of your chosen country/select the drop down to see the 6 dimension index

scores which ultimately defines that countries culture!

3. View/Analyze the “Culture Compass” results that are revealed when clicking the “Read

More about the Chosen Countries”

4. Use this data as the basis to write your paper following the outline

CIS 3317: E-Business Assignment #3: (Individual)

“International Project Teams (Workplace Diversity)” *Last Updated: 3/4/2021*

Refer to the Course Syllabus/Schedule for Due Dates!

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How to Organize Your Paper for Max Points!

(Translation: USE THIS 5 Paragraph OUTLINE but it

MUST be in Paragraph Form!)

I. Overview

<Recap/Highlight the Scenario, organization, project, deadline and issues you have

selected for this assignment> *Obviously you need to write this LAST after II-IV!

II. IT International Division Partner

A. Pick a COUNTRY 1st then by default – that defines the CULTURE of your

Information Technology Partner Firm that is a division of your own

Global/International Enterprise Firm (translations they are your co-workers/fellow

employees in a different division or another group of consultants)

B. Using the Geert Hofstede 6 National Cultural Dimensions model,

compare/contract the worker culture of us/Westerners to the worker culture of

your selected country. You MUST mention ALL 6 Dimensions of National

Culture indicating the degree of similarity focusing on any key differences.

III. Identify/Select a Team "Success or Achievement" Issue

A. Pick ONE issue that could impact the success or results of your project and state

WHY or how it is a potential issue as it relates to the worker cultures of your

project team

B. Examples:

i. Ice Breaker/Team Building

ii. Language

iii. The Work Day/Days (time zones, holidays, weekends)

iv. Brainstorming

v. Team Communications: Specifications, Status, Questions, Issues

vi. Team Spirit/Motivation

CIS 3317: E-Business Assignment #3: (Individual)

“International Project Teams (Workplace Diversity)” *Last Updated: 3/4/2021*

Refer to the Course Syllabus/Schedule for Due Dates!

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SAMPLE (Continued)

IV. Web 2.0 Tools and Solutions to your Issue

A. Pick a Web 2.0 Technology and explain or show HOW it can overcome the issue

you identified above

B. Examples:

i. Wiki’s

ii. Podcast

iii. Blogs

iv. Social Networking Site

v. Online Video’s

vi. RSS (Really Simple Syndication), SMS (Short Msg Service), Web Feeds

vii. Second Life “like” game

V. Personal/Individual Reflection

*Reflect on what you have researched and write about how this has changed your

assumptions, preconceived ideas or beliefs about international project teams that are

multi-culturally diverse.

Sources of Inspiration and References

Barak, “Managing Diversity: Towards a Globally Inclusive Workplace”

Casison-Tansiri, “Technology at Work”, Incentive Magazine, June, 2007

Hofstede, "Geert Hofsteed Cultural Dimensions" http://www.geert-hofstede.com/

Moran, Harris and Moran, Managing Cultural Differences: Global Leadership Strategies for the

21st Century (7th edition)

Thomas and Ely “Making Difference Matter, New Paradigm for Managing Diversity”, Harvard

Business Review on Women in Business