Cross-cultural management in international construction projects : Case study of China Machinery Industry Construction Group Inc.

Abstract: ABSTRACT Title: Cross-cultural management in international construction projects: Case study of China Machinery Industry Construction Group Inc. Level: Final assignment for Master Degree in Business Administration Author: Yuan Liu, You Li Supervisor: Aihie Osarenkhoe Examinor: Maria Fregidon-Malama Date: 2014.04.18 Aim : This study presents the characteristic and current status of the international construction projects, and figure out which barriers caused by cross-cultural differences the multinational corporations and enterprise would face, as well as the solutions for these barriers. Method: This study was carried out by using a qualitative and quantitative research method. We gathered relevant information by conducting questionnaire to Chinese employees working in Congo, Rep and interviews which include four managers of China Machinery Industry Construction Group Inc (CMICGI). By comparing the literature review and finding, we find barriers caused by cross cultural differences and relevant solutions. Result & Conclusions : Through the literature review associating with the analysis of the questionnaire and interview, we find out that there are nine barriers in the project, the reason why they appeared and how them influence the projects. We also find solutions to solve the barriers. Suggestions for future research: This study restricted to geographical and time, it only included one company and one country. More cases can be concluded in future research. Contributions for the study: The study results show how barrier case of cross-cultural different impact in international construction project. We also - 3 - contribute the evaluation for each barrier. Cultural differences between multinational trading are frequently neglected by firms but have a significant impact. Our research can help more companies to find some problems which they usually ignored. KEYWORDS — Cross-cultural management, Barriers, Cross-cultural difference, International construction projects, Identification, Evaluation