Effective Multi-Cultural Project Management : Bridging the gap between national cultures and conflict Management styles

Abstract: This study identifies the competencies needed by a multi-cultural project manager, and investigates a potential link between conflict management styles and national culture. It takes as its base the assumption that cultural differences are demonstrated during conflict, and may in fact be the cause of the conflict. As a result, the manager of a multi-cultural project team must be able to manage conflict constructively in order to realise the full potential of the team. The research begins by reviewing literature on project management, national culture, and conflict. A survey was performed on over 60 individuals from various cultural backgrounds, to analyse patterns in their methods of handling conflict. The study shows that there is in fact a link between different cultures and different management styles.