School of Business publications portal
This portal is no longer updated. Aalto University School of Business Master's Theses are now in the Aaltodoc publication archive (Aalto University institutional repository)
School of Business | Department of Management Studies | International Business | 2012
Thesis number: 14795
The effects of cultural diversity on project success
Author: Kukkola, Hilda
Title: The effects of cultural diversity on project success
Year: 2012  Language: eng
Department: Department of Management Studies
Academic subject: International Business
Index terms: projektit; johtaminen; kulttuurierot; monimuotoituus; menestyminen
Pages: 101
Key terms: culture; kulttuuri; cultural diversity; kulttuurinen monimuotoisuus; diversity management; monimuotoisuuden johtaminen; project management; projektijohtaminen
Abstract:
The purpose of this Master's thesis is to examine the role of cultural diversity, and more specifically, the role that cultural differences have on the success of international projects in Finnish organizations. The study focuses on how the current fields of project and diversity management address cultural diversity. Furthermore, the aim is to identify why and how cultural diversity influences project success.

The research design of this study utilizes a multiple case study method. The empirical data is based on six semi-structured interviews, which gather data of the reflections and experiences on cultural diversity in a project context. The respondents were employees of five large international organizations operating in the construction and information technology fields in Finland. The projects examined are high complexity and medium and high technology projects.

The empirical findings illustrate strongly that cultural diversity influences project success both positively and negatively. The main cultural dimensions affecting the success of cross-cultural projects identified were power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism versus collectivism, and the significance of time. The financial effects of cultural diversity on project success were not measured but the results to performance were evaluated by examining the qualitative data from the empirical study. The data demonstrated that international collaboration and cultural diversity are more beneficial to project success than the domestic operations in the past.
Note: Arkistointitiedosto ja arkistokappale puuttuvat / Archive copy missing.
Master's theses are stored at Learning Centre in Otaniemi.