The art of cross‐cultural management: “an alternative approach to training and development”

Abstract

Cross‐cultural training and development has often been regarded as principally skills‐based and a “quick fix” for those organizations whose aim is to compete in the global marketplace. It is questionable whether this approach has been successful in helping companies use cultural diversity for competitive advantage. Proposes an alternative approach which takes into account the need to develop a “global mindset” along with new strategies, structures and processes as well as the lifecycle stage of the organization. These conditions can be satisfied by including three elements in any training and development intervention: developing a global mindset; working through a model of cross‐cultural reconciliation; and emphasizing the development of “relational” skills among all members of the organization.