Cross-cultural team effectiveness for MBA students studying in an immersion program

We focus on cross-cultural team effectiveness for MBA students involved in an immersion program, examining the development of knowledge about cultural traits, the challenges associated with teamwork, and factors that promote or hinder team performance, based on qualitative results of a survey of 20 students who participated in the program. Key observed traits included; Indonesians were perceived to be collectivist/relationship, Australians were laid back, informal but task focused, and Americans were hard working and outspoken. Key challenges faced by students included managing cultural differences, culturally embedded decision-making styles and communication/ language hurdles. Team performance was facilitated by acknowledging and addressing cultural issues from the start, not being ethnocentric, valuing team diversity, and focusing on task completion.