Effect of cultural diversity in work groups

Abstract

This study examined the influence of cultural differences on processes and outcomes of work groups. A review of literature in several domains was integrated to suggest possible effects of cultural heterogeneity in work groups. Propositions derived from this theoretical framework were tested in an examination of multicultural groups that performed idea generation and decision-making tasks in an experimental setting. National culture of group members, cultural heterogeneity of the group, and relative cultural distance between individual group members were related to members' assessments of group processes and outcomes. The degree of cultural heterogeneity in groups was also positively related to group effectiveness. These results were consistent with a theoretical perspective that suggests that cultural diversity influences groups through sociocultural, individual, and group-level mechanisms.