Cognition of the multicultural work environment in multinational corporations and intercultural interaction outcomes

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to present how an individual cognition of the multicultural work environment of multinational corporations (MNCs) relates to the outcomes of professional interactions with culturally diverse people. The subject literature review and the empirical findings show that multicultural work environments pose specific requirements to individuals, such as cultural differences, multilingualism, a need for cross-cultural adjustment and a multicultural leadership style. Employees may classify these requirements either as barriers or challenges. The empirical findings reveal that this individual cognitive process is related to some outcomes of intercultural interactions, i.e. learning and satisfaction. The data for the chapter was gathered via qualitative and quantitative research in subsidiaries of MNCs. The informants were managers and specialists working in those companies and involved in intercultural interactions while performing their professional duties.