Unraveling the effects of cultural diversity in teams: A meta-analysis of research on multicultural work groups

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Stahl, Guenter K.; Maznevski, Martha L.; Voigt, Andreas; Jonsen, Karsten
• 署名单位: Vienna University of Economics & Business; INSEAD Business School; International Institute for Management Development (IMD); University of California System; University of California Irvine
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS STUDIES
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0047-2506
• DOI: 10.1057/jibs.2009.85
• 发表日期: 2010
• 页码: 690-709
• 关键词: diversity; culture; multicultural teams; TEAM PERFORMANCE; Meta-analysis

摘要

Previous research on the role of cultural diversity in teams is equivocal, suggesting that cultural diversity's effect on teams is mediated by specific team processes, and moderated by contextual variables. To reconcile conflicting perspectives and past results, we propose that cultural diversity affects teams through process losses and gains associated with increased divergence and decreased convergence. We examine whether the level (surface-level vs deep-level) and type (cross-national vs intra-national) of cultural diversity affect these processes differently. We hypothesize that task complexity and structural aspects of the team, such as team size, team tenure, and team dispersion, moderate the effects of cultural diversity on teams. We test the hypotheses with a meta-analysis of 108 empirical studies on processes and performance in 10,632 teams. Results suggest that cultural diversity leads to process losses through task conflict and decreased social integration, but to process gains through increased creativity and satisfaction. The effects are almost identical for both levels and types of cultural diversity. Moderator analyses reveal that the effects of cultural diversity vary, depending on contextual influences, as well as on research design and sample characteristics. We propose an agenda for future research, and identify implications for managers. Journal of International Business Studies (2010) 41, 690-709. doi:10.1057/jibs.2009.85