Building a Collaborative Climate for Multinational Projects

Abstract

It's easy to lose sight of what really drives project performance in large, complex project environments. While technical skill sets, management tools and effective work processes are absolutely critical, the quality of the work environment and the leadership style that fosters commitment and collaboration are equally important. This is one of the lessons learned from field research of 120 culturally diverse and globally dispersed project teams. The study explores the specific barriers, drivers, critical success factors, and the organizational conditions most conducive to high team performance in complex, multinational and technology-intensive project environments. The results provide insight into the dynamics and the specific project management skill sets needed to foster a culture of collaboration and commitment across intricate organizational boundaries connecting support functions, suppliers, customers and partners.