Improving performance of construction projects: multi-cultural perspective

Abstract

This paper reveals the national culture of the migrant construction employees in the UAE. The study is based on the national culture dimensions proposed by Hofstede. These include the power distance index (PDI), individualism (IND), masculinity (MAS), the uncertainty avoidance index (UAI) and long term orientation (LTO). The data was collected through observations, narratives and semi-structured interviews. The research covers multi-cultural construction team members from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China. The results show Indian construction employees were having high UAI, Pakistani employees showed high MAS, Bangladeshi employees revealed low LTO and IND and Chinese construction employees showed high IND and LTO. The study suggests that the management of cultural differences may help the successful completion of projects, which could be beneficial for both the migrant sending country and the host country and also for the individual migrant and his family.