Micro-Dynamics of Stress and Coping with Cultural Differences in High Tech Global Teams

Abstract

This study presents a systematic, contextual, and cross-cultural comparison of the stress evaluation and consequent coping mechanisms employed by 111 Israelis and 76 Indians, members of high-tech virtual teams. The study demonstrates that in conditions created by a stressful external environment, low levels of divergence in team members’ stress evaluation and coping strategies can lead to a negative dynamic of stress escalation among team members. Based on the study data, and on intercultural encounters research and ego depletion theory, the study suggests an analysis of the creation, development and ending of coping dynamics that result from team members’ cultural differences, under conditions of a stressful work environment. The study makes several contributions to GVT research. First, unlike existing research that generally discusses team dynamics associated with cultural differences in terms of the creation of subgroups, the findings of this study show that cultural differences between members of GVTs can create forms of micro-dynamics associated with the team member’s sources of stress and their coping behavior. Second, the study illuminates the significant impact of these dynamics on the performance and well-being of team members. Third, the study contributes to stress and coping research by demonstrating that coping itself can create secondary sources of strain. In particular, our research suggests that secondary sources of strain may be formed when (a) the participants are interdependent; (b) participants are diverse in their coping behavior; (c) and participants work under stressful work routines, which might push individuals into a state of ego-depletion.