Successful Project Management in North Africa with Intercultural Competence

Abstract

This paper addresses intercultural competence to carry-out projects in North-Africa with success, taking the example of Algeria and Morocco. There are only few publications related to project management in North Africa and even less related to intercultural competence. The paper makes a modest attempt to help close this knowledge gap. The case study approach taken offers a trans-disciplinary approach to a vast subject and facilitates the transition from an academic /model-driven approach to the day-to-day practical challenges of the project manager's profession in a North African context. The objective of the paper is to underline the importance of intercultural competence to create a non-for profit project management organisations in Algeria and Morocco. The paper refers to existing models and examines behavioural elements of the intercultural competence by giving tangible examples collected in the field. Finally the paper comes up with recommendations to be considered before and during project start, in order to manage projects successfully.