The impact of cross-cultural communication on collective efficacy in NCAA basketball teams

Abstract

This research contributes to the knowledge and theory on cross-cultural communication by investigating the impact of cross-cultural communication competence on the collective efficacy of multicultural National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball teams. Data was collected from 140 US National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball coaches via the Cross-Cultural Communication Competence Questionnaire and the Collective Efficacy Questionnaire for Sports. Principle component analysis was conducted on the data, revealing that the cross-cultural communication competence and collective efficacy of basketball teams are multidimensional. The hypothesized relationship between cross-cultural communication competence and collective efficacy was confirmed and statistically measured through regression analysis. It was found that four of the cross-cultural communication competence dimensions produced by the principle component analysis exhibited a significant positive relationship with one of the two dimensions within collective efficacy. Given the well-supported relationship between collective efficacy and team performance in business, this study produces important implications for scholars and practitioners working with multicultural sporting teams.