Language and Cultural Barriers in Project Management Effectiveness in UAE - Coursework Example

Equality of the contribution of staff and superior is also questioned, as well as the premium placed on equality rather than hierarchy. On the second dimension of cultural barriers, personal space has also been disagreed upon by the respondents, indicating that this is an area of ambiguity and a potential source of conflict for migrant workers. Friendship and expressions of intimacy or camaraderie are not carried out with ease with their Arab superiors. Moreover, Body language has been neutrally rated, indicating that this is also an area of cultural ambivalence. Ease of carrying out gestures such as handshakes and understanding of body language is imperative. Religion has been agreed upon in so far as consideration of non-Muslims as equals; and the diversity or differences in religion not being a source of conflict are concerted. However, there are neutral assessments, specifically on respect for non-Muslim religious practices; and respect for religious differences. Overall, Religion has been neutrally evaluated by the respondents. Moreover, Personal Appearance has also garnered neutral assessments, indicating that non-Muslim clothing and a personal appearance may be a source of misunderstanding or even ostracism on the part of the non-Muslim migrants. The outcomes on Language Barriers are no different, where neutral assessments have been yielded on the ease of adapting to communication norms and customs of UAE superiors. Encouragement of openness and suggestions from their rank and file staff is also not all that apparent. Differences in language and communication norms as a source of conflict have also been met with neutrality by the migrant workers. Additionally, it was found that Project Management Effectiveness is significantly and positively predicted by Religion. Moreover, 62% of the variance in project management effectiveness has been accounted for or explained by cultural and language barriers. Interventions for increasing cultural awareness among migrant workers were put forth.
Numerous workers experience difficulties in assimilating into their respective workplaces due to several challenges often attributed to culture and language barriers (Low and Shi, 2001). While some can demonstrate competent communication skills and understands their organizational climate as well as the culture of the country they work in, others have found it more difficult to adjust. With increasing cultural diversity being evident in the workplace, it is highly significant for employees to obtain an understanding of the wide range of cultural discrepancies of immigrant workers for them to fit in easier in their workplace. Cultural and language misunderstandings will serve as impediments to effective communication and bring about complexities at work.