Cultural factors in the development of international projects: a case study of South Africa and Germany in the engineering/construction industry
Date
2018
Authors
Jogessar, Yashmee Bhana
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Abstract
The research was conducted to investigate the existing cultural factors that influence international
projects and whether project teams are aware of these dynamics. The research specifically focused on
South African and German project teams. One company from each country was chosen for the
investigation; namely Company SA (from South Africa) and Company GER (from Germany);
Company SA is Company GER’s subsidiary company. The project teams that were included for data
collection were working on the Medupi/Kusile coal-fired, new-build power stations. The
commissioning of these power stations is severely delayed.
A case study approach was utilised to collect data; and qualitative methods were incorporated. This
entailed conducting semi-structured interviews with six managers; two of which were based at
Company SA and four at Company GER, respectively; and participant observations at Company SA’s
and Company GER’s prefabrication workshops.
Cultural factors do exist in international projects and the project-specific ones were summarised for
the project relationship between the South Africans and Germans. Furthermore, the management level
is mindful of cultural factors; however, their employees are not consciously aware that the reasons for
their differences stem from cultural diversities. All managers also were of the opinion that
management of cultural factors do affect the successful outcome of projects.
Both companies have not provided their employees with a fixed technique or process on how to
manage and adapt in projects with variable cultures. Some recommendations were included regarding
methods to increase knowledge and manage an international project where there is cultural diversity;
including specifics to manage a South African and German project.
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, and Aeronautical Engineering), October 2017
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Citation
Jogessar, Yashmee Bhana (2018) Cultural factors in the development of international projects: a case study of South Africa and Germany in the engineering/construction industry, University of the Witwatersrand, <https://hdl.handle.net/10539/25504>