Table of Contents

List of tables/Illustrations……………………………………………………06
Declaration……………………………………………………………………07
Acknowledgement……………………………………………………..08
Abstract…………………………………………………………………09
1. Introduction.…………………………………………………….10
1.1 Background of the issue…………………………………………11
1.2 Need for the present study…………………………………13
1.3 Research Aim………………………………………………14
1.4 Research Question…………………………………………14
1.5 Research Objectives……………………………………….15
1.6 Research Hypothesis………………………………………15
1.7 Research Methodology……………………………………15
1.8 Organisation of the Dissertation…………………………..17
1.9 Scope and Limitations of the Research……………………18
2. Literature Review……………………………………………….19
2.1 Introduction to literature review…………………………..20
2.2 What is Culture?…………………………………………………………21
2.3 What is cultural diversity?…………………………………23
2.4 Diversity Management……………………………………25
2.4.1 Why is it important to manage diversity?………….27
2.4.2 What is the present scenario of managing diversity..32
2.5 Cultural diversity in Ireland……………………………….34
3. Research Methodology…………………………………………37
3.1 Introduction……………………………………………….38
3.2 Research Philosophy………………………………………39
3.3 Research Approach………………………………………..40
3.4 Research Design……………………………………………42
3.4.1 Research Problem area……………………………..42
3.4.2 Research Question………………………………….43
3.4.3 Research Objectives…………………………………44
3.4.4 Research Hypothesis………………………………..44
3.5 The Research Purpose………………………………………45
3.6 Research Strategy………………………………………….46
3.7 Time Horizon………………………………………………47
3.8 Credibility of the Research Findings………………………47
3.9 Population and Sampling/Sampling Design……………….48
3.10 Data Collection methods…………………………………..50
3.11 Framework of the Questionnaires………………………….52
3.12 Pilot Test…………………………………………………..53
3.13 Secondary Data…………………………………………….54
3.14 Conclusion…………………………………………………55
4. Data Analysis…………………………………………………….56
4.1 Introduction………………………………………………..57
4.2 General Questions…………………………………………58
4.2.1 Employees’ response regarding working within a
multicultural team…………………………………………59
4.3 Performance related questions…………………………….61
4.4 Objectives related questions………………………………63
4.4.1 Objective 1: Positive impacts of multicultural teams
on performance……………………………………………63
4.4.2 Objective 2: Negative impacts of multicultural teams
on performance……………………………………………65
4.4.3 Objective 3: Key factors and competencies to increase participation, energy and productivity of multicultural teams………………………………………………………66
4.4.4 Hypothesis 1: Multicultural teams can be a source of
competitive advantage when it is well managed……………67
4.4.5 Hypothesis 2: Individuals from different cultures
experience the same behaviour in multicultural teams
differently………………………………………………….69
4.5 Conclusion…………………………………………………70
5. Conclusion……………………………………………………….71
5.1 Discussion………………………………………………….72
5.2 Conclusion…………………………………………………74
6. Self Reflection on Own Learning and Performance………….75
6.1 Introduction………………………………………………..76
6.2 Learning Style……………………………………………..76
6.3 Background………………………………………………..80
6.4 Development of Skills……………………………………..81
6.4.1 Academic research and report writing………………81
6.4.2 Cognitive Skills…………………………………….83
6.4.3 Critical Skills……………………………………….83
6.4.4 Numeric and Quantitative Skills……………………84
6.4.5 Working in Diversified Teams……………………..84
6.4.6 Time Management and Personal Organisation……..85
6.5 Future Application of Learning……………………………86
6.6 Conclusion…………………………………………………87
7. Bibliography…………………………………………………….88
7.1 Books………………………………………………………89
7.2 Journals……………………………………………………94
7.3 Websites……………………………………………………96
8. Appendix…………………………………………………………97
8.1 Questionnaire for Employees……………………………..98
8.2 Questionnaire for Managers………………………………101