Influence of Cultural Sensitivity on Team Integration

Date of Degree

12-2003

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Program

Education

Advisor

Maria de la Luz Romay

Advisor

Judith E. Beauford

Advisor

Annette E. Craven

Advisor

Esmeralda De Los Santos

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between cultural sensitivity and team integration. There is cause for heightened concern regarding diversity issues in the workplace. This concern stems from the need for organizational strategies that involve teamwork and greater interaction among employees of different backgrounds in light of the growing presence of minorities in the workforce. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between cultural sensitivity and team integration. Two quantitative instruments were used to measure these constructs, The Multicultural Experience Inventory (MEI) and The Work Group Identification, Cohesiveness, and Communication Scale (WGS). Cultural sensitivity was measured by two variables: historical development pattern (HDP) and the contemporary multicultural identity (CMI). Team integration was measured by three variables: work group identity, cohesiveness, and communication. The sample was composed of 61 subjects from work groups of a pharmaceutical sales force from 22 regional territories across Texas. A Spearman rho correlation was calculated between team integration and HDP, CMI, and multicultural score (MC). The results showed correlations between the measures of CMI and team integration to be milder than expected. Spearman rho analysis between the subscales of each instrument revealed significant correlation between CMI and the level of shared information among the work group (communication). A weak but still significant correlation was found between CMI and cohesiveness.

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