Culture remains the chasm that separates the way humans choose to act. In management the culture has taken center stage in ensuring that managers are cognizant of cultural aspects of different nations. The narrative has been that conducting oneself in a culturally sensitive manner can contribute to the success of the endeavor (Eberlein, 2008). The expectation of economic growth coinciding with the expansion of project growth in Malawi is likely to coincide with increasing interactions between people of different cultures. Malawi is not an exception to the little research that has been done to codify the cultural values in African counties (Amponsah, 2012).
Recommendations work-related values in malawi
The shortfall of all cultural dimensions has been the predictability. This study sought to identity the four dimensions of national culture as power distance, Individualism, Uncertainty avoidance and Masculinity in Malawian projects (Hofstede & Minkov, 2011). Impliedly, this research sought to prove whether these dimensions were useful anticipating the work related behavior of project professional in Malawi. The findings show that project professionals in Malawi show low power distance highly collectivist, feminine societies with high uncertainty avoidance. This is in line with the responses given by the questionnaire participants
Power distance in Malawian projects
Power distance is closely related to leadership styles and management structures. Project managers must expect that employees prefer to work as cooperative where conflict resolution is done through compromise and negotiation. Management structures tend to be decentralized where employees only report to one supervisor. There is a democratic emphasis placed on leadership style where subordinates value participation and consultation in the decision making of their superiors (Elena, 2010; Hofstede & Minkov, 2011). Some respondents referred directly to these aspects in the questionnaire when they pointed to foreign project managers seeing themselves as superior, overbearing and unapproachable. Other respondents also concurred with the finds by saying that foreign project managers must handle issues diplomatically and not be brash.
Collectivism in Malawian projects
Respondents also show a high degree of collectivism. They value jobs that allow for sufficient personal and family time. Extended family and friends hold a large influence on their employment life and the security of their jobs is ultimately tied to external family (Berigiel, et al., 2012; Hofstede & Minkov, 2011). Respondents showed that collectivism by mentioning the need for managers to be cognizant of tribal family values and understanding the needs of employees when it comes to the sickness or death of relatives and other extended family members.
Femininity in Malawian projects
Respondents show more feminine than masculine traits as elucidated by Hofstede. These traits are manifest themselves as modesty, tenderness and concern with the quality of life (Hofstede, 1980; Hofstede & Minkov, 2011). Employees will place high importance on recognition for their job performance, working relationships with other employees are given high priority. Therefore communication in the respectful manner is essential to the maintenance relationships. Employees will exhibit a passive nature in an attempt to avoid confrontation with peers or superiors. A number of respondents referred to passivity in Malawian projects particularly when it comes to voicing concerns.
Uncertainty Avoidance in Malawian projects
Malawian project participants show a high uncertainty avoidance which indicates that they feel uncomfortable with unstructured, unknown or unusual situations. High uncertainty societies will try to minimize unstructured situations with strict rules and on a philosophical and religious level, by belief in absolute truth (Chao, 2007) (Fontaine, et al., 2005). Respondents to the survey state religious prayers and religion and rituals as important aspect of work values. Employees will follow the company’s rules strictly but feel tense about the work tense and insecure in the work environment. Competition between employees in the workplace can exasperate insecurity that can manifest itself in the form of jealousy and back biting. A number of respondents refer to jealousy as an aspect that a foreign project manager should be aware in Malawian projects.
The cultural values in project management are considered of utmost importance to the success project in Malawian environment. That is not to say that projects will fail if the not followed to the letter but as one respondent puts it is likely to “frustrate” the intended goals and objectives (Eberlein, 2008). A project manager will have to focus on more than just technical aspects of time cost and scope. Respondents show that non-technical measures of project are still not widely used as measures of project success. An important aspect is that all cultural factors generated from the literature review received low mean score that indicate the priority that should be accorded to them. There are some salient cultural traits that can be extracted from the responses. Respondents refer to jealousy, passivity and inability to voice concerns.
Cross- cultural project management research
In regard to this studies placement in the field of cross-cultural project management research. This study has validated some of the theoretical stances in regard to organisations culture. Respondents in the questionnaire support the assertion that missions’ statements, policies and procedures have little effect on the implementation of organisational values.
Recommendations
• Cultural management should be a critical success factor for any foreign project manager.
• Project success criteria in Malawi should be expanded to include the soft aspects of projects.
Recommendations for further study
• The limitation of this study is that it does not encapsulate the entire spectrum of cultural dimensions proposed by Hofstede or other authors. Given the findings of this study, it is recommended that further research applies other dimensions to projects in Malawi.
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