An analysis of core-competences of successful multinational team leaders

Abstract

Researchers have endeavoured to understand the factors that enable effective functioning of multinational teams (MNTs) but with few exceptions they have ignored studying the competences of MNT leaders. In this paper we present those competences leaders must possess in order to effectively lead MNTs. Our findings are based on 70 problem-centred interviews with MNT leaders and members from five multinational corporations. The competences our interviewees mentioned most frequently for effective leadership were knowledge management and transfer. Results further indicated that a leader must be cross-culturally competent and multilingual in order to motivate MNT members to fully explore, exploit and transfer valuable knowledge within the team and beyond.

Une analyse des compétences clefs des chefs d’équipes multinationaux performants

Aida Hajro et Markus Pudelko

Les chercheurs ont essayé de comprendre les facteurs qui favorisent le fonctionnement efficace des équipes multinationales mais, à l’exception de quelques-uns, ils n’ont pas étudié les compétences des chefs d’équipes multinationales. Nous présentons ici les compétences que ces leaders doivent posséder afin de diriger efficacement une équipe multinationale. Nos conclusions s’appuient sur 70 entretiens qualitatifs auprès de chefs d’équipes de 5 grandes entreprises multinationales. Les compétences les plus fréquemment mentionnées par les personnes que nous avons interrogées sont la gestion et le transfert des connaissances. Les résultats indiquent en outre qu’un leader doit avoir des compétences interculturelles et être multilingue afin de motiver les membres d’une équipe multiculturelle, ce qui permettra d’explorer, d’exploiter et de transférer des connaissances précieuses au sein et au-delà de l’équipe.

Keywords

competences corporate culture cross-cultural competence knowledge management language leadership motivation multinational teams

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