Language as a Conflict Facilitator: How Multicultural Teams Perceive Conflict

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the perceptions of individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds regarding conflict deriving from language differences in multicultural teams, focusing on language barriers as an indicator of the different forms of communication in multinational corporate contexts. The findings revealed that while language barriers can lead to minor misunderstandings, the main facilitator of conflict in multicultural teams is the differences in communication styles, which stem from cultural diversity and values. In contrast, language is perceived as merely a tool that reflects these. The current findings emphasized the need for companies to implement more training extended to every employee to create cultural awareness and promote cultural sensitivity for an effective and fruitful conversation between employees.