Twenty-eighth International Conference on Learning

Abstract

Expansive changes in global communications and the rapidly emerging and integrated global economy have led to the widespread emergence of cross cultural teams. These developments are consequential with respect to learning cross-cultural understandings of leadership theories and practices. Learning effective leadership practices should be heavily influenced by the extent to which similarities exist within and between the respective cultures, though this often is not the case. Adopting Western cultural bound theories and practices requires considerable caution, as the constraints and assumptions upon which leadership is taught may be faulty or counterproductive. This study focuses on the barriers or challenges faced in teaching and learning effective leadership theory and praxis across cultural contexts. Obstacles to effectively learning and teaching culturally relevant leadership principles and practices include, but are not limited to, issues such as: language, research methods, cultural dimensions, societal norms, pedagogical rather than andragogical approaches to learning, and conflicting world views and value systems.