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Unity in diversity? An explorative study on the impact of cultural diversity on the work in the administrative European Commission

Schühle, Hanna LU (2008) STVM11 20081
Department of Political Science
Abstract
In the European Commission people with different cultural backgrounds are working together to achieve common goals. This thesis is an explorative study of the impact the different cultural backgrounds of the staff have on the work in the administrative Commission. By analyzing interviews conducted with staff in Directorate-General for Education and Culture and in Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs, it can be seen that the different cultural backgrounds can have a positive as well as a negative impact on the work. Yet altogether this impact is perceived as being rather insignificant. As one of the main reasons for this, successful socialization can be named. Since there could not be detected any major differences between... (More)
In the European Commission people with different cultural backgrounds are working together to achieve common goals. This thesis is an explorative study of the impact the different cultural backgrounds of the staff have on the work in the administrative Commission. By analyzing interviews conducted with staff in Directorate-General for Education and Culture and in Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs, it can be seen that the different cultural backgrounds can have a positive as well as a negative impact on the work. Yet altogether this impact is perceived as being rather insignificant. As one of the main reasons for this, successful socialization can be named. Since there could not be detected any major differences between the perception of the impact of the cultural diversity in the two Directorate-Generals the norms of the Commission as a whole are socialized rather than specific norms of the respective Directorate-General. However, despite the successful socialization, the interviewed staff primarily feel a stronger connection to their national or regional culture thus not having fully adopted a European identity. So according to the interviews, with regard to the different cultural backgrounds in the administrative Commission, it is possible to speak of unity in diversity. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Schühle, Hanna LU
supervisor
organization
course
STVM11 20081
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
'Administrative Commission', European Commission, Culture, 'Multi-national Organization', Statsvetenskap, Political and administrative sciences, Socialization, förvaltningskunskap
language
English
id
1319142
date added to LUP
2008-08-16 00:00:00
date last changed
2009-05-28 09:09:48
@misc{1319142,
  abstract     = {{In the European Commission people with different cultural backgrounds are working together to achieve common goals. This thesis is an explorative study of the impact the different cultural backgrounds of the staff have on the work in the administrative Commission. By analyzing interviews conducted with staff in Directorate-General for Education and Culture and in Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs, it can be seen that the different cultural backgrounds can have a positive as well as a negative impact on the work. Yet altogether this impact is perceived as being rather insignificant. As one of the main reasons for this, successful socialization can be named. Since there could not be detected any major differences between the perception of the impact of the cultural diversity in the two Directorate-Generals the norms of the Commission as a whole are socialized rather than specific norms of the respective Directorate-General. However, despite the successful socialization, the interviewed staff primarily feel a stronger connection to their national or regional culture thus not having fully adopted a European identity. So according to the interviews, with regard to the different cultural backgrounds in the administrative Commission, it is possible to speak of unity in diversity.}},
  author       = {{Schühle, Hanna}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Unity in diversity? An explorative study on the impact of cultural diversity on the work in the administrative European Commission}},
  year         = {{2008}},
}