Author ORCID Identifier
Kelly Murdoch-Kitt: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3410-6017
Denielle J Emans: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3185-2997
Bruna Oewel: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6498-2785
Abstract
By examining remote collaboration as a design problem, this paper provides a rationale for the Six Dimensions of Intercultural Teamwork, a new framework to help teammates understand various differences such as how they build trust, exchange information, and cope with creative abrasion. Collaborative work intensifies when teammates are diverse in mindsets, cultural backgrounds, disciplines, and approaches to problems and projects. Stumbling blocks can also grow when teammates work remotely or are working with each other for the first time. Design processes can help remote teams improve the way they work together by introducing systemic thinking, promoting physical and iterative processes, and making the invisible visible. The COVID-19 pandemic thrust design education and workplace activities into new virtual spaces, amplifying some of the challenges associated with teamwork. Videoconferencing tools and cloud-based software alone cannot build the necessary interpersonal skills for effective communication and relationship-building, nor can they address other challenges inherent in teamwork.
Keywords
diverse collaboration, intercultural learning, design process, wicked problems, visual thinking
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2020.398
Citation
Murdoch-Kitt, K., Emans, D., and Oewel, B. (2020) Designing Six Dimensions of Intercultural Teamwork: A next-gen challenge in co-creation processes, in Boess, S., Cheung, M. and Cain, R. (eds.), Synergy - DRS International Conference 2020, 11-14 August, Held online. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2020.398
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Designing Six Dimensions of Intercultural Teamwork: A next-gen challenge in co-creation processes
By examining remote collaboration as a design problem, this paper provides a rationale for the Six Dimensions of Intercultural Teamwork, a new framework to help teammates understand various differences such as how they build trust, exchange information, and cope with creative abrasion. Collaborative work intensifies when teammates are diverse in mindsets, cultural backgrounds, disciplines, and approaches to problems and projects. Stumbling blocks can also grow when teammates work remotely or are working with each other for the first time. Design processes can help remote teams improve the way they work together by introducing systemic thinking, promoting physical and iterative processes, and making the invisible visible. The COVID-19 pandemic thrust design education and workplace activities into new virtual spaces, amplifying some of the challenges associated with teamwork. Videoconferencing tools and cloud-based software alone cannot build the necessary interpersonal skills for effective communication and relationship-building, nor can they address other challenges inherent in teamwork.