Citation

Balakrishnan, Kavitha (2020) Multicultural Identity and Communication Competence of Work Teams. PhD thesis, Multimedia University.

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Abstract

Malaysia is known as “one of the most culturally and economically diverse regions of the world”, and the same paradigm of pluralism is embedded formally in education institutions. The new development plan of Malaysia for a developed nation by 2020 focused among other objectives at uniting all the three main ethnicities. However, studies found intercultural intolerance and misunderstandings are still a concern, and ethnocentric sentiments prevail among the Malaysians. Education institutions play the cardinal role in restructuring and shaping pluralist society for social transformation and socioeconomic growth of Malaysia. Ethnic diversity in educational institutions provides space and opportunities for interaction, reduces prejudices, enhances global citizenry and unity and develops social skills. Educators are the transformation and change agents to instil these important values and skills in the younger generation. Only competent and qualified academics can help to realise these dreams and transform Malaysia into a high income nation by attracting foreign investments and education opportunities. Hence, enhancement of human capital in academia is crucial in providing quality education and materialising education initiatives planned by the government. Investigating the experiences of educators in a multicultural context is pertinent especially because these individuals play an increasingly large role for a bigger purpose in integrating the society in a country like Malaysia. Cultural diversity poses both challenges and opportunities in a multicultural education setting which necessitates recognising factors that promote multicultural identities of educators to maximise multicultural attitudes for their wellbeing and performance. Multicultural attitudes eliminate all kinds of prejudices, stereotypes and discrimination and promotes integration. Educators are expected to assure these conditions are maintained to reinforce interaction and resonate inter-group contact. Cultural patterns are expressed through one’s intercultural communication competence based on race/ethnicity. Therefore, this study examines the multicultural identities and intercultural competencies, and their relationship with well-being and performance. It employs structural equation modelling to examine the determinants of multicultural identities from the perspective of the cognitive-developmental model of social identity integration framework. Categorisation, compartmentalisation and integration were hypothesised to explain multicultural identity and its effect on wellbeing and performance.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Additional Information:	Call No: HM1271 .B35 2020
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Multiculturalism
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology > HM1176-1281 Social influence. Social pressure
Divisions:	Faculty of Business (FOB)
Depositing User:	Ms Nurul Iqtiani Ahmad
Date Deposited:	22 May 2023 04:51
Last Modified:	22 May 2023 04:51
URII:	http://shdl.mmu.edu.my/id/eprint/11416

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