The Role of National Culture on International Development Projects Performance: Evidence from GIZ and JICA Projects in Ethiopia
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Date
2020-10
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A.A.U
Abstract
The thesis aimed to analyze the influence of National culture on international development
projects performance. The study followed a quantitative research method/approach,
questionnaire as a data collection instrument and explanatory research design to explain
relationships between national culture dimensions and project performance. It also employed
Hofstede’s Cultural Framework as a theoretical lens to capture the prevailing national
cultures and development aid evaluation standard of OECD/DAC to measure IDP
performance. Both primary and secondary data were used to gather data. Professional and
managerial international employees of GIZ and JICA established the study setting while
secondary source of data included extensive review of literature. Data was collected from 89
professional and managerial employees currently participating in the management of
development projects at the two international development organizations. Results revealed
collectivism, femininity, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientation positively influence
IDP performance while power distance has a negative influence. When presented in order of
their influence, uncertainty avoidance, long term orientation, femininity, power distance, and
collectivism dimensions of the donors’ country national culture, respectively assumed greater
influence in the performance of IDP. The thesis concludes national culture influences the
performance of international development projects. Finally, the study recommends promoting
collectivism, femininity, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientation cultural
dimensions in IDP and suppressing power distance, masculinity and individualism cultural
dimensions to achieve a better performance in the management of international development
projects.
Description
A Thesis Submitted to College of Business and Economics at Addis Ababa University in
Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Business Administration
Keywords
Hofstede's cultural Dimensions, International Development Projects, National culture, Project Performance