Academia´s view: How do employees adapt to cultural change?

In today's globalized world, cultural change in the workplace is inevitable. It's crucial for employees to understand how to adapt to these changes in order to thrive in a diverse environment. 

Employees can adapt to new cultures in cross-border mergers and acquisitions through the following strategies:

Embrace Diversity: Respect and appreciation for different cultural norms and practices can create a more inclusive and harmonious work environment. 

Continuously assess and address any challenges or barriers to cultural adaptation, ensuring ongoing support for employees throughout the integration process [1].

Work engagement is crucial for successful employee adaptation to organizational change. Making sense of the changes and attitude-to-change are positively related to work engagement[2]

Encourage open communication and dialogue between employees from different cultural backgrounds to foster understanding and collaboration . Trust and clarity of goals are significant factors that enhance adaptability [3]. Communicate a lot since change-related uncertainty is related to job satisfaction and performance [4].

Offer support and resources, such as language classes or cultural mentors, to assist employees in navigating the new cultural environment .

Create a supportive and inclusive work environment that values diversity and encourages employees to share their perspectives and experiences .

Provide opportunities for employees to participate in cross-cultural projects or assignments, allowing them to gain firsthand experience and develop cultural competence .

Recognize and celebrate cultural differences, promoting a sense of belonging and acceptance among employees .

Care for the people during change. Employee adjustment to organizational change is influenced by various factors such as characteristics of the change situation, appraisals of the situation, coping strategies, and personal resources [5].

By implementing these strategies, employees can not only adapt to cultural change but also leverage it as a source of strength and enrichment within the workplace.
Like my thoughts? READ MY NEW BOOK
ORDER AT AMAZON
ORDER IN GERMANY

Sources

[1] Managing Cultural Integration in Cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions. (2024, February 22). Managing Cultural Integration in Cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83867-022-120201012

[2] Machteld, van, den, Heuvel., Evangelia, Demerouti., Arnold, B., Bakker., Jørn, Hetland., Wilmar, B., Schaufeli., Wilmar, B., Schaufeli. (2020). How do Employees Adapt to Organizational Change? The Role of Meaning-making and Work Engagement.. Spanish Journal of Psychology, doi: 10.1017/SJP.2020.55

[3]Tan, Fee, Yean., Fee, Cheng, Tan., Devika, Nadarajah. (2022). Determinants of adaptability and its impact on the change readiness of civil servants. International Journal of Public Sector Management, doi: 10.1108/ijpsm-12-2021-0263

[4] Kristin, L., Cullen., Bryan, D., Edwards., Wm., Camron, Casper., Kevin, R., Gue. (2014). Employees’ Adaptability and Perceptions of Change-Related Uncertainty: Implications for Perceived Organizational Support, Job Satisfaction, and Performance. Journal of Business and Psychology, doi: 10.1007/S10869-013-9312-Y

[5] Deborah, J., Terry., Victor, J., Callan. (1997). Employee adjustment to large-scale organisational change. Australian Psychologist, doi: 10.1080/00050069708257382