Multilingualism and Interculturality in International Projects and Work

Lena Katharina Maria LOWITZKI

Master's thesis

Abstract:

This master's thesis examines the development of intercultural competences, the handling of multilingualism and the implementation of agile methods in the volatile and connected project environment. What is special about EU projects is the joint endeavour of partners from all over Europe to develop solutions that can be replicated across Europe. International cooperation is thus characterised by cultural diversity, many dikerent work areas, languages and nationalities involved, all of which are trying to develop answers to existing crises and trends against the backdrop of a rapidly changing environment. This thesis aims to examine these topics using the example of the SPARCS project funded as part of the European H2020 programme. SPARCS is a five-year research and innovation project involving more than 50 partners from 11 countries. The aim of the thesis is to answer the following research question: What intercultural competences and what degree of agility are required in international and multilingual project teams in EU projects? The thesis was written as part of a seven-month internship in the SPARCS project. The evaluation of the interviews shows that there is only a low degree of agility in the SPARCS project, but that the need for a more agile way of working is recognised by the interviewees. Important competences for intercultural collaboration include characteristics such as openness, understanding, a critical mindset and sensitivity. The survey clearly showed the interfaces between agile values and the aforementioned characteristics, meaning that although it is not possible to speak of structural agility as a work method, it is possible to speak of cultural agility as a component of intercultural competence.

Abstract:

This master's thesis examines the development of intercultural competences, the handling of multilingualism and the implementation of agile methods in the volatile and connected project environment. What is special about EU projects is the joint endeavour of partners from all over Europe to develop solutions that can be replicated across Europe. International cooperation is thus characterised by cultural diversity, many dikerent work areas, languages and nationalities involved, all of which are trying to develop answers to existing crises and trends against the backdrop of a rapidly changing environment. This thesis aims to examine these topics using the example of the SPARCS project funded as part of the European H2020 programme. SPARCS is a five-year research and innovation project involving more than 50 partners from 11 countries. The aim of the thesis is to answer the following research question: What intercultural competences and what degree of agility are required in international and multilingual project teams in EU projects? The thesis was written as part of a seven-month internship in the SPARCS project. The evaluation of the interviews shows that there is only a low degree of agility in the SPARCS project, but that the need for a more agile way of working is recognised by the interviewees. Important competences for intercultural collaboration include characteristics such as openness, understanding, a critical mindset and sensitivity. The survey clearly showed the interfaces between agile values and the aforementioned characteristics, meaning that although it is not possible to speak of structural agility as a work method, it is possible to speak of cultural agility as a component of intercultural competence.

Keywords

multilingualism, intercultural competences, agility, project team, interviews

Language used: German

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 28. 8. 2024

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: prof. Dr. Doris Fetscher

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH BOHEMIA IN ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE

Faculty of Economics

Master programme / field:
Regional and European Project Management / Regional and European Project Management