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Theme: Student Populations and Diversity

First Year Students' Expectations of Working in Culturally
Diverse Small Groups at University.

Janet Gregory, School of Business
Swinburne University


This study explores the expectations held by first year students in the Organisations
and Management class at Swinburne University towards working in culturally diverse small
groups to complete university assignments. Students were asked to complete a brief questionnaire about their expectations. Hofstede's model of cultural dimensions is used to assist in understanding differences between the cultures of the local Australian students and the overseas Asian students Overall the study found similarities in the responses given by the local Australian and the overseas Asian students to the questions. Generally the students responded positively to the idea of learning about other cultures and working together. Further research is needed to ascertain if these expectations and attitudes change over time at university and if so why.

Full Paper in MS Word


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