Learning in multicultural virtual teams: university's role in training globally competent graduates

Abstract

Economic globalization and intensive information exchange has shifted former ideas of borders between countries and continents, having involved people in more extensive international interaction as well as oriented them towards increased personal and business relationships with representatives of other cultures. In this respect current and future students are more likely to become employed abroad or by companies that operate in the global environment. The internalization of the labor market is largely contributed to by expanding development of information and communication technology: virtual work is becoming as common as face-to-face work. Within the given context university graduates are challenged to 44 demonstrate socalled global competences which address one’s ability to work successfully with people from other cultures. This competence is considered an increasingly important skill set for upcoming graduates. This paper briefly discusses the meaning and dimensions of the concept and research into pedagogical approaches to developing students’ global competence via university’s virtual learning environment. The paper also highlights multicultural virtual teamwork as a necessary condition for developing such a competence