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Culture and International Volunteerism: an Analytic Study of Intercultural Interactions between UK and Ghanaian Volunteers on the International Citizen Service (ICS) Program

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Abstract

The article explores the intersection of UK and Ghanaian volunteers’ intercultural interactions in multicultural teamwork under international volunteerism context. Situating the study within the cultural dynamic framework and adopting a case study qualitative research design, the study revealed that culture is created by the actors based on the interactions and context. Furthermore, elements of cultural diversity such as diversity of thought and cross-cultural sensitivities were revealed to be enablers of effective cross-cultural communication and not as barriers or impediments to effective interactions. Misconceived sexual orientations and lack of cultural neutrality in decision-making process also characterised their cultural constructions. In view of this, the study recommends that open-mindedness and willingness to modify ethnocentric dispositions as well as exhibition of cultural sensitivities and moderation of opinions in international assignments will greatly enhance intercultural interactions among multicultural teams and foster successful work outcomes in international volunteering service.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Regional Offices and Foreign Missions, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Accra, Ghana

    Hadi Ibrahim

  2. School of Governance, Law and Society, Department of Sociology, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia

    Muhammed Abdulai

  3. Faculty of Agribusiness and Communication Sciences, Department of Communication, Innovation and Technology, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana

    Muhammed Abdulai & Alhassan Abubakari

Authors
  1. Hadi Ibrahim
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  2. Muhammed Abdulai
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  3. Alhassan Abubakari
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Correspondence to Hadi Ibrahim.

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Ibrahim, H., Abdulai, M. & Abubakari, A. Culture and International Volunteerism: an Analytic Study of Intercultural Interactions between UK and Ghanaian Volunteers on the International Citizen Service (ICS) Program. Hu Arenas 3, 279–295 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42087-019-00082-w

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