When the 'well-oiled machine' meets the 'pyramid of people:' Role perceptions and hybrid working practices of middle managers in a binational organization – ARTE. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barmeyer, Christoph; Davoine, Eric; Stokes, Peter
• Is Part Of: International journal of cross cultural management. Volume 19:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 251
• Page End: 272
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: ARTE -- binational organization -- cross-cultural management -- culture -- French management -- German management -- metaphors of organization -- middle manager -- paradigms -- role perception; Corporate culture -- Periodicals; Cross-cultural studies -- Periodicals; International business enterprises -- Management -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 658.049
• DOI: 10.1177/1470595819869729
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-5958

Abstract

This article examines the middle management representations of organization and managerial roles within a specific bicultural organizational context. The argument explores the extant cross-cultural management literature and identifies two predominant positions: a functionalist-stable stance and a dynamically interpretive perspective of culture. Historically, both positions have contributed to understanding management roles and behaviours in different cross-cultural contexts; however, each also possesses limitations. In response, the argument elaborates a multi-paradigmatic model and framework that synergise elements of the respective approaches. An interpretive methodology using a distinctive qualitative case study of the Franco-German collaborative media venture ARTE is developed. The researchers conducted 31 interviews with French and German ARTE middle managers in order to determine their perceptions of middle-manager roles in this context. The article identified differences in managerial role perceptions and behaviours as well as hybrid working practices as a result of intercultural adaptation and learning in addition to implications, limitations and future directions in the study.