Practical skills as they relate to working successfully in cross-cultural settings as identified by international agricultural professionals /
The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify the skill set needed by individuals who aspire to have successful professional careers in international agricultural development. A secondary purpose of this study was to identify and propose educational strategies that will increase the success...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
2002.
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| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=764777881&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify the skill set needed by individuals who aspire to have successful professional careers in international agricultural development. A secondary purpose of this study was to identify and propose educational strategies that will increase the success of professionals working in international settings. Four research questions related to seven objectives were examined. The subjects in this study included members of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education and Association of International Agriculture and Rural Development. Data were obtained by the use of an online survey that was developed and tested for use with this population. The subjects were chosen because they were identified as professionals who have had experience in cross-cultural or international work and have supervised personnel in international projects. Of the 509 professionals in the population, 179 participated. Through the use of both parametric and non-parametric statistical analyses, several statistically significant relationships were identified as being indicators of success when possessed by international agricultural development professionals. The study revealed statistically significant relationships between perceived success in international work and length of time in other countries, number of international activities and work, and a consistency of skills learned and recommended skills found in the literature. There were no significant relationships between skills that respondents learned before training and the several skills recommended by the respondents. For an open-ended item in the survey, the skill most frequently named was language, followed by the skills of flexibility, knowledge of culture, and communication skills. Additionally, respondents consistently listed "soft" skills as being important for success in international settings. Furthermore, respondents noted that communication skills of all types (e.g., social, oral, written, diplomatic) were essential. The findings from this study provide insights into the experiences of workers in international settings in agriculture that result in "lessons learned" to support reasons for including or omitting particular content in programs designed to prepare individuals to work effectively in international settings. Ten conclusions, associated implications, and thirteen recommendations for action regarding educational strategies for training are included for those entering into cross-cultural work. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Agricultural Education". |
| Physical Description: | xiii, 270 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilm Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 133-142). |