EXPLORING ACCULTURATION STRESS AND RISK PERCEPTION IN MULTINATIONAL COASTAL ENGINEERING CREWS

Abstract

Multinational coastal engineering teams frequently work under extreme environmental and social constraints, where integration factors and hazard recognition influence safety and performance outcomes. This research examines the relationship between acculturation stress and risk perception in culturally diverse teams in coastal infrastructure development. Using mixed-method psychological profiling, risk sensitivity assessment, and ethnographic interviews, the paper identifies communication barriers, value misalignment, and climate-specific risk unfamiliarity as key stressors. The results show that engineers with higher acculturation stress are more likely to underestimate contextual risks, which results in suboptimal team coordination. In contrast, those who culturally adapted demonstrated better hazard anticipation and collaborative performance. This paper proposes a dynamic Acculturation-Risk Perception (ARP) interaction model which can be used for focused action strategies by human resource and safety management divisions. The findings strengthen the case for multidisciplinary education tailored to the specific cultural backgrounds, integration of culturally adaptive communication frameworks, as well as synchronous mental health interventions for engineering teams operating within global contexts. This approach suggests something to occupational psychology and coastal engineering management through the introduction of culture-informed risk interdependence.