MODELING COPING PROFILES IN CROSS-CULTURAL TECHNICAL TEAMS USING LATENT CLASS PSYCHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

In an ever more globalized and technological work environment, having an awareness of how team members from different cultures deal with challenges is essential for improving collaboration and productivity. This research analyzes coping strategies related to work within culturally diverse technical teams with the application of Latent Class Psychological Analysis (LCPA), which uncovers hidden subgroups within populations based on coping behaviors. Using a sample of 260 professionals employed in cross-border engineering and IT teams, the study identifies different coping profiles and analyzes them within a specific cultural context. The implementation of LCPA uncovers three primary coping classes: adaptive, avoidant, and mixed responders, each with specific cultural orientation and coping strategies. Statistical tests validate the presence of cultural clusters with differing coping strategies which has direct consequences on team cohesion and productivity. The results highlight the importance of culturally diverse defenses within technical teams for coping strategies diversity. Suggested interventions include conflict-reductive and engagement-enhancing strategies of tailored communication frameworks alongside team building activities supported by HR. This study broadens the scope of occupational psychology, cross-cultural management, and team dynamics by introducing a new approach to the research of psychological diversity in globalized teams.