Analysis of Cross-Cultural Training Efforts, Competencies and Implications, and how Cross-Cultural Competency Affects the Success of Construction Projects on Air Force Installations Overseas

US Air Force (AF) Civil Engineer (CE) Officers stationed at overseas bases lead and manage construction and engineering efforts for projects totaling billions of dollars annually. Budget overruns in the Department of Defense (DoD) and specifically the AF, have been under stringent investigation by government officials in recent years. 92% of CE Officers overseas work with local nationals (LN) and the host nation weekly or daily, but most receive less than 2 hours of formal cross-cultural training prior to arrival overseas. Host nation partners include foreign military, local contractors, LN workforce and local government agencies. Based on a previous Delphi study, 60% of officers received some sort of cultural training, the majority of which was administered via Computer Based Training (CBT) or on the job training (OJT). Of those that received training, 40% felt it was inadequate to prepare them for their job duties. This second iteration, two survey study aims to better understand where cross cultural competence (3C) gaps lie for AF CE Officers. The first study is given to CE Officers with recent overseas experience and the second given to host nation partners at overseas bases. This research investigates the negative impacts on construction project success in overseas base locations due to a lack in 3C. The study also includes a thorough investigation of current practices and available resources. The goal is to inform the AF Language, Regional Expertise and Culture (LREC) training implementation process, an initiative set out by the AF Chief of Staff in 2012. The implications of this study will not only help better prepare CE Officers, and the alike, to perform duties overseas, but also promote a healthy environment when working with host nation partners around the world furthering the AF mission