Effective e-Learning for a Global Workforce: Designing with Cultural Competency

Abstract

Multinational corporations are designing e-learning for a global workforce, yet little is known about factors being considered during design or overall training effectiveness. Contemporary research indicates that the success of e-learning for a global audience requires cultural competence during design. Therefore, this research examined how a multinational corporation considered cultural competence when designing e-learning for a global workforce. Based on a review of the literature on designing e-learning, cultural competence, and training effectiveness, an online survey was distributed to Learning and Development (L&D) professionals working for a multinational corporation. The survey was developed to investigate these professionals' use of cultural competence when designing e-learning training and to determine their perceptions of its effectiveness. The overall results of the survey suggest the organization considered cultural competencies when designing e-learning but there was room for improvement. Interpersonal standards, relating to awareness and understanding of employees working in countries foreign to the organization's home country, scored lowest. Additionally, when surveyed about the efficiency of e-learning for a global workforce, L&D professionals' overall rating was neutral with a wide range in rankings, suggesting a lack of consistency in e-learning training. The information provided may assist L&D professionals working for a multinational corporation with improving training efficiency of e-learning designed for a global workforce and provide a reference to improve the consideration of cultural competence when designing elearning.