Dissecting culture at work: Conversation with Indian immigrant scientists & engineers in the US industrial sector

• Published in: Technology in society Vol. 66; p. 101654
• Main Author: Varma, Roli
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2021; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Colleagues; Cultural differences; Cultural diversity; Cultural factors; Culture; Developing countries; Educational programs; Employment; Engineer; Engineers; Immigrants; Indian immigrant; Intercultural communication; Interviews; LDCs; Noncitizens; Professional training; Professionalism; Scientist; Scientists; Social background; Social factors; Social interaction; Verbal communication; Work culture; Workplaces; United States > US; Scientist; Cultural diversity; Indian immigrant; Work culture; Engineer
• ISSN: 0160-791X; 1879-3274
• DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101654

Scientists and engineers’ social background, cultural upbringing, educational training, and world outlook influence how they perform the work and interact with their colleagues. We conducted a study on Indian immigrant scientists and engineers employed in the US industrial sector. We interviewed 40 Indian immigrant scientists and engineers, some of whom came for higher studies and found employment after graduation, while others came directly from India to work. Findings show that the overwhelming majority of interviewees (n = 35) noted significant cultural differences with their colleagues in the workplace; only a small number of interviewees (n = 5), believed that their foundation in professionalism eliminated significant impacts from cultural dissimilarities. Interviewees identified cultural differences in the areas of social interactions, work-related practices, intercultural communication, and management. When immigrant scientists and engineers from developing countries join industrial organizations, they do not leave their cultural practices at home. A conversation with Indian immigrant scientists and engineers shows how Indian culture manifests itself in the workplace.
•Indians' social background, cultural upbringing & educational training influence how they perform S&E work.•Indians enter US S&E workforce as they are viewed educated & technically astute with a reasonable command of English.•Once Indians start working, they are also perceived as lacking essential work styles & communication skills.•The uncertainty in the political environment makes Indians work comparatively harder than their American colleagues.•The study shows differences in social interactions, work-related practices, intercultural communication & management.