Impact of Ethnic and language diversity on relationship conflict in project teams: Evidence from Pakistan
Download| Volume 7 Issue 1, 2026 | |
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| Author(s): |
Marvi Soomro (Corresponding Author)
Parkash Lal
Raheem Bux Soomro
Shahzad Nasim
Zaibunnisa Siddiqi
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| Abstract | The increasing diversity among project teams has increased the importance of how demographics differences influences the project teams and their performance. This study will analyze the impact of ethnic and language diversity on relationship conflict, a culturally and language diverse country. Drawing from social identity theory, the research investigates how language and ethnic differences contributes tension, emotional and misunderstanding among project team members. Relationship conflict, characterized by incompatibility, mistrust and disagreement can negatively impact the project overall outcomes. Using quantitative research design, data are collected from project team members working in various organizations. This study investigates the extent to which ethnic and language diversity impacts the emergence of relationship conflict. This paper further explores how communication barriers, sub-group formation in teams, and other differences may intensify the relationship conflict. This paper contributes to the existing literature of diversity and project teams by offering insights of developing country, where language and ethnic differences are silent. The results of this study assist the project managers and organizational leaders to design effective practices for project teams, promoting effective conflict management strategies and also implementing it. At the same time, minimizing diversity adverse /negative impact. Finally, there is strict need to foster the collaborative project team environment to transform the diversity into innovation. |
| Keywords | Ethnic Diversity, Language Diversity, Relationship Conflict, Cultural Diversity. |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Type | Research paper, manuscript, article |
| Recognized by | Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, HEC | Category | "Y" | Journal Name | ILMA Journal of Social Sciences & Economics | Publisher Name | ILMA University | Jel Classification | - | DOI | ISSN no (E, Electronic) | 2790-5896 | ISSN no (P, Print) | 2709-2232 | Country | Pakistan | City | Karachi | Institution Type | University | Journal Type | Open Access | Manuscript Processing | Blind Peer Reviewed | Format | Paper Link | http://ijsse.ilmauniversity.edu.pk/arc/Vol7./pdf/v1/1.pdf |