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Abstract
This dissertation deals with mentoring practices for leadership development in a multicultural environment. It focuses on Operation Mobilization (OM)'s mentoring culture and mentoring practices of the participating leaders and Koreans in OM by using Lois J. Zachary's mentoring culture as well as J. Robert Clinton's mentoring concepts. This study examines the cultural values and cross-cultural dynamics that impact leadership and mentoring practices in the Korean and multicultural context. The primary methodology used for this study is survey research among the upper-level leaders and Korean long-term workers in OM.
Research reveals that the greatest fulfillments as well as difficulties for Koreans in OM are their cross-cultural training and ministry experiences through OM's multicultural teams. Great training models and potential mentoring opportunities exist within the organization, through on-the-job training and various ministry opportunities. The research suggests that OM, now developing a mentoring culture, could benefit its leaders and Korean long-term workers with a more intentional and holistic mentoring paradigm beginning at recruitment and continuing to retirement.
The findings in this study show that there are significant similarities as well as differences in mentoring practices between the upper-level leaders and Korean long-term workers in OM in terms of mentoring expectations, attractions, barriers, and patterns. Most common types of mentoring among OM leaders and Korean long-term workers in OM are passive and occasional relationships. Many OM leaders engage in active mentoring relationships to a lesser degree, particularly in cross-cultural settings.
This study suggests the Model of Diverse Mentoring Networks, which embraces mentoring relationships and networks, and goes beyond cultural and organizational boundaries in a multicultural environment for the 21st century. As OM continues to grow as a multicultural organization, providing appropriate mentoring resources and training along with organizational support they, as a learning organization and mentoring community, will be enriched through cultural diversity and cross-cultural mentoring.
