Aspects of Intercultural Trust Building in German-South African Projects in the Machine Building Industry – A Qualitative Empirical Investigation

This study investigates the impact of cultural diversity on trust development within German–South African project teams in the machine-building industry. Through a combination of literature review and empirical research, it identifies key cultural factors influencing trust. Using a qualitative content analysis of expert interviews, the findings reveal significant differences in how trust is established and sustained across these cultural contexts. Furthermore, the study highlights actionable strategies for overcoming cultural challenges in practice. From a theoretical perspective, the findings support and refine existing frameworks, offering new insights into the dynamics of intercultural trust. The research contributes to the growing discourse on intercultural project management by providing practical recommendations to strengthen trust and cooperation in international collaborations.