The internationalization of Brazilian companies brings a new reality: the need for implementation of global projects that bring, in turn, the challenge of managing multicultural teams. Since this is a recent phenomenon with little theoretical development, this study sought to understand the relationships between cultural characteristics and management teams of global projects in Brazilian multinationals. To carry this discussion forward, we studied six cases of Brazilian multinational companies, with the aim of deepening the understanding of the management of global teams, involving the planning, deployment, development and management of human resources. Among the projects studied, it was found that there is very little concern with the specific issue of multiculturalism and little inter-cultural incentive to the development of team members, which ends up hindering the construction of a global mindset, important for the Brazilian multinational companies to perform successfully abroad. Faced with this situation, each of the managerial processes mentioned were presented with a number of actions to be undertaken by the project manager in three different dimensions: the project itself, the organization and the global environment. The work contributes, thus, to enable Brazilian multinational companies to manage their global teams in order to maximize the advantages of global teams, such as increased creativity and innovative capacity, but avoid the problems that multiculturalism can bring, ranging from conflicts between people to project failure.

O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar os vínculos existentes entre as práticas de gerenciamento de projetos vis-à-vis a adequação da estrutura e das competências organizacionais. A metodologia de estudo de caso foi escolhida para auxiliar na apresentação deste trabalho na forma de resultados de uma investigação empírica. A pesquisa foi realizada em uma empresa da cadeia produtiva do setor automobilístico. Os resultados apontaram os fatores determinantes da estrutura, dos quais se destacam: a falta de memória técnica, o desenvolvimento gerencial e o custo da estrutura. Além disso, foi constatado um cenário de baixas competências nos âmbitos do indivíduo, das equipes e da organização.

This study aims to understand the links between project management practices and organizational structure and competences. The case study methodology was chosen in order to present an empirical investigation. The research was conducted in a company in the automotive sector. The results show the structure determinants, among which are: lack of memory technology, management development, and cost structure. Furthermore, a scenario of low competences was found in the individual, team , and organizational dimensions.

Este artigo discute os conceitos concernentes à tecnologia social num mundo globalizado, em contraposição às propostas que defendem a adoção, pelas multinacionais, de estratégias organizacionais focadas na base da pirâmide social. Uma análise de aplicação desse novo conceito de tecnologia social é feita a partir de um estudo de caso. Como resultado, identificou-se o potencial inovador dessas tecnologias, em termos de eficácia, possibilidade de multiplicação e desenvolvimento em escala para a solução de problemas que afetam a maioria dos seres humanos, como os relacionados com a demanda por água, alimentos, educação, energia, saúde, entre outros, ao mesmo tempo que promovem a inclusão social e protegem o meio ambiente.

This article discusses the concepts of social technology in a globalized world, in contrast with more recent views that advocate the adoption, by multinational companies, of organizational strategies focused on the base of the social pyramid. An analysis of the application of this new social technology concept is made through a case study. As a result, the innovative potential of these technologies was identified, in terms of efficiency, possibility of dissemination, and scale development, in order to solve problems that affect most people, such as those related to the demand for water, food, education, energy, and health. At the same time it should improve social inclusion and protect the environment.