Abstract:

Employees’ social competence is at present a very topical issue which is extensively analysed from various angles. Social competence above all affects employees’ ability to build relationships with other people, co-workers and customers. This means that it is one of the factors that influence the speed and scope of the functioning of teams and entire organizations, the achievement of their goals, flexibility and effective implementation of changes, and adaptation to diverse cultural conditions. However, building lasting positive relationships in intercultural work environment is often a great challenge. The aim of the paper is to discuss the role and significance of social competence of employees working in intercultural teams and to demonstrate the links between the level of their social competence and their effective functioning in such teams. The study described in the paper was a qualitative study (58 individual in-depth interviews and 3 focus group interviews) conducted within the project: Social Integration Leaders [Liderzy Integracji Społecznej]. The model programme for the improvement of migrants’ social competence under the Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development [Program Operacyjny Wiedza Edukacja Rozwój] 2014-2020, co-financed by the European Social in the field of social competence of migrants.