Cultural diversity in global engineering teams: how ABB enables collaboration and innovation
Cultural diversity is not only a moral imperative – it is a critical enabler in global engineering organizations. At ABB, where teams design, build and operate electrification and automation technologies, diverse cultural perspectives strengthen engagement, collaboration, performance and innovation in complex industrial environments. As a technology leader operating in over 100 countries with 110,000 employees, ABB’s people help run what run the world.
Web Story
7min
2026-05-17
Why cultural diversity in engineering companies and workplaces look like
- Cultural diversity is the variety of cultural expressions and practices, encompassing differences in language, customs, beliefs, and values, according to UNESCO.1
- ABB celebrates UN World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, highlighting the richness of the world’s cultures.2
Why cultural diversity matters in engineering companies
Companies with ethnic diversity have an average 27 percent financial advantage.
<p>McKinsey<sup>3</sup></p>Cultural diversity can lead to increased creativity and team satisfaction.
<p>Study in Journal of International Business Studies<sup>4</sup></p>Culturally diverse teams are often linked to higher innovation.
<p>Study in Journal of Organizational Behavior<sup>5</sup></p>Ethnic diversity increases the probability of international reach.
<p>Institute for the Study of Labor<sup>6</sup></p>For engineering teams, diversity of culture and ethnic backgrounds can enable innovation and technological development.
<p>Study in Science Direct<sup>7</sup></p>How cultural diversity works in a global engineering company
Cultural diversity is critical in global engineering — and ABB operates at that complexity every day. With operations in over 100 countries, the inclusion of ABB’s 110,000 employees from all backgrounds and in all locations is fundamental to our success.
In engineering and industrial environments, projects often require collaboration across different cultures, languages, and ways of working. Cultural diversity and multicultural teams in engineering can help teams anticipate challenges, adapt solutions to local conditions, and deliver more resilient and effective technologies.
“Our people bring diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and that’s a strength we actively build on. At ABB, we’re committed to creating a work environment where everyone can show up as their full selves and truly come as they are.”
- Giampiero Frisio, President of Electrification
How ABB implements cultural diversity in practice
<p>ABB aims to building an inclusive work environment so all people from diverse ethnic, national and cultural backgrounds can be empowered to do their work and take performance to a new level. This is part of our broader <a href="https://www.abb.com/global/en/company/about/diversity-and-inclusion"><b>Diversity and Inclusion framework</b></a>, driven by a three pillar model of governance, inclusive leadership and culture, and partnerships. Below are some examples of our initiatives:</p>
Flavor of culture initiative
<p>Throughout the month of May, ABB colleagues in offices and sites across 100 countries share traditional meals, music, dances, languages, cultural practices, and more. Participants include those from both corporate offices and business locations across electrification, automation, and motion.</p>Connecting and networking
<p>Our “Coffee Connect” initiative enables colleagues to be randomly paired with another colleague to connect and explore topics, including on culture, ethnicities and nationalities. Meetings can be in person or virtual, giving our people the chance to meet others they wouldn’t normally interact with.</p>Code of Conduct
<p>Our Code of Conduct includes zero tolerance against racial slurs and discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, citizenship, national origin, and language.</p>Inclusive Language Guide
<p>Our Inclusive Language Guide offers guidance on how to refer to someone’s ethnic or cultural background, how to speak to multilingual individuals, and recognizing diverse beliefs, practices, and values.</p>Learning and development
<p>ABB offers specific learning paths, webinars, workshops, articles and other resources from partners on ethnic and cultural diversity. This includes an online platform that empowers individuals to bridge cultural gaps, support multicultural teams, and communicate effectively across diverse backgrounds, nationalities, and personal styles.</p>Employee resource groups and employee networks
<p>Our employee resource groups and employee networks are voluntary, employee-led groups that support inclusion and help create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging.<b><br> Asian professionals:</b> The mission is to promote professional development and amplify awareness of Asian cultures within our global community and with our customers.</p>Inclusive Hiring
<p>Our hiring approach is designed to shape a workforce that reflects the world we serve, which includes aiming to attract people from diverse cultures, ethnicity and nationalities. ABB has global partnerships, embeds inclusive practices, drives adoption of accessible tools and processes, and measures progress.</p>Hear how our colleagues celebrate diversity of cultures
Giampiero Frisio, President of Electrification, shares what he learned about his team members.
Click “play” to learn more.
Diversity and Inclusion at ABB
When everyone can come as they are, it unlocks the full potential of ABB’s people and business.
Join the team that runs what runs the world
Sources:
- What is Culture diversity? Meaning, Definition. - UNESCO
- World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development – United Nations
- Why diversity matters even more - McKinsey
- Unraveling the effects of cultural diversity in teams: A meta-analysis of research on multicultural work groups – Journal of International Business Studies
- Team creativity/innovation in culturally diverse teams: A meta‐analysis - Wang - 2019 - Journal of Organizational Behavior – Journal of Organizational Behavior- Wiley Online Library
- Ethnic Diversity and Firms' Export Behavior- Institute for the Study of Labor
- 21st Century Engineering Workplace: How an Inclusive Culture can deliver Innovation and Value - ScienceDirect
ABB is a global company committed to upholding our core values and our Code of Conduct everywhere where we operate. We strive to foster an inclusive culture while adhering to all applicable laws. Any statements, goals, policies, or practices outlined in this ABB global website only apply where legally permitted and to the extent that it does not conflict with any applicable local laws. In the event of a conflict, the relevant ABB entity will prioritize compliance with local laws over the policy.