Abstract

Background: Multicultural organisations face both challenges and opportunities in the modern workforce due to globalisation. Sweden, a country with a diverse and growing immigrant workforce, promotes inclusion through progressive policies, yet many immigrant employees still encounter barriers to integration, such as subtle assimilation pressures and limited support. Their adaptation requires attention to everyday work experiences.

Purpose: This study explores how immigrant employees navigate cultural challenges to adapt to Swedish work culture. By focusing on their lived experiences, it gives insight into the challenges faced by immigrant employees. The findings aim to support organisations, HR professionals, and policymakers in creating more effective workplace inclusion strategies.

Method: This research is qualitative with an interpretivist paradigm. The study is based on interviews with 13 immigrant employees working in corporate settings in Sweden. Semi- structured interviews were conducted, with questions developed from the key themes emerging from the research question. Data were analysed using the General Inductive Approach. The Empirical findings were further explained in the discussion chapter, where they were interpreted through the lens of Kim’s Integrative Theory of Communication and Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Oberg’s Culture Shock model.

Conclusion: The results show that immigrant employees in Sweden adapt in selective and situational ways, shaped by workplace norms, communication styles, and organisational support. Adaptation is influenced by both personal agency and context, underscoring the need for more inclusive and responsive workplace practices.