Uncovering the Cultural Dynamics in Mentoring Programs and Relationships

A volume in the series: Mentoring Perspectives (formerly listed as Perspectives in Mentoring)Series Editor(s): Frances K. Kochan Auburn UniversityAlthough cultural issues have a powerful influence on the failure and success of mentoring programs andrelationships there is scant research on this area and little in the way of guidelines that practitioners canuse to help assure mentoring success. This book seeks to expand our knowledge and understanding of thistopic and to foster the use of this information to enhance practice and research.The book is unique in a number of ways and will be an important resource for all those engagedin mentoring endeavors and for those conducting research in this area. First it presents research findingson the cultural impact of mentoring at the individual relational level at the organizational level and withinthe structures of the society. Secondly the chapters describe mentoring from an international perspective including programs from Africa AustraliaCanada Finland India Ireland Korea Scotland Sweden and the United States. Third the book is research based and yet can be easily applied topractice. Chapters provide information on lessons learned and also include reflective questions to enable the reader to delve more deeply into the constructsand findings in order to apply them to their own practice and research. This makes the book an ideal resource for training mentors and menteesfor designing mentoring programs for teaching about mentoring and for establishing and maintaining mentoring relationships. It also will be of valueto those who are engaged in conducting research on how to create and maintain successful mentoring relationships and programs.