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This exploratory study examined the influence of national and organizational culture on the use of various performance improvement interventions. Data on intervention use were collected from practitioners in the United States and South Asia. Results revealed that orientation programs, organizational communication, instructor-led training, and performance appraisals were among the most used interventions in both the United States and South Asia. Findings also indicated that factors such as organization size, location of headquarters, learning and development budget, and reporting structure are related to the use of interventions. Practitioners in South Asia predominantly had expertise in disciplines such as human resources, while those in the United States had experience in instructional design and human performance technology. These differences may influence the development and implementation of instructional and noninstructional interventions. (Contains 2 tables.)

Recent research in the areas of human performance technology (HPT), organizational development, and cross-cultural training has suggested the need for developing managerial competencies that are effective in diverse cultural settings. Some competencies such as technical proficiency, knowledge of company systems, adaptability, and the ability to cope have been examined for their suitability in various cultures. However, there have been few efforts to examine the suitability and validity of HPT competencies in cross-cultural settings. This exploratory study investigates the application of HPT competencies across two regions of the world. On the basis of a survey of more than 100 industry professionals, we obtained data indicating the frequency of application of a set of core HPT competencies in the United States and South Asian regions. Findings revealed significant differences between how practitioners in these two regions apply performance analysis, cause analysis, and intervention design and development competencies. Results suggest that cultural differences might be affecting how practitioners in these regions are applying HPT. Possible areas for future studies are discussed. (Contains 5 tables.)