Business communication and the global context

Learning objectives
What

is intercultural communication How culture effects on communication What are national cultural variables What are individual cultural variables

Intercultural communication
Many

personal and national variables affect both senders and receivers of message. Each Person, each country has its own written and unwritten Rules of behavior Instructions in communication This happens due to difference in language, culture, status, education and age

A concept of culture
scholarly point of it is difficult to define communication and culture. Research suggests that 164 definitions exist for word culture. In communication culture refers to the behavioral characteristics typical of group. It implies that communications, oral, nonverbal with in a group are also typical and are often unique.
In

A concept of culture
Culture generalizations applicable to an entire nation are impossible. Knowing core characteristics of a country are basic to better international communication. Ethnocentrism is judging other groups or countries by the cultural standards of your own group.

A concept of culture
Guess where following communication and cultural habits exists.(p.71) 1. Where people sign their last (family) names first? 2. Where two signatures appears at the bottom of a paper? 3. Where people follow these styles Month/date/year Year/month/date Date/month/year

Intercultural communication
Studies found that we all are comfortable with persons we know and who hold similar belief. Some basic human characteristics are common to all of us e.g. doctor all over the world understand the functions of human body.

Intercultural communication

Intercultural communication
Centre highlights that basic common human characteristics Countries I & II have major cultural overlap, may be due to same language dress etc. Countries III & IV have less commonality Therefore it will be easy to work in countries I & II as an expatriate.

Intercultural communication

At outer edge all four countries are a part, this may be because of major differences, such as religion, values, beliefs verbal and non verbal communication.

Intercultural communication

Intercultural communication
In this figure countries I, II, and IV are highly similar; each to a high degree overlaps the other. It may be that Christianity is the dominant religion, the language is the same, cars drive on the same side of the road-even first names are used often etc. Country III has less cultural overlap with other countries (eating habits etc.).

American vs other culture

United States
Concern with diversity Tendency to be obsessed with time Expect answers quickly to faxes, letters, or Email Few vacation periods Legalistic letters

Other countries
Less tolerance for diversity Time is flexible Faxes and E-mail slowly increasing in developing countries Many vacation days More informal a handshake is good as letter

Some important websites

pp. 76 http://www.worldbusinessculture.com http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/