Ch 3 Communicating Inter Culturally

8/3/2019 Ch 3 Communicating Inter Culturally

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CommunicatingCommunicating

InterculturallyInterculturallyThe importance of Intercultural CommunicationThe importance of Intercultural CommunicationRegardless of the organization you work in you areRegardless of the organization you work in you arelikely to deal with people who come from variouslikely to deal with people who come from variousnational, religious & ethnic backgrounds. More & morenational, religious & ethnic backgrounds. More & more

companies around the world are hopping nationalcompanies around the world are hopping nationalborders to conduct business.borders to conduct business.

Technology has made global communication bothTechnology has made global communication bothquick & easy.quick & easy.

The globalization of business is accelerating as moreThe globalization of business is accelerating as more

companies cross national borders to find customers,companies cross national borders to find customers,materials, and money.materials, and money.

Cultural diversity is the degree to which theCultural diversity is the degree to which thepopulation is made up of people from varied national,population is made up of people from varied national,ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds.ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds.


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The Basics of InterculturalThe Basics of Intercultural

Business CommunicationBusiness Communication Read example of Mazda on p 40Read example of Mazda on p 40

Understanding CultureUnderstanding Culture

Culture is a shared system of symbols, beliefs,Culture is a shared system of symbols, beliefs,attitudes, values, expectations, and norms forattitudes, values, expectations, and norms for

behaviorbehavior

Subcultures are distinct groups that exist withinSubcultures are distinct groups that exist within

a major culturea major culture Intercultural Communication is the process ofIntercultural Communication is the process of

sending & receiving messages between peoplesending & receiving messages between people

of different culturesof different cultures


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Recognizing Cultural DifferencesRecognizing Cultural Differences

The greatest the difference between the sendersThe greatest the difference between the sendersculture & the receivers culture, the greater the chancesculture & the receivers culture, the greater the chancesfor misunderstanding.for misunderstanding.

Nelson Mandela p 41Nelson Mandela p 41

Social ValuesSocial Values

In USA, a highly diverse society, the predominant viewIn USA, a highly diverse society, the predominant viewis that money solves problems, that material comfort isis that money solves problems, that material comfort isa sign of superiority, and that people who work harda sign of superiority, and that people who work hardare better than those who dont.are better than those who dont.

As a culture, people in USA are goal oriented.As a culture, people in USA are goal oriented.

They think they are improving things if a workThey think they are improving things if a workpreviously done by 4previously done by 4

In countries such as India & PakistanIn countries such as India & Pakistan


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Roles & StatusRoles & Status

Culture dictates the roles people play, includingCulture dictates the roles people play, includingwho communicates with whom, what theywho communicates with whom, what theycommunicate, and in what way.communicate, and in what way.

In many countries women still dont play aIn many countries women still dont play adominant roledominant role

Concepts of status also differConcepts of status also differ

Most US executives send status signals thatMost US executives send status signals thatreflect materialistic values (big, furnished officereflect materialistic values (big, furnished officein the corner)in the corner)

In France, boss is in centreIn France, boss is in centre

In MideastIn Mideast


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DecisionDecision--making Customsmaking Customs

In US & Canada business people makeIn US & Canada business people make

decisions quicklydecisions quickly That would backfire in cultures like GreekThat would backfire in cultures like Greek

In US & Pakistan cultures decisions areIn US & Pakistan cultures decisions aredominated by a single figuredominated by a single figure

But in Japanese culture, decision is sharedBut in Japanese culture, decision is shared Concepts of timeConcepts of time

Executives in US & Germany see time as aExecutives in US & Germany see time as away to plan the business day efficiently.way to plan the business day efficiently.

However Latin American & Asian executivesHowever Latin American & Asian executives

see time as flexible. Executives take time tosee time as flexible. Executives take time tobuild foundation for business relationship.build foundation for business relationship.


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Concepts of personal spaceConcepts of personal space

The story of Latin American & US executivesThe story of Latin American & US executives

People in US & Canada stand 5 ft apartPeople in US & Canada stand 5 ft apart

It is uncomfortably close for GermansIt is uncomfortably close for Germans But uncomfortably far for Asians & LatinBut uncomfortably far for Asians & Latin

AmericansAmericans

Hence executive may react negativelyHence executive may react negatively

Cultural ContextCultural Context InIn HighHigh--context culturecontext culture of South Korea &of South Korea &

Taiwan people rely more on nonverbal actionsTaiwan people rely more on nonverbal actions& environmental settings to convey meaning.& environmental settings to convey meaning.

In theIn the lowlow-- context culturecontext culture of USA orof USA orGermanyGermany

Imagine the confusion of a person fromImagine the confusion of a person from lowlow--context culturecontext culture selling a product p. 43selling a product p. 43


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Body LanguageBody Language Differences in body language are major causeDifferences in body language are major cause

of misunderstanding during interculturalof misunderstanding during intercultural

Communication.Communication. Dont assume that a person from anotherDont assume that a person from another

country speaking your language has alsocountry speaking your language has alsomastered the body language of your culture.mastered the body language of your culture.

Instead learn some basic differences:Instead learn some basic differences: E.g. for E.g. for nonopeople in US & Canada shake theirpeople in US & Canada shake their

heads back & forth, in Bulgaria nod up & down;heads back & forth, in Bulgaria nod up & down;people in Japan move their hands; people in Sicilypeople in Japan move their hands; people in Sicilyraise their chin; and many right & leftraise their chin; and many right & left

People in US assume that a person who wont meetPeople in US assume that a person who wont meet

their gaze is evasivetheir gaze is evasive However, in Asia & Latin America lowering eyes is aHowever, in Asia & Latin America lowering eyes is a

sign of respectsign of respect

The more open you are to nonverbalThe more open you are to nonverbalmessages, the better you will communicate inmessages, the better you will communicate inyour own and other cultures.your own and other cultures.


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Social Behavior & mannersSocial Behavior & manners What is polite in one culture may be rude in anotherWhat is polite in one culture may be rude in another

In Arab Countries it is impolite to take gifts to a mansIn Arab Countries it is impolite to take gifts to a manswifewife

In Germany giving a woman a red rose is a romanticIn Germany giving a woman a red rose is a romanticinvitationinvitation

In India you might be invited to visit someones homeIn India you might be invited to visit someones homeany timeany time

Legal & ethical behaviorLegal & ethical behavior In some countries companies are expected to payIn some countries companies are expected to pay

government officialsgovernment officials

Legal systems also differ: In US & UK you are innocentLegal systems also differ: In US & UK you are innocentuntil proven guilty (English Common Law); in Mexico &until proven guilty (English Common Law); in Mexico &Turkey you are guilty until proven innocent (NapoleonicTurkey you are guilty until proven innocent (NapoleonicCode)Code)


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Dealing with language BarriersDealing with language Barriers

Language shapes our world view, & dictates ourLanguage shapes our world view, & dictates ourperception of the universe. So potential forperception of the universe. So potential formisunderstanding crossmisunderstanding cross--cultural interaction iscultural interaction isgreat.great.

Even the way information is approached &Even the way information is approached &

processed can differ among cultures. E.g Chineseprocessed can differ among cultures. E.g Chinese& English& English

Also misunderstandings involving vocabulary,Also misunderstandings involving vocabulary,pronunciation & usage:pronunciation & usage: napkins, jeat yet,napkins, jeat yet,cannahepyacannahepya

If you have a longIf you have a long--term business relationship withterm business relationship withpeople of another culture, it is helpful to learn theirpeople of another culture, it is helpful to learn theirlanguage.language.

Training, course, or translatorTraining, course, or translator


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Barriers to Written CommunicationBarriers to Written Communication

Most routine business correspondence is written inMost routine business correspondence is written in

English, but marketing messages are generallyEnglish, but marketing messages are generallytranslated into the language of the country where thetranslated into the language of the country where theproduct is to be sold.product is to be sold.

When documents are translated literally,When documents are translated literally,communication can break down. For example thecommunication can break down. For example the

advertising slogan come live with Pepsi wasadvertising slogan come live with Pepsi wasmisinterpreted for German & Thai audiencesmisinterpreted for German & Thai audiences

To overcome barriers to written Communication:To overcome barriers to written Communication: Use the skills of bilingual employees or professional translatorsUse the skills of bilingual employees or professional translators

Write short messagesWrite short messages

Keep your wording clear & simpleKeep your wording clear & simple

Avoid slangAvoid slang

Use your fax machines to transmit the information (with speedUse your fax machines to transmit the information (with speed& clarity)& clarity)


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Dealing with ethnocentric reactionsDealing with ethnocentric reactions

Ethnocentrism:Ethnocentrism: the tendency to judge all other groupsthe tendency to judge all other groupsaccording to our own groups standards, behaviors &according to our own groups standards, behaviors &customs.customs.

You ignore the distinctions between your own culture &You ignore the distinctions between your own culture &another persons culture, & you assume that others will actanother persons culture, & you assume that others will actthe same way as you do.the same way as you do. Find out 1 or 2 examples of suchFind out 1 or 2 examples of suchassumptions????????assumptions????????

Ethnocentric people are often prone toEthnocentric people are often prone to stereotyping,stereotyping,attempting to predict individuals behavior or character onattempting to predict individuals behavior or character onthe basis of their membership in a particular group or classthe basis of their membership in a particular group or class

or culture.or culture. Give examples ofGive examples ofstereotyping???stereotyping??? When ethnocentric people stereotype an entire group ofWhen ethnocentric people stereotype an entire group of

people, the do so on the basis of limited, general orpeople, the do so on the basis of limited, general orinaccurate evidence & they frequently develop biasedinaccurate evidence & they frequently develop biasedattitudes towards the group.attitudes towards the group. Read example 45Read example 45..


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Tips for communicating with peopleTips for communicating with people

from other culturefrom other culture You may never overcome completely linguistic & culturalYou may never overcome completely linguistic & cultural

barriers & ethnocentric tendencies, but you canbarriers & ethnocentric tendencies, but you cancommunicate effectively if you work at it.communicate effectively if you work at it.

Learning about a cultureLearning about a culture

When you are preparing to do business abroad, study thatWhen you are preparing to do business abroad, study thatculture in advance as Proctor & Gamble do.culture in advance as Proctor & Gamble do.

Read books & articles about that culture, & talk to peopleRead books & articles about that culture, & talk to peoplewho have done business with members of that culture.who have done business with members of that culture.

Learn something about the cultures history, religion,Learn something about the cultures history, religion,politics, values and customs, subculture, special rules &politics, values and customs, subculture, special rules &protocols.protocols.

Read intercultural communication tips P. 50Read intercultural communication tips P. 50

Read checklist for doing business abroad thoroughlyRead checklist for doing business abroad thoroughly


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Developing Intercultural CommunicationDeveloping Intercultural Communication

SkillsSkills

Never expect to learn a new culture completelyNever expect to learn a new culture completely Dont fall into the overgeneralization trapDont fall into the overgeneralization trap

You may not have the time or interest to learn a lot aboutYou may not have the time or interest to learn a lot about

every culture, but you can communicate more effectively ifevery culture, but you can communicate more effectively if

you develop general skills that help you adapt in anyyou develop general skills that help you adapt in any

culture:culture: Take responsibility for communicationTake responsibility for communication

Withhold judgmentWithhold judgment

Show respectShow respect

EmpathizeEmpathize

Tolerate ambiguityTolerate ambiguity Look beyond the superficialLook beyond the superficial

Be patient & persistentBe patient & persistent

Recognize your own cultural biasesRecognize your own cultural biases


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Be flexibleBe flexible

Emphasize common groundEmphasize common ground

Send clear messagesSend clear messages

Increase your cultural sensitivityIncrease your cultural sensitivity

Deal with an individualDeal with an individual

Learn when to be directLearn when to be direct

Negotiating across culturesNegotiating across cultures Formal/impersonal approach vs. personal/sociableFormal/impersonal approach vs. personal/sociable

approachapproach

Handling Oral CommunicationHandling Oral Communication

H

andling written communicationH

andling written communication(read book)(read book)

Assignment page 56 Ex. No. 3Assignment page 56 Ex. No. 3

Ch 3 Communicating Inter Culturally

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Transcript of Ch 3 Communicating Inter Culturally