...Intercultural Ethics 1 Intercultural Ethics: A Constructivist Approach Richard Evanoff This article originally appeared in the Journal of Intercultural Communication 9:89-102 (2006), published by the Society for Intercultural Education, Training, and Research (SIETAR)–Japan. Copyright © 2011 Richard Evanoff. Abstract While a considerable amount of research in the field of intercultural communication has been devoted to empirical and theoretical studies on cultural differences, comparatively little work has been devoted to normative studies which consider how problems which arise because of cultural differences might be resolved (see, however, Evanoff 2004 for a bibliography of recent publications in this area). Normative research differs both from empirical research, which is basically concerned with describing existing patterns of beliefs, values, and behavior through the use of statistical data, interviews, case studies, and the like, and from theoretical studies, which attempt to make generalizations about cultural differences and how people respond to them by abstracting from such data. The methodology of ethics is neither empirical nor theoretical, but rather normative, which means that it basically concerns itself with a consideration of what beliefs, values, and forms of behavior might be plausibly adopted. Metaethics concerns itself with broader issues of how such decisions can be reasoned about, justified, and, indeed, debated across cultures. Intercultural...
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...Article 2: Communication in international business- to- business marketing channels Does culture matter? This article deals with the question if and how cultural variations influence channel communication . Finding show that there is a relationship between culture and channel communications in international channels. The autor , Bert Rosenbloom, described Hall’s (1976) proposed high-contex versus low- contex dichotomy to explain the different cultural orientations. It is a simple two category basis for grouping the cultures of many different countries to help understand the hidden codes in communication, stemming from „cultural distance“. The expressions "high context" and "low context" are labels which shows the cultural differences between societies. High-context and low-context communication refers to how much speakers rely on things other than words to convey meaning. First, Hofstede's cultural model and the model approaches Hall presented, where the main cultural differences are described. The cultural model of Hofstede with its five dimensions and the corresponding index values provides information about cultural differences and their possible impact in intercultural cooperation. The five dimensions in Hofstede's cultural model, "power distance", "collectivism versus individualism," "femininity versus masculinity," "uncertainty avoidance" and "long-term versus short-term orientation". Together, the five dimensions of a cultural model in which differences can be measured...
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...INTERCULTURAL BUSINESS COMMUNICATION Introduction Due to globalisation and the rapid development of multinational firms, intercultural communication poses new challenges to the managers. In specific, the companies who extended their businesses in foreign countries faced the cross-cultural communication problem, where greater the cultural difference is more likely problem in communication. In order to achieve the goal of the organisation by the way of communicating with each other, it is an important approach for the organisation success, especially for firms that operate with subsidiaries in other countries. However, it is imperative to understand the diverse culture in an efficient way of cross-cultural communication to achieve the firm success (Bennis & Nannis, 1985; Erez, 1992; Chaney & Martin, 2011). More importantly, managers have the ability to understand the reasons at the back of action of business partners and attempt to point out ways to adjust the communication in an efficient manner. As stated by Hofstede (1997, p.4), culture is a mindset that influences directly the people’s way of behaviour and thinking. Business Case The present report critically analyse the real business situations of how international clients behave, in this case the behaviour of Swedish and Chinese staff. The scenario in this case is to identify the misunderstandings between the participants involved regarding their business, intercultural and communication strategies. In addition...
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...InternationalJournal.org Business Communication between People with Different Cultural Backgrounds Livia Ablonczy-Mihályka, Széchenyi István University, Hungary Abstract At present every aspect of our social, scientific and mental life is subdued to accelerated development. In our globalised world, the amount of cross-national communication increases drastically and in recent years many researchers have emphasised the importance of awareness of different cultural norms as globalisation has brought about a growing trend to communicate with people from different cultural backgrounds. This paper argues for a revaluation of how we approach the topic of business communication and for greater emphasis on successful business communication as the goal of better understanding in global business setting. The ideas which are presented in this paper have been derived over a period of two years of our own research and through the reading of research literature. The research to be discussed in the paper is connected to one of the major research lines at Széchenyi István University, titled The dialogue of professional, organisational and national cultures. The purpose of the present paper is to present the results of a survey conducted with professionals who communicate with foreign business partners. The data were gathered by means of a questionnaire. At the root of the argument is the hypothesis that communication rules and norms between people with different cultural background have altered and...
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...Managing Business Communications MGMT2002 Managing Business Communications Tutor: Han Ayshan Tutorial Time: Thursday 3pm-4pm Completion Date: 25th September 2014 Word Count: 2420 Tutor: Han Ayshan Tutorial Time: Thursday 3pm-4pm Completion Date: 25th September 2014 Word Count: 2420 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this report is to critically analyse the Southern Cross Health Systems case from a communication perspective, by identifying and discussing the relevant communication and ethical issues in the company. The results have shown that various communication flaws are present between the company’s three main employees: Bieber, Harris and Hirokawa. Firstly, research has shown that effective communication can be achieved through the appropriate choice of communication channels (Lengel 1983). However, Bieber and Harris are utilising the inappropriate channels, such as E-mails and SMS for unsuitable occasions, thus communication is undermined. Next, the report discusses the significance of nonverbal communication. Bieber and Harris have displayed various nonverbal cues, either consciously or unconsciously, to suggest their authority towards their colleagues. Furthermore, the report examines the problems during intercultural communication, with a particular focus on Hirokawa and Harris. Hirokawa is from a Japanese background, whilst Harris is from an African American background; therefore they belong to the different cultural dimensions of collectivism...
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...Journal of Comparative International Management 2009, Vol. 12, no.2, 73-89 ©2009 Management futures Printed in canada Cross-cultural Communication and Multicultural Team Performance: A German and American Comparison by Steven W. Congden University of Hartford, U.S.A. Alexei V. Matveev College of Staten Island – CUNY, U.S.A David E. Desplaces College of Charleston, U.S.A. This study builds on work by Matveev & Nelson (2004) which investigated the relationship between cross-cultural communication competence and multicultural team performance using American and Russian managers. This study examines the impact of national culture on German and American subjects. While a relationship between cross-cultural communication competence and multicultural team performance was found, it did not differ by overall national culture. Of the four dimensions of cross-cultural communication competence, only Cultural Empathy was found to be significantly different between Germans and Americans. No differences were found for the dimensions of Interpersonal Skills, Team Effectiveness, and Cultural Uncertainty. 1. Introduction Worldwide intercultural cooperation drives corporate growth and development across the globe resulting in a heightened demand for a qualified but diverse workforce. researchers have documented that the successful performance of multicultural teams is a vital and contributing factor to organizational success (Jackson, may, & Whitney, 1995; Snow, Snell, davison, & hambrick...
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...CO2520 Communications QUIZZES AND EXAMS Communications QUIZZES AND EXAMS Unit 3 Quiz 1 Units 1, 2, 3: QUESTIONS Directions: Please select the best response(s) for each question. When there are multiple correct answers for a question, please select all that apply. 1. Communication is a _____________ process in which ___________ generate(s) meaning through the exchange of verbal and nonverbal messages in specific _________, influenced by individual and societal forces and embedded in ___________. a. contextual, people, transactions, culture b. people, transactions, cultures, contexts c. cultural, people, contexts, transactions d. transactional, people, contexts, culture 2. Which of these is not a component of human communication? a. Feedback b. Channels c. Decisions d. Setting 3. Which of the following is the model of communication created by the textbook authors? a. Human Communication in Society b. Transactional c. Interrelation d. Linear 4. Communication ethics is defined as ____________________. a. standards of what is right and wrong, good and bad, moral and immoral b. the standards of right and wrong that one applies to messages that are sent and received c. pertaining to the belief that there is a single correct answer d. pertaining to the belief that moral behavior differs among individuals -1- 07/29/2013 Communications QUIZZES AND EXAMS 5. Ancient Greeks, the Middle Ages, and the _____________...
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...Intercultural communication qstns 1. Article Reviews (Review only one article): (10%) Access the Intercultural Communication Reader by L Samovar which is on soft copy on Blackboard. Pick one article from either Chapter 1 or 3 for review. Ch. 01 – Understanding and Applying Intercultural McDaniel & Samovar Ch. 01 – Intercultural Communication in a Globalized Saint-Jacques Ch. 01 – “Harmony Without Uniformity” Miike Ch. 01 – Relevance and Application of Intercultural Korzenny Ch. 03 – The Impact of Confucianism Yum Ch. 03 – Some Basic Cultural Patterns Jain Ch. 03 – Communication with Egyptians Begley Ch. 03 – Russian Cultural Values Bergelson Ch. 03 – Cultural Patterns of the Maasai Skow & Samovar Guidelines: Read the article comprehensively and write a 2-4 page review that should include a summary and a critique (each of which should cover at least ¾ of a page). Use Times New Roman Font size 12 and 1.5 spacing. Submit the article review after two weeks. Hard copies should be handed in on the due date during class but no later than that. 2 Research Paper: (20%) Pick one topic/ question from the following and work with a partner to write a paper 2500-3000 words long (this does not include the cover page, TOC or List of Abbreviations page). Use the writing guidelines available in the library. No less than 8 academic sources are acceptable and at least two thirds should be from books, academic journals, respected magazines/ newspapers and...
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...themselves into these emerging markets. In the very same way as enterprises from emerging markets need to understand the local culture when they establish themselves in Western countries. The aim of this report is to investigate what cultural factors/dimension that affect leadership in the context of multi countries as well as to investigate behavioral styles and practices leaders operating in India and see how Western leadership theories are relevant to these set up. Introduction In today’s world we have emerged from the industrial age, into the information age where knowledge is our most valuable assets. The rapid technological development that have enabled this information age is also affecting the pace at which change is happening in the world. The pace of change is rapidly increasing and in order for organizations to be successful they need to keep up with this pace (Schwarz & Brock, 1998). In a recent business leader review with more than 400 senior executives around the world, forty-one percentages believed that new players from emerging markets will be the main development that will have impact on the business over the coming five years (Accenture, 2010). Their conclusion is understandable, as there have been a big change in the economic power ranking during the last 20 years. The BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) countries economy has...
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...Running Head: DECISION MAKING STYLES AND CROSS CULTURE Decision Making Styles and Cross Cultural Misunderstanding Name: University: Course: Tutor: Date: Abstract In an organizational setting, the employees might be of different cultures and therefore have different values. This is likely to bring about a clash in the operations in an organization. Managers normally have difficulties in making decisions based on the fact that those decisions mar rub a certain culture the wrong way. This Essay looks at the ways in which cultural differences could impact decision making in an organizational setting. It also determines whether there are any ways in which this cultural difference can be exploited for the benefit of the organization. These cultural differences do affect the company’s decision making process and therefore slows down business activities that depend on decision making in order to run. This is a great challenge in a business environment and might bring the performance of a business to a halt. This essay therefore looks into ways in which this challenge can be minimized. The distinct cultural differences between employees of an organization play out in the day to day running of the organization. These cultural differences may be in the form of dressing, values upheld, punctuality, overtime working, teamwork, etc. For example, we look at the Russian managers and the Chinese managers. Chinese managers are...
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...THE INTERCULTURAL DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH INSTITUTE www.idrinstitute.org U.S.A: 6203 NE Rosebay Drive. Hillsboro, Oregon 97124 +1 503-268-1025 Italy: Via Francesco Arese 16, 20159 Milano +39 02 6680 0486 idri@idrinstitute.org INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE FOR GLOBAL LEADERSHIP1 Milton J. Bennett, Ph.D. 1 This reading is an edited compilation of two articles by Milton J. Bennett: “Developing Intercultural Competence for Global Managers” in Reineke, Rolf-Dieter (Editor) (June, 2001) Interkulturelles Managment. Wiesbaden: Gabler Verlag, ISBN: 3409-11794-6 and “An Intercultural Mindset and Skillset for Global Leadership” from Conference Proceedings of Leadership Without Borders: Developing Global Leaders. Adelphi, MD: National leadership Institute and the Center for Creative Leadership, University of Maryland University College, 2001. Over the last twenty-five years, the field of intercultural relations has developed some sophisticated methods for developing intercultural competence. Gone are the days when the only approach to an assignment abroad was “sink or swim.” And fast disappearing are the organizations who still say “the way we do it here is the way we do it everywhere.” It is now possible to prepare global managers and leaders to learn how to learn in new cross-cultural situations, thus speeding up their adaptability and improving their productivity. For experienced hands, the new methods allow them to share their own experience more effectively with the next generation...
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...EFFECTIVE TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP ACROSS CULTURES: THE ROLE OF CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE Dr. Alexi Matveev College of Staten Island New York, NY, USA Dr. Elena Lvina Concordia University Montreal, Quebec, Canada Abstract New theoretical frameworks are needed to better understand effective transformational leadership in different cultural contexts. In this article we illustrate the relationship between transformational leadership and the cross-cultural communication competence frame. We show how national culture orientations and cross-cultural communication competence affect the full range leadership framework and transformational leadership dimensions. Attributes of effective leadership and the choice of communication strategies vary for different cultural contexts; however, the charismatic or value-based leadership dimension contributes the most to universally perceived effective leadership styles. We draw attention to the importance of transformational leadership research utilizing the cross-cultural communication competence construct. Introduction Transformational leaders rely heavily on their rhetorical skills in order to articulate a vision and create meaning for their followers. While the leader's message is important, the process by which it is communicated appears to be just as significant. The communication style is a critical distinguishing factor in whether the leader’s message will be remembered and endorsed. Flauto...
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...EFFECTIVE TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP ACROSS CULTURES: THE ROLE OF CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE Dr. Alexi Matveev College of Staten Island New York, NY, USA Dr. Elena Lvina Concordia University Montreal, Quebec, Canada Abstract New theoretical frameworks are needed to better understand effective transformational leadership in different cultural contexts. In this article we illustrate the relationship between transformational leadership and the cross-cultural communication competence frame. We show how national culture orientations and cross-cultural communication competence affect the full range leadership framework and transformational leadership dimensions. Attributes of effective leadership and the choice of communication strategies vary for different cultural contexts; however, the charismatic or value-based leadership dimension contributes the most to universally perceived effective leadership styles. We draw attention to the importance of transformational leadership research utilizing the cross-cultural communication competence construct. Introduction Transformational leaders rely heavily on their rhetorical skills in order to articulate a vision and create meaning for their followers. While the leader's message is important, the process by which it is communicated appears to be just as significant. The communication style is a critical distinguishing factor in whether the leader’s message will be remembered and endorsed. Flauto...
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...Science and Education Cross-Cultural Etiquette and Communication in Global Business: Toward a Strategic Framework for Managing Corporate Expansion Ephraim Okoro1 1 School of Business, Howard University, Washington, USA Correspondence: Ephraim A. Okoro, Department of Marketing, School of Business, Howard University, 2600–Sixth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20059, USA. Tel: 1-202-806-1545. E-mail: eaokoro@howard.edu Received: March 22, 2012 doi:10.5539/ijbm.v7n16p130 Abstract The expanding scope of business corporations in the first decade of the twenty-first century is drawing much scholarly attention, and the trend has been described as a fact of life that defies the stretch of human imagination. The concept of global economy has expanded consumer awareness, defined new standards and rules of operations, and increased the need for national and corporate interdependence. Multinational organizations are exploring opportunities around the world, demonstrating sensitivity towards cultural differences in order to gain from the proliferation and growth of international enterprise. Recent studies indicate that while some corporations compete successfully in the global marketplace, others have failed to sustain their competitive advantage because of cultural imperialism or inadequate acculturation of their managers on international assignment. Corporate analysts argued that the key to global business success depends on effective cross-cultural etiquette and global workforce...
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...Portfolio of Reflective Cultural Practice Assignment Contents Page Portfolio of Reflective Cultural Practice Assignment 1.1. Introduction In recent times, there has been seen an increased change in the composition of the workforce in organisations because of the rapidly growing globalisation which has made the world increasingly more interrelated (SOURCE). Therefore most business’s around the world including the hospitality and tourism industry need to enter into a cross-cultural alliance to become more effective due to globalisation having a significant impact on the personal characteristic in the workforce because of the increasing cultural diversity (Lloyd and Hartel, 2010). Ferraro (2005) argues that globalisation is not just a passing trend but has submerged acting as a replacement for the cold war system. Therefore this reflective portfolio aims to explore some of the theories surrounding cross-cultural behaviour in order to relate and understand the behaviours of the cultures in respectively Denmark and the US. However in order to do so, a definition of the meaning culture will be primarily discussed and what stereotypes Denmark and the US the authors carries toward both countries. Through the analysis and the information gathered from the theories, potential opportunities and difficulties will be identified between the two countries cultural diversity in relation to motivation, teams, communication channels and conflict and dispute resolution. Lastly...
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