The Importance of Effective Cross-Cultural Communication at IBM in India - Essay Example

The Importance of Effective Cross-Cultural Communication at IBM in India Insert Insert Table of Contents Working 3 LiteratureReview and Gap Identified 3 Research Objectives and Aims 6 Research Methodology 8 Summary 9 References 11 Working Title “Importance of Effective Cross-Cultural Communication in IBM Limited” Introduction In my research, I am going to carry out a study on the impacts of cross-cultural communication at IBM in India. However, it will hard to find adequate information because of the privacy issues in the organization. However, I am going to approach the management of the company to give permission to interview its employees how cross-cultural communication in IBM in India affect their operation as a corporation in the business world. Literature Review and Gap Identified According to Okoro (2013), in the global environment effective cross-cultural communication is essential for enhancing the international business of IBM. For instance, IBM is availing opportunities to enable managers to obtain necessary skills as well as an orientation for coping with the different culture (Okoro, 2013). According to Kawar (2012), cross-cultural communication can be defined as the study of how people of different cultural background can communicate with each in relation to same or different topics. Kawar (2012) also, addresses that today cross-cultural communication is essential for international business due to the development of global business, internet and technology (Kawar, 2012). Okoro (2013), also addresses that cross cultural communication is essential in international business for conducting the different needs of IBM effectively with the use of advanced technologies and internet. Through the cross-cultural communication, managers at IBM Limited can communicate with the people belonging from different cultures. In addition, it can effectively gain insight into the different operations that needs to be undertaken for conducting successful international business (Okoro, 2013). According to Guang & Trotter (2012), for the enhancement of successful international business, there should be collaboration between various departments at Coal India Limited and the cross-cultural communication. However, Guang & Trotter (2012), in his article does not cover what types of problem a manager can face in the process of communicating with people of foreign countries while travelling abroad for the first time. Therefore, there should be further research related to the selected topic to mitigate the number of gaps. These gaps should be identified to develop potential solutions through which the problem can be solved (Guang & Trotter, 2012). On the other hand, Matthews & Thakkar (2012) comments, there should be effective communication among the managers and juniors employees to reduce the organizational problem and chances of grapevine in communication could be reduced largely. This strategic progression within the system of communication would even catalyst development of IBM Limited. According to the recent trends, cross-cultural communication has become a huge challenge for IBM. Matthews & Thakkar (2012), also addresses that through cross-cultural communication manager can communicate with people belonging from other cultural backgrounds and provide the necessary information related to the effective international business in course of increasing profitability of the same (Matthews & Thakkar, 2012). According to Zhang & Zhou (2008), due to the improvement of global business, cross-cultural communication is essential for the organization to create the competitive advantage. Cross-cultural communication is essential for international business as it enhance the efficiency of communication with the customers and employees in order to attain goals of IBM and create a value for the stakeholders (Zhang & Zhou, 2008). Matthews & Thakkar (2012), also states that effective cross-cultural communication is also important for international business to discuss about how to meet the needs of the customers belonging from different culture. The IBM has been highly observing the demands of customers at different cultural scenarios (Matthews & Thakkar, 2012). According to Sakkinen (2011), managers who have good knowledge about cross-cultural communication can attain competitive advantage as well as develop efficient business across the globe. Conversely, Sakkinen (2011), states that the problems about understanding the level of different cultural backgrounds among people. This is a reason as people belonging from dissimilar cultural backgrounds face several backlogs in understanding the problem due to the differences in cultural barriers. Therefore, there should be required further research about the research topic to reduce the gap and find out the solutions of the problem (Sakkinen, 2011). Alternatively, according to Okoro (2012), the success of managers at IBM Limited in conducting international business has a prominent impact on the effectiveness of cross-cultural communication. Due to the importance of cross-cultural communication, most of the successful IBM tries hiring personnel from diverse culture as well as community background. These personnel possess diverse cultural knowledge along with good ability as well as skills to make their international assignment effective. Other companies conduct training program in their organization to improve the communication skills and knowledge skills of the managers as well as other employees for the success of IBM Limited or international assignment (Okoro, 2012). According to Rao (2011), managers play a vital role in the success of IBM. Therefore, managers should have effective cross-cultural communication skills along with knowledge to maintain a proper business in the international domain. The owners of the company send the managers abroad for the international assignment and ensure development of their cross-cultural knowledge and abilities that further supports betterment of the organization (Rao, 2011). In this article, Okoro (2012), also addresses that effective cross-cultural communication is essential for meeting the needs at the international domain and make the business successful in attaining competitive advantage (Okoro, 2012). On the other hand, Shree (2012), through the cross-cultural communication people belonging from one cultural background can build proper relationships with people belonging from other cultural background. This intermingled nature of the cultural domain acts as a positive support for understanding the needs for developing the attributes to meet with the international domain and improve IBM. Good understanding level can improve effectiveness and productivity of the managers along with their confidence level as well. Nevertheless, Shree (2012), in his article does not cover that how the satisfactions of the different background staff can be enhanced through proper training and development. It is essential to satisfy the demands of the employees and managers for improvement of the international business. Therefore, to find out the result of relevant problem to mitigate the gap further research is required to enhance a better understanding of the needs of the study (Shree, 2012). Research Objectives and Aims The research study mainly focuses on the importance of cross-cultural communication in the international business because in recent trends cross-cultural communication is essential for success of IBM. Therefore, the present study, research objectives and aims will be as stated below: To determine the effectiveness of cross-cultural communication on IBM managers To identify the impacts of cross-cultural communication on the managers of the IBM Limited To ascertain that a proper understanding of the problem faced by managers at IBM due to different languages and different cultural people involved in international business The reason to select these research objectives as it will be helpful to make the study effective and increase the effectiveness of the study. With the help of above mentioned research objectives, it is possible to cover the information related to the research topic. Through these objectives and aims, the accurate information about the importance of cross-cultural communication for the managers could be duly attained. Furthermore, this would even help in increasing the growth of the international business and enhance the effectiveness of the overall system. From the last research objective, it is possible to obtain the information about the obstacles of cross-cultural communication along with problem face by the managers at the workplace. The diverse cultural evidences are noted to be affecting the overall business structure hence; the present research will support the needs of adaptation as well as adopting diverse language for enhancing the ability of the people in the organization. By obtaining the barriers, it is possible to find out the solutions as well as fill the gap to make the research study effective. Research Methodology Quantitative research method will be appropriate for this research study to collect the accurate information about the selected research topic. To gather the relevant information about the topic questionnaire survey will be most appropriate for this research study. Quantitative research method will be effective because it is a systematic investigation and it provides the information in the form of number. The research study mainly focuses on the effectiveness of cross-cultural communication at IBM. Therefore, based on the quantitative research method it will be possible to collect as well as analyse the data and correct information available for the same (Kennesaw State University, 2012). Quantitative research method will also be suitable for this research study because it provides data not only the effectiveness but also the problem of the research topic. Based on the problems of the research topic the potential solutions will find out to mitigate the problem and make the study effective. Quantitative research method will also be appropriate for this research study because it helps to analyse the numerical data to make the study successful (Kennesaw State University, 2012). 200 samples will be selected for this research study to do the questionnaire survey process and collect the information about the research topic based on views of the selected respondents. Entrepreneurs and managers will be selected respondents, through which the questionnaire survey can be done efficiently. Convenience sample style will be selected for the research study because this style will make it possible to get the references from the respondents and enhance transparency for collecting the information (Enercities, 2012). Through the questionnaire process, it is possible to obtain the information, which is prevalent within the scenario and provides a better insight towards the necessary information, which can be effective for the research study. Questionnaire process will be effective for this research study because the information collected through the questionnaire process will be based on the experience of the respondents who are involved in the questionnaire process. Through the questionnaire process, it is possible to collect the information individually based on the opinion of respondents (Enercities, 2012). The questionnaire method mainly focuses on the outcome of the research study rather than other element because questionnaire process provides the data, which are relevant to the research topic. Online source will also be effective for collecting the accurate information related to the research topic but it should be done based on the questionnaire process. Questionnaire process will also be effective because it helps in develop the question based on the research topic, which will cover the entire research study (Enercities, 2012). Summary The research issue or problem will be the main obstacles of the cross-cultural communication due to different language and different culture. Another issue will be several problems faced by the managers at IBM to different cultural diversity they face when they travel abroad for the first time. Other issue will be if the questionnaire process cannot be done effectively and do not cover the 200 sample for collecting the accurate information. Quantitative research method will be selected for this research study to collect the relevant information and make the study effective. Questionnaire process will also be selected for this research study because through the questionnaire process the current information can be gained individually. There will be a scope to make the research study successful and effective data from the managers and the entrepreneurs of the business related to the effectiveness of the cross-cultural communication in international business. There will be a possibility to gather the information about the research topic through the online source based on the questionnaire process. Questionnaire process is an effective process for every research study to gather the information. There will be also a scope to get the internal as well as external information of IBM with the help of questionnaire process. There will be a scope to make the study effective because cross-cultural communication is required for running the business successfully and expanding the business internationally. References Enercities. (2012). Questionnaire Process & Respondents. Final Version, pp. 4-19. Guang, T. & Trotter, D. (2012). Key Issues in Cross-Cultural Business Communication: Anthropological Approaches to International Business. African Journal of Business Management, Vol. 6, No. 22, pp. 6456-6464. Kennesaw State University. (2012). Quantitative Research Design and Analysis. Assessment Team, pp. 1-11. Kawar, I. T. (2012). Cross-cultural Differences in Management. International Journal of Business and Social Science, Vol. 3 No. 6, pp. 105-111. Matthews, C. L. & Thakkar, B. (2012). The Impact of Globalization on Cross-Cultural Communication. Globalization – Education and Management Agendas, pp. 326-340. Okoro, E. (2013). International Organizations and Operations: An Analysis of Cross-Cultural Communication Effectiveness and Management Orientation. Journal of Business & Management, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 1-13. Okoro, E. (2012). Cross-Cultural Etiquette and Communication in Global Business: Toward a Strategic Framework for Managing Corporate Expansion. International Journal of Business and Management, Vol. 7, No. 16, pp. 130-138. Rao, N. L. A. V. M. (2011). Cultural Breakdowns of Communication and Impact on the Performance of Multicultural Teams. International Journal of Business Economics & Management Research, Vol. 1, Iss. 3, pp. 71-88. Sakkinen, P. V. (2011). Communication and Conflict in International Business Case of India and Finland. Business Administration, pp. 2-53. Shree, S. (2012). Management of Cross Cultural Integration through Communication. Human Resource Management, Vol. 5, pp. 79-86. Zhang, T. & Zhou, H. (2008). The Significance of Cross-cultural Communication in International Business Negotiation. International Journal of Business and Management, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 103-109. Read More