Intercultural Communication - Coursework Example

Intercultural Communication Part A Annotated Bibliography Becker-Olsen, K. L., Taylor, C. R., Hill, R. P., & Yalcinkaya, G. . A cross-cultural examination of corporate social responsibility marketing communications in Mexico and the United States: Strategies for global brands. Journal of International Marketing, 19(2), 30-44. Becker-Olsen et al. (2011) observed that the perception of a business and its brand towards consumers is affected due to the influence of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The study measures the diverse cultures i.e. economies and political landscapes. Multinational firms focus on the global CSR activities and local taste and preferences in order to be successful across the multiple dimensions. The finding of the study comprehended that global CSR communication helps a firm to yield additional benefits and understanding about cross cultures. The findings of the study assisted in determining that CSR plays a major role in cross-cultural communication. Furthermore, the US people expected that firms should be engaged towards social responsibilities considerations as compared to that of the Mexicans consumers. Result of the research also implicated that growth in CSR activities has changed the mode of operations for various firms in order to solve various intractable challenges that were plagued in a society owing to cross culture. In this respect, the findings of the study will be effective in providing an immense understanding about the importance of cross cultural communication (Becker-Olsenet et al., 2011). 2. Ochieng, E. G., & Price, A. D. F. (2010). Managing cross-cultural communication in multicultural construction project teams: The case of Kenya and UK. International Journal of Project Management 28, 449–460. Ochieng & Price (2010) highlighted the role of managing multicultural teams in order to meet the challenges faced in the global construction projects. Firms lacking in empirical work will quantify or modify with the intention of being successful in undertaking multicultural projects. Project managers are required to possess certain qualities as well as characteristics with the aim of communicating effectively with different cultural individuals. The study explores the important cultural factors, which influences an entire project in an effective manner within multicultural project environment. The results of the research work done by the authors disclose that project manager having the ability to demonstrate the awareness of different culture variations among a group will be able to communicate effectively within multicultural project. It was further highlighted in the paper that creating and developing trusts, proper leadership, effective cross cultural collectivism and proper communication among others are important factors for better accomplishment of a project. The factors helped to understand researcher about how to build an effective cross-cultural communication within a group. Nevertheless, the study is lacking in some respects and need future research in order to investigate the other important factors to make effective strategies for proper collectivism and communication (Ochieng & Price, 2010). 3. Tian, K., & Borges, L. (2011). Cross-cultural issues in marketing communications: An anthropological perspective of international business. International Journal of China Marketing, 2(1), 110-126. According to Tian & Borges (2011), business in an international environment is required to be conducted by understanding the differences of the culture. Moreover, cultural factors were largely influences by the communication and the involvement of an organization with adherence to the local culture. The awareness of a firm with respect to culture reflects behavior and values essential for managing operations in international cross-cultural environment. The involvement of cultural factors prove to be invisible barriers in conducting operations though intercultural communication. Proper understanding of the differences in the culture is one of the most noteworthy tasks that all firms needed to develop in order to gain a significant competitive advantage in the global market. Furthermore, various important key elements intercultural communication should be developed for building competitive advantage in international business. Culture is an important factor accountable for building differences in the life of an individual and human behavior. It was suggested in the article that Chinese’s business managers were highly involved in preparation of better cross-cultural communication by putting various strategies of marketing in the Chinese market for accomplishing marketing objectives successfully. Additionally, it was also concluded that international business would be enhanced if cultural problems are solved by combining cultural perspectives and problems in the different perspectives (Tian & Borges, 2011). 4. Blocker, C. P. (2010). Modeling customer value perceptions in cross-cultural business markets. Journal of Business Research, 1-8. Blocker (2010) asserted that due to differences in culture between western and other global countries influences activities of an organization to provide better customer value around the world. The study was conducted in order to assess, how to provide customer value in domestic and western markets. In this context, validity and usefulness of core concept of marketing could be derived by examining customer perceptions with respect to the decision of business managers across countries that are diversified culturally. Conclusion is drawn through exploring various alternative models and measures within structural equations modeling (SEM) and partial least squares (PLS). Furthermore, the comparisons of various models reflected various valid and invalid concepts reported in the literatures that help to provide guidance to various managers for providing better customer value. It has been noted that customer value is the ultimate measure amid culturally diversified countries, which help to tradeoff between benefit and relationship. The methods assist firms to measure cross-culturally valid customer value. The major limitation of the research work is that it lacks considerations about key information data. Furthermore, the study considered the perspective of managers without concerning about the viewpoints of employees. The findings of the report will also help to explore the need of intercultural communication for providing products and/or services with better customer value (Blocker, 2010). 5. Jackson, T., & Aycan, Z. (2001). International journal of cross cultural management-towards the future. International Journal Of Cross Cultural Management, 1(1), 5-9. Jackson & Aycan (2001) revealed the implication about unparalleled interest that exists between management of cross-cultural aspects and an organization development. In the current scenario, the study in the cross-cultural management is emphasizing the importance of intercultural communication in the global stage. Additionally, special focus has been made towards universalism of the western management principle for creating a strong cross-cultural communication. In this context, the power relation may prove to be one of the important components in any cross-cultural interaction. As power relation dimension ensures businesses in taking any decisions that are effective internationally. Furthermore, the research work conducted in the article is based on high quality of original research work in the field of different cross-cultural aspects of management and a business. In this respect, the fact mentioned in the article proves to be of significance for intercultural communication as the content of the paper considered orthodoxy in international environment and cross-cultural. Nevertheless, the article reflected new and exciting approaches in relation to alternative cultural perspectives and paradigms (Jackson & Aycan, 2001). Part B Introduction Culture refers to behavior of individuals obtained from knowledge, value, religion, experience, belief, notion of time, role, material objects, relationship and processes in their course of generation through various people and group. Whereas, communication is an act or a process of exchanging ideas, thoughts, feeling or information between two or more persons (Belshek, n.d.; Littlejohn & Foss, 2008). Intercultural communication is the procedure based on which individuals communicate efficiently and effectively in context of various cultures. In other words, intercultural communication is simply a procedure of communicating amid individuals representing different cultural backgrounds (Allwood, 1985). Intercultural communication comprises different important components. The key components include adaptation, appropriateness, sensitivity and empathy, mindfulness and presence, effectiveness, anxiety reduction, and knowledge. Appropriateness is a way of communicating in a social sensitive manner without breaking any rule, so that people may not feel insulted or threatened. Effectiveness refers to how people achieve desired goals effectively with the help of proper communication. An individual notices uncertainty in the process of communicating with other when they are unable to examine behaviors of others. Adaptation component refers to communication process on the basis of which people adjust with the changing situation. Cultural adaptation occurs when an individual is willing to accept other custom culture. Sensitivity and empathy component describes like and dislikes of people. Mindfulness or being present involves developing new information and building awareness of others’ behaviors. Knowledge is one of the critical components in intercultural communication because in order to have proper communication, people need to develop knowledge relating to values, language, religions and custom behaviors of others (SAGE Publications, 2014). The essay emphasizes the role of different cultures in an organization. Presently, organizations are identified to operate in different geographical areas and owing to which the need for intercultural communication arises. The essay focuses on studying the impact of culture in international business. In this respect, the issues of cultural differences are faced by organizations have increased due to poor intercultural communication. Discussion Globalization and technological advancements have certainly led nations to interconnect their respective cultures, which in turn has developed intercultural relationship dramatically (Silva et al., 2012). In the context of business professions, proper understanding of different intercultural factors helps an organization to comprehend the basic nature of individual and along with their choices and preference. Cultural values, beliefs and religion help firms to provide better customer value, as an instance some people will like to spent money on brand image rather than focusing on quality of product (Farooq, 2011). Demonstration the Impact of Intercultural Communication Problems The elements of culture have also affected consumer behavior in different countries in a different manner. Consumer behavior is identified to be dependent on cultural factors in an immense manner. In simple words, consumer behavior is the study of individuals or a group’s behavior based on pattern, habit and lifestyle. International marketing culture varies from one country to another. For instance, a businessman from Japan meets a delegate from an Australian company in an office in Japan. The Japanese businessman gave his card to the Australian delegate who puts it in the back pocket of his pants and sits down on it. In this regard, the Japanese businessman interpreted it as a feeling of disrespect toward him. Based on the case scenario, it can be asserted that Australian culture is completely different from the other countries’ such as China, Japan, India and other African nations. In this regard, it can be stated that the life-style and the behavior of Australian people belonging to high status are different from that of Japanese life-style and behavior. Contextually, the case scenario depicted that culture has always affected people’s behavior in different countries. In order to address this issue an international organization must develop a proper communication technique in both domestic and global market. Literature & Argument Ochieng & Price (2009) noted that culture plays an important role to build a strong multicultural project team. It has been identified that cultural differences affect the decision making procedure of a team. Additionally, cultural differences have led to poor intercultural communication, which in turn led of lack of clarity about job roles as well as responsibility. Miscommunication and misconception prevented the implementation of a successful teamwork in an organization. Study revealed that UK firms use team workshop and meeting to resolve conflicts through face-to-face communication rather than through emails and newsletters. According to Ochieng & Price (2009), lack of the trust and understanding were the main reason for constructing multicultural project team. The authors noted in the study that during the time when manager define roles to various individuals in projects all members are required to accept cultural variation for better endurance of tasks (Ochieng & Price, 2009). In this regard, Tian & Borges (2011) signified that problems in communication due to cross-cultural individuals arise when individuals of one culture unable to understand the cultural differences in communication, traditions and religions of the others’ cultural aspects. In this context, the author revealed that in the 21st century, businesspeople lacking behind the awareness of cultural differences are identified to be ineffective in conducting desired business operations successfully. The existence of communication gap between domestic and international business professional has intensified intercultural issues. Moreover, intercultural issues have also raised instability in developing effective measures for mitigating such issues. Furthermore, local Chinese firms have operated its business smoothly since, they focus on structuring corporate strategies by taking into consideration of various cultural dimensions. Thus, it can be asserted that culture pose a massive inverse impact on a multinational organization and it can also affect the nature of business negotiations (Tian & Borges, 2011). Ways to Avoid Intercultural Awkwardness or Difficulties In order to overcome from the intercultural awkwardness it is important that people of a specific cultural group become more sensitive towards cultural differences. Build high level of trust between other members of the group in order to develop better relationship and collaboration. Furthermore, high contexts of any cultural differences can be reduced through paying attention and minimizing the use low verse would assist in communicating effectively. Avoiding right verses wrong thinking by understanding others’ behavior would facilitate in enhancing intercultural communication. Additionally, consideration of factors that include respectful towards others, adjusting communication by observing body language, listening, introducing opinion, respectfulness of hierarchy and age difference and paying more attention towards employee’s family and personal life aid in minimizing intercultural differences. Nevertheless, cultural differences should be used as strength and not as weakness in order to endure task successfully (Rimmington et al., n.d.). Strategies to Improve Communication Building productive team would encourage employees to remove differences and focused on achievement of overall organizational goal. High focus towards behavior rather than attitude of people would help to develop a productive team. Choosing words carefully when working in group without unnecessary assumptions would facilitate in enhancing communication system. Encourage employees to improve communication skills by allowing them to recognize their own strengths and weaknesses (Duggan, 2014). Communication management is an effective procedure of enhancing communication by effective selection of mode of communication, and establishing better network allow people to satisfy mutual understanding. Establish strong-shared knowledge by disclosing background information that requires mutual understanding and negotiation. Language adjustment and flexibility through the use of language as per the proficiency level of receiver and paying more attention towards differences of communication style. Motivate people to learn and use different culture and language to remove intercultural conflicts. Additionally, structuring and highlighting information in a proper manner through regular checking, understanding and providing clarification would help in mitigating communication gaps between people (Spencer-Oatey, 2013) Cultural Dimensions Culture is identified to affect both an organization and its performances. Thus, comprehending culture is one of the vital tasks for organizations to function in the global market. Moreover, it can be affirmed that culture can enforce serious restrictions on business strategy and can act as an inhibiting influence in the course of attaining business related objectives (1Gerhart 2008). Accordingly, it has been observed that culture differs between different countries in terms of its approaches. However, it does not directly influence an organization’s performance but imposes certain barriers on organizational culture as well as on consumers’ behavior. In other words, it is argued that national culture is a critical determining factor that forms an organizational culture (2Gerhart 2008). In Hofstede cultural dimensions, there are five cultural dimensions, which influence cultural aspects of a nation and an organization. In this context, one important dimension relating to intercultural communication is discussed hereunder. Individualism versus Collectivism. Individualism refers to the degree to which people are anticipated to be inclined in accomplishing personal goals. The position of the society in this dimension can be described by people’s self-oriented attitude. On the other hand, people from collectivist society place more importance on group efforts. In present business environment, organizations consist of many groups where they are required to work collectively in order to achieve overall goals. Through the interaction of so many peoples in the group intercultural awkwardness arises, which needed to be meet in a successful manner to form a proper communication (THECB, 2014). Conclusion It has been observed that culture has a massive impact on influence on communication in an organization with diverse cultural individuals. Cultural element like languages, religion and political environment influence multinational corporations. People need to understand the behavior of others to work as a team as inefficient appreciation of diverse culture would affect the accomplishment of overall goal. Besides, it can be also affirmed that in order to understand the cross cultural approaches, organizations must need to analyses the cultural dimensions to understand the behavior of individuals in different nations. In this regard, organizations are required to develop an effective intercultural communication system with the aim of ensuring that business information and operations are conducted in a coordinated and managed manner. References Allwood, J. (1985). Intercultural communication. Retrieved from http://immi.se/eiw/texts/Intercultural_Communication_-_Jens_Allwood.pdf Belshek, J. A. (n. d.). The influence of culture on the negotiation styles of British students. Retrieved from: http://research.ncl.ac.uk/ARECLS/volume_3/jalalali.pdf Becker-Olsen, K. L., Taylor, C. R., Hill, R. P., & Yalcinkaya, G. (2011). A cross-cultural examination of corporate social responsibility marketing communications in Mexico and the United States: Strategies for global brands. Journal of International Marketing, 19(2), 30-44. Blocker, C. P. (2010). Modeling customer value perceptions in cross-cultural business markets. Journal of Business Research, 1-8. Duggan, T. (2014). Strategies for dealing with intercultural communication. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/strategies-dealing-intercultural-communication-11875.html Farooq, U. (2011). Basic element of culture. Retrieved from: http://www.studylecturenotes.com/social-sciences/sociology/113-elements-of-culture 1Gerhart, B. (2008). Cross cultural management research. International Journal of Cross-cultural management, 8(3), 259-274. 2Gerhart, B., 2008. How much does national culture constrain organizational culture. Management and Organization Review, 5(2), 241-259. Jackson, T., & Aycan, Z. (2001). International journal of cross cultural management—Towards the future. International Journal Of Cross Cultural Management, 1(1), 5-9. Littlejohn, S. W., & Foss K. A. (2008). Communication theory and scholarship. Retrieved from http://www.irfanerdogan.com/intro2com/definitionofcommunication.pdf Ochieng, E. G., & Price, A. D. F. (2010). Managing cross-cultural communication in multicultural construction project teams: The case of Kenya and UK. International Journal of Project Management 28, 449–460. Rimmington, G., Gibson, K., & Alagic, M. (n.d.). Improving strategies for intercultural communication through simulated experiences. Retrieved from http://globallearning.ucoz.ru/_ld/0/3_GrazFinal.pdf Silva, L C., Campbell, K., & Wright, D. W. (2012). Intercultural relationships: entry, adjustment, and cultural negotiation. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 43(6), 857-870. Spencer-Oatey, H. (2013). Achieving mutual understanding for effective intercultural management. Centre for Applied Linguistics, University of Warwick, 1-15. SAGE Publications. (2014). The role of intercultural communication competency in global business negotiations. Retrieved from http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/14421_Chapter6.pdf THECB. (2014). Hofstede’s 5D model of cultural dimensions. Retrieved from http://www.txprofdev.org/apps/onlineteaching/global/Hofstede_Model.pdf Tian, K., & Borges, L. (2011). Cross-cultural issues in marketing communications: An anthropological perspective of international business. International Journal of China Marketing, 2(1), 110-126. Read More