Cross-Cultural Adaptation Theory - Assignment Example

Cross Cultural Communication Student’s Name: Course Code: Tutor’s Name: Date of Submission Introduction to Cross-cultural communication Cross cultural communication is a field of study of how individuals from different cultures communicate. It concerns itself with hoe people from different cultural backgrounds communicate with each other. It provides some guidelines on how individuals from differing cultures can make communication among them better (Gudykunst, 2005). Companies and businesses that transact business with diverse workforce or people from different cultures need to understand cross cultural communication for the benefit of their company as well as employees. According to Kim (2006), due to advancement in technology, global business as well as the internet, cross cultural communication becomes more important for businesses as well as their employees who come from diverse cultures. The main involvement of cross cultural communications is to understand how individuals with different backgrounds pass information and perceive the world around them. In an organization, it aims at understanding the different business customs, business strategies as well as beliefs (Maude 2011). Cross cultural communication is affected by factors such as non-verbal differences where a sign or a facial expression can mean different things in different cultures. Language differences also affect cross cultural communication in that a certain language will have a meaning only when used by individuals from the same cultural background or those who understand the language (Maude 2011). There are also power distance factors where individuals from specific class will use language they will understand one another but the same language can lack meaning in another class of individuals (Chen 2013). All these factors may be due to differences brought about by culture or an individual’s way of life. Theory 1: Cross-Cultural Adaptation Theory According to this theory, cross cultural adaptation is a process of human beings to struggle and adapt to new adverse environmental condition that one was not used to. There are usually many factors and forces that work together in the communicative interface between the individual who is in a new environment and the environment itself (Kim, 2006). Some of these factors may be stronger than others during adaptation and the adaptation process will depend on the individual’s personality. In order for someone to adapt easily, there must be active participation of the individual with interpersonal as well as mass communication processes of the new environment (Kim, 2006). According to the theory, there must be gradual personal identity transformation for adaptation to take place. It may be unconscious but there must be the development of a perceptual and emotional maturity and a deepened understanding of human conditions (Kim, 2006). Changing the old identity is hard but there will be some characters of the old and of the new side by side. The theory argues that the degree of change and adaptation will always remain with the personality of the concerned individual. The cultural background of the concerned and the new culture will however play a significant role in making the adaptation a success (Kim, 2006). The theory acknowledges the effects of the globalizing world where an interaction with new cultures is in our door steps due to advancement in technology. Those who have successfully crossed cultural boundaries are likely to be those who choose to adapt and to be changed by that choice. Theory 2: Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory Psychologist Dr. Geert Hofstede studied individuals who were working for IBM in more than fifty countries and came up with dimensions that can distinguish culture. First he talked of power and distance, meaning the inequality that can exist between individuals with and without power making them not to fit properly where they don’t belong (Chen, 2013). In individualism versus collectivism, he meant the strength attached to other individuals within their own culture. Where the level is high there will be weak interpersonal connection among those who are not part of big family and vice versa. He also talked of masculinity versus femininity which translated to the roles of women and men in different cultures. The fourth dimension was the uncertainty avoidance index reflecting on how good individuals can be able to cope with anxiety. In pragmatic versus normative dimension, or the long term dimension, people are strongly related to religiosity and nationalism (Chen, 2013). Together with Michael Minkov, they added the six dimension of indulgence versus restraint. This means that cultures with high indulgence allow free gratification of people’s own emotions or beliefs. It is clear from the six dimensions that culture plays an important role in interpersonal relationships at working environment. Some cultural values may be taken for granted but when an individual deviates from them the feelings will be evident (Gudykunst, 2005). Cross cultural communication will depend highly with individuals’ perception and personality to move out of their level in the dimension and cope with the new environment smoothly. What the theories explain and don’t explain Adaptive theory explains how individuals from different cultural background can adapt in new environments. The theory makes it clear that the adaptation process is gradual as an individual tries to cope with new norms as well as communicative aspects. It advocates for active participation of the concerned so as to adapt quickly (Kim, 2006). Even if the theory talks change to cope with new environment, it also puts it clear some aspects of the old culture will remain with the person. Chen (2013) argues that Hofstede’s theory explains in details the different dimensions that are inherent somebody’s culture. The different dimensions have their own setting depending with the culture or somebody’s living environment. It shows how culture shapes people’s interpersonal relationships meaning things can change if somebody moves out of his/her culture. By using the dimensions you can change and live comfortably with people from different cultures. On the other hand the two theories have their own shortcomings in terms of explanation. The adaptive theory emphasis on individual’s personality and strength to cope with change but it does not clearly indicate which personality will adapt faster. Individuals have different personalities within themselves, it is not clear what should be done by somebody who is taking time to adjust to the new changes and incase of working environment this can reduce productivity (Maude, 2011). Hofstede gives the six dimensions of culture but some individuals will take time to understand them and take action on the changing process. The theory has failed to advice how shifting to the new environment or to the other side of a dimension should be done for individuals to continue with life smoothly in new environments (Gudykunst, 2005). Barriers to cross cultural communication There are several barriers that can make individuals from different cultural backgrounds fail to understand one another. Language is one determinant of culture meaning different cultures have different languages. Misunderstandings can arise when people from different cultures interact due to lack of a common language to pass information (Gudykunst, 2005). Behavioral differences can also be a source of misunderstanding due to different cultures possessing their own guidelines about what is considered appropriate behavior. For example in some cultures looking someone in the eyes while talking is considered not appropriated while in other cultures it is assign of respect. This brings problems if two people from those different cultures will have to interact. Emotional display can also cause discontinuity in communication. In some cultures, it is not good to display frustrations, anger or fear in a working setting meaning these people will hide their emotions or discuss them privately (Chen, 2013). If someone displays such feelings in a culture that does not allow, miscommunication will occur. Some non-verbal communications or facial expressions may carry different meanings in different cultures. This means a new person in a new culture can use a gesture which can pass totally different message to a person from the other culture therefore becoming a barrier to effective communication. Inaccurate stereotypes from people with different cultural backgrounds can bring confusion in the communication process (Maude, 2011). These are basically the assumptions that somebody from a different culture will have and they can lead to misunderstanding or misjudgment while communicating. How to overcome cross cultural communication barriers Some of these barriers cannot come to an end instantly but with time and proper adaptation their impact can be reduced. Using the adaptation theory language barriers can be done with by gradual and proper active participation of the concerned (Kim, 2006). An individual with a different language from the new environment can actively participate in interpersonal as well as mass communication processes with the speakers of the new language and eventually communication will be effective. The fact that every culture is characterized by different behaviors can be dealt with by actively learning the behavior of individuals in the new environment. This can be done by close observation as well as willingness to learn accompanied by asking as well as doing research to conform to the new behaviors (Gudykunst, 2005). An individual from a different culture can refrain from displaying emotions or feeling as he tries to integrate with the new environment. This can help in making other people not to misunderstand him until he learns the other culture fully. Use of non-verbal communication can be avoided as an individual tries to cope with a new environment. Although it is sometimes difficult or done unconsciously people should try to refrain from using them until they fully adapt to the new environment as they will have understood the meaning of these nonverbal communication such as gestures as well as facial expressions. Prejudgments when in a new environment should not be encouraged. The interacting individuals should ask for clarification before judging the other person to prevent inappropriate collisions (Chen, 2013). Cross cultural communication barriers in Holden Company. Holden is an Australian global company which deals with the manufacture of automobiles. The company has a diverse workforce from all over the world making it face some cross cultural barriers. In the company, cross cultural communication is complex due to workers from different cultures (Usunier & Lee, 2005). They face challenges while using nonverbal communication such as eye contact and object language. An employee for example can use a finger to point on something or somebody only to realize it is rude in other person’s culture to point. Alternatively, communication by nodding one’s head may mean different depending on the cultural background (Usunier & Lee, 2005). The company experiences barriers in communication style where there may be assumptions about the way of speaking as well as interacting, or how individuals from a certain culture prefer to express themselves. There may also be values, prejudices and attitudes in what people from a certain cultural background believe are right only to have a different meaning to the recipient (Gudykunst, 2005). In Holden Company, workers as well as managers may have different verbal behavior including tone of voice, volume, accent or even tone of voice which can attract misunderstanding among the workers or even workers and managers (Usunier & Lee, 2005). Stereotyping can be another source of misunderstanding where individuals from a certain culture have a fixed belief in another person’s culture making the two people interaction difficult. This can also bring about prejudgments about someone or someone’s ideas therefore distorting communication and interactions as these people work (Usunier & Lee, 2005). Implications of my insights for cross cultural communication in international businesses I have understood that cross cultural is very important and inevitable in the business sector. Businesses from a country can source workers from all over the world who inhibit different cultures and therefore need to learn how to fit in their new habitats (Usunier & Lee 2005). Due to globalization and technological advancements individuals are supposed to learn different cultures in their natural setting to avoid any inconvenience if they happen to be in new environments away from their culture. Education systems in different countries all over the world should introduce cultural studies where learners can be provided with means and ways to cope with new environments as well as new cultural settings. Business should come up with integrative measures where workers from different cultures interact and learn from each other so as to prevent cases of misunderstandings during work (Kim, 2006). The fact that English is regarded to as the international business language is not enough, other measures should be put into place to make workers who are not original English speakers to communicate fluently in English with minimized accent interruptions. This can be done by frequent encouragements for them to communicate in English (Gudykunst, 2005). I have also understood that nonverbal communication can distort communication or pass the wrong information due to cultural influence. Workers should be advised try as much as possible to refrain from use of gestures when transacting business to avoid misunderstanding (.Chen, 2013) Business should also come up with internet sites where they can teach different cultural values and norms to make cross cultural communication effective. Conclusion In conclusion, cross cultural communication shows how different individuals with different cultures communicate. It provides some guidelines on making communication between two or more individuals from different cultures better. Due to globalization as well as business transactions, individuals from different cultures must interact and this makes it important for them to understand the major factors that can affect their communication. Theories have been put into place to help people from different cultures interact well. They have played a significant role in bringing these people together bust still some stones are unturned in making the communication between different cultures more effective. The cultural adaptation theory for instance advocates for individuals to participate actively in communication processes of their new culture so as to gain the competence. Hofstedes dimensions of culture try to explain the different dimensions that will affect individuals in their new environment. Individuals need to understand them so as to enable them understand their new habitats. The theories concentrate on individual’s personality to adapt without giving a clear framework of what should be done to make communication more effective. Some barriers to effective cross cultural communication have been identified including the language barrier and nonverbal communication among others. They can only be dealt with by active participation as well as gradual and proper learning of new cultures. Business can be affected negatively by these barriers bringing in the need of making the concerned individuals aware and teaching them how to interact as well as laying down proper guidelines in cultural adaptation. References Chen, F. F. (2013). Dimensions of Culture (Geert H. Hofstede) - Individualism and Collectivism. The Encyclopedia of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 398-403. doi:10.1002/9781118339893.wbeccp582 Gudykunst, W. B. (2005). Theorizing about intercultural communication. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Kim, Y. Y. (2006). From Ethnic to Interethnic: The Case for Identity Adaptation and Transformation. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 25(3): 283-300. doi:10.1177/0261927x06289429. Maude, B. (2011). Managing cross-cultural communication: Principles and practice. Houndmills, Basingstoke Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Usunier, J., & Lee, J. (2005). Marketing across cultures. Harlow, England: Financial Times/Prentice Hall. Read More