Intercultural Communication

Cultural and Ethnic Diversity Impact on…. The composition of society Intercultural interactions Workplace dynamics

Intercultural Communication Key factor in international business interactions Companies increasingly involved in internationalisation and globalisation

Globalisation Increasing world interdependence caused by changes in global economies and communications technology

What is Culture? Learned social behaviours that develop over time A complex and multidimensional concept

Cultural Norms and Values

Intercultural Communication The sharing of meanings between individuals from different cultures

Intercultural Communication… Requires an understanding of … Own culture Cultures of other groups Parent/Dominant culture (e.g. based on race or ethnicity) Co-cultures (e.g. based on gender, religion, age)

Intercultural Communication… Requires an understanding of ….. Knowledge system Beliefs Values Customs Behaviours

Cross-cultural Communication Involves highlighting similarities and differences across cultural groups to promote communication

Intracultural Communication Shared communication between members of the same cultural group

The process of learning or absorbing one’s own culture Enculturation The process of learning or absorbing one’s own culture

Acculturation The process of adjusting to the host culture by adopting its values, symbols and/or behaviour

Ethnocentrism The belief that one’s own cultural norms are superior to those of other social groups

Cultural Relativism The acknowledgement of cultural differences and acceptance that each social groups has its own set of norms

Developing Intercultural Communication Competence Business communicators need to be competent in ….. Their own culture Their business culture Their corporate culture