ES2002 Business Communication Intercultural Communication

ES2002 Business Communication: Intercultural Communication2 Definition of culture “Culture is the coherent, learned, shared view a group of people has about life’s concerns that ranks what is important, instills attitudes about what things are appropriate, and prescribes behaviour, given that some things have more significance than others.” Source: Beamer’s & Varner’s Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace

ES2002 Business Communication: Intercultural Communication3 Seven Years in Tibet

ES2002 Business Communication: Intercultural Communication4 Photo by Cliff Wassman Clothing Food Behaviour Attitudes Values Beliefs Meanings Norms

ES2002 Business Communication: Intercultural Communication5 “Very often the way others do things is not different out of stupidity or carelessness or incompetence or malice … Most people do what seems the right thing to do at the time … And the judgment of what is right is rooted in beliefs, values, attitudes, as well as habit, tradition, and accepted norms.” Mole (1996)

ES2002 Business Communication: Intercultural Communication6 Different cultural groups National Ethnic group Religious group Gender Economic Profession IMPORTANT Statements made mere generalizations Norms of a culture change

ES2002 Business Communication: Intercultural Communication7 Outline Fundamental cultural orientations Verbal communication Nonverbal communication Culture’s influence on written business communication

ES2002 Business Communication: Intercultural Communication8 Fundamental cultural orientations How contexting and facesaving affect communication How the individual is viewed in relation to the group How time is perceived How status is accorded How decisions are made

ES2002 Business Communication: Intercultural Communication9 Contexting and face saving Low context -High reliance on verbal communication -Less reliance on non- verbal communication -Direct, precise, and explicit High context –Low reliance on verbal communication –More reliance on context, nonverbal cues, implicit information shared –Indirect and rather vague High context – High face saving Low context – Low face saving Cultural orientations Contexting and face saving

ES2002 Business Communication: Intercultural Communication10 Individual / group Collectivist -The individual seen as part of the group -High degree of interdependence -Credit / blame goes to the group Individualist –The individual takes centre stage –Independence highly valued –A single person can earn credit / blame Cultural orientations Individual / group

ES2002 Business Communication: Intercultural Communication11 Time Polychronic-time cultures -Time viewed as more fluid and strict schedules not observed -Preset schedules are subordinate to interpersonal relations Monochronic-time cultures –High emphasis on schedules, punctuality and promptness –Schedules take precedence over interpersonal relations Cultural orientations Time

ES2002 Business Communication: Intercultural Communication12 Status Ascribed by virtue of age, family background, profession -Organizations more highly hierarchical -Extensive use of titles Accorded based on individual achievements –Organizations less hierarchical –Titles used only when relevant to competence Cultural Orientations Status

ES2002 Business Communication: Intercultural Communication13 Decision making Discussing points Seeking group consensus Consulting organisations in negotiations Cultural orientations Decision making

ES2002 Business Communication: Intercultural Communication14 Verbal communication Choice of words & expressions Organisation of messages Clarity of pronunciation Ambiguous words Unfamiliar words Acronyms Idioms Slang

ES2002 Business Communication: Intercultural Communication15 Non-verbal communication Body language –Posture –Head movements Eye contact Laughter Touch Physical space

ES2002 Business Communication: Intercultural Communication16 Intimate Casual-personal Social-consultative Public Distance indicating degrees of intimacy Source: Goodman’s Working in a Global Environment Space between speakers

ES2002 Business Communication: Intercultural Communication17 Non-verbal communication Tone, volume and speed Turn-taking and silence

ES2002 Business Communication: Intercultural Communication18 Culture’s influence on written business communication In most English- speaking countries – preferred writing style direct, clear and concise In many oriental cultures – preferred writing style indirect In Japan – kishotenketsu organization Ki – the small talk Sho – raising the subject Ten – rolling the subject Ketsu – ending it beautifully

ES2002 Business Communication: Intercultural Communication19 Mechanics and format also differ –How dates are written –How names are written –How addresses are written Culture’s influence on written business communication