...The Importance of Intercultural Communication Western International University The Importance of Intercultural Communication Doing business globally is not just about dollars and cents anymore, sure money matters most but in order to get a deal done internationally there is a ton of preparation that has to be done. Communication between global business parties requires extensive research and time in order for both parties to grasp each other’s cultures. Learning and understanding the culture of a potential business partner comes way before the dotted line and depending on who grasps cultures better will be the difference between a company or its competitors making a deal. The world is a much smaller place than it once was, and one would think that given that fact it would be easier to grasp intercultural communication; however, learning and understanding other cultures brings with it an array of challenges such as onstage and backstage behaviors, how people learn and want to be communicated with, how certain cultures view and respond to other cultures, these and other barriers present enormous challenges to intercultural communication and to doing business globally. Getting a deal done internationally is enough of a reason to learn about other cultures as stated above if it makes dollars it makes sense, but learning another culture is very intricate process. “The failure of companies that go international usually occurs because someone didn’t understand...
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... SOCIAL SCIENCES, AND DESIGN January-April 2011 Subject name: Mass Communication Research Subject code: SM 312 Lecturers: Kenneth Teo Student ID: 1000922384 Topic : Benefits of learning intercultural communication to university student. Chapter 1 Introduction Background of the Study Anthropologist Edward T. Hall is the founder of intercultural communication during the 1951-1955 when he was at the Foreign Service Institute of the U.S. Department of States. The scholarly field of intercultural communication was then mainly advanced by university-based scholars of communication in the United States and Japan, and in other countries. The development of intercultural communication in the U.S. and Japan is analyzed here. Intercultural communication is one of the most important communications and also a structure of global communication as the world today is characterized by an ever growing number of contacts resulting in communication between people with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. This communication takes place because of contacts within the areas of business, military cooperation, science, education, mass media, entertainment, tourism but also because of immigration brought about by labour scarcity or political conflicts. Hence, there is communication which needs to be as constructive as possible, without misunderstandings and breakdowns...
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...1 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION: ITS IMPORTANCE TO VARIOUS CAREER FIELDS AND PERSPECTIVE BY VARIOUS AUTHORS Priscilla N. Gitimu Doctoral Student Southern Illinois University Carbondale Department of Workforce Education and Development 311G Quigley Hall Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Carbondale, IL 62901-4605 618-453-1982 ukic@siu.edu 2 ABSTRACT Intercultural communication refers to messages transmitted between members of two or more different societies Globalization has made intercultural communication inevitable. Communicating with other cultures characterizes today’s business, classroom, and community. Technology especially the internet has increased the probability that whatever is documented online will be read by someone from another culture. Intercultural communication is of importance in any career field thus the art of knowing how to communicate with other cultures should be a work place skill that is emphasized. This is a conceptual paper whose purpose is two fold. First the paper gives a synopsis of the importance of efficient and competent intercultural communication in various career fields; namely, education, business, medicine and in counseling. Secondly, the paper presents studies and perspectives that various authors have on intercultural communication. INTRODUCTION Globalization has made intercultural communication inevitable. Communicating with other cultures characterizes today’s business, classroom, and community. Hence...
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...| |Intercultural Communication | Copyright © 2010, 2009, 2004 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description The purpose of this course is to assist students in understanding and applying the principles of effective intercultural communication in a diverse society and in global commerce. Students will develop an understanding of why and how cultural issues influence effective communication. This course introduces techniques for improving written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills in response to intercultural settings. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: • University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. • Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Lustig, M. W. & Koester, J. (2010). Intercultural competence: Interpersonal communication across cultures...
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...One of the issues in communication theory is the importance of purpose in communicating your ideas. In order to communicate effectively in English speaking culture you need to have purpose. This means that you need to be clear about your reason for communicating and organise the message to achieve your purpose. Usage of communication channels to the best advantage. For example are you communicating via email or more formal written channels, over the telephone, or face to face? And recognise that your non-verbal communication may be contradicting what you are actually saying, and finally give your receivers the opportunity to respond, so that you can see whether they have understood your message. Cross-cultural communication tries to bring together such a relatively unrelated areas and establishment area of communication. Its core is to establish and understand how people from different cultures communicate with each other. Its aim is to produce some guidelines with which people from different cultures can better communicate with each other. The key to effective cross-cultural communication is knowledge. It is essential that people understand the potential problems of cross-cultural communication and make a conscious effort to overcome these problems. And it is important to assume that one’s efforts will not always be successful, and adjust one’s behaviour appropriately. This essay will discuss the importance of the issues and problems concerning the effectiveness of cross-cultural...
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... Flaherty, Newell D. Wright, Robert M. McMillen (2009) Student Intercultural Proficiency From Study Abroad Programs, Journal of Marketing Education Statement of the Problem The problem, which is related to study abroad programs (SAPs), is clearly stated in the article’s introduction. The problem stated is “that a deficiency exists, within marketing education, of empirical evidence on the explicit impact of SAPs on student attitudes and behavior. In particular, empirical evidence is absent which specifies the characteristics of intercultural growth that are an outcome of SAP” (Clarke, Flaherty, Newell, McMillen, 2009, p. 174). Purpose Statement The purpose is directly stated in the article as follows, “this study… attempts to extend the marketing education literature by empirically investigating the specific intercultural proficiencies that may advance while students study abroad” (Clarke III, et. al. 2009 p. 174). The purpose then specifically addresses the benefits for marketing educators from “expanded knowledge on the possible outcomes of a SAP” (p. 174). Background & Importance/Significance (literature review) In this study, the literature review serves three purposes. First, it defines the specific intercultural proficiencies that are likely to advance from the study abroad experience: intercultural proficiency, global mindedness, intercultural communication, openness to diversity, and intercultural sensitivity (Clarke III, et. al. 2009). Second, the review discusses...
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...Professor Mark Wasden Communications 101 Persuasive Speech Non -Verbal Communication and Different Countries Specific Purpose: I am going to persuade the audience to really think about the differences in cultures and the Non- verbal some countries allow and do not allow. Thesis Statement: I want to show the audience the major differences there is from country to country and how we can learn more about these differences pertaining to non –verbal communication. Introduction I. The meaning of a text can be communicated to the readers and listeners only through non-verbal signals. Both the oral and written styles will be perfect with the usage of non-verbal cues. The meaning of a text can be relayed clearly to the readers and listeners only through non-verbal signals. A. Right now as I tell you all this there is thousands of people living amongst a wide variety of rules and customs that are very different from what we would ever imagine. B. This is more than just different cultures and practices, this is the way many humans live and needs to be learned and treated with respect to show we care for the other cultures beliefs and customs. II .Thesis Statement: I want to show the audience the major differences there is from country to country and how we can learn more about these differences pertaining to non–verbal communication and discuss how we can gain more knowledge of this matter. III. Connect: Although many of us do not realize it this subject is very detrimental...
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...CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR STUDYING COMMUNICATION COMPETENCIES AMONG DIRECT SELLERS IN MALAYSIA FOR THE 12TH ABC ASIA-PACIFIC CONFERENCE AT DOSHISHA UNIVERSITY, KYOTO, JAPAN ON MARCH 13 – 15, 2013 FIRST AUTHOR NUREDAYU OMAR (PRESENTER) UNIVERSITI UTARA MALAYSIA nuredayu@uum.edu.my CO-AUTHOR PROFESSOR CHE SU MUSTAFFA UNIVERSITI UTARA MALAYSIA chesu402@uum.edu.my *THIS MANUSCRIPT IS ORIGINAL AND HAS NOT BEEN PUBLISHED ELSEWHERE A DEVELOPMENT OF CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR STUDYING COMMUNICATION COMPETENCIES AMONG DIRECT SELLERS IN MALAYSIA Many studies have been conducted related to communication competencies since the last decade until now. However, the availability of the studies on communication competencies has not been explored in depth particularly in the direct selling context in Malaysia. To understand the direct sellers’ communication competencies, a conceptual framework will be built based on related literature studies. Literature reviews have shown a variety of studies on communication competencies from the behavioral and cognitive perspectives. Although numerous studies have provide understanding of communication competence in various context, there is a gap in viewing communication competencies in a more dynamic context, particularly in the process of communication of direct sellers with their potential customers. This paper attempts to discuss the importance of a dynamic research related...
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...Intercultural Communication August 21, 2013 The example of poor intercultural communication between the United States of America and Mexico is how the communication significantly affected foreign policy and international commerce between the two countries. Mexico is a country of intercultural significance and neighbors the United States of America. The United States of America is traditional and within the country, many cultures exist. The work ethic and language, within intercultural communication in Mexico and the United States of America, are similar. The population of the United States exceeds 313 million people and this statistic results in America as the third largest country in the world. The diverse population of the United States is 64 percent Caucasian, 16 percent Hispanic, 13 percent Black, five percent Asian and Pacific Islander, and one percent Native American. One could state that the United States of America consists of a plethora of cultures. The population of Mexico is 113.7 million people and increasing 1.10 percent annually (Huntington, 2005). Mexico’s population is an estimated 60 percent mixture of with indigenous heritage and Spanish. The multiple indigenous groups are approximately 30 percent, and the European ancestry is approximately nine percent. The largest city in Mexico is Mexico City and New York is the largest city in the United States of America. The two cities are over 17 million, another similarity between the two countries (Rosenberg, 2013)...
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...globalization, which has resulted in an increment of immigrants in the Western countries, especially, the United States. In the result, intercultural communication is one of the major issues that are presently confronted by Americans, as well as, the immigrants in the country. This paper will specifically discuss and analyze some of the causes and effects of this issue. Audience Analysis Nowadays, people from different countries are working together, as well as, individuals from different places come and study together. In this regard, it is very important that students should respect different cultures, norms and values of different societies, which may facilitate them in their studies. On the other hand, managers have to deal with Americans, Canadians, Pakistanis, Chinese, and Africans at the same time, and it is very important that they should have the proper knowledge regarding the world cultures. (Porter, 2005) Subject Area One of the significant requisites of intercultural communication overlaps with factors of effective management, listening and feedback. In specific, it is very imperative that individuals should be good listeners, as it is very essential that they should listen to their colleagues in an intercultural environment, as sometimes, a term in one culture would be diverse in another culture, and this is where intercultural communication plays the crucial role in developing cultural diversity in the region. (Porter, 2005) Problem Causes • Ethnocentrism It...
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...Gran Torino Film Analysis Norma J Morehead Intercultural/International Communication 10 June 2012 Cultural conflict and popular culture are two experiences in life that assist in defining intercultural communication and how its influence affects our daily intercommunication. Cultural conflict is inevitable as we live out our daily lives in the identities we have selected for ourselves, the identities relating to our ethnicity and in those identities others have selected for us. These identities are bound to conflict with another individual’s identities which is why there is a need for understanding what intercultural communication is and how it can be enhanced becomes vital to peaceful living around the world. Popular culture is a reference point for information used to determine who we want to be, who we are, and what we want in life. Popular culture has its good attributes and its bad attributes, both shape our society. Popular culture as it relates to television, video games, music videos and print media has a negative reputation because it is driven by money. There are characteristics of popular culture that are positive and enrich the lives of individuals such as the fine arts; the symphony, theatre, and museums. In a free society we are fortunate to have a choice. We are a free society and we want to remain a free society which makes the need for successful intercultural communication that much more important to achieve. Released in 2008, the film Gran Torino...
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...Derek Speegle February 20, 2015 Intercultural Communication: Speaking Understanding Intercultural communication is very important in today’s workplace. Mastering the complexities of different cultures and socioeconomical statuses will enhance any business venture. To understand one’s buyers is a strategical way to sell more and learn about clients and competitors. There are many ways that different cultures use both verbal and non-verbal interaction. These forms of interacting may seem like someone is saying something one way but through the lenses of a different culture or social group, they may be trying to express something else entirely. Because of this, it is important to strategize on how to use intercultural communication in today’s workplace and even in one’s personal life. Intercultural communication is the process of learning the dialectal of cultural differences and social groups. It is learning to understand that different cultures may talk or act differently and that whether it is for business, personal or just common courtesy it is important to use these tools to help connect with those other people. As it states on the website Wikipedia, different cultures and countries “communicate and perceive the world around them” in different ways and that it is important to “depict differences in communication patterns across different cultures.” For instance, bowing in japan is a sign of respect and honor, and to refuse that honor or not return it could be perceived...
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...Being a foreign worker is really a challenging task. Especially, Singapore, multi-cultural and multi-language speaking country is not an exception. I was excited when I got an opportunity to work in Singapore as a project engineer. I have done some research prior to my arrival and found that Singapore is a cosmopolitan society where people live harmoniously and interactions among different races are commonly seen. The immigrants of the past have given the place a mixture of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European influences, all of which have intermingled. Though, it is far away from my home town, I decided to migrate to Singapore in June, 2012. It was an unforgettable moment when I touched Singapore. Everything was new to me, hours of journey in flight, a fabulous airport, Immigration & security check, languages written on the sign board and Not only those, buildings, routes, transports, fare systems, languages spoken around, dressings and the way of speaking etc, in other words, it was a cultural change and a shock to me. Later I reached my staff house; I got a call from my childhood friend, who has 2 years of working and living experience in Singapore. He invited me to go to white sands mall, Pasir ris where he lives by and to do some shopping. I was excited to meet him as I miss him since 2 years and love to see him back in abroad. I went to the mall and waiting for his arrival at the entrance, when I saw him walking on the road to the mall, I couldn’t resist myself to...
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...Introduction: In today's global economy, working with people from different cultures is becoming the norm. Although this brings many rewards it also introduces challenges for both workers and management alike. All managers know that motivating their staff is the key to a successful business. To do this, they must understand what drives their staff. But what if their staff, seem to think and behave in unexpected ways? This can happen when people from very different cultures work together. Organizations are beginning to realize the importance of training their managers to become intercultural competent in order to ensure their staff continue to be motivated and productive. 1. Managing culture / making culture work for you An understanding of culture in organizations can offer insights into individual and group behavior, and leadership. It can help to explain not...
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...MANAGING CHANGE WITH AN INTERCULTURAL TEAM Master’s (one year) thesis in Informatics (15 credits) Lee Wennerström 2012MAGI11 I Title: Managing change with an intercultural team Publishing year: 2013 Author: Lee Wennerström Supervisor: Anders Hjalmarsson Abstract: The study explores the subjects of organizational change and management of intercultural teams. The goal of the study is to spread knowledge about how an intercultural team should be managed in order to assure the best possible success of an organizational change initiative. It has long been recognized that organizations constantly need to change in order to stay competitive. At the same time it has also been recognized that organizations today operate on the global arena with operations spread to many different parts of the world. It is thus important to understand how an intercultural team should be managed in order to assure the success of an organizational change initiative. The aim of this study has been to provide information and guidelines that may be used by academia as well as professionals to better understand how to manage an intercultural team that conducts an organizational change. A total of six different guidelines have been presented in this research - each one important in assuring an effective teamwork and a successful organizational change. The study has been conducted using a qualitative research approach and the method used for gathering data has been interviews as well as literature studies...
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