Short Paper: Cultural Communication

trail Head Short Paper ethnical talk Copyright (c) Lopamudra Chakraborty no portion of this article can be copied reproduced or distributed with bulge kayoed prior confidence of the author. Author Lopamudra(Lopa) Chakraborty M5A1 Short Paper heathen Communication concern conversation theory 08/3/2012 ethnic Communication Introduction The reasonable person adapts himself to the being, season the unreasonable nonp atomic number 18il persists in find outing to adapt the world to himself. George Bernard Shaw Inter pagan converse amongst people is an integral attribute of the human connection development.The sophisticated world is developing towards orbicularization. In this regard, the issues most the role and the place of transnational chat become an integral part of life both(prenominal) for the worldly concern in general, as tumefy as for the individual (Shokina & Nishev, 2009). The art of headache communication has evolved as globularization has set disparate channeles cultures of the world on a collision course. Emerging economies have begun to integrate the business cultures of traditionalistic provideho custom nations into their businesses, and they have been leaving traces of their proclaim culture wher eer they go.The rival of cultural diversity on business communication has widespread implicationsfrom incarnate boardrooms to employee break-roomsand small business owners can benefit from gaining an understanding of the eccentricities of all cultures to which they ar exposed (Ingram, 2012). As mentioned by Hynes, it is extremely important to become acquainted(predicate) with intercultural business practices for three reasons. offset printing, is the tremendous increases in unconnected trade caused by vertical specialization or worldwide supply chains.Second is the direct investment funds of foreign base companies. In the US, for example, the direct investment of foreign based companies grew from $9 billion in 1 966 to more(prenominal) than $414 billion in 2008. A third reason to learn about intercultural business communication us the increasing bidlihood that you will work with or for nearone who is non a native born U. S. Citizen. According to the US Census Bereau, 13% of the workforce was a non- 2 Cultural Communication native US citizen in 2000 (Hynes, 2011). That number has increased dramatically in the last decade.These argon some of the reasons that under airwave the immensity of impair-cultural communications. With the advent of globalization, research on cross cultural organizational behavior has become a passage to understand the dynamics of multicultural domestic and international workplaces. In situation successful organizations of the 21st century require leaders who understand culturally diverse work environment and can work effectively with un equal cultures that have varying work ethics, norms and business protocols (HR Magazine, SHRM, 2008).In addition, in that lo cation be opposite world issues that enhances the importance of cross-cultural communication, for e. g. emergence of the digital age, ease and vivify of international travel, formation and expansion of regional trade associations ( standardised NAFTA, EU, GATT, ASEAN) and growth of international professional associations (Beaman, 2005). To become culturally competent, the starting signal step is to have a solid understanding of ones own appraises and how they variant the cultural identity. Within this process it is also important to realize that diametric culture exhibit diverse values.Cross cultural management researchers and theorist standardized Hofstede, Hall and Trompenaars have developed cultural value dimensions often at heart the realm of comparing national cultures (HR Magazine, SHRM, 2008). Countries like US who are hard dependent on the global economy must understand their own culture and how it shapes their communication with some other cultures. 3 Cultural Communication function The manipulation of this write up is to understand the US business communication protocol and how it affects the cross communication with other culture.In responding to this short wallpaper on cultural communication, the attempt is to discuss and elaborate on the fol pal experimenting factors 1. What are some typical U. S. business communication protocols? 2. How would these protocols create challenges, for example, in communication with person from a collective culture? 3. What are recommendations you would offer for decreasing the electric potential of communication misunderstandings? Background In the past, it whitethorn have been commonplace for entrepreneurs and collective managers to develop their own unique communication style for dealing with customers, business partners and suppliers.Today, however, managers must express the m to study the cultural eccentricities of their business counterparts forwards attempting to make contact with people in other countries or from other subcultures. The Texas oil tycoon, for example, has to understand that grabbing his Chinese partners excrete in a dissolute authorizeshake is non a keen idea but that a slight bow and smile are the appropriate form of greeting. verbal communication and body wrangle are more important than ever in international business dealings because innocent hand gestures, mannerisms or even posture can cause a rift between culturally diverse business partners.The diversity of culturally distinct managers has been melding easily as globalization and Westernization give managers extensive experience in divers(prenominal) cultures (Ingram, 2012). 4 Cultural Communication Globalization ? The percent of the U. S. commonwealth that is foreign born has grown from 4. 8% in 1970 to 6. 2% in 1980 to 7. 9% in 1990 and over 9% in 2000 ( (Ferraro, 2002). ? The U. S. has the fourth intumescentst Spanish-speaking population in the world. E. g. , More than 60% of the people in Miami speak Spanish as their first language (Ferraro, 2002). 60% of companies will increase their global presence in the coming three years ( adenosine diphosphate Survey, 2002). ? A bighearted number of corporations receive more than half of their sales from foreign markets. ? E. g. , coca Cola sells more of its product in lacquer than in the U. S. (Ferraro, 2002). elderly executives say that the ability to manage the business on a global basis is a top priority (ADP Survey, 2002). ? All of these changes are facilitating the cross border movement of people, goods, and data, bringing more and more cultures into contact with one a nonher and increasing the potential for cross-cultural conflict. What is new about the global economy is the scale and the speed with which innovations, borrowings (maladies ), etc. are spreading. Given this background, the purpose of this discussion is to high-pitchedlight and excuse some of the major cultural value dimensions in the joined States and how it clashs when commutating with other cultures with differing business communication protocols. 5 Cultural Communication Findings Understanding what shapes US Business Communication protocol thither are several dimensions to the US business communication protocol.These business communication protocols are shaped and formed by the Culture of the organization and of the society. interior(prenominal) business organizations can be viewed as mini-cultures (composed of different people with different roles, statuses, and value systems) that operate indoors the wider national context (Ferraro, 2002). Culture is delimitate as a set of values and beliefs with learned behaviors shared within a particular society. Culture provides identity and working. Culture is everywhere kickoff from language to communication styles, history, religion, norms, values and symbolism (HR Magazine, SHRM, 2008). maven of the most extensive studies of cultural differences was conducted by Ge ert Hofstede. Based on his findings, there are six major dimensions of national culture that are discussed below(Hynes, 2012). An understanding of these cultural dimensions is necessary to explain what shapes the US business communication protocols. Power Distance Power surmount indicates the extent to which a society accepts the fact the military force in the institutions and organizations is distributed unevenly (Hynes, 2011).Britain, Philippines and Mexico have high power distance where the managers and leaders are more or less viewed like autocrats and there is a lot of disparity in power between higher and lower ranks. United States has a culture with low power distance. The manager is seen to have a little more power than the subordinate and is ad arrayed by the first differentiate, takes her place in the line and manages by communication using an equalitarian communication strategy. 6 Cultural Communication Uncertainty Avoidance Relates to the degree to which a society f eels jeopardise by uncertain and ambiguous situation(Hynes , 2011).It tries to avoid uncertainties by having a rigorous formal rules and non allowing odd ideas or beliefs to prevail for example countries like Germany, England and Pakistan. United States have weak uncertainty avoidance and are liberal to new ideas and beliefs. Individualism/Collectivism Individualism refers to a loose buckle social framework in which people are expected to take care of themselves and their immediate family, example United States. Collectivism refers to a society with a tight social network where people are tremendous between in-groups and outgroups, example -.Japan, Masculinity/Feminity expresses the extent to which dominant values in the society are masculine for example assertiveness, acquisition of money etc (Hynes, 2011). United States has a masculine type culture but Finland has a more feminine type culture. High Context/Low Context First coined by Edward Hall, in a high context culture, c ommunication is internalized and happens in the physical context or environment. Lot of importance is given to non-verbal communication. Japan and China are examples of High Context Culture.United States on the other hand has a low context culture where a lot of importance is given to the vebal cues and spoken words. Monochronic/Polychronic In a monochromic culture such as United States Germany, ages is valued as money and time is measured by the clock, multi tasking, be punctual and time management are valued in this culture. In a polychornic culture like India and Spain, time is linear and events are not measured by the clock. Punctuality is not of much importance in this culture. As you can imagine the foiling 7 Cultural Communication f a manager who does not understand this in United States dealing with someone in India when there is a project deadline to be met in a timely manner. Business Communication Protocol in the United States ? Informal and Friendly communication Sinc e US has a low power distance type culture, communication in the workplace is typically informal and friendly. Employees refer to their managers by their first names. People take to the woods to not wait to be introduced, will fetch to speak with strangers as they stand in a queue, sit bordering to each other at an event, etc.Because if their informality and friendliness they appear to be pretty direct in their communication. When doing a business dealing or communication with someone from high power distance type culture, the American has to be mindful of the fact that their informality is not perceived as rudeness. They have to be careful as not to cross the line. followers is an example of difference in communication between British and American. The British uses a more indirect approach to communication while the American uses a more direct approach (Beaman, 2005).American/British Differences (Source the Navigator Jan/Feb 2003) ? ? ? ? ? ? American Jack will blow his top. British Our chairman might tend to disagree. American Youre talking bullshit. British Im not quite with you on that one. American You gotta be kidding. British Hm, thats an interest idea. 8 Cultural Communication As is evident from the above example, both culture has a distinct approach so when an American is communicating with the British, they have to be careful as not coming crossways as rude. Meeting and Greeting the American way Americans usually prefers a strong handshake, a casual hello and use first name when introducing someone. Though handshake is a practice that is used across the world in a business setting, the pressure used may vary. The high pressure grip may be a positive affaire for an American but may be too aggressive for an Asian. In a business meeting, an American is direct, assertive, giving and taking feedback is considered positive and they continue when necessary. notwithstanding when dealing with a Japanese they have to realize that the laters app roach is indirect, they avoid confrontation and strive to develop harmonious and rely business relationships. ? Dress What is considered appropriate business attire varies by geographic region, day of the week and industry. In general, people in the East dress more officially, while people in the West are cognise for being a bit more casual. Executives usually dress formally regardless of which part of the country they are in. Casual Friday is common in many companies. High technology companies often wear casual clothes every day. Other non-verbal cues With regards to space, Americans maintain a spatial distance of 4 feet with strangers. They should be sensitive that some Arab countries speak almost face-to-face which may feel like encroaching on a personnal space to an American. Americans belong to a low context type culture and more 9 Cultural Communication verbal and articulate than some of the other high-context cultures like Japan and China. This sometimes can be a challeng e when communicating and understanding appropriate non-verbal communication. Americans do not like silence and try to fill it with small talk.Chinese or Japanese on the other hand appear shy as they dont speak out of turn. If an Asian is taking too long ot answer a drumhead it is probably because they are thoughtful not because they do not hold out the answer. Americans do use certain gestures to supplement their verbal communication like OK, time out, wave etc. However they have to be cognizant that some gestures that have one meaning in America may have a complete different and sometimes negative connotation in some other culture. A nod which may indicate no to an American may mean yes when done by an Indian.It is safe to rag with universal gestures and try to refrain from others if you are not sure what it gist for the other culture. ? Language A languages vocabulary contains large numbers of words that reflect the technologies, occupations, and values important to the cult ure. Americans tend to use a lot of baseball colloquialism in their language. For example, he threw me a curve ball, you are way off base, She fielded my question well, I necessity to touch all bases, etc. Business need to be aware when certain languages are translated to another language, the entire meaning may change.For example, Chevrolet came out with a car Nova that they marketed in United States. The car sold well in the in so they decided to market it in Mexico. However the Ad campaign was a big failure there and they cognise that the reason for that was Nova when translated to Spanish means No go. (Beaman, 10 Cultural Communication 2005) Understanding the appropriateness of translations when doing business with other cultures is very important. Recommendations To be a good intercultural communicator, one has to avoid some of the pitfalls mentioned above.Additionally, taking cognizance and crapulence the following practices will decrease communication misunderstanding. 1. Moving from Ethno-centrism to Ethno-relativism This model was deisgned by Bennett. It simple means that one has to move away from denial, defensiveness and minimization (which are the three stages of ethnocentrism) to acceptance, adaptation and integration (ethno-relativism). 2. Non-Defensiveness One has to be vindicated to censure and non-defensive about their culture to be a good intercultural communicator. 3.Curious and Brave One has to be genuinely curious, brave and interested in knowing about other cultures. 4. Emphatic, Understanding and non-judgmental It is possible ot be objective and open object if you show these qualities. You cannot learn and be aware if you are not open minded or understanding. 5. Patience Patience is one of the best virtues if you be after on being a good intercultural communicator. You cannot learn about another culture in one day and it is better to prepare yourself and be patient when you are trying to learn and communicate with another cultur e. . very personable This cannot be faked. You really have to develop a impulse for people of other culture (Hynes, 2011). 11 Cultural Communication 7. Facilitation with language If you plan on spending a lot of time communicating with other culture, it may be a good idea to try and learn the language. A good deal of communication is lost in translation. Sometimes taking the interest to learn the language shows to the person you are communicating with that you mean business and are genuinely interested in them.Conclusion The purpose of this paper was to discuss about why intercultural and cross cultural communication was important, the cultural dimensions that shapes the US business communication protocols, how it impacts us when communicating with other culture and recommendation of improving communication misunderstanding. The paper moved(p) upon factors like globalization which was one of the main reason intercultural communications was important. When discussing culture, the paper discussed about Hofstedes six dimensions.The various types of US business protocols including communication approach, meeting and greeting, dress, other non verbal communication and language were discussed. Finally the paper made seven recommendations to follow to be a good intercultural communicator and besmirch misunderstanding. In closing, when conducting business internationally, entrepreneurs learn that cultures have different expectations and protocols when it comes to meetings and interpersonal discussions. To be a successful in your business and be a good cultural communicator it is important to embrace these differences. 2 Cultural Communication References Bibliogrpahy ADP Survey. (2002). ADP Survey. Beaman, K. C. -f. (2005). Cross Culture Communication in the workplace. Retrieved from The Jeitosa Group INC website http//www. jeitosa. com/wpcontent/uploads/2010/12/Cross-cultural-communication-in-the-workplace_Apr2005. pdf Ferraro, G. P. (2002). The Cultural Dimension of International Business, 5th Edition. pearson. HR Magazine, SHRM. (2008, September). Selected Cross Cultural factors in Human Resources Management. Retrieved from Excelsior College virtual library, ebscohost. com www. ehis. bscohost. com. vlib. excelsior. edu/eds/ Hynes, G. E. (2011). Business Communications, Strategies and Application. McGrawHill Irwin. Ingram, D. (2012). The impact of Cultural Diversity in Business Communication. Retrieved from http//smallbusiness. chron. com/impact-cultural-diversity-businesscommunication-3047. html www. smallbusiness. chron. com Shokina, L. , & Nishev, A. (2009). Cross-Cultural Blog, Intercultural communication in the context of Globalization. Retrieved from http//www. stanford. edu/group/ccr/blog/2009/04/intercultural_communication_in. h tml www. stanford. edu 13