Letter

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The Importance of Intercultural Communication

Intercultural Workforce

Global Connectivity

Global Markets

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Characteristics of Culture

  • Dynamic and evolving

  • Visible and invisible

  • Shapes us and our community

  • Inherently logical

  • Learned behavior
  • Culture

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8

Oversimplified behavioral pattern applied uncritically to groups

How We Form Judgments


Negative!

Stereotype

Rigid attitude based on erroneous beliefs or preconceptions

How We Form Judgments


Negative!

Prejudice

Mental representation based on characteristics that are flexible and open to new definitions

How We Form Judgments


Positive

Prototype

Comparing U.S. and Foreign Views

How Many U.S. Persons View Themselves

Informal, friendly, casual

Egalitarian

Direct, aggressive

Efficient

Goal- and achievement-oriented

Profit-oriented

Resourceful, ingenious

Individualistic, progressive

Dynamic, identify with work

Enthusiastic, prefer hard sell

Open

How Many Foreigners View U.S. Persons

Undisciplined, too personal

Insensitive to status

Blunt, rude, oppressive

Opportunistic, obsessed with time

Promise more than they deliver

Materialistic

Deals more important than people

Self-absorbed

Driven

Deceptive, fearsome

Weak, untrustworthy

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Dimensions of Culture

  • Time
    Orientation

  • Communication
  • Style

  • Formality

  • Individualism

  • Context
  • Culture

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Dimensions of Culture: Context

High-context cultures tend to be relational, collectivist, intuitive, and contemplative.

Low-context cultures tend
to be logical, linear, and action-oriented.

North America, Germany, Scandinavia

Japan, China, Arab countries

Context

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Dimensions of Culture: Individualism

High-context cultures tend
to prefer group values, duties, and decisions.

Low-context cultures tend
to prefer individual initiative, self-assertion, and personal achievement.

Individualism

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Some cultures may prefer greater formality in dress, speech, and social interaction.

North Americans place less emphasis on tradition, ceremony, and social rules.

Dimensions of Culture: Formality

Formality

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Dimensions of Culture: Communication Style

High-context cultures rely on nonverbal cues and the total picture to communicate. Meanings are embedded at many sociocultural levels.

Low-context cultures emphasize words, straightforwardness, and openness. People tend to be informal, impatient, and literal.

Communication
Style

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Dimensions of Culture: Time Orientation

Time is seen as unlimited and never-ending in some cultures. Relaxed attitude toward time.

Time is precious to North Americans. Correlates with productivity, efficiency, and money.

Time
Orientation

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High-Context and Low-Context Cultures

Japanese

Arab

Latin American

Spanish

English

Italian

French

North American

Scandinavian

German

Swiss

HIGH-CONTEXT CULTURES

LOW-CONTEXT CULTURES

  • Relational
  • Collectivist
  • Intuitive
  • Contemplative
  • Logical
  • Linear
  • Individualistic
  • Action-oriented

Low Context

High Context

Cultural Contrasts in Written Business Communication

Cultural Objectives

Opening

Body


Arab


American


Japanese

Provide information

Seek information, offer proposal

Exchange information

State objective directly

Offer thanks, apologize

Issue personal greeting

Present facts and plans of action, direct approach

Pose questions, solicit information

Provide back-ground data, use indirect approach

Cultural Contrasts in Written Business Communication

Persuasion tools

Style

Closing

Cultural values


Arab


American


Japanese

Immediate gain or loss of opportunity

Waiting

Personal connection, future opportunity

Urgency, short sentences

Modesty, minimize position

Elaborate expression

Affirmative, specific requests

Maintain harmony, future relationship

Future relationship, personal greeting

Efficiency, directness, action

Politeness, indirectness, relationship

Status, continuation, recognition


The belief in the superiority of one’s own race and culture

Applying the norms of one’s culture, expecting that others will act the way we do.

Achieving Intercultural Proficiency

Ethnocentrism

© Maciej Frolow / Brand X Pictures/ Jupiterimages


The belief in the superiority of one’s own race and culture

Achieving Intercultural Proficiency

Overcoming ethnocentrism

Takes a conscious effort

Leads to more satisfying relationships

Makes work life more productive and gratifying

© Maciej Frolow / Brand X Pictures/ Jupiterimages

Practice

Tolerance

Open-mindedness

Empathy

See the world through another’s eyes

Bridging the Gap Between Cultures

In high-context cultures opt for indirectness to help preserve harmony.

Respect the image a person holds in his or her social network.

Bridging the Gap: Saving Face

Be patient

Wait and listen

Embrace silence

Recognize the effort non-native speakers are making

Bridging the Gap: Patience

Learn foreign phrases.

Use simple English.

Speak slowly and enunciate clearly.

Observe eye messages.

Encourage accurate feedback.

Improving Intercultural Communication

Check frequently for comprehension.

Accept blame.

Listen without interrupting.

Smile when appropriate.

Follow up in writing.

Oral

Messages