cross-cultural comm in business-prince dudhatra-9724949948

8/7/2019 Cross-Cultural Comm in Business-Prince Dudhatra-9724949948

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Cross-CulturalCommunications

in Business

prince dudhatra-9724949948


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Were Going To Talk

About.

What is Culture?What is Culture?

Cultural DiversityCultural Diversity

HighHigh--Context CulturesContext CulturesLowLow--Context CulturesContext Cultures



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What is Culture???

Shared system of symbols,Shared system of symbols,

beliefs, attitudes, values,beliefs, attitudes, values,

expectations and normsexpectations and norms

for behaviorfor behavior

May be based on.May be based on.

NationalityNationality

Race and ReligionRace and Religion

Historical RootsHistorical Roots

All of the AboveAll of the Aboveprince dudhatra-9724949948


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EthnocentrismEthnocentrism--tendency to judge all othertendency to judge all other

groups according to ones own groupgroups according to ones own group

XenophobiaXenophobia

StereotypingStereotyping-- Distorted views of otherDistorted views of other

cultures or groupscultures or groups

Cultural pluralismCultural pluralism-- practice of acceptingpractice of accepting

multiple cultures in our own groupmultiple cultures in our own group



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Cultural DiversityIBMIBM

International = InterculturalInternational = Intercultural

325,000 employees from 175 countries325,000 employees from 175 countries

165 languages165 languages



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High-Context Cultures Rely highly on environmentalRely highly on environmental

settingsetting

Prefer indirectness, politeness &Prefer indirectness, politeness &ambiguity.ambiguity.

Prefer spoken languagePrefer spoken language

Rely heavily on nonverbal signs.Rely heavily on nonverbal signs.

AsianAsian

Argentina, Brazil,Argentina, Brazil,Venezuela, PeruVenezuela, Peru

Egypt, Turkey, Iran,Egypt, Turkey, Iran,

Iraq, IsraelIraq, Israel



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Low-Context Cultures Rely more onRely more on Verbal comminicationVerbal comminication

Explicitly spell out information.Explicitly spell out information.

Value directness.Value directness.

See indirectness as manipulative.See indirectness as manipulative.

Value written word more than oralValue written word more than oralstatements.statements.

EuropeanEuropean

Finland, Greenland,Finland, Greenland,Iceland, Sweden,Iceland, Sweden,NorwayNorway

U.S., Cuba, Canada,U.S., Cuba, Canada,Haiti, MexicoHaiti, Mexico



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Swiss

Germans

Scandinavians

North Americans

Arabs

French

Italians

Latin Americans

British

Japanese

High Context: Meaning

Implicit Languages

Low Context: Meaning

Explicit in Language

Surrounding

InformationNecessary for

Understanding

EX 3.1 High Context and

Low Context Countries



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Some Cultural Scenarios

Japan China

India Mexicoprince dudhatra-9724949948


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JAPANTo help her American Company establish a

presence in Japan, Mrs. Torres wants to hire a

local interpreter who can advise her on business

customs. Ms. Tomari has superb qualifications

on paper, but when Mrs. Torres tries to probe

about her experience, Ms. Tomari just says, I

will do my best. I will try very hard. She

never gives details about any of the previous

positions she has held. Mrs. Torres begins to

wonder if Ms. Tomari's rsum is inflated.prince dudhatra-9724949948


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INDIAGloria Johnson is proud of her participatory

management style. Assigned in Bombay on

behalf of her U.S.-based company, she is careful

not to give orders but to ask for suggestions.

But the employees rarely suggest anything.

Even a formal suggestion system she established

does not work. Worse still, she doesnt sense the

respect and camaraderie that she felt at the plantshe managed in Texas. Perhaps the people in

India just are not ready for a woman boss.prince dudhatra-9724949948


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MEXICO

Alan Caldwell is a U.S. sales representative inMexico City. He makes appointments with Senr

Lopez and is careful to be on time, but his host is

frequently late. To save time, Alan tries to get right

to business, his host wants to talk about sightseeingand about Alans family. Even worse, the meetings

are interrupted constantly with phone calls, long

conversations with other people, and even customerschildren who come into the office. Alans first report

to his home office is very negative. He hasnt yet

made a sale. Perhaps Mexico just isnt the right

place to do business. prince dudhatra-9724949948


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Legal and ethical differences

Low context culture adhere to the law strictly andLow context culture adhere to the law strictly and

vice versa in high context culturevice versa in high context culture

In U.S. and U.K. someone is presumed to beIn U.S. and U.K. someone is presumed to be

innocent until proved guilty and viceinnocent until proved guilty and vice--versa inversa in

Mexico and turkeyMexico and turkey

Bribing allowed in China, Kenya, Russia toBribing allowed in China, Kenya, Russia to

Government officials and viceGovernment officials and vice--versa in U.S.versa in U.S.



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Apply four basic principles

Actively seek mutual groundActively seek mutual ground

Trust each others cultureTrust each others culture

Fully aware of personal and cultural biasesFully aware of personal and cultural biases

Show respect for cultural differencesShow respect for cultural differences



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Social differences

Failure of WalFailure of Wal--Mart in Germany (Smiling issue)Mart in Germany (Smiling issue)

Formal rules (table manners, clothes) are wellFormal rules (table manners, clothes) are welldefined but informal rules (tone n pitch of speech,defined but informal rules (tone n pitch of speech,Proper distance) are learned through observationProper distance) are learned through observation

Formal + informal = overall behaviorFormal + informal = overall behaviorprince dudhatra-9724949948


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Social rules

Attitudes towards work and success (Max.Attitudes towards work and success (Max.working hours, self dependent)working hours, self dependent)

Roles and status ( Mr. and Ms. in U.S. and officialRoles and status ( Mr. and Ms. in U.S. and official

titles in China to show respect)titles in China to show respect)

Use of Manners (Asking about weekend commonUse of Manners (Asking about weekend commonin U.S. but is intrusive in other cultures, No giftsin U.S. but is intrusive in other cultures, No gifts

for other mans wife in Arabian cultures, offerfor other mans wife in Arabian cultures, offerwine in Germany after dinner to the guests)wine in Germany after dinner to the guests)

Concepts of time (low context cultures followConcepts of time (low context cultures follow

flexi timings, working from home)flexi timings, working from home)prince dudhatra-9724949948


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Non verbal Differences

use of a finger and hand to indicate come here please,used to beckon dogs in some cultures and is veryoffensive.

While patting a childs head is considered to be a friendly

or affectionate gesture in our culture, it is consideredinappropriate by many Asians to touch someone on thehead which is believed to be a sacred part of the body.

In the Middle East, the left hand is reserved for bodily

hygiene and should not be used to touch another or transferobjects.

In Muslim cultures, touch between opposite genderedindividuals is generally inappropriate.



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In mainstream Western culture, eye contact is interpreted

as attentiveness and honesty

In Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American,

eye contact is thought to be disrespectful or rude

Women may especially avoid eye contact with men

because it can be taken as a sign of sexual interest.

In Vietnamese cultures, complimenting babies is avoided

for fear that these comments may be overheard by a spiritthat will try to steal the baby or otherwise cause some harm

to come to him or her.



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Walking differences between U.S. and Japan TheWalking differences between U.S. and Japan TheJapanese walk in short quick strides and droopingJapanese walk in short quick strides and drooping

shoulders, in contrast, Americans view walkingshoulders, in contrast, Americans view walkingtall with longer strides and a more upright posturetall with longer strides and a more upright postureas having confidence and strengthas having confidence and strength

It is very rare that Japanese people entertain inIt is very rare that Japanese people entertain intheir own homes and it is customary to go outtheir own homes and it is customary to go out

the hand gesture we use for "come here," in Spainthe hand gesture we use for "come here," in Spain

means that you are very romantically interested inmeans that you are very romantically interested inthe personthe person

A genuine SMILE works everywhereA genuine SMILE works everywhere



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Age differences

In U.S. looking younger matters a lot, age isIn U.S. looking younger matters a lot, age is

associated with declining powerassociated with declining power

In Asian cultures, age and seniority isIn Asian cultures, age and seniority is

valued, not to interrupt when a seniorvalued, not to interrupt when a senior

person is talkingperson is talking



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Gender Differences

Men emphasize on contentMen emphasize on content

Women focus on relationship managementWomen focus on relationship managementand expression part moreand expression part more

More opportunities for women in WesternMore opportunities for women in Westerncountries as compared to Asian and Africancountries as compared to Asian and Africancultures, glass ceilingcultures, glass ceiling



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U.S. Business Culture

Individualism: Individual competition and successIndividualism: Individual competition and success

EqualityEquality

Privacy and personal space ( knock the officePrivacy and personal space ( knock the officedoor, no personal questions at workplace)door, no personal questions at workplace)

Time (punctuality)Time (punctuality)

Communication style (direct, focus on content andCommunication style (direct, focus on content andtransactions rather than relationships or grouptransactions rather than relationships or groupharmony)harmony)



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Work ethics: good, honest, hard work isWork ethics: good, honest, hard work is

rewardedrewarded

Religion : No official state religionReligion : No official state religion



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Improving Intercultural Communication Skills

1. Studying other cultures :1. Studying other cultures :

Understand the social customsUnderstand the social customs

Learn about clothing and food preferencesLearn about clothing and food preferences

Assess political patternsAssess political patterns

Understand religious and folk beliefsUnderstand religious and folk beliefs

Learn about economic and business institutionsLearn about economic and business institutions

Appraise the nature of ethics, values, and lawsAppraise the nature of ethics, values, and laws



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Contd

2. Studying other Languages:2. Studying other Languages: IBM, 165 languagesIBM, 165 languages

Demand for multilingual communicatorsDemand for multilingual communicators

E.g. NetherlandsE.g. Netherlands

Outsourcing in IndiaOutsourcing in India

Chinas official language ; Mandarin learned by U.S.Chinas official language ; Mandarin learned by U.S.professionalsprofessionals

Two countries speaking the same language notTwo countries speaking the same language not

necessarily speak it the same waynecessarily speak it the same way E.g. French spoken in Canada is different than FranceE.g. French spoken in Canada is different than France

E.g. In U.S. and U.K., elevatorE.g. In U.S. and U.K., elevator--lift, gasolinelift, gasoline--petrol,petrol,colourcolour--colorcolor



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Contd

3. Respecting Preferences for Communication3. Respecting Preferences for CommunicationStyle:Style:

Level of DirectnessLevel of Directness Degree of formalityDegree of formality

Preferences for written Vs spoken languagePreferences for written Vs spoken language

U.S. ; open and direct communicationU.S. ; open and direct communication Sweden; Directness taken as efficiency signSweden; Directness taken as efficiency sign

Japan, China; less direct communicationJapan, China; less direct communication



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Contd.

4. Writing and Speaking clearly:4. Writing and Speaking clearly: Use simple, clear languageUse simple, clear language--rich and wealthyrich and wealthy

Be briefBe brief-- simple sentences and short paragraphssimple sentences and short paragraphs

Use transitional elementsUse transitional elements-- in addition, first, secondin addition, first, second Address international correspondenceAddress international correspondence

Cite numbers and dates carefullyCite numbers and dates carefully-- U.S. :12U.S. :12--0505--0707

means Dec 5,2007 but also taken as May 12, 2007.means Dec 5,2007 but also taken as May 12, 2007.

Japan, China : 2007Japan, China : 2007--1212--05, U.S., U.K.,05, U.S., U.K.,

India:1.000=1, but means 1000 in few EuropeanIndia:1.000=1, but means 1000 in few European

countriescountries



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Contd

Avoid slang and business jargon (e.g. bigAvoid slang and business jargon (e.g. bigguns, have big mouth, blown away;guns, have big mouth, blown away;

SOP, EHS)SOP, EHS)

Avoid humor and other references toAvoid humor and other references topopular culturepopular culture



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Contd

5. Listening Carefully5. Listening Carefully

Tone, speed, volumeTone, speed, volume

E.g. in China word ma different meaningE.g. in China word ma different meaningof mother, pile up, horse, scoldof mother, pile up, horse, scold

Regular Arabic speech seems excited andRegular Arabic speech seems excited and

angry to an English listenerangry to an English listener Japanese more softer than WesternersJapanese more softer than Westerners

Ask to repeat before concluding to meaningAsk to repeat before concluding to meaning



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Contd.

6. Using Interpreters, Translators, and Translation Software6. Using Interpreters, Translators, and Translation Software

Difference between Interpreter and translatorDifference between Interpreter and translator

Back translation (once a translator encodes a message intoBack translation (once a translator encodes a message intoanother language, a different translator retranslates theanother language, a different translator retranslates thesame message into the original language)same message into the original language)

Machine translationMachine translation

Dedicated software tools and online services;Dedicated software tools and online services;

www.worldlingo.comwww.worldlingo.com offer some form of automatedoffer some form of automatedtranslationtranslation

7. Helping others adapt to your culture7. Helping others adapt to your culture


cross-cultural comm in business-prince dudhatra-9724949948

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