Transcript Chapter 1: The Global Manager`s Environment

Chapter 4:
Communicating across
Cultures
PowerPoint by
Hettie A. Richardson
Louisiana State University
© 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall
4-1
Opening Profile: Keeping Your
Foot out of Your Mouth
 Small slips can be big errors:
 “Hello, wife of the boss”
 “Thank you for your hostility”
 Patting someone on the head
 Do you shake hands, bow, hug, or kiss when
meeting someone?
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4-2
Cultural Noise
Behavior
American: “How long will it
take to finish this report?”
Greek: “I don’t know. How
long should it take?”
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Attribution
American: I asked him to
participate.
Greek: He is the boss. Why
doesn’t he tell me?
American: He refuses to
take responsibility.
Greek: I asked for an order.
4-3
Trust in Communication
 Business transactions based on longstanding vs. arm’s length relationships
 High propensity to trust: Nordic countries,
China, Canada, US, Britain
 Low propensity to trust: Brazil, Turkey,
Romania, Slovenia, Latvia
© 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall
4-4
The GLOBE Project and
Communication
 High performance orientation (e.g., US) 
present objective information directly and
explicitly
 Low assertiveness (e.g., Sweden)  two-way
discourse and friendly relationships
 High humane orientation (e.g., Ireland) 
avoid conflict, be supportive
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4-5
Cultural Variables in
Communication
 Attitudes
 Stereotyping
 Social organization
 e.g., United Auto Workers (UAW)
 Thought patterns
 The meaning of double lines
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4-6
Cultural Variables in
Communication
 Roles
 Language
 “Come out of the grave with Pepsi”
 When “yes” doesn’t mean “yes”
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4-7
Cultural Variables in
Communication
 Nonverbal communication
 Kinesic behavior (e.g., sticking out the tongue
in China)
 Proxemics (e.g., the corner office, closeness
when talking)
 Paralanguage (e.g., the sound of silence)
 Object language (e.g., monochronic vs.
polychronic)
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4-8
Management Focus: Oriental
Poker Face
 “Oriental poker face” and “idiotic Asian smile”
 American mask of confidence
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4-9
Comparative Management in
Focus: Communicating with Arabs
 Arabs are quick to “sound off”
 Communication is built on friendship, honor,
hospitality
 Arabs are high-contact communicators
 Time is key in communication process
© 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall
4-10
Communication Channels
 Information systems
 Speed of information flow and use
 Informal sources of information
 Ningensei vs. adversarial
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4-11
Information Technology
 Global reach does not necessarily mean
global business
 The web is impersonal, but may require
greater cultural sensitivity
 There is a predicted annual growth rate of
70% for non-English-language cites and
usage
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4-12
Managing Cross-cultural
Communication
 Develop cultural sensitivity
 Anticipate the meaning the receiver will get
 Careful encoding
 Use words, pictures, and gestures
 Avoid slang, idioms, regional sayings
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4-13
Managing Cross-cultural
Communication
 Selective transmission
 Build relationships face-to-face if possible
 Careful decoding of feedback
 Get feedback from multiple parties
 Improve listening and observation skills
 Follow-up actions
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4-14
Facilitating Intercultural
Communication
 Openness
 Resilience
© 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall
4-15