Transcript Found at coffee shop in Suwon, Korea. - MISWeb

CHAPTER 18
INTERCULTURAL & INTERNATIONAL
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
MGT 3213 – ORG. COMMUNICATION
Mississippi State University
College of Business
Cultural Differences in
Nonverbal Communication




Eye contact
Time
Physical contact/personal
space
Silence
 “He
who speaks has no
knowledge and he who has
knowledge does not speak.”
(Japanese proverb)
Proxemics Example

A problem for visiting Americans is that Russian
personal distance lies within an American's intimate
distance, just as an American's personal distance lies
within northern Europeans' intimate space.
 The
result is that Russians seem pushy or over-amorous
to northern Europeans, and Europeans seem cold, and
unfriendly to Russians.
 Americans, existing somewhere in the middle, manage
to equally offend both parties, for opposite reasons.
Business Greetings
Greeting Customs




In Switzerland, it is expected to shake women’s
hands in company first.
Austrians will offer handshakes as equally to
children as adults when meeting.
Moroccans give one kiss on each cheek (to those of
the same gender) together with a handshake.
In Sudan, people who know each other give a good
pat on the shoulder of the other before shaking
hands
More Greeting Customs


In China, where a weak handshake is preferred,
people shaking hands will often hold on to each
other's hands for an extended period after the
initial handshake.
It is expected that the ‘senior’ person will initiate a
handshake in South Korea, where it is also
preferred to be weak. It is a sign of respect to
grasp the right arm with the left hand when shaking
hands.
Is this gesture offensive?
Is this gesture offensive?

Yes, in
southern
Europe and
South
America
Is this gesture offensive?
Is this gesture offensive?

Yes, in Iran,
Afghanistan,
Nigeria,
Greece,
Italy
Is this gesture offensive?


Yes, in England
“Up yours”
What does this gesture mean?
What does this gesture mean?
Negotiation Styles


15-year study
Japanese least aggressive
 Infrequent
use of “no” or “you”
 More silent periods
 Polite conversation style

French and Brazilians most aggressive
 Used
the most threats
 Interruptions, facial gazing, use of “no” and “you”

Germans, British, and Americans in the middle
Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions

Individualism vs. collectivism
Hofstede, cont.

Power distance


The extent to which people expect and accept that
power is unequally distributed within a country or
organization.
How well do you handle authority? Being told what to
do by someone more powerful than you?
Hofstede, cont.

Masculinity vs. femininity


High in masculinity? Defined gender roles
High in femininity? Blurred gender roles
Hofstede, cont.

Uncertainty avoidance



How comfortable people are facing risk and
uncertainty.
High uncertainty avoidance = cultures that avoid
risk
Low uncertainty avoidance = cultures that
embrace risk
Hofstede, cont.

Long-term vs. Short-term orientation


What kind of time frame do you consider when making
decisions?
What’s more important: my happiness today, or my
descendants’ happiness 100 years from now?
Barriers to Intercultural Communication

Ethnocentrism

The tendency to view our culture as
better/superior than other cultures

Stereotypes

Translation limitations

Lack of language training
Examples
Found in Thailand.
Examples
Spotted in Japan.
(at airport)
Examples
Found at coffee shop in Suwon, Korea.
Examples
Found in a cross country bus in Peru.
Preparing for International Assignments

Ask yourself:
How flexible are you?
 Can you adapt to new ways of doing business?
 Are you interested in the host culture and willing to
dedicate the time and effort to learn more about it?
 Is your family supportive?
 Can you stand being out of the loop, even if you are in
daily written and oral communication with the home
office?
 How similar is the culture to your own?
 How ready are you to adapt to major cultural
differences?

Preparing for International Assignments

Successful expatriates are:
 Adaptable
 Open
to learning new languages, cultures
 Instead of getting frustrated, learn new customs
 Are not afraid to ask for help
 Are realistic about the challenges
Tips for Living and Working Abroad






Be open and creative.
Be self-reliant.
Keep a balanced perspective.
Be patient.
Be an explorer.
Protect yourself.
After Today’s Lecture You Should …



Be able to provide examples of cultural differences
in non-verbal behaviors.
Discuss barriers to effective communication between
cultures.
Explain the characteristics necessary to be an
effective expatriate.