Transcript communication

Communication: An
Intercultural Perspective
Learning Objectives
1. Define communication, intercultural communication
and intercultural business communication.
2. Understand the basics of communication and the role
of communication in business
3. Explain the process, models and the characteristics
of communication
4. Briefly describe the development of intercultural
communication and its application in business
5.
Be aware of the importance of intercultural
communication competence and complexity involved
in learning intercultural business communication.
1. The Scope and Classification of
communication
Work in groups to identify as many types of communication as you can. Then try to
figure out the criteria on which you base your classification.

1. An orator delivers a speech to a large
gathering.
Animal
Human
communication
communication
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2. A hen clucks to her chicks.
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3. A farmer gives instructions to his plough working
cow. communication
Human-animal

4. A programmer issues commands to Human-machine
a computer. communication

5. My washing machine receives commands from the built-in
Machine-to-machine
computer.
communication
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1. there are at least two or more communicators, human or nonhuman;
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2. there must be some contact between communicators;
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3. there must be a language shared by communicators;
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4. an exchange of information has taken place, however much it
is.
2. Definition of Communication

It comes from the Latin word “communicare”, it means to give or
to exchange. Now, the most common meaning of “communication”
is to give or exchange information or ideas.
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Communication is our ability to share our ideas and feelings. (the
basis of all human contact)
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Communication is a dynamic, systematic process in which
meanings are created and reflected in human interaction with
symbols. (J.T.Wood)
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Communication can be defined as a dynamic, symbolic,
transactional and contextual process in which people create shared
meanings or messages.
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Communication occurs whenever meaning is attributed to
behavior or the residue of behavior. (Samovar and Porter 1997)
2.Communication can also be understood as a
particular way to satisfy our human needs.
Let’s follow Abraham Maslow!
5 Self-actualization
4 Esteem
3 Belongingness
2 Safety
1 Physiological needs
2. Needs and Purposes for Communication
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Survival: to survive
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Personal needs: to satisfy personal needs
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Information: to give and receive information.
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Making sense of the world: to make sense of the
world and our experience of it.
2. Needs and Purposes for Communication

Social needs: to hold our society and our organizations together.

Relationships: to be involved with other people, to form and
maintain relationships.

Self-expression: to express our imagination and ourselves to
others
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Persuasion: persuade other people to think in the way that we
do or act in the way that we do.
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Co-operation: to work with others.

Power: to gain or exert power over other people.
4. The process of Communication

Messages (meanings, symbols, encoding and decoding)

Participants (relationship, gender, culture)
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Channels (sound, sight, smell, taste, touch)
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Noise (external noise, internal noise, semantic noise)

Feedback
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Context (location, time, light, temperature, seating arrangements)
The framework of the communication
Encoding
Channel
Message
Noise
context
Decoding
Receiver
Resp
onse
ck
a
b
d
Fee
Source
4.2 Models of Communication

Linear Model of Communication

Contextualized model
Mode of Communication
Linear Model of Communication
noise
encoding
decoding
Sender
Channel (message)
Is this an effective model of
communication?
Receiver
Interactive Model of Communication
decoding
Sender
Receiver
encoding
message / channel
noise
message / channel
encoding
Sender
Receiver
decoding
Feedback is essential to good communication
Forms of Communication
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1. Verbal communication: which includes:

a) Oral communication such as talking to oneself,
dialogue, discussion between two people, telephone
calls.
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b) Visual communication such as maps, graphic,
traffic signals, advertisement …etc.
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c) Written communication such as memos, letters
reports, papers.
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d) Electronic which is communication facilitated by
an interface with a computer, modem, telephone fax,
E-mail …etc.
Non Verbal Communication
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The sender has at least four main sets of
physical non – verbal cues: face, eyes, body,
and voice.
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a) The face includes frowning, smiling and
grimacing/making face.
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b) The eyes can signal by direction of gaze.
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c) The body offers posture positions of
arms and legs and distancing.
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d) Voice includes tone and speech rhythm.
Kinds of Non-Verbal Language
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1. Language of facial expression
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2. Language of eye contact
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3. Language of posture
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4. Language of voice
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5. Language of apparel /attire
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6. Language of color
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7. Language of odor
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8. Language of time
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9. Language of space
Characteristics of communication
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Communication is dynamic (动态的)
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Communication is irreversible（不可逆转）
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Communication is symbolic（符号性的）
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Communication is systematic（系统性的）
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Communication is self-reflective (自省的)
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Communication is transactional（交互式）
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Communication is contextual （情境的）
Characteristics of communication
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1) Communication is dynamic
 Communication is an ongoing
activity. It is not fixed. A word or
action does not stay frozen when you
communicate; it is immediately
replaced with yet another word or
action.
Characteristics of communication
2) Communication is interactive

A interactive view holds that communicators are simultaneously
sending and receiving messages at every instant that they are involved
in conversations.
Characteristics of communication

3) Communication is irreversible
Communication is an irreversible
process. We can never undo what has
already been done. Although we may
try to qualify, negate, or somehow
reduce the effects of our message,
once it has been sent and received, the
message itself cannot be reversed.
Characteristics of communication

4) Communication is contextual.
All communication takes place within a
setting or situation called a context. By
context, we mean the place where
people meet, the social purpose for
being together, and the nature of the
relationship. Thus the context includes
the physical, social, and interpersonal
settings.
II. Business Communication
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1. The definition of Business communication

The exchange of oral, nonverbal, and written messages within
(and across the boundaries of) a system interrelated and
interdependent people working to accomplish common tasks
and goals.
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A dynamic, multi-channeled processes, which covers internal as
well as external communication in a given organization.
2. Internal and External communication
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Internal communication
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1. downward communication
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2. upward communication
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3. horizontal communication
Formal and Informal Communication
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Formal Communication
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Informal Communication: grapevine
4. The role of communication in Business
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Why are you communicating?
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What means of communication should be used
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Who are your communicating with?
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What kind of response- if any – do you expect?
III. Intercultral Communication
What is intercultural communication?
How many factors contain in this
intercultural communication?
Definitions of the intercultural
communication
Intercultural communication refers
to communication between people
whose cultural perceptions and
symbol systems are distinct enough
to alter the communication event.
Elements of Intercultural
Communication

Perceptions (beliefs, values, attitudes, world
views, social organizations)

Verbal processes (the ways in which
cultures employ symbols
to portray things and
experiences)

Nonverbal processes (share thoughts and feelings
by way of bodily behavior,
time and space)
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Contextual elements (business, education and
health care, tourism and
personal relationships)
2. Intercultural Communication as a
Phenomenon
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1. universal phenomenon
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2. long history
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3. common daily occurrence.
3. Intercultural Communication as a Discipline
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1. The development of intercultural communication study in the
U.S
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2. The development of intercultural communication study in the
China
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3. The Multi-disciplinary Nature of Intercultural Communication
Study.
IV. Learning Intercultural Business
Communication
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IBCC
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The complexity in Learning IBC
Four levels of intercultrual
communication
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Level one: Cultural differences are exotic
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Level two: Cultural differences are frustrating
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level three: The different culture is believable
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level four: The different culture is believable
as lived experience
Barriers in Intercultural
Communication
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Language differences
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Nonverbal communication
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Stereotypes
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Cultural bias on judgments
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High level of stress
Read the following sayings aloud, and discuss with your partner: what do they mean to
you?
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Human beings draw close to one another by their common nature, but habits
and customs keep them apart.
---- Confucian saying
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One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
---- English proverb
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God gave to every people a cup, cup of clay, and from this cup they drank
life… They all dipped in the water, but their cups were different.
---- R. Benedict
Case study
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A:
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Shanghai: A Washington State agriculture official who was
touring China a few years ago handed out bright green baseball
caps at every stop without noticing that none of the men would
put them on or that all women were giggling.
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B:
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A leading U.S. golf ball manufacturer targeted Japan as an
important new market for its product, but even after heavy
advertising, the sales of the company’s golf product were well
below average. As it turned out, the firm had offered its product
in white packaging, and in groups of four.
Case 1 monsieur Mickey
Case 2: T*A Joint Venture
Founded: Hong Kong, 31 August, 2004
Stock owners of T*A;
TCL Mobile has 55% stock
Alcatel has 45% stock
Business fields: mobile phone
Goals: to become the global mobile handset leader
Failed: 17th, may, 2005 (8 months’ operation)
Integration Difficulties
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Development Targets
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Alcatel: Reduce losses, Develop better
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TCL: Well-known Manufacturer
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Operation Decisions
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Alcatel: high-quality education, individuation
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TCL: entrepreneurship &adventurousness; dogmatical
Integration Difficulties

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Management Systems
Alcatel: management humanity; accurate procedures;
work while work, rest while rest
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TCL: militarized administration; prompt actions; work
overtime
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Staff Treatment
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Alcatel: stable higher pay
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TCL: low salary+ high commissions
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Double standard
The enlightenment
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Before:

After
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Well prepared; be patient and
considerate

Training;
respecting
communicating;
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Conduct a detailed assessment
of its partner’s corporate culture
in advance; identity and retain
key leaders to drive the success

Paying high attention to the
integration of HR: training &
communication mechanism

Respect different corporate
culture and managing system

Build up common value