Intercultural Communication

Communication is the sharing of understanding

and meaning. Culture involves beliefs, attitudes, values, and traditions that are shared by a group of people. Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view other cultures as inferior to ones own. Intracultural communication is within the same culture

How to Understand Intercultural Communication

Compare cultures

Shift to local perspective

You dont have to know everything to know

something There are rules we can learn Experience counts Perspectives can differ Intercultural communication can be applied to international business It integrates the disciplines

Divergent Cultural Characteristics

Individualistic Culture
Values individual freedom

Explicit-Rule everyone is aware of rules

Implicit-Rule Cultures
Rules are communicated nonverbally

Monochromatic time
Interuptions are avoided

Polychromatic time
Several things can be done at once

Continued
Short-Term Orientation
Greater emphasis on gifts and greetings

Long-Term Orientation
Marked by persistence, and frugality

Direct
Short and to the point

Indirect
Start with small talk to get to know others

International Communication and the Global Marketplace

Democracy
Promotes the involvement of individuals

Centralized Rule
Power is concentrated

Anarchy
No government

Legal Systems
Civil Law
Rules are spilled out in detail

Common Law
Judge interprets the law

Styles of Management
Theory X
Workers are motivated by basic needs

Theory Y
Workers are ambitious and self-motivated

Theory Z
Combination Workers have high need for reinforcement and

belonging