Cross cultural communication
Cross cultural communication
The world view and behaviours of individuals effect the way they interact and respond
Culture affects:
Beliefs values customary lore language and idiom verbal and non verbal communication protocol arts and music etc.
ritual and beliefs in the origin and nature of knowledge...
Principles of Effective Intercultural
Communication
Communicate respect
Be non-judgemental
Personalise one’s knowledge and perceptions
Display empathy
Be flexible
Take turns and go at the pace of the minority
Be tolerant of ambiguity
Hofstede’s cultural dimensions
(1984) relating to societies
Individualism
Power distance index
Masculinity
Uncertainty avoidance
Long term orientation
Individualism
This parameter delineates how personal needs and goals are prioritized vs. the needs and goals of the group/work colleagues/organisation.
Hofstede’s cultural dimensions
Power distance index
Masculinity
The degree people are comfortable with influencing upwards. In high PD societies there is accept of inequality in distribution on power in society.
E.g. employees will not readily give suggestions and feedback to their superiors.
Masculine societies have different rules for men and women, less so in feminine cultures.
Cont.
Uncertainty avoidance
Whether people are comfortable with taking risks, ready to change the way they work or live (low UA) or if people prefer the known systems
(high UA).
Long term orientation
Long-term perspective, planning for future, perseverance values vs. short time past and present oriented.
Non-verbal communication
Body Movements (Kinesics)
Posture
Eye Contact
Para-language
Closeness or Personal Space (Proxemics)
Facial Expressions
Physiological Changes
Individual distances (western cultures)
The Four Main Categories of Proxemics:
Intimate Distance (touching to 45cm)
Personal Distance (45cm to 1.2m)
Social Distance (1.2m to 3.6m)
Public Distance (3.7m to 4.5m)
Cross-cultural communication in construction
Case study 1
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=BrJTf97Ev8o
A British female engineer on assignment in South America
Intercultural communication in the workplace,
University of
Waterloo
https://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=lUjaNLnWl6o
Case study 2
