YANGZHOU UNIVERSIY

INTERCULTURAL BUSINESS
COMMUNICATION
ASSIGNMENT ON
The Nature of Intercultural Communication
SUBMISSION ON

Submitted to
Professor 凌 jeff

Intercultural Business

Submitted By
MOHD HAFEEZ
 SAMIULLAH KARIM（芮韩）
ID: 188801158

4. Explain the differences between norms, roles, rules, and networks.

All these terms are situational factors that influence the encoding and decoding of both verbal
and nonverbal messages within a culture according to the book. All of these terms have been
set for a long time and are passed from generation to generation, it’s informal information and
can’t be found written.

First, norms are principles that have been culturally ingrained and they identify acceptable or
unacceptable behaviors that society has to follow as a group. In other words it recognizes
correct or incorrect behaviors. The penalty of not complying can be overt or covert.

Then, rules can be described as a more formal way of norms. They are used to clarify gray areas
and usually a government organization is in charge of determining how strongly or loosely
these rules should be placed and followed. In the united states the U.S. Supreme Court is in
charge of rules.

Roles are the behavioral expectations that a certain position entailed. All roles are affected by
the norms and rules of a society. Behavioral expectations will vary from culture to culture. Roles
can be informal such as the role of the mother in a family (unwritten expectations) or formal
such as the role of an administrative assistant in a firm (written).

Lastly, networks look into relationships created by personal ties and involve an exchange of
assistance. Networks are the basis of personal relations, friendships and subgroups.

Norms, roles, rules and networks can sometimes be used interchangeably depending on which
society and cultural background you’re dealing with since different systems classify situations
differently.

6. What is culture synergy?

Cultural synergy is a term coined from work by Nancy Adler of McGill University which
describes an attempt to bring two or more cultures together to form an organization or
environment that is based on combined strengths, concepts and skills. The differences in the
world's people are used in such a way that encourages mutual growth by cooperation.

In a more general sense, cultural synergy can be observed in the creation new or reproduced
cultural forms that are distinct from the cultures from which those forms are derived. In either
case, cultural synergy may be expected to be more prevalent as globalization takes place, and
the concept and/or phrase can be found in discussions of globalization.

8. Identify the dimensions of culture.

The model of national culture consists of six dimensions. The cultural dimensions represent
independent preferences for one state of affairs over another that distinguish countries (rather
than individuals) from each other. The country scores on the dimensions are relative, as we are
all human and simultaneously we are all unique. In other words, culture can be only used
meaningfully by comparison. The model consists of the following dimensions (click on the name
of the dimension to read more):

Power Distance Index (PDI)

This dimension expresses the degree to which the less powerful members of a society accept
and expect that power is distributed unequally. The fundamental issue here is how a society
handles inequalities among people. People in societies exhibiting a large degree of Power
Distance accept a hierarchical order in which everybody has a place and which needs no further
justification. In societies with low Power Distance, people strive to equalize the distribution of
power and demand justification for inequalities of power.

Individualism versus Collectivism (IDV)

The high side of this dimension, called individualism, can be defined as a preference for a
loosely-knit social framework in which individuals are expected to take care of only themselves
and their immediate families. Its opposite, collectivism, represents a preference for a tightly-
knit framework in society in which individuals can expect their relatives or members of a
particular in-group to look after them in exchange for unquestioning loyalty. A society's position
on this dimension is reflected in whether people’s self-image is defined in terms of “I” or “we.”

Masculinity versus Femininity (MAS)

The Masculinity side of this dimension represents a preference in society for achievement,
heroism, assertiveness and material rewards for success. Society at large is more competitive.
Its opposite, femininity, stands for a preference for cooperation, modesty, caring for the weak
and quality of life. Society at large is more consensus-oriented. In the business context
Masculinity versus Femininity is sometimes also related to as "tough versus tender" cultures.

Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI)

The Uncertainty Avoidance dimension expresses the degree to which the members of a society
feel uncomfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity. The fundamental issue here is how a
society deals with the fact that the future can never be known: should we try to control the
future or just let it happen? Countries exhibiting strong UAI maintain rigid codes of belief and
behavior and are intolerant of unorthodox behavior and ideas. Weak UAI societies maintain a
more relaxed attitude in which practice counts more than principles.

Long Term Orientation versus Short Term Normative Orientation (LTO)*

* Also related to as PRA

Every society has to maintain some links with its own past while dealing with the challenges of
the present and the future. Societies prioritize these two existential goals differently.

Societies who score low on this dimension, for example, prefer to maintain time-honored
traditions and norms while viewing societal change with suspicion. Those with a culture which
scores high, on the other hand, take a more pragmatic approach: they encourage thrift and
efforts in modern education as a way to prepare for the future.

In the business context this dimension is related to as "(short term) normative versus (long
term) pragmatic" (PRA). In the academic environment the terminology Monumentalize versus
Flex humility is sometimes also used.

Indulgence versus Restraint (IND)

Indulgence stands for a society that allows relatively free gratification of basic and natural
human drives related to enjoying life and having fun. Restraint stands for a society that
suppresses gratification of needs and regulates it by means of strict social norms.