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Intercultural Communication - Lecture Notes Week 4 .pdf

Managerial communication (Monash University)

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MGW1100
Managerial Communication – Week/Topic 4,
Intercultural Communication

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Learning Objectives
Define intercultural communication and diversity and
explain its impact on communication

Compare and contrast two models of culture with

respect to intercultural communication

Using examples, explain a process for communication

with people from other cultures with respect to
preparation and delivery

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Intercultural Communication
What is it?
‘Process of interpreting and sharing
meanings with individuals from different
cultures’ (Gudykunst & Kim in Gamble & Gamble, 1999)
 Inter-racial
 Inter-national
 Intra-cultural

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Intercultural Communication
Cultures are changing
Generational differences
Economic/political/environmental growth
Increased global human mobility
Increased global contact
Expanded need for Communication
Role of Technology
Common language

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Culture & communication

Culture
Self concept
What we do, say, act, make
Values, beliefs, norms
‘A frame of reference’
Who we are and who they are

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Culture & communication

Macro-culture
All the arts, beliefs, social institutions, and other
activities that are characteristic of a community,
race, or nationality

Micro-culture
Predominating attitudes and behaviour that
characterise the functioning of a group or
organisation

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Barriers to Intercultural Communication

Cultural insensitivity
“No culture can
live it if attempts
Parochial approach to be exclusive.”
~ Mahatma Ghandi

Ethnocentric approach

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Diversity
‘we are all individuals, yet at the
same time, we are products of the
culture into which we have been
socialised’ (Putnis and Petelin, 1999)

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Diversity
Diversity extends to:
Age
Personal and corporate background
Education
Function Diversity is the
Personality collective mixture
of differences and
Diversity includes: similarities along a
Lifestyle given dimension.
Sexual orientation
Geographic origin
Tenure with an organisation
Physical and mental disability
Management or non-management

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Barriers to Accepting Diversity

Stereotypes
Prejudice
Ethnocentrism
Blaming the victim
Discrimination
Harassment
Sexual harassment
Backlash

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The impact of culture & diversity

on communication
In the workplace
Language
Formality
Social customs
Styles of dress
Time
Tolerance for conflict
Gender roles
Attitudes about talk
Self-disclosure and candor
Nonverbal behaviour

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The impact of culture & diversity

on communication
In the workplace
Protocol
Relationship building
Making requests
Agreeing/disagreeing
Greetings/card
Saving face/personal sensitivities
Etiquette

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The impact of culture & diversity

on communication
Organisational Considerations
Counselling
Language assistance
Signage
Adequate access to facilities
Flexible work times
Flexible holiday considerations
Observance of religious days
Different dress, customs, food etc.

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Distinguishing Cultural Differences:

Two Models

Hall’s Context model – continuum of context

Hofstede’s 5 dimensions of culture

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Hall’s Context model

Edward T. Hall (1977) argues that communication and culture are
about not only words and what is immediately tangible and visible, but
also the context in which these things occur — not just text, but
context
High/Low context cultures – focus on communication

High context
A culture in which the context of communicated messages is as
important as the communicated message

Low context
A culture in which the context of communicated messages is not
as important as the communicated message itself

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Hall’s Context model

High context
Nonverbal cues are used to attach meaning to a verbal
message
Emphasis on being polite, indirect dealings
Deliberation and not speed is the essence of negotiation
Relationships are personal and based on trust
Change is slow and only implemented if essential
Seniority is respected
Group orientation communication with less interpersonal
space and more physical contact while communicating
Traditions drive behaviour/lifestyles
Polychronic – multiple time frames and experiences

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Hall’s Context model

Low context
Explicit codes of communication (words) and little is relied
on nonverbal cues
More direct communications
Speed is of essence in negotiations
Relationships are contractual
Changes in work practices and work speed are regarded
favourably
Individualistic orientation communication – more
interpersonal space and less contact
Monochronic – one experience of time

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Hall’s Context model

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Hofstede’s 5 dimensions of culture

Geert Hofstede defines culture as:
‘The collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the members
of one group or category of people from another’
Data collected for his research between 1967-1973, 1985

5 dimensions
Power distance
Uncertainty avoidance
Masculinity versus femininity
Individualism and collectivism
Long-term orientation

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Hofstede’s 5 dimensions of culture

refers to the different solutions to the basic
POWER DISTANCE
problem of human inequality

UNCERTAINTY refers to the level of stress in a society in the

AVOIDANCE face of an unknown future

INDIVIDUALISM vs refers to the integration of individuals into

COLLECTIVISM primary groups

MASCULINITY vs refers to the division of emotional roles

FEMININITY between men and women

LONG-TERM vs
refers to the choice of focus for people’s
SHORT-TERM
efforts: the future or the present
ORIENTATION

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Hofstede’s 5 dimensions of culture

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Hofstede’s 5 dimensions of culture

Some implications
In intercultural communication those from high power-
distance cultures work with high-status negotiators or
principals
People from high uncertainty-avoidance cultures want the
reassurance of structure and ritual
People from collectivist cultures like to build relationships
over a long period of time
People from high masculine cultures resolve conflicts by
force
People from feminine cultures resolve conflicts through
compromise and consensus

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Two different cultures

How we communicate depends on each
person’s perspective

• World View • World View

• Ways of thinking • Ways of thinking
• Traditions Finding • Traditions
• Social perception Commonalities • Social perception
• Values in Culture • Values
• Beliefs • Beliefs
• NV Codes, Language • NV Codes, Language

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Improving Intercultural Communication

Preparation
Acknowledge cultural differences – view them as
an opportunity
Research and learn about different cultures
 Time
 Space
 Non-verbal communication
 Socio economic & political milieu
 Values & beliefs
 Roles
 Communication and conflict
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Improving Intercultural Communication

Delivery
Interact with the culture(s)
 Speak clearly and avoid using slang or colloquial
expressions
 Participate in rituals of greetings and farewells
 Be aware of the connotation of words
 Don’t condescend or make inappropriate jokes
 Be willing to invest time in building rapport
 Try to find common ground and mutual interests
 Monitor the other person’s non-verbal communication to
check how your messages are getting across
 Be aware of your own biasness and stereotypes
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Lastly, develop your own personal cross-

cultural communication skills
Live and work outside of your home country
Travel extensively outside of your home country
Before travelling, learn about cultural differences and
customs
Adapt to the customs of the new country
Develop friendships with people of different nationalities
Learn another language
Develop a non-home-country perspective on world events

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