Intercultural Communication

1. Intercultural Communication

2. Cultural and Ethnic Diversity Impact on…. • The composition of society • Intercultural interactions • Workplace dynamics

3. Intercultural Communication • Key factor in international business interactions • Companies increasingly involved in internationalisation and globalisation

4. Globalisation Increasing world interdependence caused by changes in global economies and communications technology

5. What is Culture? • Learned social behaviours that develop over time • A complex and multidimensional concept

6. Cultural Norms and Values

7. Intercultural Communication The sharing of meanings between individuals from different cultures

8. Intercultural Communication… Requires an understanding of … • Own culture • Cultures of other groups • Parent/Dominant culture (e.g. based on race or ethnicity) • Co-cultures (e.g. based on gender, religion, age)

9. Intercultural Communication… Requires an understanding of ….. • Knowledge system • Beliefs • Values • Customs • Behaviours

10. Cross-cultural Communication Involves highlighting similarities and differences across cultural groups to promote communication

11. Intracultural Communication Shared communication between members of the same cultural group

12. Enculturation The process of learning or absorbing one’s own culture

13. Acculturation The process of adjusting to the host culture by adopting its values, symbols and/or behaviour

14. Ethnocentrism The belief that one’s own cultural norms are superior to those of other social groups

15. Cultural Relativism The acknowledgement of cultural differences and acceptance that each social groups has its own set of norms

16. Developing Intercultural Communication Competence Business communicators need to be competent in ….. • Their own culture • Their business culture • Their corporate culture