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Unit 1 Cross-Cultural Communication. Objectives. Students will be able to Know different dimensions of cross-cultural communication Understand the different barriers to cross-cultural communication. Four cultural dimensions. Power distance Individualism and collectivism
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Unit 1 Cross-Cultural Communication Apexa Dharankar
Objectives Students will be able to • Know different dimensions of cross-cultural communication • Understand the different barriers to cross-cultural communication Apexa Dharankar
Four cultural dimensions • Power distance • Individualism and collectivism • Uncertainty avoidance and risk-taking behavior • Masculinity • Dimensional relationships and externalities Apexa Dharankar
Power distance • Denotes the relationship between superior and subordinates • People in ‘high power distance societies prefer little consultation between superior and subordinates • People in ‘low power distance’ societies prefer participative and democratic style of leadership Apexa Dharankar
Individualism and collectivism • This affects the formation of group • Culture in Western countries is individualistic • It is collective in Eastern countries Apexa Dharankar
Uncertainty avoidance and risk-taking behaviour • People who do not like uncertainty prefer system based on methodological work- system based on rules that are not to be deviated • People/ employees that score low on uncertainty avoidance prefer flexible organizations and work • Countries also differ in future orientation that decides this dimension Apexa Dharankar
Masculinity • The degree to which the dominant values of a society are success, money and material things is masculinity • Example: Japan, Mexico, UK, USA, Germany etc • Feminity is the degree to which the dominant values of society are caring for others and quality of life. • Example: Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark, Thailand etc Apexa Dharankar
Dimensional relationships and externalities • The amalgamation of all the above mentioned dimensions decides the behavior of people amongst themselves and with other countries Apexa Dharankar
Barriers • Individual • Social • Linguistic Apexa Dharankar
Individual • Values and beliefs • Attitudes • cognitive- opinion or belief • Affective- emotion or feeling • Behavioral- related to response and general way of conduct Apexa Dharankar
Social • Religion • The idea of its wide-spread, majority, minority, etc • Barriers : riots, terrorism, conservatism, restrictions in society etc • Family system • Role of genders in economy • Influence of males/females • Nuclear and joint family Apexa Dharankar
Social • Social etiquettes/manners • Rules of gifting, hospitality, politeness and manners • Example • Idea of eye contact in Japan and America • Indian as well as Indonesian punctuality • Food • Affected by demography and geography • Food habits • Food eating habits Apexa Dharankar
Social • Non-verbal behavior • The way people sit, stand, walk, different gestures and postures • Use of space • Space between people • Dressing • Expression of emotions Apexa Dharankar
Social • Time consciousness • Example • Asians do not need an appointment to meet some one and vice-versa but Americans, Europeans and Africans do • Friday in the Middle-East is like Sunday in the West • Time is money for Americans • Time takes a more ‘leisurely walk’ and there is no urgent work in most of the non-Western societies • The concept of ‘auspicious time’ in India Apexa Dharankar
Linguistics Barriers • Accents and pronunciations • Different types of English • Different languages in the same country • Different dialects of same language • Slang • Slang refers to informal words, phrases or statements which are developed over a period in that particular culture • Example: totaled, boo-boo, cop, pop etc Apexa Dharankar
Linguistics Barriers • Words with different meanings • Example: finger lickin’ good which came out in Chinese as ‘eat your fingers off’ • Traficante-an Italian mineral water came out as ‘drug dealer’ in Spanish • Fadak in Hindi and Marathi • Words Equivalents • There are many words who do not have equivalents • Example: Namaste, Panipuri, pizza, cake etc Apexa Dharankar
Ways and Means of effective cross-cultural communication • Know more about your culture • Be open-minded • Willingness to learn • Overcoming language barriers • Be flexible to suit the needs of others Apexa Dharankar
Summary • Dimensions of Culture? • Barriers? • Ways to overcome barriers? Questions or doubts? Apexa Dharankar
Thank you Apexa Dharankar