2. 2
Tableof Contents
Introduction ................................................................................ 3
Objective..................................................................................... 4
Details of the Proposed Content................................................. 5
Episode 1: Business Communication Across Culture ............... 5
Episode 2: Barriers to Intercultural Communication ............... 5
Episode 3: Negotiating internationally..................................... 6
Episode 4: Strategy adaptationwhen negotiating with other
cultures..................................................................................... 6
Episode 5: Working with international teams ......................... 6
Episode 6: Management of multicultural teams. .................... 7
Episode 7: Conflicts and cultural differences........................... 7
Episode 8: Conflicts and cultural differences Part II ................ 7
Episode 9: Developinginterculturalcommunicative
competence.............................................................................. 8
Episode 10: Developinginterculturalcommunicative
competence Part II ................................................................... 9
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Introduction
The relationship between culture and communication is an
intriguing one. Although the process of communication can be
seen as a way of transmitting the beliefs, attitudes behaviors that
identify a certain culture, this very process can also be regarded
as an agent in shaping this identity. Although people, when
communicating, draw on the meanings of the culture to which
they belong, this very culture owes its existence to the exchange
of information between its members.
Communication between cultures is culturally determined to a
considerable extent.The cultural factor has come to be considered
as the prime cause of difficulties in the interaction between
individuals and groups who perceive themselves as belonging to
different cultures. This explains to some extent the considerable
amount of literature devoted to intercultural communication
generally and to communication in international business in
particular. Rather than attempting to summarize all the theories
and empirical studies in this area, this podcast will focus on those
ideas which we consider particularly relevant.
At this point, however, it is worth considering two key terms used
in studies on communication and culture. One is – intercultural
communication Another term, cross-cultural communication,
is also frequently used in the same context. Gudykunst (2004)
explains the differences between what may appear to be terms
with similar meanings. Intercultural communication is to do with
communication between people from different national cultures
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and comprises all aspects relating to the study of culture and
communication. Cross-cultural communication has to do with
The comparison of the various ways people communicates across
cultures. Cross-cultural communication is therefore a ‘sub-
domain’, which means that understanding intercultural
communication is a prerequisite to understanding cross-cultural
communication.
In this podcast will not stick rigidly to the distinction between
intercultural and cross-cultural communication; the intention is to
deal with those subjects relevant to communication both in and
between cultures without necessarily classifying them.
Objective
The relationship betweenculture and communication is intriguing
one. In this podcast the listener will not stick rigidly to the
distinction between intercultural and cross-cultural
communication but also learn about the intention is to deal with
those subjects relevant to communication both in and between
cultures without necessarily classifying them.
This podcast has given a brief outline of the theory of
communication, which is indispensable to a better understanding
of intercultural communication. After working through this
course, you will gain more insight into:
How culture affects communication
How intercultural communication can be affected by the
cultural difference between those involved
How intercultural communication can be made more effective
5. 5
Details of the Proposed Content
Episode 1: Business Communication AcrossCulture
This episode introduces the concept of communication in and
between cultures. In dealing with people from other culture within
a company, or with cross-border business clients, a manager will
use the normal channels of communication. However, in this
communication process the identities of the culture in question,
and the resulting interactions, will play an important role. Several
factors can affect the process of communication. The concept is
divided into four main sub-concepts:
A model of communication
Forms of communication in business practice
Language during business encounters
Face-to-face management relations across cultures
Episode 2: Barriers to Intercultural Communication
Perception is the key word in communication and is largely
determined by culture. When business is being done with other
cultures, communication is the most important cause of
misunderstanding. The filters mentioned in introduction will now
be regarded more closely in terms of barriers to cross cultural
communication. Particular attentionis paid to stereotypesbecause
of their important role in relations between cultures. This applies
across the board-from one-to-one encounters to marketing
campaigns. It is important to know where stereotypes come from
and how best to deal with them. The concept is divided into four
sub-concepts:
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What are the communications barriers?
Non-verbal behavior as a barrier
Assumptions and culture
Perceptions and stereotypes
Episode 3: Negotiating internationally
This episode introduces the concept of approaches to negotiating
in an intercultural context. The concept is divided into two main
topics:
The nature of negotiating from both a Westernand non-Western
perspective.
Key facets of negotiation in an international business context
and the various types of interaction that may result.
Episode 4: Strategy adaptation when negotiating with other
cultures.
This episode will discuss about the overcoming cultural barriers
in negotiations and the importance of communication in
International Business Deals. Moreover, we will learn about
negotiating skills and techniques for handling counterparts from
different cultural backgrounds during negotiations.
Episode 5: Working with international teams
This episode introduces the concept of group processes during
international encounters. After defining the word ‘team’ and the
elements involved (types and roles), this concept will focus on a
common phenomenon of global business, namely international
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teams and their functioning. The concept is divided into two sub-
concepts:
Teams in organizations.
Team tasks and processes.
Episode 6: Management of multicultural teams.
The episode will deal with the management of multicultural
teams, with particular referenceto Afro-Western teams and Asian
teams.
Episode 7: Conflicts and cultural differences
This episode introduces the concept of understanding and dealing
with conflicts. This concept will first give a general overview of
conflicts and their sources before looking at the role emotions can
play in different cultures. The concept is divided into three sub-
concepts:
The nature of conflict: when conflicts happen, and factors
involved.
A model of conflict styles: how modes of communicative
behavior during conflict can be classified.
Culture, emotions, and conflict: how different cultural values
influence the role of emotions in conflict situations.
Episode 8: Conflicts and cultural differences Part II
This episode is the continue of the previous episode. This episode
will cover examine the management of conflicts, particularly the
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different approaches used in Eastern and Western cultures. The
concept is divided into two sub-concepts:
Management of conflict (with particular attention to the Asia-
Pacific region): the culture-based views of effectiveness and
appropriacy in conflict resolution.
Mediation and cultural transformation: how third-party
intervention and/or the practice of mindful communication
skills can transform the perception of conflict and the
attitudes of those involved.
Episode 9: Developing intercultural communicative
competence
This episode examines how an individual can meet the challenges
involved in communicating with different cultures through
developing an intercultural communication competence. This
concept is divided into two elements:
The main components involved in adapting and developing
communication skills appropriate to a cultural context.
How intercultural competence can be achieved through
collaboration between those communicating interculturally.
The ethical component as a component of intercultural
communication competence.
Developing a third culture between parties to allow the
emergence of a shared system of values.
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Episode 10: Developing intercultural communicative
competence Part II
This episode will focus on how to be a competent intercultural
competitor at its core. There are two element that will be discuss
which are:
The ethical component as a component of intercultural
communication competence.
Developing a third culture between parties to allow the
emergence of a shared system of values.
