Running head: WK 4 ASSIGNMENT 1 WK 4 ASSIGNMENT 2 WK 4 Assignment Linda Dotson Walden University WK 4 Assignment Discussion The Coca Cola product issue affected most of the European countries and the African continent due to health safety concerns which were conveyed by the different governments. Belgium was the most affected country due to the fact that the Coca Cola product had already affected forty-two school children. Other countries such as French, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Luxembourg were affected by the product issue since they were concerned about the conditions and the health impacts of Coca Cola products (Gladwell, 1999). From an Intercultural Communication Consultant’s point of view, there are different approaches which could have been used by Coca Cola leaders to address the issue in order to minimize the impact on sale and improve customer satisfaction. As an Intercultural Communication Consultant (ICC), I would emphasize the importance of cultural consideration when addressing the Coca Cola product issue. This would mean that the company leaders would be required to address the issues presented in the different countries separately. I.e. each of the countries which issued a call back on all Coca Cola products had different concerns about the products. Focusing on each country would enable the leaders to identify what issues needed to be corrected on the products so that they could meet the desires and needs of the consumers. This approach of finding product solutions for every country would improve the partnership between the company and the governments whereby they would work together in ensuring that product consumers receive the safest and best Coca Cola products and services. By doing this, the governments of the different countries would acknowledge the responsibility and accountability of the company and limit the restrictions they would have considered. This initiative would have minimized the impact of the product issue on sales since the safe products will still be allowed to circulate the market. To execute this plan, leaders of Coca Cola will be required to undertake market research so that they can be able to determine the root cause of the problem and how many countries were affected by the contaminated product. This would require immediate action which will involve all of Coca Cola distributors and suppliers. The distributors and suppliers will be an important part of the market research since they can easily infiltrate the market and interact with most of Coca Cola products consumers. Their role will be to collect important information concerning consumer needs and preferences and share the information with the company leaders. Coca Cola could handle a similar kind of issue by ensuring that there is adequate regional and cultural integration in the business model used in different countries. This will strengthen the partnership between the mother company and .

1. Running head: WK 4 ASSIGNMENT
1
WK 4 ASSIGNMENT
2
WK 4 Assignment
Linda Dotson
Walden University
WK 4 Assignment
Discussion
The Coca Cola product issue affected most of the European
countries and the African continent due to health safety
concerns which were conveyed by the different governments.
Belgium was the most affected country due to the fact that the
Coca Cola product had already affected forty-two school
children. Other countries such as French, Spain, the
Netherlands, Switzerland and Luxembourg were affected by the
product issue since they were concerned about the conditions
and the health impacts of Coca Cola products (Gladwell, 1999).

2. From an Intercultural Communication Consultant’s point of
view, there are different approaches which could have been used
by Coca Cola leaders to address the issue in order to minimize
the impact on sale and improve customer satisfaction.
As an Intercultural Communication Consultant (ICC), I would
emphasize the importance of cultural consideration when
addressing the Coca Cola product issue. This would mean that
the company leaders would be required to address the issues
presented in the different countries separately. I.e. each of the
countries which issued a call back on all Coca Cola products
had different concerns about the products. Focusing on each
country would enable the leaders to identify what issues needed
to be corrected on the products so that they could meet the
desires and needs of the consumers. This approach of finding
product solutions for every country would improve the
partnership between the company and the governments whereby
they would work together in ensuring that product consumers
receive the safest and best Coca Cola products and services. By
doing this, the governments of the different countries would
acknowledge the responsibility and accountability of the
company and limit the restrictions they would have considered.
This initiative would have minimized the impact of the product
issue on sales since the safe products will still be allowed to
circulate the market.
To execute this plan, leaders of Coca Cola will be required to
undertake market research so that they can be able to determine
the root cause of the problem and how many countries were
affected by the contaminated product. This would require
immediate action which will involve all of Coca Cola
distributors and suppliers. The distributors and suppliers will be
an important part of the market research since they can easily
infiltrate the market and interact with most of Coca Cola
products consumers. Their role will be to collect important
information concerning consumer needs and preferences and

3. share the information with the company leaders.
Coca Cola could handle a similar kind of issue by ensuring that
there is adequate regional and cultural integration in the
business model used in different countries. This will strengthen
the partnership between the mother company and other
businesses which deal with Coca Cola products. The company
will ensure that it incorporates different elements of the
national cultures in its corporate culture so that all the
company’s operations and processes don’t contradict the
cultural beliefs and values of the respective countries. The ICC
will play an important role in ensuring that there is effective
and fruitful interaction between the cultures of different
countries and the corporate culture.
In relations to this, the comments of the former Coke CEO
Robert Goizueta may not be fully correct. It is true that the
business world will be the most significant institution in the
future but it will not be the only global institution. This is
because there will be global social institutions which will focus
on other social and humanitarian agendas other than business.
Besides this, more countries will opt to preserve their cultures
necessitating the need to enhance the functions of the ICCs. I
would recommend that the CEO, Doug Ivester would have
appointed different ICCs for the respective countries which
consumed Coca Cola products. This would have improved the
communication between the market of each country and the
company leaders. Each territory should also have had a regional
leader or representative whose main role would be to listen to
and address some of the concerns presented by the locals.
Coca Cola Company can also address a similar situation by
enhancing corporate social responsibility. This is an important
role which ensures that the company is directly involved in
social development and environmental protection. The company
should develop effective policies which guarantee the safety

4. and wellness of the consumers as well as ensure that the
company protects the rights of every consumer and stakeholder
(Coca-Cola Company, 2018). This will assist the company in
building stronger customer-supplier relationships in the
respective countries since most people would want to be
associated with the company and its products.
References
Malcolm Gladwell, (1999). From The New Yorker: Is the
Belgian Coca-Cola hysteria the real thing? TALK OF THE
TOWN
The Coca-Cola Company, (2018). Addressing Global Issues.
Retrieved from https://www.coca-colacompany.com/our-
company/addressing-global-issues
APPLES TO APPLES: MAJOR ELEMENTS OF CULTURAL
PATTERNS
Linda Dotson
Walden University
INTRODUCTION
What are cultural patterns?Refers to a set of: Behaviors and
beliefs shared by a group of individuals Transmitted through
social systems e.g. the government, the education system and
the family Individuals from a particular culture are conforms to
the cultural norms
Conforming to the norms and ways of a particular culture is one
of the ways in which individuals from the culture show their

5. compliance and respect to the belief and values of their culture.
The norms determine was is considered right or wrong within
the particular society. As such, the social structures mentioned
above help to ensure that individuals from the culture are well
informed and aware about what is expected of them in regards
to the beliefs, norms and the overall ways of their culture.
Image sourced from:
https://www.hsdinstitute.org/resources/blog-cultural-patterns-
of-generative-engagement.html
*
COMPARING THE PREFERENCES Focuses on: Hofstede’s
Cultural Taxonomy Suggests that cultural norms and beliefs are
developed during development They are then expressed through
dominant values
The assertion used in the approach is founded on the idea that
the human brain functions like a computer program which is
developed during the development of an individual. In this case,
culture plays a significant role in shaping their values and how
individuals from that particular cultures view and perceive
them.
*
CONTINUATION…
Activity Orientation Individuals have the ability to change their
lives My culture focuses work and happier living
Social Relations Orientation We believe that individuals are
equalThere is no expectation for spiritual interactions

6. Individuals from different cultures may have different norms
and values regarding their activity orientation. In my while
there those who believe that their lives are determined by faith,
in my culture, we believe that individuals have the ability to
change their circumstances provided they take the necessary
steps or initiative. Individuals are conscious of having a job that
is fulfilling job is one that gives the employees enough time for
work and also time personal/family time. This is where we
derive happiness. All individuals are equal in society and there
is no special or superior treatment, (Mercer 2006). Even though
individuals have the freedom to focus on the religion of their
choice, there are no expectations for spiritual interactions
among individuals irrespective of their religious denominations.
*
CONTINUATION…
Self OrientationIndividuals are self centered in my culture First
responsibility is to an individuals self
World Orientation In my culture individuals have no control
over nature Spirit of the dead not significant in the culture
Even though there are cultures where individuals seem to be
selfless and putting the needs of the others first, my culture is
quite the opposite. Individuals that they have their own unique
identities which makes them unique from the other individuals
within the culture. Self does not reside in a group but rather in
the individuals. Here, I am different from my own culture
because I believe in collaborative work and working together to
realize the desired positive outcomes, (Bell, 2014). Regarding
World View, my culture I believe that individuals have no
control over the forces of nature and can only take

7. precautionary measures to deal or cope with nature. This is
different compared to other cultures where they believe that the
forces of nature subjugate individuals.
*
CONTINUATION…
Time Orientation In my culture time is a scare
resourceIndividual desire a fast paced lifeMore focus on the
present and future
My culture believes that time is a limited resource that should
be utilized effectively in order to realize the desired positive
outcomes. A fast-paced life is preferred where individuals take
care of their duties and responsibilities within the required time
frame or even earlier. Even though the past is reviewed to
inform present and future decisions, more attention is given to
the present and future. In this case, I believe that I am different
from my culture in the because I prefer a systematic and
planned approach to life without giving much attention to the
pace. This is the case because my culture considers there is
little that can be done to change the past. However, much can be
done to change or improve the present and the future. In order
to change the present and the future, it is imperative to
understand the issues in the past, present and also those that
could be experienced from the future as argued by Liu & Liu
(2016).
*
WHY THE DIFFERENCE Personal preferences This results
from:Differences in development environments Influence from
cultural diversity

8. Even though I am accustomed to my culture, it is imperative to
recognize that I exhibit a certain difference from the cultural
beliefs and norms. For instance, I instead of focusing on
individualism I believe in collaborative work to realize positive
outcomes. I believe that this is so because I was brought up in a
family that focused on and promoted collaborative work. As
such, it comes more naturally to me because of it something that
I have grown and developed with. This has also affected my
approach to time orientation because I prefer a slower paced life
with much more perfection or efficiency in the process and
activities. This too is influenced by the environment in which I
grew up.
*
EFFECTIVENESS OF CULTURAL PATTERNS IN
UNDERSTANDING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
Helps us to understand and appreciate difference cultures This
promotes:Effective communication Building healthier
relationships among difference cultures
Understanding cultural patterns help individuals to know about
different cultures which improve how individuals from different
cultures relate. Individuals can act in a manner that does not
violate or compromise the other culture. When the different
cultures feel respected and appreciated, it increases the chances
and the ability of the different cultures to communicate
effectively without encountering conflicts. This helps to build
healthier relationships which promote the desired positive
outcomes within society, (Pang et al., 2011).
*

9. CONTINUATION…
Opportunity to learn new ideas Different cultures have different
ways of lifeThis helps individual to: Find out new ways of
solving social or community challenges
Interacting with different cultures provide an opportunity for
the involved person to get to know about the culture of the other
group. Even though the culture may be different, they may be
able to learn new and more effective ways dealing with the
challenges facing the societies by using what they have learned
to improve on their own cultural process. For instance, a culture
with little regard to time orientation may be influenced to
improve their time consciousness in order to improve their
productivity.
Image sourced from: https://hbr.org/2018/09/how-to-get-better-
at-reading-people-from-different-cultures
*
APPLICATION OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF CULTURAL
PATTERNS The selected culture is: The Chinese Culture The
knowledge can be applied through:Undertaking collaborative
and interactive cultural programsEncouraging cultural diversity
Overcoming barriers to cultural diversity
The application of knowledge focuses on improving social
interactions among individuals. This can help improve how
individuals from my culture can interact with those from the
Chinese culture in social settings such as the workplace or
school among others. The collaborative programs will increase

10. the ability of the individuals from the two cultures to improve
who they work or interact with each other as suggested by Bell
(2014). Encouraging cultural diversity helps the two culture to
be proud of their culture and thus be more comfortable to open
up and share their culture. The result is that the barriers to
cultural diversity will be overcome.
*
CONCLUSIONUnderstanding cultural patterns promote social
interactions Hofstede’s Cultural Taxonomy:Cultural values and
norms are developed over time The various dimensions help to
understand cultural diversity Through a more detailed
evaluation of different cultures
The world is becoming a global village where different cultures
interact with one another. In order for these cultures to interact
effectively without facing challenges that may compromise the
desired outcomes, it is imperative to ensure that they understand
and apricated their cultural diversity.
*
REFERENCES
Bell, R. (2014). A semiotic and critical approach to teaching
inter-cultural management. European Journal of Cross-Cultural
Competence and Management 10, 3(1), 18-39.
Liu, Y., & Li, B. (2016, March). Research on Traditional
Cultural Elements Penetrating into Interior Design. In 2016
International Conference on Education, Sports, Arts and
Management Engineering. Atlantis Press.
Mercer, C. (2006). Cultural planning for urban development and
creative cities. Self-published manuscript.

11. Pang, V. O., Stein, R., Gomez, M., Matas, A., & Shimogori, Y.
(2011). Cultural competencies: Essential elements of caring-
centered multicultural education. Action in Teacher
Education, 33(5-6), 560-574.
Running Head: Intercultural Interaction
1
Intercultural Interaction
2
Intercultural Interaction
Linda Dotson
Walden University
Part 1: Description of the Intercultural Interaction
The intercultural interaction that I engaged in and found it to be
annoying was an introduction by my friend to his new Spanish
neighbors. This interaction occurred when my friend was
walking me home after I had visited him for a discussion. When
my friend introduced me to his new neighbor, I was astonished
by his method of greeting - the neighbor hugged and kissed me.
I reacted to his method of greetings with a sequence of harsh
questions as well with some few insults and with an enraged
reaction. My assumption was that the neighbor may have taken
me to be gay (not that I have anything against gays but I am not
one) and hence the kisses. I was infuriated and didn’t give my
friend’ neighbor a chance to answer back to the questions I had
posed. My friend then cut me short and informed of his
neighbor’s greeting culture from where he had come from –
Spain. I then took back my statements and apologized to the
neighbor.
Part 2: Situation Description using D-I-E Format
Statement of Description
I was introduced to my friend’s neighbor and he greeted me

12. with hugs and kisses.
Statement of Interpretation
My interpretation of the interaction was that the neighbor was
gay and by hugging and kissing me he was making a statement
of liking me implying that I am also gay as per his
interpretation.
Statement of Evaluation
I have no problem with people who choose to be gay as we live
in a free country and world where each individual is entitled to
their own choices – I included. Since I am not gay, I find it
offensive when a person treats me as if I am – as this was my
interpretation of the interaction.
The alternative interpretation learned from this activity is that
from his neighbor’s culture, people greet each other with hugs
and a kiss on the lip. The insight from the interaction and my
reaction is that I reacted harshly to an innocent and welcoming
gesture.
Part 3: Evaluation using BASIC Dimensions
Types of Communication Behavior
Description
Display of Respect
At first, I showed neither respect nor positive regard towards
the neighbor’s greeting culture. After I was informed of the
culture, I showed respect by apologizing to the neighbor.
Orientation to knowledge
From my experiences I have known that kisses from the same
sex indicate being gay.
Empathy
At first, my reaction did not entail empathy at all. After I was
enlightened on the culture, I showed empathy by apologizing for
my initial reaction.
Interaction management
In my angered state, I was unable to manage the interaction in
terms of turn taking.
Task role behavior

13. I was unable to initiate a problem solving approach activity-
this was done by my friend.
Relational Behavior
I exhibited intrapersonal harmony by having a stand in the way
I perceive myself. As per the mediation behavior, I was unable
to come with a solution to the conflict in the interaction – my
friend did that.
Tolerance for Ambiguity
I showed little tolerance of the ambiguous situation that arose
from the interaction by showing my displeasure from the
method of greeting.
Interaction posture
I responded in a judgmental and evaluative way to the neighbors
cultural greeting.
The above BASIC evaluation reveals that I was not equipped to
handle ambiguous cultural gestures especially when I saw them
to be offensive. In addition, the evaluation has revealed my lack
of patience in judging people – something I should work on for
future intercultural interactions.
Part 4: Conclusion
This assignment has opened my eyes in the way I should look at
interactions especially involving people from different cultures.
I have understood that indeed there are more than one
interpretations of an interaction and there is need to exercise
patience, be non-judgmental, have conflict resolution skills as
well as good interaction management skills for better
intercultural interactions in the future – especially for an
international job assignment.
References
Elo, M., Benjowsky, C., & Nummela, N. (2015). Intercultural
competences and interaction schemes—Four forces regulating
dyadic encounters in international business. Industrial
Marketing Management, 48, 38-49.
Gareis, E., Goldman, J., & Merkin, R. (2018). Promoting
intercultural friendship among college students. Journal of
International and Intercultural Communication, 1-22.