Cross-Cultural Communication: Direct vs. Indirect
Each culture has its own values and norms. Living in a society where direct communication is the norm, and then conducting business or managing an employee who has grown up in a society where indirect communication is the norm can create some unwanted anxiety and tension. For example,
According to Brett, Behfar, and Kern (2006):
Communication in Western cultures is typically direct and explicit. The meaning is on the surface, and a listener doesnt have to know much about the context or the speaker to interpret it. This is not true in many other cultures, where meaning is embedded in the way the message is presented. For example, Western negotiators get crucial information about the other partys preferences and priorities by asking direct questions, such as Do you prefer option A or option B? In cultures that use indirect communication, negotiators may have to infer preferences and priorities from changesor the lack of themin the other partys settlement proposal. In cross-cultural negotiations, the non-Westerner can understand the direct communications of the Westerner, but the Westerner has difficulty understanding the indirect communications of the non-Westerner.
(Brett, J., Behfar, K., & Kern, M. (2006). Managing multicultural teams. Harvard Business Review, 84(11), 84-91.)
Please locate the following eBook from the Online Library:
Say Anything to Anyone, Anywhere: 5 Keys To Successful Cross-Cultural Communication
By Gayle Cotton
Here is the reference:
Cotton, Gayle.(2013).Say anything to anyone, anywhere: 5 keys to successful cross-cultural communication. Available in the Trident Online Library.
For this Case Assignment, review Chapters 13-26 (each Chapter is very short):
Chapter 13 – Multicultural Time Expectations
Chapter 14 – E-Mail Etiquette Is Culturally Sensitive
Chapter 15 – Triple Cross-Translate
Chapter 16 – It Takes Two to Collaborate
Chapter 17 – Framing Your Cross-Cultural Communication
Chapter 18 – Context, Perception, and Reality
Chapter 19 – Business and Social Behavioral Styles
Chapter 20 – Understanding Cultural Beliefs, Values, and Rules
Chapter 21 – The Cross-Cultural Potters Wheel
Chapter 22 – Body Language Gestures to Avoid
Chapter 23 – Acronyms, Abbreviations, Analogies, Slang, and Sports Jargon
Chapter 24 – Global Etiquette Tips
Chapter 25 – Area-Specific Cultural Clues, Dos, and Taboos
Chapter 26 – Win-Win Cross-Cultural Communication
Case Assignment
Write a 2- to 3-page paper (not including the title or reference pages) in APA formatting, highlighting the key concepts that you learned and more importantly, how you can apply the concepts to your current position in your community and/or workplace. Finally, discuss how adequate training in cross-cultural communication and exposure to other cultures is essential in eliminating barriers.
Assignment Expectations
Use concepts from the modular background readings as well as any good quality resources you can find.
Cite all sources within the text and in a reference list at the end of the paper.
Length: 23 pages double-spaced and typed.
The following items will be assessed in particular:
Your ability to follow prescribed assignment content guidelines.
Your ability to apply the basic concepts to the questions.
Some in-text references to the modular background readings (APA formatting required).
The essay should address each element of the assignment. Remember to support your answers with solid references, including the case readings.
**********Required Reading and Videos***********
Please review the following videos and articles:
Livermore, D. (2011, May 18). The cultural intelligence (CQ) difference [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2C7Mfft9OY
Livermore, D. (2009, September 24). Leading with cultural intelligence, with David Livermore, PhD [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMi7yhHjASQ
Case 2 = Cross-Cultural Communication: Direct vs. Indirect
Caputo, A., Ayokob, O. B., Amoo, N., & Menke, C. (2019). The relationship between cultural values, cultural intelligence and negotiation styles. Journal of Business Research, 99, 23-36. Available in the Trident Online Library.
Ott, D. L., & Michailova, S. (2018). Cultural intelligence: A review and new research avenues. International Journal of Management Reviews,20(1), 99119. Available in the Trident Online Library.
