Chapter Four

CommunicatingAcross Cultures

McGraw-Hill/Irwin Copyright © 2014 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

4-2

Learning Objectives

LO4.1 Describe characteristics of cultural intelligence, its importance for global business leaders, and approaches to developing it.

LO4.2 Explain the major cultural dimensions and related communication practices.

LO4.3 Name and describe key categories of business etiquette in the intercultural communication process.

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Developing Cultural Intelligence

Cultural intelligence (CQ) a measure of your

ability to work with and adapt to members of other cultures.

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Developing Cultural Intelligence

Culture includes the shared values, norms, rules, and

behaviors of an identifiable group of people who share a common history and communication system.

national, organizational, team

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Cultural Intelligence in the Workplace

Table 4.2

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Respect, Recognize, and Appreciate Cultural Differences

Cultural intelligence is built on viewing other cultures as holding legitimate and valid views of and approaches to managing business and workplace relationships

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Be Curious about Other Cultures

Study abroadLearn a languageDevelop friendships with international

students on your campusTake an interest in culture and routinely learn

about it

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Take an Interest in a Culture and Routinely Learn About It

Watch films, television, documentaries, news, and other video of the culture

Follow the business culture of a country Take courses and attend events related to

particular cultures Make friends with people who live in other

cultures and communicate online

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Avoid Inappropriate Stereotypes

Projected cognitive similarity the tendency to

assume others have the same norms and values as your own cultural group.

Outgroup homogeneity effect the tendency to think

members of other groups are all the same.

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Perceptions that Members of Various Cultures Have about Americans

Table 4.3

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Adjust Your Conceptions of Time

People high in CQ show patience They understand that most tasks take longer

when working across cultures because more time is needed to understand one another and cooperate effectively

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Manage Language Differences

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Understanding Cultural Dimensions

Cultural dimensions fairly permanent and

enduring sets of related norms and values

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Understanding Cultural Dimensions

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Individualism and Collectivism

Individualism a mind-set that prioritizes

independence more highly than interdependence, emphasizing individual goals over group goals, and valuing choice more than obligation

Figure 4.2

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Individualism and Collectivism

Collectivism a mind-set that prioritizes

interdependence more highly than independence, emphasizing group goals over individual goals, and valuing obligation more than choice

Figure 4.3

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Communication Practices in High Individualist and High Collectivist Cultures

Table 4.4

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Egalitarianism and Hierarchy

Egalitarian cultures People tend to distribute and share power evenly,

minimize status differences, and minimize special privileges and opportunities for people just because they have higher authority

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Egalitarianism and Hierarchy

Hierarchical cultures people expect power

differences, follow leaders without questioning them, and feel comfortable with leaders receiving special privileges and opportunities

Figure 4.5

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Communication Practices in Egalitarian and Hierarchical Cultures

Table 4.5

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Performance Orientation

Performance orientation (PO) the extent to which a

community encourages and rewards innovation, high standards, and performance improvement

Figure 4.6

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Communication in High Performance and Low Performance Societies

Table 4.6

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Future Orientation

Future orientation (FO) involves the degree to which

cultures are willing to sacrifice current wants to achieve future needs.

Figure 4.7

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Communication Practices in High and Low Future Orientation Cultures

Table 4.7

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Assertiveness

Assertiveness deals with the level of

confrontation and directness that is considered appropriate and productive

Figure 4.8

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Communication Practices in High and Low Assertiveness Cultures

Table 4.8

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Humane Orientation

Humane orientation (HO) the degree to which an

organization or society encourages and rewards individuals for being fair, altruistic, friendly, generous, caring, and kind

Figure 4.9

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Communication Styles in High and Low Humane Orientation Cultures

Table 4.9

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Uncertainty Avoidance

Uncertainty avoidance (UA) refers to how cultures socialize

members to feel in uncertain, novel, surprising, or extraordinary situations.

Figure 4.10

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Communication Styles in High and Low Uncertainty Avoidance Cultures

Table 4.10

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Gender Egalitarianism

Gender egalitarianism deals with the

division of roles between men and women in society

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Communication Practices in High and Low Gender-Egalitarianism Cultures

Table 4.11

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Building and Maintaining Cross-Cultural Work Relationships

Establish Trust and Show EmpathyAdopt a Learner Mind-setBuild a Co-Culture of Cooperation and

Innovation

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Etiquette and Customs in the BRIC Countries

Table 4.13