Intercultural Communication in Business

Identifying and Defining Different Cultural Frameworks

Demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding

Identify and define the different value and belief systems present across cultures through cultural profiling and self-construal.

Demonstrate the following skills and abilities

Demonstrate your understanding of different cultural frameworks and strategies used in intercultural communication by applying theories to practice in variety of intercultural business interactions.   

There will be two examples of intercultural incidents (small case studies); these are examples of different behavioural and communication problems. You are asked to apply your understanding of relevant theories, frameworks and ideas and propose solutions to demonstrate the extent of your intercultural awareness in different business interactions. All theories and frameworks should be referenced correctly using the Harvard system.

CHOOSE ONLY ONE (OUT OF 1, 2,) TO DISCUSS. Apply your understanding of relevant theories, frameworks and ideas and propose solutions to demonstrate the extent of your intercultural awareness in different business interactions. 

 

Case studies for S1:

Case 1:
Mark, a recently arrived American Manager in India, was complaining to his American associate, “I’ve been finding that I need to give much more detailed, specific instructions to these people than I would to Americans back home in order to get even the simplest things done. And unless such minute detail is provided, problems usually develop. These people don’t seem to take the initiative to do anything other than what is clearly outlined in advance. I know they are smart…. I’ve seen a lot of innovative work on their part…they have a lot of creative ideas, really. But they don’t seem to want to share them with me. I feel that they just want me to tell them what to do and then leave them alone to do it. What am I doing wrong? What can I do to help them feel more comfortable with me?” 

?Where did Mark go wrong?
?How could you help Mark better understand this cross-cultural problem?
?Use intercultural theories to explain it and support your discussion.
?What would be your advice to Mark?

 

Case 2:
Within the past decade, Ray Cisneros had worked hard to become the top sales person for the entire West Coast district of his company, which manufactures and distributes vinyl floor coverings. When his company received an invitation to make a marketing presentation to a large distribution firm in Buenos Aires, Ray’s Hispanic background, fluency in Spanish, and excellent salesmanship all made him the logical choice for the assignment. Ray had set up an appointment to make his presentation on the same day that he arrived from Los Angeles. But upon arrival, the marketing representative of the host firm, who met him at the airport, told him that the meeting had been arranged for two days later so that Ray could rest after the long trip and have a chance to see some of the local sights and enjoy their hospitality. Ray tried to assure his host that he felt fine and was prepared to make the presentation that day. Ray could see no good reason not to get on with the business at hand. Eventually, the marketing representative (somewhat reluctantly) intervened on Ray’s behalf, and the meeting was reset for later that afternoon. But once the meeting began, Ray noticed that the Argentinean executives never really got beyond the exchange of pleasantries. Finally, the vice president in charge suggested that they meet again the next afternoon. Ray was feeling increasingly frustrated with the excruciatingly slow pace of the negotiations. 

 

?Where did Ray and the company go wrong?
?How could you help Ray and the company better understand this cross-cultural problem?
?Use intercultural theories to explain it and support your discussion.
?What would be your advice to Ray and the company?

What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)

In order to pass Assessment 1 you will need to:

?Compare and contrast different cultural frameworks
?Demonstrate how these frameworks can be applied to understand different interpersonal interactions in business situations
?Apply intercultural communication theories to practice in various business situations

How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?

We will be filling this section in together in class on Click or tap to enter a date. make sure you have downloaded/printed out the Assignment Brief and bring it to the session with you.

How does this assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled sessions?
This assessment provides a grounding in the intercultural frameworks relevant to international business environment.  Mainly it will involve frameworks related to communication, homogeneity versus diversity, tradition and change, dimensions of culture and so on. The frameworks are discussed in scheduled classes.

 

How will my assignment be marked?

Your assignment will be marked according to the threshold expectations and the criteria on the following page.

You can use them to evaluate your own work and consider your grade before you submit.