BUSINESS COMMUNICATION AND
THE GLOBAL CONTEXT
22209 – VATSAL CHANGOIWALA
22260 – BHAVIN VYASA
22230 – NIYENDRA SINGH PANWAR
22241 – ROSHAN BHATT
22251 – SHASHI SINGH
22223 – JIGAR MACWAN
Objectives
Concept of Culture
Intercultural Communication
National Cultural Variables
Individual Cultural Variables
Globalization
Throughout the business world the term globalization is well-known.
Globalization means that for a company to survive, it must establish
markets not only in its own country but also in many foreign countries.
Thus employees as a potential communicator- must understand others’
cultures and variables to communicate effectively with global
companies.
Concept of Culture
What is Culture?
1. “The word culture, is taken from the Latin colo, -ere, with its root
meaning "to cultivate", generally refers to patterns of human activity and
the symbolic structures that give such activity significance.”
2. “The system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors that the
members of society use to cope with their world and with one another,
and that are transmitted from generation to generation through learning”
High-context vs. Low-context
Communication Cultures
Cultures with high-context communication systems are tradition
bound. They appear to be overly polite and indirect in relating to
others. In contrast, members of low-context communication systems
are encouraged to exhibit a more direct communication style.
Asian cultures emphasize high-context communication whereas
western cultures represent low-context communication systems.
Intercultural Differences
Culture is everyday life activities. Culture is:
What we wear
How we ‘greet’ other people
How we communicate with other people (Verbally or non-verbally)
What we play
What we eat, etc.
Difference of culture in terms of:
CLOTHING FOOD
INDIAN WESTERN INDIAN WESTERN
Intercultural Communication
Intercultural Communication:
Communication between people of the different cultural background.
Intracultural communication:
Communication between people of the same cultural background.
Studies have long determined that all of us are more comfortable with
persons we know and who hold similar beliefs and interests.
National Cultural Variables
Politics
Education Religion
NATIONAL
CULTURAL
VARIABLE
Social
Economics S Norms
Laws &
Language
Regulations
EDUCATION
Communication depends upon education. One should aware of the fact
about the education level of the person one is speaking to.
The following charts shows the education levels of Chinese, Asian & U.S.
Managers. Highest Level of
Chinese, % Asian, % U.S, %
Education
Less than High
5.4 2.5 0.1
School
High School
31.8 12.4 3.2
Graduate
Some College 34.6 19.4 16.9
Undergraduate
27.6 65.4 79.8
Degree
Postgraduate
0.7 25.0 30.0
Degree
LAWS AND REGULATIONS
In both the under-developed and developed nations, various government
regulations affect business communications and sale of products.
The type of product to be advertised-for instance, “Cigarette” is restricted
in Europe, also money spent on advertising is limited other countries such
as France, Mexico and the province of Quebec also have restriction on the
use of foreign languages in advertisements.
ECONOMICS
Availability of capital and transportation and the standard of
living per capita vary from nation to nation.
The opportunity to borrow money, the rate of inflation (price
raise), and the exchange rates influence business and a
country’s ability to communicate concerning that business.
POLITICS
Politics also effect our communication when we are doing business with our
company can result even in personal harm.
For the measurement of potential political instability, there are research studies that
monitor events - such as antigovernment demonstrations, elections, general strikes,
revolution and government crises - in determining the stability of a country.
For E.g.: If you are intending to do job or business in North Korea, you need to be
cautious of saying/writing anything directed against the government; otherwise, you
might need to face sever consequences.
RELIGION
Religion in different areas of the world can effect the business and communications.
Recent Statics have shown that some religions have totally changed the style of
business and even the structure of that specific country.
Be especially careful of religious beliefs within foreign countries. There are major
differences, if not understood, can result even in personal harm.
Be aware of religious holidays as they affect international communication,
interrupting work schedules or delaying responses to requests.
SOCIAL NORMS
Beyond the immediate family a bond may exist between persons, based on caste,
class, age or even special interests. one should be aware of a nation’s social norms.
In various ways national environmental constraints, education, law and regulations,
economics, politics and religion effect a nation’s social norms.
Also family boundaries may exist between persons, based on caste, class, age . so
aware of a nation’s social norm.
LANGUAGE
Every body knows that knowing the language of a country is the most
significant contribute to improved communication, on personal and
business level.
A communication is good when both sender and receiver have same
language.
Individual Cultural Variables
Decision
Making
Time Manners
INDIVIDUAL
CULTURAL
VARIABLES
Space Acceptable
Dress
Food
TIME
Persons in Latin America and Middle East treat time more casually than do
Americans, who usually prefer promptness. In some cultures, arriving late is a
socially accepted custom.
It should not take you long to recognize which is the time- conscious culture and
which is less concerned with the precision of time.
SPACE
How close may stranger stand to you?
What does it feel like when you are in a crowded? for example most Americans feel
uncomfortable if a stranger comes closer than 18 inches.
So body languages depend in communications in which culture your are.
What is the average acceptable personal space between native and the host country?
To some cultures ( Arabs, Latin Americans), who do not stand close seem unfriendly.
On the other hand, some culture consider those who stand close to you as rude
Food
Prior to visiting a country its better to know about its food culture to get basic idea
about the kinds of food available there; and the way they are served , fixed and eaten.
It may be a good idea to know the food of your host country before visiting it.
For e.g.: Pork is forbidden in middle eastern countries and beef is hard to find in
India. In Asia, dark and light tea are national drinks. French workers enjoy a glass of
wine with lunch. You may get into trouble by carrying liquor into some countries
Manners
Manners also have value in communication. so you should be a ware of manners of
cultural to whom you are communicating.
Some cultural anthropologists suggest that you observe children in foreign cultures
because by watching them you learn the behavioral habits of elders. Children shake
hand in Germany, hug you in Italy and often stay in the background in India.
You bring a gift when visiting most homes in Europe. If you bring flowers, you
avoid gifts of red roses in Germany or white chrysanthemums in France, Belgium
and Japan.
Acceptable Dress
Dress also has value in communication. when u have good dress then sound will be
clear.
So its very important when you are communicating in front of gathering, your dress
should be perfect.
It is better to ask about the code of dress of an occasion in your host country than to
risk making an embarrassing mistake.
Decision Making
Patience above all is needed in intercultural communication, in doing
business with other countries.
American are too quick in asking for a decision. Chinese, Japanese, and
Italians take time in making decisions.
Thus patience – and your understanding of the decision process – add to
your success in dealing with a foreign environment.
Verbal Communication
Regardless of culture, a kind of verbal communication (body language) occurs when
strangers meet,
Each seeking to determine which topics are acceptable and non-controversial
Additionally, tone of voice of one’s initial words can influence your initial
perception of whether the meeting is positive or negative.
We judge people to a great extent by their voice.
Some native languages demand many tonal variations, giving the impression to a
non-native of loudness, even superiority.
Non-Verbal Communication
Many nonverbal symbols exists for every culture, even in subcultures. knowing the
major desirable and undesirable cues (signs) helps knowing both intended and
unintended communication errors.
For example a handshake is a traditional form of greeting in the west
THANK YOU!
