Introduction
In any international business, Intercultural communication principles is very much imperative. This intercultural communication can be defined as the process which involves a combination of various skills, knowledge plus the combination of theoretical insights in trying to exchange meaningful and unambiguous information across the cultural boundaries so that one can be in a position to intermingle with the regional and the national cultures all over the world, and the various differences in these cultures at the several communication stages in meetings or in various organization we work for. There are cultural dimensions as Hofstede tried to put it. He said that, cultural dimensions exist in cultural organizations plus national cultures. This is as a result of the regional and national cultures which are said to exist is many groupings of people hence the need for intercultural management through effective communication between these people. Now under his cultural dimensions he came up with five dimensions of culture which include the following. Large powered distance and small groups, collectivism and individualism, uncertainty avoidance, long and short term orientation and lastly is the feminity and masculine groups whereby all these groups may make the so many dimensions of culture which exist today. You find that globalization has come up with so many things which involve dealing with so many cultures in the global world hence the need to try and understand them. The cultural aspects of people will mean that they have different languages which are different from ours hence theoretical insights in communication will be very much important. This is because with globalization, it involves a common/market village where there is exchange of goods and services by all nations of the world with no restrictions. It is due to this that you find so many cultural groups from all the nations meet so that they can conduct their business hence the need for intercultural communication in this case. Since this is a meeting which is involving two groups from different cultural backgrounds, it’s very much important to try and apply the intercultural communication aspects here so that the participants in the meeting can be in a position to participate fully through their many decisions they will make in the meetings. This is very much important since it is through effective communication we will be in a position to try to learn more from each other.
Theoretical approach to cultural differences
Theories have been put in place in trying to understand intercultural communication. Richard Lewis is one of the contributors on intercultural communication whereby he said that when cultures collide, due to the many cultural dimensions, then there is the need for conducting intercultural meetings and also trying to motivate the team leaders. Hofstede in his argument said that culture in most cases is the key to conflict in groups. These cultural differences can sometimes be a nuisance and a disaster hence the need to manage them. He gave the example of those people who work in international business how amazing these people from the different cultural groups behave. So if we go in to other countries and try to make decisions which are based on how we operate at our country, it will lead to a big mess since people operate differently depending on their cultures. So for the case of British people going to Italy, it is good to try and understand how these people do operate. This is because there is so many differences between English and Italy hence the need to try and understand them. Hofstede gave the example of the western countries and the Middle Eastern countries going to each others country. For example, with the case of the western countries, when in a meeting and a certain agreement has been realized, these people are supposed to shake hands as a sign that they have come in to an agreement. Now for the middle eastern countries say in Italy, many negotiations take place in such meetings leading to negotiations which can be seen as signified through shaking of hands but the deals in this case are not yet complete. So with Italy, you will find that shaking of hands will be done even when the agreements are not met unlike in Britain whereby you will find that shaking of hands occur after an agreement has been realized. So Hofstede in this case tries to tell us that its very much important when moving in to another country to try and understand their cultures when communicating since it might lead to problems and whatever which was to be done may end up not completed. So as a mediator in this case, it’s good to ensure that these people are very much conversant with the cultures of each other since English and Italy are two different cultures. He also said that if people come from high collectivity societies say the case of British people coming to Italy, they will make good managers and good team work. Hofstede received some critics from Storti since he said that not all the immigrants coming to Italy will make team work good if they come from high collectivity society. It is through this that you will find that people especially managers in organizations will be in a position to try focus on leadership across the cultural diversities. Teambuilding practices will also be involved in this case in trying to have intercultural communication. So in trying to understand intercultural communication, then it is imperative to look at some of the following aspects which form our basis of culture differences. Now, since this is a meeting which will involve two cultural groups which is the Britain and Italy, now through the meetings, we are going to be talking about international business with reference to intercultural management and communication by trying to look at some of the ways we can be in a position to understand our cultural differences through analyzing our cultures and the many obstacles we might experience when managing our organizations. This is because English and Italy are two different languages which need to be discussed. (Lewis, 2000).
Halls also classified culture as having two dimensions which are polychromic and monochromic culture. In his argument, he said that there are two concepts which are so much imperative in transmitting messages in human beings. One of these concepts is polychromic whereby he meant one thing at a time and the second concept is monochromic whereby he meant that multiples tasks can be handled at a single time. So depending on the way these two cultures will structure there time, it is very much important since some cultures have a polychromic culture while others have a monochromic culture of doing things. (Lewis, 2000).
Differences between Italy and English
Italy can be regarded as one of the musical languages since most of its word is seen to end with a vowel. It is due to this fact you will find that it is completely different from English. This is because it has some borrowed words from English and these borrowed words have been Itanalized hence making it hard to understand the language unless trained through interacting with these people. Italian is also a phonetic language hence making it different from English. Also it has two ways of addressing people unlike in English hence can affect most of the English pronouns. So as a mediator in this case, it’s very much important in meetings to ensure that there are language translators to ensure that people can be in a position to communicate so well with each other.
Cultural blocks
You find that due to the many cultures which are existing today, say the case with Britain cultural differences and Italy, then cultural blocks are said to exist in this case. Britain speaks English while Italy speaks Italy hence making a language barrier in this case. Cultural blocks will involve the communication barriers which people encompass. Language barrier can be seen as one of the troubles which might affect our communication hence the need to try and resolve this problem. So in trying to solve this particular problem, we will have language interpreters who will lead through the discussion through ensuring that both languages that are English and Italy are effectively used. This is because these people have their own cultural differences which are said to be different from the other hence the need to try and understand each others culture so that we can be in a position to communicate well. (Hall, 1998).
Values
Values in this case are subjective hence can differ from one group to another. There are so many values which people may tend to have some of which may be moral values, religious, political among other principles. People use these values so that they can direct their decisions. These values can then be shared by the members of the community and these values can be different from others in another particular group. So in international business, it is very much important to try and understand the values for the Italian so that we can be in a position to try and communicate so well. It’s through observing these values that we will be in a position to solve the many conflicts which people do experience. So when trying to communicate with people from different culture, it’s very much important to try and understand their values since it are through these values that we will be in a position to converse so well with each other. (Hofstede, 2005).
Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism can be taken to mean the situation when particular group beliefs that it’s more superior to the other group. It’s through ethnocentrism that you tend to find that some communities will see themselves to be more superior than other hence leading to misunderstandings. So when trying to communicate with each other, we have to try and forget our differences. For instance you find that America is one of the groups which tend to feel that it’s more superior to others in stipulations of its culture, communication, technology among other things. So as a coordinator of this meeting, we have to forget our many differences and try to esteem each other culture since there is no any particular culture which is more dominant than the other. (Milton, 2000).
Punctuality
You find that in any meeting, promptness is very much imperative. This is because it’s through punctuality that we will be in a point to accomplish our meetings and then go back to our many duties. So it’s very much essential to ensure that when holding our meetings, we try to keep time since many people treasure their time so much. For the case of Italy, they have a monochromic culture hence meaning that time is so much important to them. So in the meeting, it will be very much important to keep time. It’s quite ethical for people to try and keep time. (Abe, 2000).
Cultural misunderstandings
So due to the issue of so many cultures since we are a different groups coming from different regions of the world, that is we have people from Britain and others from Italy, it is very much important to try and have some cultural understanding. For example is the case of shaking hands. People from Italy have the habit of shaking hands in between negotiations unlike the people from Britain who shake hands after an agreement has been made. So it’s very much important for the mediator to ensure that such misunderstandings do not happen. This is because the way things are done in Italy might not be the same way which things are done in Britain. So for the case our cultural understanding, it’s very much important to understand each others culture so that we can be in a position to communicate so well in the meetings. (Bennet, 2002).
Language barrier
Language barrier will involve misunderstandings in the meeting. This is because English and Italy are two different languages. As we have seen earlier, Italy has some borrowed words from English and hence it is through this fact you will find that a mediator will be very much important in trying to mediate the two languages. (Bochner, 2000).
Stereotypes
When holding meetings with people from different cultures, it’s also very important to consider the many stereotypes which these people have. This is part of culture hence the need to try and respect it. So through the meetings since these people are from different cultures, people will tend to have different views and opinions on the way people can try and conduct their business internationally. For example the case for the Hilton Hotel which is one of the international hotels, it’s very much important to try and respect other people stereotypes like the case with food. People have the right to eat the food they like eating say the customary food since their culture tells them to do so. The way people dress in a meeting is also very much important. So in this case dressing will be very much important for people from Britain and this is especially to women. For example people from Britain have their culture of dressing short skirts unlike people in Italy. So it’s very much important to put this in to consideration in the meetings since dressing is very much imperative. (Abe, 2000).
Conclusion
Intercultural management is very much important to any organization since it’s through intercultural management that the company can be in a position to run effectively. This is because you find that due to the globalization process, many companies have been involved in the global activities hence diverse cultural groups can be found. So in order to try and run the business so well, then there is the need for a cultural management in that the management of the company has to ensure that there is a strong relationship between the customer’s needs and the management of the company. It’s after understanding the many behaviors, attitudes, values and beliefs of you customers that the manager in this case can be in a position to know what the customers need hence leading to realization of a competitive advantage. Intercultural communication principles are very much important not only in meetings but also in other areas whereby people can be in a position to meet. This is because it’s through intercultural communication that people can be in a position to try and understand each other so well. It’s also through intercultural communication that people can be in a position to understand each others culture so well hence leading to the respect of the others culture since there is no any particular culture which is more superior to the other.
Reference
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