Communication barriers for relocating employees in Miami

Miami

Mr. Chow,

Firstly, we are pleased you have decided to become a part of our exciting and growing workforce. In an effort to acclimate you to your new work environment, the following report is being prepared to offer the information deemed necessary to assist you with the transition and adaptation to your new work environment. In order to ensure a successful transition, we have prepared the following report to help you in analyzing and synthesizing potential communication barriers in the areas of:

Cultural Dimensions

Power Distance

Individualism vs. Collectivism

Masculinity vs. Femininity

Uncertainty Avoidance

Long vs. Short-Term Orientation

Stereotyping

Race

Ethnicity

Non-Verbal Communication

Business Etiquette

Written Communication

Following review of this briefing, it is our sincere hope that you will have a greater sense of how to interact with Miamians'. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the address or phone number listed below. We look forward with great anticipation to meeting you in the very near future. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Cultural Dimensions

Miami, located on the cost of the Atlantic, has a high energy and dynamic culture. There is also a strong Latin influence because of high levels of immigration from Puerto Rico, Cuba and Haiti among many other Latin American countries. Presently, more than half of the individuals calling Miami home are born outside of the United States. Because of the significant Latin influence, many Miamians speak English as a second language. We understand that Hong Kong culture is quite dynamic as well, with both Chinese (Cantonese) and English spoken as primary languages. Further, there is a strong blending of the East and West and as such, working in a bi-lingual multicultural environment should be somewhat familiar.

Power Distance

Power distance is determined as the extent to which the less powerful organizational members expect and accept that power has an unequal distribution. Despite the formality of the relationship, in a power distance index, individuals relate to each other primarily as equals. Democratic or consultative modes of communication are common in cultures that have a propensity toward low power distance (Hofstede 1984). Further, in low power distance cultures, those that are determined subordinates by position feel comfortable and expect the right to critique decisions that are made as well as to contribute to the decision making process. However, in cultures were high power distance is the norm, those in less powerful positions tend to accept the established power relationship and recognize the hierarchal relations between those in power and those who are directed by those in power. These relationships are based on perception rather than an objective differential (Hofstede 1984). According to Hofstede's six dimensions model of between culture comparisons, with Latin countries, power distance index is determined high, and because of the prevalence of Latin America's in the United States in general, the index is purportedly 40. However, because of the density of Latin Americans and Latin immigrants in the Miami area, that number would increase significantly.

Individualism vs. Collectivism

Individualism vs. collectivism bespeaks the level to which a person is integrated into a group or groups. Within societies determined to be individualistic, individual rights and personal achievement are important and therefore the individual often feels pressured to achieve personally; whereas in collective groups, societies or cultures, what is important is cohesion in the group process for success of the representative group or organization (Hofstede 1984). The United States, for example, would be determined to be more individualistic in nature than say Hong Kong. However, because of the number of immigrants of Latin descent in Miami, and depending on the countries they reign from, there can be no overall generalization regarding the issue of individualism vs. collectivism. Although, again depending on the country in which those of Latin descent immigrate from as well as the length of time they have lived in the United States, there is a stronger propensity towards collectivism than individualism.

Masculinity vs. Femininity

According to Hofstede (1984, 2001), the cultural dimension of masculinity vs. femininity refers to gender roles and emotional distribution. In cultures determined to be masculine, there is purportedly less fluidity and more significant differences in gender roles. Value is assessed in masculine culture to power, ambition, competitiveness, assertiveness, aggressiveness, and the acquisition of materials and material wealth. Within feminist or feminine cultures, however, women and men are posited to have a similar value base where caring and modesty are noted and emphasized. Hofstede maintains that because of sexual taboo associated with many countries and cultures, and due to the generalizations asserted by these descriptions, this cultural dimension is often referred to as the Quantity of life vs. The Quality of life (Hofstede 2001). There is a great deal of variance in the way in which Latin descendants score with regard to masculinity vs. femininity. Again, the country of origin is important as well as how long they have lived in the United States in general and Miami specifically. There is such great variance that it is again difficult to generalize or posit a medium with regard to this dimension.

Long vs. Short-Term Orientation

In societies determined to have a long-term orientation, the future, not the present is the focus. Conversely, in a short-term oriented society the immediate and present is determined the most important and the focus. In long-term oriented societies, there is a fostering of values that are more pragmatic with a focus on rewards. Saving, perseverance, and the ability to adapt and persistence are the focus in a long-term oriented society. Short-term oriented societies, on the other hand, the promoted values are related to preservation of the individual, respect for history and tradition, steadfastness, management and responsibility to fulfill social obligations and reciprocation (Hofstede 2001). Long-term orientation is determined to be high in your country of origin; however, in the United States and for many Latin immigrants in the United States, long-term orientation is determined to be low.

Stereotyping

Miami is a multicultural community and reportedly there are low levels of demonstrable stereotyping that takes place. However, as in any society, there are some stereotypes that must be contended with. One of the more prominent stereotypes associated with Hispanics or Latin descendents in Miami is that they are willing to do the jobs no one else is willing to do, and some even feel they are taking jobs away from those born in America.

Race

This ties in with stereotyping to some degree, as Miami is a city of many races. Moreover, because of the high levels of tourism, no one would be out of place in Miami. Racism exists in North America, in the United States and in Miami; however, it is determined to be as pronounced in some other more conservative cities.

Ethnicity

With race and ethnicity it is important to mindful of the history of America in relation to how immigrants have been treated in general, and to Latin immigrants specifically. There are a number of ethnic groups represented within the Latin immigrant population and there should not be blanket generalizations applied to the group as though they represent one culture or ethnic group.

Non-verbal Communication

Ofttimes, nonverbal communication can be as significant as verbal communication. For those individuals of Latin descent, some of the more general associations with nonverbal communication are the importance of shaking hands in the introduction process. Culturally, there is purportedly the view that standing around with your hands in your pockets is considered rude and hands on the hips are a sign of anger. Eye contact is determined to be important and the lack of it can be a sign of dishonesty (Importance of Nonverbal web).

Business Etiquette

In Latin culture, much like in Asian culture, conservative dress, a firm handshake, and the use of title and first and last name are determined to be most appropriate.

Written Communication

Because of the prevalence of Spanish in the Miami area, written communication is rendered by the company in English and Spanish to help ensure written communication is not a barrier to the communication process.

As indicated, I hope you have found this briefing to be helpful. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.