Role of Communication in Cross-Cultural Management

Role of Communication in Cross Cultural Management

We are engaged in interaction with others all the time in one way or the other at our homes, at our jobsites and in our associations within the community. Irrespective of the fact our understanding with each other the communication is considered difficult. 'Culture' becomes a crucial issue in respect of communicational problems. The methodology for confronting the communication problems and our involvement in the associations within the society are determined by our cultural aspects. Our involvement in groups often reveals astonishing facts about the approach of the people towards working collaboratively. Culture is a complicated concept with varied implications. However, simply the 'culture' can be expressed as a group or community with whom we ventilate our common experiences that design the way we appreciate the world. It incorporates the groups that we are succumbed to like gender, race, or national origin. (DuPraw; Axner, 1997)

It also incorporates the groups to which are part and partial of. To illustrate, a new culture can be acquired by adopting a new religion, by a variation in our economic status or by becoming disabled. While we are thinking of culture in such a wider angle, we acknowledge that we all belong to many cultures at a time. As the people from varied cultural groups confront the criticalities of working together, there grows a conflict between the cultural values. There exists a misunderstanding with one another and result in the responses that affects the positive relationships among them. Sometimes, it is quite impossible to acknowledge that the culture is influencing us. The mode in which the people interact with each other differs very broadly between and even within the cultures. One phase of communication style is the use of language. Taking into consideration the cultural aspects the words and phrases are seen to be used in different angles. (DuPraw; Axner, 1997)

To illustrate, even in English Speaking countries, the meaning of yes differs from 'may be, I'll consider it' to imply 'definitely so' with many variations between. The magnitude of significance accorded to the non-verbal communication is considered to be a major aspect of the mode of communication. The non-verbal communication incorporates not only the facial gestures; it also incorporates the seating designing, personal intimacy, and the significance of time. Moreover, different principles with regard to appropriate degree of assertiveness in communication is supplementing to the cultural misunderstandings. To illustrate, some white Americans particularly consider enhanced voices as a symbol that a fight has begun, while some black, Jewish and Italian-Americans sometimes feel that an enhanced volume is a symbol of an exhilarating conversation among the friends. Similarly, some white Americans may be responsive with a greater alarm to a loud discussion than that of the American ethnic or non-white racial groups. (DuPraw; Axner, 1997)

The improvements brought out in respect of communication technologies and global integration has revolutionized the organizations all world wide. The globalization market that incorporates the labor is visualized to be increasingly varied. The effective arrangement of such cultural variedness depends upon the effective awareness of the organizations about the materializations of this diversity and its influences on the organizational and international business environments. (Cross-Cultural Management and Communication Research) Within the business environment, cross cultural communication indicates to the communication among persons and varied cultures. This is visualized to be a significant matter in the era of globalization and integration. The successful cross-cultural communication is concerned with surpassing diversities in culture spreading over the nations, religion, borders, culture and behavior. The cross cultural communication is considered challenging to the business environment. The significance of cross cultural communication is visualized amidst the cultural diversities evident with the emerging cities and countries in between staffs, colleagues, customers and clients. (Payne, 2004)

The consequences and problems arising out of mismanagements and miscommunication are quite present daily. (Knotts, 1989) The incidents of cross-cultural matters come out in the sphere of organizations since the companies in different countries vary with the organization of their daily business. Some of the remarkable disparities are as follows: The various organs of a corporation enjoy powers relatively in consonance with the functions of the corporation in the country where the headquarters of the organization is situated. Besides, the methodology with which the information is transformed within a company differs considerably from country to country. The cross-cultural variations are considerably important in case of deployments on hire. (Managing Cross-Cultural Differences in International Projects)

The problems are not expected to spread only with the enhanced interactions with the differed cultures and it is quite wrong to expect that the mechanical relations and communications will not improve. The discernment of the leaders, managers and communicators is perceived as a significant source of miscommunication and misunderstanding. To illustrate if the people assume that their values and habits are considered advanced than those involved in any other culture, this is represented in the mode of their communication. The organizational leaders are considered responsible for recognizing the enhanced problems and the obligations for eradicating its sources. However, most of the organizations have no updated knowledge of the present trends or the changes that occurs around them in the sphere of international business. (Knotts, 1989)

The reformation of organizational structures of corporations and industries, and the rationalization as well variations for effective management of within the organization are considered essential. The change management is not perceived to succeed unless effective communication is restored. The successful communication in turn is based on the awareness of the significant role the culture plays in any change program. (Barrett, 2003) The understanding of the cultural differences can favorably influence the success of a business. The cross-cultural understanding is advantageous towards the improved staff communication and enhances the customer relations and effective client management. The increasing globalization in respect of the companies emphasizes the significance of the cultural factors to be a key aspect of success. The improvement in intercultural management skills is considered most essential for the managers facing the realities of the international cultural diversities at greater magnitudes. (Gancel; Hills, 1997)

The business managers globally concur that the success of the company to a great extent depends on the intensity of its international expansion. When such expansion is considered essential universally, however, the specific process of international communication that the company should resort to seems to differ widely. Largely, such differing opinions result from varied cultural aspects. The separation of power in the internal organization of some multinational companies is no longer as centralized as the traditional ones. The geographic origin of the company was taken to be the most significant determining economic factor of a group in the past. Presently, the motives of the sub-groups cater to significantly in making the strategic company decisions. The inherent ideology of the company must therefore essentially be redefines so as to become one of negotiation. The awareness of the cultural values of the client is considered a crucial determinant of the success of company. The communication involved in respect of external business also must take into consideration such factors. (Tixier, 1997)

The experiences of globalization and internationalization have offered the companies to compete for orders proposed worldwide. The business world presently is not confined to the neighboring cultures. The demarcations of zones on mono-cultural and ethnocentric bases have been disintegrated. The international companies have been compelled to adapt to the traditions and conventions of local governments. Their efforts to become aware of the perspectives of international clients abroad have become necessary to identify meticulously the crucial aspects of a project indistinguishable from the home offices. The successful communication takes all these elements into account. The emphasis on such cultural aspects in determining the future of the internationalization of the company is considered crucial. It is quite impossible, of course, with few limitations to communicate through force, as it is equally impossible to advance a unique message. However, the absolute necessity of individually unique cultures of the company is increasingly felt. The company culture is required to be defined in such a way that it is adaptable and modified in consonance with the cultures worldwide. The efficiency of business presently is based on the safeguard of this equilibrium. (Tixier, 1997)

The managers are required to have the necessary ability to communicate with the divergent cultural communicators for their success in the contemporary globalization circumstances. 3 The cultural variations in the multicultural teams are susceptible to generate misunderstanding between the team members prior to establishment of their trustworthiness with each other. Generation of trustworthiness is therefore considered a crucial phase in the creation and development of such teams. The manager of a multicultural team is essential to recognize that generation of trust among the members hailing from different communities is considered a complicated process as each culture has its own process of generating trust and have a different representation of the concept of trust. (DuPraw; Axner, 1997) The cyclic occurrence of listening and speaking is essential for cross cultural communication. Speaking effectively does not imply good pronunciation, good usage of grammar or vocabulary or have the effective skill of chatting.

Instead the cross cultural communication is fostered through the promising vocalization with due emphasis on encouragement, affirmation, acknowledgement and phrasing requests clearly or advancing opinions thoughtfully. The effective cross cultural communication depends upon the elasticity, malleability and liberalism. The awareness, acceptance and dealing with cross cultural differences results in the overcoming the cultural barriers that give rise to the better modes of communication, mutual trust and creative thinking. An efficient manager finds out enough scope for the individuals to take some risks and explore the projects that don't require harmonization with others. Such actions encourage the employees with a strong individualist twist to attract attention to more significant matters like policies or procedures that don't work. The time conscious managers may visualize the people whose cultures take a more liberal consideration towards the stipulations as of less committing to the team goals simultaneously less dependable, accountable and reliable. (Payne, 2004)

As a general principle, the managers are to demarcate meticulously and clearly that their audience required performing in consequence to the communication a symbol of contract, and providing information and approving the recommendations or bringing out a solution. When involvement with a different culture is warranted, it is required reconsideration of the goal of the communication, with evaluating, whether the goal is realistic, with the given culture. The goal which is considered realistic with reference to the culture may not be appropriate in case of another. One method of acquiring what is considered realistic is to analyze what the psychologists refer to as 'locus of control'. The people in case of some cultures have faith on 'internal control' over fate -- that is, people can regulate the occurrences themselves. Simultaneously, people in other cultures have faith on 'external control' of the fate that is events are pre-arranged and unregulated. To illustrate, take the case of communications in an Islamic culture-amidst the North Africa to the Middle East to Indonesia. (Munter, 1993)

The features that the American visualize as the perfectly rational objective like, 'construct the new building on schedule', a Muslim might see it as irreligious, because Muslims take it for granted that human efforts are regulated by the will of Allah and not by a schedule. The Non-Muslims are required to fine-tune their expectations in this line. The Muslims, however, are not considered alone to have faith on the regulation of the incidents by an External Authority. Filipinos, though considered to primarily Christian is also considered as fatalistic. 'Bahala na', is a popular saying in the Tagalog which implies to the 'God wills it'. There is every possibility that Fillipnos visualize the achievements of the goals as predetermined by fate rather than as regulated by the individual effort. It is essential to recognize whether the frame is realistic within the cultural aspects. The incident that constitute time schedule appropriate in one cultural set up may not be considered attainable in case of another. (Munter, 1993)

All this is based on cultural concept of time. The time schedules in some cultures are considered exact and precise. It is expected that people should start the meetings on time and meet deadlines. To illustrate such cultures include Germany and Switzerland. Other cultures have more relative and relaxed attitude towards schedules, where in people are kept waiting and let the project continue more slowly. In order to have an effective communication objective, one is required to analyze a culture by what the authors regard 'nature' and 'time'. To illustrate, employed in Saudi Arabia lead us to confront cultural diversities. The American beliefs are based on internal control and future orientation towards time, as implied in the phrase 'can do'. The Saudi faith is influenced by the concept of External Control and the traditional direction towards time and symbolized by the phrase Insha Allah implying 'If Allah wills'. (Munter, 1993)

The proficiency with regard to cross-cultural communication is widely influenced by the knowledge. Firstly, people are required to acknowledge the potential problems of cross-cultural communication, and make a conscious effort to surpass the challenges. Secondly, it is quite significant to assume that the success is not always conferred solely upon one's efforts. To illustrate it is quite essential to assume that there exists a significant possibility that cultural differences are resulting in communication problems. Therefore, it is desirable to be patient and forgiving, instead of being argumentative and violent when a problem persists. One is required to respond persistently and meticulously in the environment of cross-cultural exchanges and nor leaping towards the conclusion that it is known what is being thought and said. The suggestion of William Ury in respect of violent conflicts is to prevent, listen and think or as he reveals it to go to the balcony when the situation gets tense. This is an indication for withdrawing from the situation, retreat and to think on what is going on before the action initiates. This also assists in the cross-cultural communications. (Cross-Cultural Communication Strategies)

When the things becoming worse it is wiser to stop or slow down and think on the possible conclusions of the incidents. It is quite judicious to think on the possibility of misinterpretations on both the sides. Sometime the misinterpretations are considered to be the root of all the problems. This can be verified by active listening with repetition of what one thinks, that is heard and after confirming the fact of accurate communication. With the use of words in varied circumstances and varied cultural groups, however, even active listening can override the misunderstandings. Sometimes, the mediators having familiar with the varied cultures seems to be useful in cross-cultural communication situations. They assist in understanding the mode and the substance of the communication by translation. To illustrate it is possible for they can differentiate the strong wordings considered appropriate in case of one language however, found not suitable in case of the other, prior to the fact of their accordance to the people from a culture that does not talk together in such a strong way. They also seem to have fine tuned the scheduling and time lag between the saying and action. (Cross-Cultural Communication Strategies)