UNDERSTANDING DIMENSIONS OF CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

FOR FOSTERING BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

Mrs. Tapaswini Swain

TOPICS TO BE COVERED• Understanding Culture and Communication• Importance of Cross Cultural Communication in Business

Communication• Key cross cultural phenomena for better management of cross

cultural business communication• Cultural Dimensions and Value Orientations in Business

Communication• Inter-Cultural Faith and Stress Management – A New Dimension for

Better Cross Cultural Communication

UNDERSTANDING CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION

• Communication : It is derived from Latin words ‘communis’ - commonality and ‘communicare’- to make common

• Communication is the process of sharing information, knowledge or meaning which are culturally defined and formed.

• Culture:It is a system of ideas, values, beliefs, structure, and practices that is communicated by one generation to the next and that sustains a particular way of life.

• Culture is reflected in communication practices and at the same time, communication practices shape cultural life.

FIVE PRINCIPLES TO UNDERSTAND THE RELATIONSHIP CULTURE AND

COMMUNICATION (JULIA TWOOD) 1. Communication expresses and sustains culture 2. Culture consists of material and non-material components –

Cultural Lag3. Cultures are shaped by historical and geographical forces4. Culture is learnt in the process of communication5. Cultures are dynamic- The four major sources of cultural change are

invention, diffusion, cultural calamity and communication

IMPORTANCE OF CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

• What is Cross Cultural Communication?Defined as “the presence of at least two individuals who are culturally different from each other on such important attributes as their value orientations, preferred communication codes, role expectations, and perceived rules of social relationship” ( Lustig and Koester (1998)

“Culture shock”: when we are not among our own kind and things happen differently.”

• Implications of cross-cultural communication in business context : An understanding of diverse cultures can help the managers to understand the reasons behind business partner’s actions and try to find ways to adjust communication to make it more efficient.

KEY CROSS CULTURAL PHENOMENA FOR BETTER MANAGEMENT OF CROSS CULTURAL

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION:• Ethnocentrism- Needs awareness and control• Cultural Hegemony-Needs to be revisited• Cultural Relativism- An alternative

perspective for adoption• Acculturation – A cultural learning• Assimilation: A Solution• Cultural Faux Pas - Needs understanding and

close attention• Responding to Diversity is a Process –

Needs understanding

CULTURAL DIMENSIONS AND VALUE ORIENTATIONS IN BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

Geert Hofstede’s Cultural dimensions Power Distance (PDI) Individualism versus Collectivism (IDV)Masculinity versus Femininity (MAS)Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI)Long versus Short term Orientation (LTO) Indulgence versus Restrain

Edward T Hall’s cultural value orientations Perception of time: time focus and time orientation Communication: high-context and low-context.

Edward T Hall’s cultural value orientations

Perception of time: time focus and time orientation

Communication: high-context and low-context.

INTER-CULTURAL FAITH AND STRESS MANAGEMENT : A NEW DIMENSION FOR

BETTER CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION-SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR (WORLD PEACE AMBASSADOR AND FOUNDER OF THE

ART OF LIVING) “ Lets stop Tolerating…. We tolerate those things which we don’t like . Lets assimilate and accept the differences and celebrate unity in diversities” –said Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (World Peace Ambassador) In UNESCO

• Two things that affect our social dealings and communication:• Our Perception • Our Expression

And Stress impact both our perception and expression to a large extent

Stress = Less Time ,More Work and Less Energy(Time is 24 hours for all and cannot be changed, Work is needed but Energy level can be worked on)

Four important sources of Energy: Food Sleep Breath A Happy Mind

Breathing Exercise and Meditation –A Journey to Inner-self : A Key to better communication

We all know about right food and sleep but we are never taught about breath , which plays a much important role in managing our emotions and stress, which can be brought about through proper BREATHING EXERCISE and MEDITATION

THE WORLD CULTURAL FESTIVAL 2016 AN UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITIES

11-12 MARCH NEW DELHI

• The World Culture Festival 2016 was a celebration of The Art of Living's 35 years of service, humanity, spirituality and human values. The festival celebrated the diversity in cultures from across the world while simultaneously highlighting our unity as a human family.

• Hosted on the world’s largest floating stage of 7 acres, the World Culture Festival brought together 3.75 million people from 155 countries

• 3000 prominent dignitaries from different parts of the world graced the grand event, that also witnessed the largest inter-faith gathering of 2,500 religious and spiritual leaders from Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, Zoroastrian, Islam, Jain, Native American communities

• The 3-day event was marked by mesmerizing performances by 36,603 artists from around the globe, on the banks of the Yamuna in Delhi, India

• Showcasing cultural diversity like never-seen-before, the Festival brought to life the ancient ideal of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ - the whole humanity is one family

• An estimated 1.8 billion people watched the live telecast of the event from 767,463 locations across 188 countries

THANK YOU

“Let’s celebrate the diversities and differences with a sense of belongingness from a broader context, commitment and

compassion”- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar