Intercultural Business Communication: Effective International Business Communication - Intensive Full-Time (3 Months)

Programme Contents, Concepts and Issues:


Module 1: Intercultural Communication in Perspective

Globalization

Culture

• Dimensions of Culture
• Describe the U.S. or Another Culture Using Borden

Stereotypes

• Stereotypes of U.S. Persons
• Stereotypes of People of Other Nationalities
• Stereotypes of Other Groups (Japanese and US Students)

Enculturation

• Front stage Culture
• Backstage Culture

Acculturation

• Cultural Synergy
• Multicultural

Ethnocentrism

Mind-sets

Norms, Rules, Roles and Networks

Subculture and Subgroups

Cultural Intelligence

Communication Barriers

• Physical
• Cultural
• Perceptual
• Motivational
• Experiential
• Linguistic
• Emotional
• Nonverbal
• Competition

Cultural Iceberg

Domestic and Global Mindsets

Multinational Management Orientations

• Ethnocentric Management
• Polycentric Management
• Regiocentric Management
• Geocentric Management

Ten Commandments for Going International

Dimensions of Acculturation

• Integration
• Separation
• Assimilation
• Deculturation

What Foreign Students would like to see Incorporated to their Own Culture?

Module 2: Universal Communication Systems

Economic ISMs

• Socialism
• Communism
• Nazism
• Anarchism
• Capitalism

Economic Systems

• U.S.
• United Kingdom
• Mexico
• Japan
• Canada

Political Systems

• U.S.
• Canada
• China
• United Kingdom
• France
• Germany
• Japan
• Iran
• Mexico
• United Arab Emirates
• South Korea

World Economics

• Foreign Competition
• Increased Productivity
• World Competition for Positions
• Quality versus Price
• Super nationalism
• Sub nationalism

Educational Systems

• Formal and Informal Education
• Education in the U.S.
• Education in Japan

Social Stratification

Occupational Rankings

Marriage and Family Systems

• Family Systems
• Common Family Systems

Social Hierarchies and Social Interaction

• Social Reciprocity
• Group Membership
• Intermediaries
• Formality
• Property

Hierarchical Divisions

• Ethnic Groups
• Social Classes
• Castes
• Tribes
• Gender

Unequal Treatment of Men and Women in the World

Module 3: Contrasting Cultural Values and Communication Impact

Semantic Differences

Attribution and Perception

• Attribution
• Attribution Training
• Perception
• Uncertainty-Reduction Theory

Attitudes Toward Women

• Percentage of Women in Top Management Positions

Work Attitudes

• Work Ethic
• U.S. Persons Value Work
• European Persons Work
• 2007 Weekly Hours Work
• Cultural Attitudes Toward Work

Attitude Toward Ethics

• Ethical Behaviour
• Ethical Standards
• Ethics: The Four-Way Test
• Personal vs. Societal Ethics
• Standards of Business Ethics are Culturally Relative

Religious Influences

Individualism and Collectivism

• Individualism
• Collectivism
• The Hofstede and Globe Studies

Power Distance

• Inequality within Society
• Index measures the Degree of Acceptance of Unequal Distribution of Power
• Both Hofstede and Globe Agree on this Construct

Gender Indices

Long-Term versus Short-Term Goals (Future Orientation)

• Long-term Orientation
• Short-term Orientation

Module 4: Pertinent Cultural Shocks and Impact

Introduction

Stages of Cultural Shock

• Excitement and Fascination with the New Culture
• Crisis or Disenchantment Period
• Adjustment Phase
• Acceptance or Adaptation Phase
• Re-entry Shock

Alleviating Cultural Shock

• Alleviating Cultural Shock by Careful Selection of Overseas Personnel
• Training Models
• Feedback and Rewards
• Developing Employees to their Potential
• Success or Failure

Aspects of Cultural Shock

• Cultural Stress
• Social Alienation
• Social Class and Poverty-Wealth Extremes
• Financial Information

Relationships and Family Considerations

• Spouse of Family Member who Cannot Adapt
• Family Training to Minimize Adjustments
• Encourage Children to Discuss their Anxieties and Fears

Public and Private Self (The Johari Window)

Module 5: Language

Intercultural Miscommunication

High-context and Low-context Culture and Language

• High-Context
• Low-Context

Language Diversity Problems

• Language of Numbers
• Informal and Alternative Languages

Forms of Verbal Interaction

• Repartee
• Verbal Duelling
• Ritual Conversation
• Self-disclosure

Linear/Nonlinear Languages

Vocabulary Equivalence

• International Blunders

Parables and Proverbs

• U.S. Proverbs
• Chinese Proverbs
• German Proverbs
• Japanese Proverbs

Conversation Taboos

• The Nature of Language
• How Languages Differ
• Variations in Verbal Style

Translation Problem

• Problems with Translators
• English Abroad: Something’s Lost in Translation

Interpreter Use

Host Language

• Subjective Interpretation
• Ways of Thinking

Thought

• Thoughts Toward Nature

Language and Culture Interaction

• Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
• Linguistic Determinism
• Bernstein Hypothesis
• Lost in Translation (Countries in Their Languages)
• Label/Babel

Module 6: Oral and Nonverbal Communication Patterns

Evaluate Thought Patterns

• Speed of Making Decisions

Understand Paralanguage

• What is Meant by Paralanguage
• Differences in Loudness of Speech is Culture Specific and Gender Specific
• Nonverbal
• Monochromic/Polychronic Cultures

Appreciate Attitudes Toward Time and Use of Space

• Space (Proxemics)
• Space Zones in the U.S.
• Elevator Proxemics

Understand the Role that Eye Contact, Smell, Color, Touch and Body Language Play

• The Office Environment and Nonverbal Messages
• Gaze/Eye Contact (Oculesics)
• Smell (Olfactics)
• Touch (Haptics)
• Body Language (Kinesics)
• Color (Chromatics)

Recognize Nonverbal Leakage

Module 7: Written Communication Patterns

Introduction

• What Percent of Outgoing International Correspondence is sent in English?
• Lexical Errors
• Syntactic Errors
• Know your Reader

International English

Writing Tone and Style

Letter Formats

• Examples of Japanese Seasonal Greetings
• How an Address is Written Shows the Relationship

Facsimiles (Fax)

Electronic Mail (E-Mail)

Résumé and Job Search Information

Module 8: Global Etiquette

Introductions

Business Card Exchange

Position and Status

• Age and Hierarchy

Electronic Communication Etiquette

• Netiquette (Network Etiquette)
• E-mail Usage
• Fax Transmissions

Dining Practices

• Unusual U.S. Dining Practices
• Eating Styles

Tipping

Gift Giving

• Gift Giving in Japan
• Global Gift Giving Guidelines

Travel Etiquette

• Proper Behavior during a Flight

Module 9: Business and Social Customs

Greeting and Handshaking Customs

• Types of Handshake

Verbal Expressions

• Commonly Used Expressions

Male and Female Relationships

• In High-Context Societies
• In Low-Context Societies

Humor in Business

Superstitions and Taboos

Dress and Appearance

• Cultural Differences in Dress and Appearance
• Business Casual Dress

Customs Associated with Holidays and Holy Days

• Holidays and Holy Days that may Affect Business

Office Customs and Practices

Customary Demeanour/Behaviour

Bribery

Special Foods and Consumption Taboos

• Unusual Foods
• Business Travellers are Going Global
• Consumption Taboos

Module 10: Intercultural Negotiation Process

Introduction

Steps in the Negotiation Process

• Preparation and Site Selection
• Team Selection
• Relationship Building
• Opening Talks
• Discussions
• Agreement

Common Negotiation Mistakes

Intercultural Negotiation Models

• Problem-Solving Approach
• Competitive Approach
• Compromising
• Forcing
• Legalism
• Four Stage Negotiation Model

Negotiation Strategies

• People act on basis of their own best interests
• Truth in negotiations
• U.S. negotiators make fewer adjustments to their opponent
• Include: preparation, tactics, conflict resolution and mediation, and observation, analysis, and evaluation

Trade Agreements

• Validated License
• Free Trade Zones or Trade Blocs
• NAFTA Benefits
• The U.S. Negotiator’s Global Report Card
• Statements Characteristics of U.S. Negotiating Style

Module 11: Intercultural Negotiation Components

Cross-Cultural Negotiation Components

• The Players and Situation
• Cultural Noise
• National Culture
• Power and Authority
• Perception
• Interpreters and Translators
• Gender
• Environment
• Relationship and Substantive Conflicts

Stereotypes that Affect Intercultural Negotiations

• Comparative Negotiation Style

Characteristics of Effective Negotiators

• Observant, patient, adaptable and good listeners
• Mentally sharp
• Think before they speak
• Do their country homework
• Praise what is praiseworthy and refrain from criticizing the other side
• Keep their promises and negotiate in good faith

Protocol in Intercultural Negotiations

• Three Protocol Types
• All cultures share the need for honesty, courage, respect for human dignity, fairness, and love; however, these have different meanings in different cultures
• Reality is not always the same in every culture

Group vs. Individual Orientation

• Group Orientation
• Individual Orientation

Face-to-Face Strategies

• Negotiating in person rather than through the mail, fax, telephone, telegraph, lawyers, or other intermediaries
• Face-to-face negotiators’ behaviours

Role of Media

• Supporting or tearing down
• Media is a culture with cultural biases
• Tend to have a stereotypical view of business
• See other cultures through the bias of the U.S. perceptual grid
• Advertisers use media to get dollars
• Movies promote stereotypes

Personal Constructs Affect Negotiations

• An individual’s belief system and attitudes
• Can differ within a culture as well as between cultures
• Expectations are based on learned life experiences
• Adaptability is important to success
• Adages
• The Four C’s
• Mindsets

Module 12: Laws Affecting International Business and Travel

Home Country and Host Country Laws

• Legal Requirements that Govern U.S. Citizens' Actions During Negotiations
• Written Information Laws
• Technology Laws
• Employment Laws
• Maquiladora Law

International Laws

• International Court of Justice (also known as the World Court)
• The three legal bodies in the United Nations
• A movement by institutions concerned with international business has encouraged the development of agreements and laws that are uniformly accepted in world trade
• Quasi-International Law
• Sanctions
• Macaulay’s Thesis
• Thematization
• Governance Structures

Contracts

Global Patents

Unwritten Law

Ethics and the Law

• Four Motivations for Unethical Conduct
• The Three Dimensions of Negotiation Ethics
• Laws Related to Ethics in Business
• Legal and Ethical Practices are Viewed Differently

International Travel and Law

• A Passport
• Citizenship
• Visa
• Consulate
• Custom Agents
• Duties
• Suggestions for International Travel
• Country-Specific Travel Tips
• Travel Advice