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Abstract
In this study, intercultural communication challenge is considered. Later, the business context and intercultural communication are addressed. This is followed by importance of cross-cultural communication study. Besides, we explain barriers to effective cross-cultural communication. Communication in the export-import activities is elaborated. Finally, Communication in teams is studied. A topical bibliography is provided.
Keywords: Communication, Intercultural, Multinational Organization.
Note: This paper was awarded as "The Outstanding Paper" at the International Conference on Organizational Innovation, Bangkok, Thailand, August 2010
Introduction
Intercultural Communication Challenge
Learning to understand people whose background is diverse from our own is not an easy assignment. That challenge is to become an effective and successful intercultural communicator as we communicate with neighbors who might speak a "strange" language or a business partner who stops in the middle of a meeting. To be successful in communicating with the thousands of others we can face with the new global economy, we should communicate with people whose entire backgrounds, whose very method of viewing the world and doing things, may be different from us. The functioning of this new world refers to intercultural communication.
Intercultural communication means that people from different cultural backgrounds interact with one another. Cultural differences can create potential to make intercultural communication very difficult, and sometimes impossible. Culture strongly affects values, beliefs, world views, nonverbal behavior, language, and how to have relationship with others.
Intercultural Business and Communication Context.
Most nations are tied to an international system of economic interdependence, and most nations have at least one asset within their borders that is needed by another country. No nation is absolutely self-sufficient. Markets and cultures continued to converge, and major enterprise have seized the opportunity to go global. This results in augmented foreign competition. International corporations increasingly participate in various international business arrangements involving joint ventures between two or more organizations that share in the ownership of a business undertaking. Global competitors face both abroad and at home as tariffs are reduced, markets are deregulated. Cross-cultural collaboration and teamwork are important an organization's success.
There are various issues when living or working in a foreign environment. Communication across cultures is difficult. A critical impact of business globalization is the development of diversity in the workers. Effective global enterprise communication skills are...