跨文化商务沟通1.doc

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1、Four short words sum up what has lifted most successful individuals above the crowd: a little bit more.-author-date跨文化商务沟通1跨文化商务沟通跨文化商务沟通Chapter 1 The Nature of Intercultural Communication Questions 1.The united states has long been called a melting pot. what does this term mean?The term melting pot

2、 means a sociocultural assimilation of people of differing backgrounds and nationalities; the term implies losing your ethnic differences and forming one large society. 2.What does it mean for a firm to be global?When a firm is referred to as being global, it means that the corporation is producing

3、and marketing products in numerous parts of the world. 3.Give examples of how products have been globalized.For an example of how products have been globalized but have maintained the status quo of the area to which they were introduced, students should be instructed to consult such references as Ax

4、tells books and Advertising Age, which covers new marketing ventures of corporations. A comparison should be made between how the product selected is marketed in the U.S. and in a foreign country. 4.Explain the differences between norms, roles, rules, and networks.Norms are culturally ingrained prin

5、ciples of correct and incorrect behaviors that, if broken, carry a form of overt or covert penalty. Rules are formed to clarify cloudy areas of norms. A role includes the behavioral expectations of a position within a culture and is affected by norms and rules. Networks are formed with personal ties

6、 and involve an exchange of assistance. 5.Defined a subculture and give examples of U.S. subcultures.Subcultures are groups of people possessing characteristic traits that set them apart and distinguish them from others within a larger society. Examples of subcultures in the U.S. include senior citi

7、zens, baby boomers, Latin Americans, Catholics, trade associations, and self-help groups. 6.What is cultural synergy?Cultural synergy takes place with the merging of two cultures to form a stronger overriding culture. Corporate cultures are an example of a synergy of diverse cultures. 7.Distinguish

8、between intercultural communication and intracultural communication.Intercultural communication is communication between persons of different cultures; intracultural communication is communication between members of the same culture. 8.Identify the dimensions of culture.The three main dimensions of

9、culture as identified by Borden are languages, physical, and psychological. The language dimension is used to communicate with those with values and beliefs like ours. The physical dimension deals with the physical reality of our environment; it is measured objectively. The psychological dimension i

10、s measured subjectively. 9.Identify type of barriers to communication.Barriers to communication include physical, cultural, perceptual, motivational, experiential, emotional, linguistic, nonverbal, and competition.10.Are business cultures necessarily aligned to national cultures?To show whether busi

11、ness cultures are aligned to national cultures the answer should include information on how particular businesses either mirror the national culture, develop their own unique culture, or are someplace in between. The answer should show an understanding of the difference between ethnocentric, polycen

12、tric, regiocentric, and geocentric management orientations.Case 1In a reception for a political candidate, the explanation of the cultural phenomenon would include the following. People tend to break into groups with which they feel comfortable where communication barriers will be minimal. The group

13、 displays a lack of sociocultural assimilation. The groups have not had to come together and therefore do not have cultural synergy. The groups are practicing ethnocentrism and feel their cultural background is correct and, therefore, they have a preference for people who believe as they do. The gro

14、ups, because they are ethnically divided, form subcultures within the macroculture of the political party.Case 2An explanation of the globalization of the automotive industry should include the following factors. As firms globalize, it becomes very difficult to say if a car is U.S., German, Japanese

15、, Mexican, or something else because it is made literally with parts and labor from all over the world. The Japanese did their marketing homework and found out what the U.S. market wanted and gave it to them. As Japan is a very small country and you must prove you have a place to park a car in the l

16、arger cities before you can purchase a car, the Japanese obviously need vehicles which are very different from the large automobiles most of the U.S. manufacturers make. Also the Japanese are assembling many of their automobiles in the U.S. that are destined for the U.S. market thereby providing U.S

17、. citizens with jobs.It may be fair to ask how many U.S. cars are assembled in Japan giving Japanese workers jobs. As firms globalize another point is that they are raising the standard of living in those countries where they do manufacturing, which will in turn allow those countries to purchase mor

18、e of our goods and services in the long run.Case 3In the U.S. we expect others to honor their obligations to us. Therefore when the Shah was ill, it was correct for the U.S. to offer him medical assistance. The Christian religion is based on a number of commandments, one of which is 揕ove thy neighbo

19、r as thyself.擳he U.S. feels it is their responsibility to help anyone in need anywhere in the world, but particularly friends. The Iranian mindset is based in the Islamic religion which has a very strict code of an eye for an eye, et cetera.The Islamic Iranians felt that the Shah had sold them out t

20、o the U.S. economic concerns, and therefore felt the Shah should pay for his wrong doings.They also felt that if the medical facilities were good enough for the rest of Iran they should be good enough for the Shah. Both the U.S. and Iran saw their positions as correct based on their religious philos

21、ophies, and neither looked at the situation from the others perspective. Objectivity is difficult to maintain because we consider our views correct and the other cultures views as wrong.Case 4Media has made it possible for the world to know what is going on in any part of the world at any time. The

22、only limit is if the media has limited access. The general public did not know when dignitaries talked, met, agreed, or disagreed. It was much easier before satellites for the governments to keep information from the public. Politicians and world leaders now have to deal with the views of their cons

23、tituents. It has also tended to change the views of the public concerning their leaders. People formerly believed their leaders were almost superhuman and were praised for the devotion. People hear much more today about their leaders and realize they are only human beings and have tended to become m

24、ore cynical about politics in general. In the United States people realize that when they have 揾elped? other countries in the past, the rich got richer and the poor remained in poverty. The money never truly trickled down to the poor to help them. Imelda, in the Philippines, is probably one of the b

25、est examples of leaders using money, equipment, and the like meant for the people at large. The leaders are now in a glass bowl where everyone can see what they are doing. It has become more difficult for leaders to hide political manipulation of the public. Case 5The use of an ethnocentric manageme

26、nt style would be very difficult for Asians if it were coming from North America or Europe because this style does not account for cultural differences in the workforce. Ethnocentric management would not take into account the collectivistic nature of Asians. If polycentric management practices are f

27、ollowed, then whichever culture would be working in any other country in the triad would consider the differences in the countrys culture and would change their management practice to fit the culture of the country. Regiocentric management considers a smaller area of a country, a region. Geocentric

28、management allows locations to operate independently. It may be difficult for North Americans or Europeans to adjust to the country culture or the regional cultures in Asia. It might also be difficult for some of the Europeans or North Americans to adjust to the country or to regional cultural diffe

29、rences. Europe and North America have very diverse cultures themselves. Many companies now hire from within the culture to avoid these problems.Chapter 2 Universal SystemsQuestions 1.Defined universal cultural systems and identify themUniversal cultural systems are formed out of common problems of a

30、ll cultures. Systems that are universal to all cultures include economic, political, education, marriage and family, and social hierarchies and interaction. 2.Why do societies develop economic/political systems, and what do these systems do for the members of a society?A culture develops an economic

31、 system in order to meet the physiological needs of its people. These needs are met by establishing a system for producing or procuring goods and a procedure for distributing them. 3.Compare the economic systems of Japan and Canada.Japans economy is the strongest in the world; it is a capitalistic/f

32、ree market based on manufacturing, fishing, and exporting. Canadas economy is strong worldwide; it is capitalistic with socialistic controls in the areas of health care and the retirement system. The economy is driven by industrial plants, mining, fishing, and agriculture. Japan has few natural reso

33、urces, and Canada has many natural resources. 4.Compare the political systems of the United kingdom and MexicoEngland is ruled by a constitutional monarchy with a parliament. The House of Lords are noblemen who are life appointees and Church of England bishops and is the highest court; the House of

34、Commons is elected by citizens age 18 and over. The prime minister is the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons and appoints a cabinet that runs the government. Mexico has a federal government with the president elected by the people 18 years of age and above (voting is compulsory). T

35、he states of Mexico are heavily controlled by the federal government in the areas of education and certain industries. 5.Discuss differences in educational system in various culturesEducational systems may be formal, informal, or a combination of the two. Education is free and compulsory for certain

36、 age groups in the U.S., Japan, France, England, Canada, and Mexico. Germanys educational system is a bit different. People must choose between technical training and college at age 13; education is free from kindergarten through the university. In Iran religious instruction receives more support th

37、an secular education; only recently has their educational system included females. In Saudi Arabia, males and females attend separate schools after age six, including universities. 6.Explain how marriage and family systems in the United states are different from those of other cultures.The family sy

38、stem in the U.S. includes the nuclear family (father, mother, and children) and the extended family (grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins). In other cultures the family may include second-, third-, and fourth-generation relationships. The Arabs may have over a hundred close relatives. In Mexico

39、godparent relationships are considered family. People in the U.S. have monogamous or serial monogamous marriages. Dating begins at 13 to 15 years of age. Premarital sex is common, and many couples live together prior to marriage. In Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, marriages are arranged although so

40、me people are being allowed to choose their mates. Because of the separation of genders, there is no dating. Although Islamic law allows a man to have four wives with the wifes permission, most Saudi men have only one wife. In Japan most marriages were arranged in the past; however, now most people

41、choose their mates. 7.How important is social reciprocity in Mexico, Japan, and the United Arab EmiratesSocial reciprocity is important in Mexico, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. Mexicans are good hosts and place great importance on being a good employer, employee, and friend. The Japanese are also concern

42、ed with social reciprocity that can be seen in the importance they place on gift giving. The Saudi Arabians are also friendly and hospitable, but their personal privacy is important.8.What are intermediaries? In which countries are intermediaries used?Intermediaries are people who act as go betweens

43、 with other people. Cultures that use intermediaries generally dislike confrontations and are group oriented. Although intermediaries are not used in the U.S., they are used in Japan, especially in negative situations. 9.Explain cultural variations in the way property is viewed.Property can be viewe

44、d as private, utilitarian, or community. In the U.S. people think of property as an extension of the self and are very possessive of it, while Mexicans think of property ownership in relation to feelings and need. Property is important to the Japanese, perhaps because it is very expensive because so

45、 many people live in such small geographic areas. 10.Explain what is meant by equality in the United States. Does the term mean the same thing in other countries?The term equality in the U.S. refers to equality of opportunity, not to equality in terms of wealth, position, or mental ability. In some

46、cultures, people are born into a certain social class (monarchies); equality in that culture would imply the person is equal in terms of social class. Case 11.The role of U.S. universities will continue to be important. Anyone can get into college in the U. S. since some postsecondary schools have l

47、ow admissions standards, in contrast to other nations where applicants would not have access to their colleges. The attitude toward higher education in the U. S. is that all persons who are academically qualified should have access to higher education. Even those who criticize the U. S. school syste

48、m have to concede that something must be right about the system since people of the U. S. were able to put men on the moon.2.The fact that 25 percent of the U. S. population does not graduate from high school is important in light of what is happening in other countries of the world. Perhaps U. S. secondary schools should provide a stronger foundation in the basics (reading, writing, and calculating) so that U. S. students would be on a more equal footing with such cultures as Japan, where 99 percent complete high school.