Regardless of your individual role, there are many factors that can affect your ability to communicate with people from other cultures. These factors include language differences, culture conflicts, and the impact of communication on multicultural teams’ performance.
Conflicts between people from different cultures
Managing cross-cultural conflicts is an important challenge for Chinese enterprises going global. A variety of research has been conducted on the topic. However, many studies have focused on economic and technological barriers rather than on the actual management of these differences.
The study investigated the feasibility of integrating Confucian culture into cross-cultural conflict management. It argues that integrating Confucian values into the management of cross-cultural conflicts may mitigate such challenges. The researchers used a questionnaire survey of Chinese multinational enterprises’ employees. They found that a number of different sub-values can be adopted to manage such conflicts. The average mean feasibility score for the sub-values was between 4.0 and 5.0.
The study found that successful integration of diverse perspectives improves performance, creativity and innovation. Moreover, incorporating the core values of Confucian culture into the management of cross-cultural conflicts can lead to a harmonious work environment. This may also support sustainable global business operations.
Impact of communication on multicultural team performance
During the past decade, research on the impact of communication on multicultural team performance has progressed significantly. It has largely focused on the effects of different moderators in complex settings. However, many studies still focus on the negative effects of team member differences.
One of the major challenges for multinational enterprises is to understand how differences in culture and context affect team performance. This has led researchers to examine team processes, as well as individual moderators.
A number of studies have investigated how differences in personal characteristics, such as ethnicity, race, and gender, influence social interactions. Other factors, such as sexual orientation and neurological characteristics, have been associated with social status and social interactions.
Some studies have also examined how differences in language and culture affect communication processes in multicultural teams. These studies have found that diversity in language and culture can be beneficial for team performance.
Active listening is a crucial part of building relationships
Whether you’re at work or at home, active listening is a crucial skill to have. It’s also a good way to boost morale and improve your relationship with your coworkers.
Although hearing is a physiological act, listening is actually a three-dimensional process. Not only do you need to pay attention to what’s being said, but you need to be aware of your own emotions and body language.
Listening also involves paraphrasing. This can be a bit tricky, but it’s the art of understanding someone’s thoughts without saying anything. This will help you understand the problems that a person is trying to express.
There are many different techniques for creating a positive environment. You can try puzzles to improve your focus or meditation to improve your ability to tune in.
Research needs to move beyond cultural value frameworks as determinants of communicative practices
Regardless of whether a business venture is based on an inbound or outbound strategy, effective communication is critical to success. In global business, effective communication has been linked to global leadership effectiveness, multicultural creativity, and expatriate adjustment. Moreover, effective communication has been linked to cross-cultural team performance. However, research needs to move beyond cultural value frameworks as determinants of communicative practices.
Currently, most studies at the intersection of culture and teamwork focus on the impact of cultural diversity. In addition, most studies focus on the characteristics of sender and receiver attitudes. These types of studies, though important, are limited in their ability to capture dynamic intercultural communications.
Taking a multi-level approach to culture is more likely to generate new insights and improve interpersonal interactions. Taking the time to consider the context of communication is particularly important, as it can be affected by individuals’ predispositions, situational contingencies, and ongoing sense making processes.
Language differences in international business communication
Whether you work in a company that has a worldwide presence, or is based in a specific country, international business communication requires you to understand the culture and customs of your colleagues. You also need to be able to effectively communicate with them. The ability to successfully communicate in your native language is important, especially in the ever-changing global economy.
If you work in a large multinational company, English may be your de facto language. However, your message could be lost in translation. It’s important to understand that the way you communicate is more important than the language.
While you should use your own words to express your thoughts, be aware of the cultural idioms that your international colleagues may find offensive. For example, you may think it’s appropriate to say “the tiger will eat your face” when talking to an Indian colleague. But they might be more comfortable saying “the tiger will eat your neck.”
Similarly, your Indian colleague might have a more intimate understanding of indirectness than you do. In these instances, it’s important to be sensitive to body language and use informal, casual speech. This can help avoid awkwardness and frustration.
