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Business communication 3

for FHNW BIT Basel business communication 3

for FHNW BIT Basel business communication 3

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This flashcard set delves into the nuances of business communication across different cultures, focusing on dimensions like high-context versus low-context communication, direct versus indirect feedback, and task-based versus relationship-based trust. It explores cultural patterns identified by experts such as Erin Meyer, Geert Hofstede, and Edward Hall, providing examples of countries that exhibit these traits. Ideal for university students, this set helps understand how cultural differences impact business interactions, making it invaluable for those preparing for international business environments.
Flashcards
39
Students
4
Language
English
Category
Social
Level
University
Created / Updated
14.05.2021 / 30.01.2024
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Flashcards

Describe the cultural dimension of specific vs. diffuse and by whom it was developed

trompenaars/H.T. 

This dimension refers to how people communicate and interact with one another in their society. Specific cultures are more direct using clear descriptive words, frankness and facts. Germans are known for clear, precise, descriptive language to convey what they want.

Diffuse cultures accept, understand and prefer indirect communication that may carefully use contextual clues to convey understanding. An example of this is the earlier story of the upper class woman conveying through actions that it would not be acceptable for her daughter to marry a boy from a lower class. Japanese would also use diffuse communication especially when trying to say no in a way that allows a person to save face.

 

Describe the cultural dimension of internal vs. external control and by whom it was developed

developed by tromenaars /H.T. 

In an internal direction culture, people believe that they can control their environment to achieve their goals. The focus is selfish (one's self, one's team, and one's organization). ... In an external direction culture, people believe that they must work with their environment to achieve their goals.

Describe the cultural dimension of principles-first vs. applications-first and by whom it was developed

developed by meyer

Application-first: Individuals are trained to begin with a fact, statement, or opinion before adding concepts to back up or explain the conclusion as necessary. Principle-first: Individuals are trained to first develop the theory or complex concept before presenting a fact, statement, or opinion.

Give an example for a country with low-context and with high context communication

Low context  to high context

  1. US
  2. Australia
  3. Canada
  4. Netherlands
  5. Germany
  6. Switzerland
  7. Denmark
  8. UK
  9. Finland
  10. Poland
  11. Brazil
  12. Argentina
  13. Spain
  14. Mexico
  15. Itali
  16. Peru
  17. France
  18. Russia
  19. Singapore
  20. India
  21. Iran
  22. Saudi Arabia
  23. Kenya
  24. China
  25. Japan
  26. Korea
  27. Indonesia

 

Low-context = good communication is precise, simple and clear. messages are expressed and understood at face value. repetition is appreciated if it helps clarify the communication. 

High-context = good communication is sophisticated, nuanced, and layered. Messages are both spoken and read between the lines. Messages are often implied but not plainly expressed. 

Give an example for a country with direct negative feedback and indirect negative feedback for evaluating things

direct negative feedback

  1. Israel
  2. Netherlands
  3. Russia
  4. germany
  5. france
  6. denmark
  7. norway
  8. italy
  9. australia
  10. spain

Indirect negative feedback

  1. Japan
  2. thailand
  3. indonesia
  4. Saudia Arabia

 

Direct negative feedback = negative feedback to a colleague is provided frankly, bluntly, honestly. negative messages stand alone, not softened by positive ones. absolute descriptors are often used (inappropriate, completely unprofessional) when criticizing. criticism may be given to an individual in front of a group. 

 

Indirect negative feedback = negative feedback to a colleague is provided softly, subtly, diplomatically. positive messages are used to wrap negative ones. qualifying descriptors are often used (sort of inappropriate, slightly unprofessional) when criticizing. criticism is given only in private. 

Give an example for a country with principles first and with application-first persuading

principles first

  1. italy
  2. france
  3. russia
  4. spain

application first

  1. US
  2. canada
  3. australia
  4. uk

application-first: individuals are trained to begin with a fact, statement, or opinion and later ad concepts to back up or explain the conclusion as necessary. the preference is to begin a message or report with an executive summary or bullet points. discussions are approached in a practical, concrete manner. theoretical or philosophical discussions are avoided in a business environment.

principles-first: individuals have been trained to first develop the theory or complex concept before presenting a fact, statement, or opinion. the preference is to begin a message or report by building up a theoretical argument before moving on to a conclusion. the conceptual principles underlying each situation are valued. 

Give an example for a country with egalitarian and with hierarchical leading

Egalitarian

  1. denmark
  2. netherlands
  3. sweden
  4. isral
  5. australia

Hierarchical

  1. Japan
  2. Korea
  3. Nigeria
  4. Arabia
  5. India
  6. China

Egalitarian = the ideal distance between a boss and a subordinate is low. the best boss is a facilitator among equals. organizational structures are flat. communication often skips hierarchical lines.

Hierarchical: the ideal distance between a boss and a subordinate is high. the best boss Is a strong director who leads from the front. status is important. organizational structures are multilayered and fixed. communication follows set hierarchical lines. 

Give an example for a country with consentual and with top-down deciding

consensual

  1. japan
  2. sweden
  3. netherlands
  4. germany

top-down:

  1. nigeria
  2. china
  3. india
  4. russia
  5. italy

consensual= decisions ar made in groups through unanimous agreement.

top-down = decisions are made by individuals (usually the boss)

Give an example for a country with task based and relationship-based trusting

task-based:

  1. us
  2. netherlands
  3. denmark
  4. australia
  5. germany
  6. finland

relationship-based

  1. saudi arabia
  2. india
  3. nigeria
  4. china

 

task-based= trust is built through business-related activities. work relationships are built and dropped easily, based on the practicality of the situation. you do good work consistently, you are reliable, I enjoy working with you, I trust you

 

relationship based= trust is built through sharing meals, evening drinks, and visits ar the coffee machine. work relationships build up slowly over the long term. I've seen who you are at a deep level, I've shared personal time with you, I know others well who trust you, I trust you.

 

Give an example for a country with confrontational and with avoids confrontation disagreeing

confrontational

  1. israel
  2. france
  3. germany
  4. russia
  5. netherlands

avoids confrontation

  1. japan
  2. indonesia
  3. thailand
  4. ghana

 

confrontational = disagreement and debate are positive for the team or organization. open confrontation is appropriate and will not negatively impact the relationship.

avoids confrontation= disagreement and debate are negative for the team or organization. open confrontation is inappropriate and will break group harmony or negatively impact the relationship. 

Give an example for a country with linear-time and with flexible-time scheduling

linear-time

  1. switzerland
  2. germany
  3. japan
  4. sweden
  5. netherlands
  6. denmakr
  7. us

flexible-time

  1. saudi arabia
  2. nigeria
  3. kenya
  4. india

 

linear-time = project steps are approached in a sequential fashion, completing one task before beginning the next. one thing at a time. no interruptions. the focus is on the deadline and sticking to the schedule. emphasis is on promptness and good organization over flexibility.

flexible-time = project steps are approached in a fluid manner, changing tasks as opportunities arise. many things are dealt with at once and interruptions accepted. the focus is on adaptability and flexibility is valued over organization. 

What are the cultural patterns discovered by Edward Hall?

- proxemics

- high context versus low context

- monochronic versus polychronic

What are the cultural patterns discovered by Geert Hofstede?

  • individualism vs collectivism
  • masculinity vs feminity
  • power distance (high vs low)
  • uncertainty avoidance (high vs low)
  • long-term vs short-term orientation
  • indulgence vs self-restraint

Give an example for countries with high to low individualism vs collectivism

High individualism

  • US
  • Netherlands
  • Germany
  • France

 

moderate individualism

  • japan
  • russia

low individualism /high collectivism

  • india
  • hong kong
  • indonesia
  • west africa

What are the cultural patterns discovered by Erin Meyer?

  1. communicating (high-context vs. low context)
  2. evaluating (direct vs. indirect feedback)
  3. persuading (principles-first vs. applications-first)
  4. leading(egalitarian vs. hierarchical -> power distance)
  5. deciding(consensual vs. top-dow -> power distance)
  6. trusting(task-based vs. relationship-based -> individualism vs collectivism)
  7. disagreeing(confrontational vs confrontation avoidance)
  8. scheduling(linear vs flexible -> monochronic vs. polychronic)

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