Communication, Culture, and Work

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Communication, Culture, and Work

• Chapter 2

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Composition of the U.S., 1999
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Composition of U.S., 2025
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The Nature of Culture

• Culture a learned set of values, beliefs,
  norms, customs, rules, or codes that lead people
  to define themselves as a distinct groups, giving
  them a sense of community.
• We cannot easily see or identify the
  characteristics of our own culture. Why?

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Cultural Differences in Business

• Formality
• Social Customs
• Style of Dress
• Time
• Tolerance of Conflict
• Gender Roles

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Fundamental Values in Cultures

• Why do some people openly embrace conflict while
  others shy away?
• Why do some cultures values individuality while
  others desire group unity?
• Why do some people run perpetually late while
  others are early?
• Some of these questions can be answered by
  looking at cultural differences!

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Cultural Contexts

• Low-Context
• Use language to express meaning.
• Ideas are clear and logical.
• Rely on written contracts.
• U.S., Germany, Canada, Sweden.

• High-Context
• Relies on subtle, nonverbal cues.
• Message comes from the context.
• Reluctant to embarrass, so uses nonverbals to
  comm.
• Japan, China, Middle Eastern cultures

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Individual versus Collectivism

• Individualism
• Puts own interest ahead of social concerns.
• Focus on personal success and advancement.
• U.S., Canada.

• Collectivism
• Loyal to the group or organization.
• Welfare of individual not as significant as
  groups well being.
• Asian cultures like Japan, Guatemala, Panama.

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Power Distance

• High Power Distance
• Power is distributed unevenly.
• Recognized that some people are in higher
  positions than others.
• Respect for those in higher position.
• Mexico, China, Philippines.

• Low Power Distance
• Power is not flaunted or emphasized.
• Others feel comfortable approaching or
  challenging authority.
• Respect is earned rather than based on position.
• Austria, U.S., New Zealand, Ireland.

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Diversity at Home

• Co-culture groups that have a clear identity
  within the majority culture.
• Regional Differences
• Gestures, eye contact, vocabulary
• Ethnicity
• Race, gender, country
• Disabilities
• Physical disabilities

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Stages of Intercultural Sensitivity

• Denial no differences
• Defense hostility toward other cultures
• Minimization differences are superficial
• Acceptance recognition and exploration of
  differences
• Adaptation Ability to empathize, shift frame of
  reference
• Integration recognize and embrace differences

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Communicating Across Diversity

• Become culturally literate.
• View diversity as an opportunity.
• Avoid ethnocentrism.
• Dont condescend.
• Talk about differences.

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Organizational Culture

• Organizational culture a relatively stable,
  shared set of rules about how to behave and set
  of values about what is important.
• The way things are around here.
• How does the organization feel about tattoos,
  piercings, attire, communication flow, personal
  days, personal phone calls, etc?

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Dimensions of Organizational Culture

• Sociability
• Power distribution
• Degree of structure
• Achievement awards
• Opportunities for growth
• Tolerance for risk and change
• Conflict tolerance
• Emotional support

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Organizational Culture and Career Planning

• Study the physical setting.
• Read what the company says about itself.
• Test how the company greets strangers.
• Interview company people.
• Learn how employees spend their time.