Intercultural communication effectiveness as perceived by American managers in Saudi Arabia and French managers in the U.S.

Abstract

This study investigated agreement between American managers in Saudi Arabia and French managers in the U.S. regarding their subjective evaluation of the importance of 16 personal abilities for Intercultural Communication Effectiveness (ICE). Of these abilities, respondents were asked to select the 5 abilities that greatly facilitate intercultural functioning. Demographic data were collected, as well as respondents' satisfaction with stay in the host culture and degree of intercultural effectiveness. Both groups reported the ability to work with other people and to deal with unfamiliar situations, communication misunderstandings, and changes in life styles greatly facilitate functioning in a foreign culture. They disagreed on the importance of seven other ICE abilities. Results support both a culture-general and a culture-specific interpretation of ICE. Implications of the results for ICE and cross-cultural management were discussed.