Cross-cultural Business Communication Research Articles

Innovative Research on the Cultivation of Cross-cultural Business Communication Competence from a Multi-dimensional Dynamic Perspective

As an essential skill in global economic communication and world business communication, intercultural communication competence is crucial to enhance China's international influence. Therefore, this paper proposes an innovative research on cross-cultural business communication ability cultivation from a multi-dimensional dynamic perspective. Based on the current situation and necessity of the cultivation of intercultural business communication ability in China, this paper proposes three innovative strategies for the cultivation of intercultural business communication ability, namely, restructuring the cultivation system, enriching the cultivation mode, and following the effective cultivation principles, to provide reference for the development of students' comprehensive English ability.

Research on Sino-US Differences in Cross-cultural Business Communication from the Perspective of Cultural Dimension Theory: A Case Study of English Business Emails

Research on Sino-US Differences in Cross-cultural Business Communication from the Perspective of Cultural Dimension Theory: A Case Study of English Business Emails

Retracted: An Intelligent Teaching Strategy of Cross-Cultural Business Communication Course Based on Big Data

Retracted: An Intelligent Teaching Strategy of Cross-Cultural Business Communication Course Based on Big Data

An Intelligent Teaching Strategy of Cross-Cultural Business Communication Course Based on Big Data

The Internet's growth has opened up new avenues for educational reform, and educational informatization has shifted the traditional classroom-teaching model. Teachers' teaching techniques have changed dramatically because of the introduction of a variety of new mobile intelligent terminals to the campus and classroom. This paper examines the design content of intelligent teaching methods against the backdrop of big data, using a cross-cultural business communication course as an example to reform the classroom-teaching mode, with the goal of resolving the current classroom-teaching dilemma and improving teaching effectiveness through the new intelligent teaching mode.

The Application of Multimodal Discourse Theory in the Teaching of Business English Writing Course

The deep integration of modern information technology and education has brought opportunities for the development of business English teaching in higher vocational college. Teachers can make use of multi-modality and media to create multimodal situational contexts and cultural contexts, with attention paid to the synergy between multimodal symbols. Taking the module of business English course in a vocational college in Guangzhou as an example, teachers are expected to use a multimodal teaching approach that can help students build an active, effective and interactive learning process. The method used in this research is classroom action research in which both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques were implemented in two classes, which aim at (1) tracking the improvement of students’ skills in both writing competence and business practice; and (2) finding the synergy among different modalities when efficiency could be successfully achieved in a business writing class. Results showed that when such measures as multimodal teaching were taken, this approach could facilitate teachers to improve students' capability in business English writing, promote the interaction between teachers and students, improve students' multimodal reading ability and critical thinking, and enhance students' awareness of cross-cultural business communication. To achieve the best effect, the synergy among different modalities should be highly emphasized.

Yellow in English and “黄” in Chinese: A Cognitive Approach

Color is closely related to people's lives, so it has become an indispensable part of the vocabulary now. This paper focuses on the research background, research purpose and significance of the color word “yellow” in Chinese and English, analyzing the entries from the perspective of cognitive linguistics, aiming to study the similarities, differences and the causes related. The author first collected and categorized entries through authoritative dictionaries of Chinese and English, and used the methods of comparative research, literature research and case analysis to elaborate commonalities and differences in word meanings. By researching the corresponding historical allusions and rhetorical methods, such as personification and symbols, we can feel the emotions expressed by the color words and deduce the evolution path of words' meaning. Through research, these conclusions can be drawn: 1) the meanings of “yellow” in Chinese and English are basically the same; 2) there is an unequal meaning between the two; 3) this unequal meaning is attributable and reflects the existence of two cultures values, cultural aesthetic and psychological differences. Through research, the aim is to allow learners to apply flexibly and accurately in cross-cultural business communication, daily life and linguistics learning, and to feel the charm of language.

The Prominent Barriers to Speaking in English: A Study Conducted Among Youngsters

This discourse analyses the prominent barriers to speaking in English while conducting online English Language classes during the pandemic, COVID-19. The study is conducted among business communication students in university colleges in India and takes five paradigms into consideration. They are: the motivational factor, the personality of the learner, attitude of the learner, the pedagogical management of English classes in online mode and the level of exposure to the English language. Data were collected by analyzing the survey questionnaire distributed among 150 business communication students. Data were analyzed with the help of SPSS in a descriptive mode. The result of the analysis shows that while dealing with online classes, teachers face several difficulties to manage the language subjects, especially the pedagogical management of the English subject. Another significant factor is the level of exposure to the English language. In this online system, ordinary students do not have an opportunity to communicate and practice English. They show some kind of hesitation to use English during the entire class time and give less attention to the words of the teacher. Most of them are distracted due to several factors. It contributes moderately to the predicaments of the learners. This study also helps to understand the crucial factors that act as language barriers in cross cultural business communication as the application level of language is more or less same all over the world.

EFFECTIVE CREATIVE INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN THE CONTEXT OF BUSINESS INTERACTION: THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS

Although various aspects of intercultural communication have been addressed in the works of various authors, there is still a lack of works that describe intercultural communication from the new viewpoint – in terms of effective intercultural business interaction, theoretical analysis of models of the classification of cultures, and combination of theoretical and practical insights in overcoming the obstacles of intercultural interaction. There is also a lack of works that highlight creativity as an integral part of cross-cultural business communication. In the belief of the author of the article, without a close synthesis of these aspects, it is impossible to understand in detail the meaning of effective intercultural business interaction. Purpose of the article – to analyse theoretical and practical aspects of effective cross-cultural business communication based on creativity. In the article, through the use of the models of the classification of cultures of various researchers from around the world (Richard R. Gesteland, Edward T. Hall, Richard D. Lewis, Geert Hofstede, Gert Jan Hofstede, Michael Minkov, Shalom H. Schwartz), the aspects of multiculturalism in the context of intercultural business interaction are highlighted. The work analyses creativity as an integral part of effective cross-cultural business communication. The publication also describes the barriers in the intercultural interaction and ways to overcome it. Research methods used in the work: systematic, comparative, logical analysis and synthesis of scientific literature.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ДЕЛОВОЙ ПЕРЕПИСКИ НА РУССКОМ ЯЗЫКЕ В УСЛОВИЯХ ВИРТУАЛЬНОЙ КОММУНИКАЦИИ (НА ПРИМЕРЕ ПИСЕМ РОССИЙСКИХ И ВЬЕТНАМСКИХ ПАРТНЕРОВ)

The article examines the peculiarities of business correspondence by analysing commercial letters written under the conditions of virtual communication between the Russian and Vietnamese business partners. The analysis is based on comparing the structural and style specificity of electronic commercial letters and standards of official business letters. The author identifies the peculiarities of the Russian business correspondence and analyses mistakes in communication with the Vietnamese partners. The findings lead to the conclusion that failures in cross-cultural business communication occur as a result of differences in linguistic worldviews.

Contemporary investigations in teaching cross-cultural business communication to pre-service tourism specialists

The article analyses contemporary researches of teaching cross-cultural business communication to pre-service future tourism specialists. The readiness of prospective tourism specialists to provide efficient job activities presupposes their cross-cultural communicative competence development which implies their foreign language ability to communicate successfully with business partners and consumers of tourist services. Foreign languages for tourism purposes help not only to operate, persuade, make decisions, but also to create a favourable business atmosphere, understand other cultures and mentality of people. Nowadays, one of the important tasks is to get pre- service tourism specialists ready to communicate in foreign languages successfully and meet professional requirements. Prospective tourism specialists should be able to take part in seminars, fairs, exhibitions, business negotiations, conclude and contracts, issue professional documents, carry on business correspondence, speak over the telephone, socialise on the Internet, write summaries and CVs which involves direct and indirect cross-cultural business communication. The purpose of this paper is to review current problems of teaching foreign languages to pre-service tourism specialists for theoretical substantiating of the author’s conception of teaching English language cross-cultural business communication skills to students majoring in tourism. The analysis results showed timely character of this issue. The previous research experience and the author’s own study may become fundamentals for theoretical grounding the conception for building English language cross-cultural business communication skills of pre-service tourism specialists.

English is More than Just Words in Cross-Cultural Business Communication

This study investigated the preference of using English in cross-cultural business communication of undergraduate learners majoring in Business English at a private university in Thailand. The three main geographical groups of generalized cultural differences within the world of cross-cultural business communication are Western which encompasses North America; Central which encompasses Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East); and Eastern which encompasses Japan, China, and Eastern Asia. The overall results revealed that the participants displayed a significant affinity towards the Western geographical culture group in reference to cross-cultural business communication utilizing English. Furthermore, the participants respected that some qualities of the Central and Eastern geographical cultural group were also needed in cross-cultural business communication. In conclusion, the findings showed that although that the learners had limited global or cultural exposure outside of Thailand, they assumed that any cross-cultural business communication using English would be better accommodated in a Western geographical cultural group setting.

ҐЕНДЕРНИЙ ВИМІР У НЕВЕРБАЛЬНІЙ МІЖКУЛЬТУРНІЙ КОМУНІКАЦІЇ

The article deals with the challenges of cross-cultural communication with a special focus on gender issues. The author concentrates on haptic – the part of nonverbal communication based on touch – which is the most sensitive issue in view of cultural differences of gender roles and expectations – and scrutinizes gendered proxemic and haptic views and habits of high-contact and low-contact culture groups. Apart from different cultural patterns of gender-sensitive non-verbal behavior, the study outlines overlapping patterns of touch based on relationship of power with regard to gender and social status. The object of the cross-cultural research has been put into a broader context of gendered relations of power as expressed by hidden means of culture-based discursive verbal and non-verbal communication patterns between men and women. The research fi ndings and theoretical notions are illustrated with real cases from the press and the author’s experience of cross-cultural business communication. This interdisciplinary study brings the fi elds of gender linguistics, non-verbal and cross-cultural communication together and can essentially contribute to fostering communicative skills of international business, management and communication students.

Традиционно-трансформационные методы деловой межкультурной коммуникации северо-восточных стран Азиатско-Тихоокеанского региона с потенциальными бизнес-партнерами России и других зарубежных стран

Традиционно-трансформационные методы деловой межкультурной коммуникации северо-восточных стран Азиатско-Тихоокеанского региона с потенциальными бизнес-партнерами России и других зарубежных стран

Transnational Business Communication and Identity Work in Australia

Chinese people have actively engaged in transnational and cross-cultural business activities in recent decades. Some Chinese people have moved their business activities to overseas countries, in particular, to developed countries. Some of them have migrated and settled down in a host space. About the case: This study aims to examine the identity work—in particular, the construction of a hybrid identity—and the business communication of a Chinese–Australian migrant, Jack, from the perspective of Chinese researchers. Situating the case: The communication characteristics of Chinese people are reviewed, and some factors related to identity work are examined. These interrelated strands provide a foundation for analyzing Jack's business communication and identity work in a host context. Research questions: (1) As an immigrant, how has Jack managed his identities in his business communication with self and Others during his life experience of more than 20 years in Australia? (2) Has Jack achieved a hybrid identity that enables him to switch his identities as he confronts the communication challenges of business situations? (3) What forces affect Jack's everyday business communication and identity work as a Chinese–Australian migrant in Australia? Methodology: Theories are applied to analyze anecdotes relating to the business communication and identity work of the migrant chosen for this case study. The first author is positioned as a cultural insider and ethnographer, observing, experiencing, and reflecting on some episodes in Jack's everyday business communication and identity work. The second author's informed input as an outsider to the case study provides interpretation of data and adds balance and a measure of objectivity. Results: Jack's communication with self and cultural Others is presented and analyzed to examine his complicated identity work in a host business arena. His shifting hybrid identity helps him to cross the border of his host culture and obtain privileges in business competition. These stories reveal that Jack's identity is continually changed and reconstructed as he builds social and cultural capital in his new business arena. Conclusions: This study captures characteristics of the transnational and cross-cultural business communication practices of Chinese migrants from the inside looking out, and it suggests that identity work is an ongoing and complex project, and that stereotypes should be avoided in transnational and cross-cultural business communication practices.

Integrated Marketing Communication and Brand Image in Saudi Private Sector Hospitals: An Empirical Investigation

This research aims to explore how integrated marketing communication (IMC) impacts on brand image in private hospitals in Saudi Arabia. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit 290 patients in four different hospitals. This research showed that IMC dimensions (advertising, personal selling, public relations, and WOM) had a positive effect on brand image of the private hospitals, and only one dimension, represented by sales promotion, had no effect on brand image. The paper contributes to previous research by adding to existing knowledge regarding IMC dimensions and brand image. The paper makes key recommendations towards adoption of IMC dimensions to develop and enhance the brand image of private hospitals in Saudi Arabia. re and communication values (Warner-Søderholm, 2012) are applied in this present study in order to explore to what degree cultural values impact how we form, deliver and receive an organization’s business communication messages within the Nordic cluster. Thus, this supports the proposition that better cross-cultural business communication practices contribute to an organization’s bottom line in the management game of communication today. Moreover, we contribute to the field with an analysis of the differences between managers’ cultural practices and wished for values.

Be Careful What You Wish for: Mapping Nordic Cultural Communication Practices & Values in the Management Game of Communication

Whether executives are sharing their organization’s strategy goals, financial projections, marketing initiatives, crisis management, or perhaps disseminating HRM issues, culture-with regard to differing ways of communicating-matters. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to understand Nordic managers’ cultural practices -and wished for values-within the context of delivering and receiving communication messages, not only within their organizations, but also with a keen eye to external stakeholders. Minor yet significant differences in communication norms may surface, even when representatives from similar cultures work together (Adler, 2002). As a follow on from the GLOBE project (House et al., 2004), data based on the GLOBE instrument collected on culture and communication values (Warner-Søderholm, 2012) are applied in this present study in order to explore to what degree cultural values impact how we form, deliver and receive an organization’s business communication messages within the Nordic cluster. Thus, this supports the proposition that better cross-cultural business communication practices contribute to an organization’s bottom line in the management game of communication today. Moreover, we contribute to the field with an analysis of the differences between managers’ cultural practices and wished for values.

INTERCULTURAL BUSINESS DISCOURSE: CHARACTERISTICS OF KAZAKH CONTEXT

Many cross-cultural business interactions quite often constitute a source of cultural misinterpretations and misconceptions. Typically each party uses native strategies to communicate across groups. Different cultures also use their own methods to interpret verbal and non-verbal messages. Therefore, developing a deeper understanding of cross-cultural communicational preferences is critical for any successful international business venture, which stems active research interest in this area. This article, in particular, focuses on a comparative analysis of Kazakh business communication style against different established communication patterns across the globe, e.g. a tendency towards following collective cultural patterns within Kazakh community with resulting implications on the importance of space and privacy, relational and collaborative business inclinations, and intuitive communication style preferences. The article also covers the significance of age and preferences. Finally, cultural roots for preferred communication channels, directness, writing clarity and conciseness in Kazakh business discourse are explained. Often it is the historical development of the community that shapes the mentality, styles of spoken and written communication, as well as methods of interpreting messages from other cultures. These trends are demonstrated on the development of modern Kazakh business discourse preferences and traits. Overall, the article shows that it is not only important to be aware of differences in cultural communication conceptions, but even more important to recognize them, place and interpret the message within the right cultural context. This work aims to present a well-rounded overview of Kazakh business discourse preferences, serving as a guideline for cross-cultural business communication as well as an important contributing piece to the field of intercultural studies. Keywords: Business Discourse, Intercultural Communication, Kazakh communication preferences.

ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ МЕЖКУЛЬТУРНОЙ КОМПЕТЕНТНОСТИ У СТУДЕНТОВ-ЭКОНОМИСТОВ В ПРОЦЕССЕ ПРЕПОДАВАНИЯ ДЕЛОВОЙ КОММУНИКАЦИИ

В статье рассматриваются теоретические предпосылки для формирования и усовершен­ствования у студентов межкультурной компетентности как структурного компонента иноязычной профессиональной коммуникативной компетентности, обосновывается не­обходимость использования интерактивных форм работы, изучаются их дидактические возможности и предлагаются некоторые упражнения. Такая задача обусловлена тем, что студенты экономических специальностей, которые специализируются в сфере междуна­родных экономических отношений, нуждаются в развитии умений деловой коммуникации с учетом ее межкультурных особенностей. Изучение студентами основ устной и письмен­ной деловой коммуникации на иностранном языке должно проходить в интерактивных формах работы с образцами документов, с аутентичными текстами для чтения и ау­дирования, чтобы усвоить терминологию, расширить знания социокультурного контек­ста деловых контактов и научиться применять эти знания при моделировании ситуаций делового общения. На основе результатов исследования утверждается, что использование приемов интерактивного обучения позволит студентам решать деловые проблемы, разви­вать свои творческие способности в процессе профессионально ориентированной деятель­ности и соблюдать межкультурные нормы общения.

Cross-cultural Issues and International Business Communication Practice: From an Anthropological Perspective

AbstractIn today’s increasingly competitive business environment, in order to be successful, communication is one of the most significant functions for all kinds of business firms to master, and it is particularly essential for firms doing business internationally. This paper converses key components of intercultural concerns in business communication worldwide, and offers a skeleton for bringing competitive advantage to companies involved in global business. Culture exerts impact on countless features of global business communication, which in turn influences consumer behavior, localization and standardization strategy decisions, free trade policies, effectiveness of brand , advertising, business partnership, international marketing negotiation, and global business management. Several premises are proposed as guidelines for further examinations.

Saving Face: Reactions to Cultural Norm Violations in Business Request Emails

This research examines reactions to relationship building statements (termed facework; e.g., I hope all is well) and message structure (placement of reasoning either before or after the request itself) in business emails presented to U.S. and Chinese employees. Two studies manipulated the use of facework and message structure in samples of Chinese and American employees and measured reactions to the email. Study 1 sampled Chinese (n = 57) and U.S. (n = 56) employees within the same multinational firm. Study 2 employed multi-industry samples of Chinese (n = 99) and U.S. (n = 105) employees. Both studies also examined within-culture differences in self-construal as predictors of reactions to the messages. Chinese employees reported greater desire to do business with the sender of an email that included facework and placed reasoning before the request, whereas U.S. employees were more irritated with this type of email (Study 1). However, when facework and message structure were manipulated independently (Study 2), Chinese employees preferred the messages with facework or reasoning before request only when the two strategies were not combined. Within-culture differences in independent and interdependent self-construal interacted with email condition in complex ways. Results have implications for employees who use email to communicate cross-culturally and also point to within-culture differences in email preferences. Despite the prevalent use of email for cross-cultural business communication, lack of understanding of cultural nuances may result in misunderstandings and breakdowns in communication. Results have implications for training employees who communicate cross-culturally.