English summary of the book “Introducing Intercultural Communication”, third edition. Used for the Intercultural Communication course of International Business Communication at Radboud University.
Summary Chapters 1-10+13
Title: Introducing Intercultural Communication
Edition: Third Edition
Author(s): Shuang Lu, Zala Volčič, Cindy Gallois
ISBN: 978-1-5264-3170-7
Chapter 1
Learning objectives:
1. Identify different contributors to cultural diversity in our global community.
2. Recognize issues surrounding cultural diversity and multiculturalism.
3. Appreciate intercultural communication as an integral part of life in a global community.
Important definitions:
Global village: a world in which communication technology brings news and information to the most
remote parts of the world (by Marshall McLunan, 1964).
Globalization: process of increasing interconnectedness between societies and people at the
economic, political and cultural levels.
Cultural home: an individual’s sense of belonging in an ethnic, racial or geographic community
(boundaries can be symbolic).
Fractionation: the divisive separation of people, societies and nations.
Summary:
The Silk Road
Old network of trade routes used to spread products, philosophy, religion and ideas
Early example of connections between cultures
Factors contributing to cultural diversity:
Advances in communication technology
- People can now be contacted anywhere and everywhere (via e-mail, social
media etc)
- Affects how people form relationship (friendships and romance)
International migration
- Increased diversity in destination countries
- Social and economic development for destination countries and countries of
origin
- Examples: international students, individuals looking to make a living
- Reasons to migrate: better living environment, good education for children,
business opportunities, refuge, political protection
Modern transport systems
The global economy
International business & education
, Multinational corporations are moving their operations overseas
Lower labour costs
From West (developed countries) to East (emerging markets)
Headquarters still mainly in developed countries
Results in multicultural workforce
Communication problems
Can worsen when people with different beliefs & values interact
- Face-to-face and mediated communication
Three perspectives on globalization (by Held & McGrew, 2007):
1. Globalists view globalization as an inevitable process that cannot be stopped or
influenced by human intervention and feel that there is no point in resisting.
2. Traditionalists believe that the significance of globalization has been
exaggerated and prefer regional social and economic activity over its global
counterparts.
3. Transformationalists acknowledge that globalization is a significant change, but
they question its inevitability.
Benefits accepting cultural differences
Enriches our understanding of other cultures
Deepens cultural self-awareness
Learn to appreciate the differences and perceive the commonalities between
cultures
Ethnic diversity in the workplace
Challenges:
- Can complicate communication
- Different cultures have different workplace atmospheres/methods
Opportunities if handled correctly:
- Can bolster employee morale
- Creates an inclusive climate
- Sparks creative innovation
Cross-cultural adjustment is a manifestation of broader social trends that are not exclusive
to the experiences of immigrants
Cultural adjustment for the host country and immigrants
Immigrants prefer to maintain their own culture while integrating into the host
culture
Multiculturalism can be seen as a threat for the host nationalists, but it is beneficial
for the immigrant who wants to integrate and keep their culture
Chapter 2
Learning objectives:
1. Identify different components and characteristics of culture
, 2. Define and analyse different types of subcultures
3. Explain discursive construction of culture and identity
4. Evaluate different approaches to studying culture
Important definitions:
Ethnography: a way of research that has been employed to study different cultures and subcultures
that aims to describe the whole culture
Summary:
Culture difficult to define
Most agree culture is pervasive in human life and it governs our behaviour
Book defines culture as the particular way of life of a group of people and the
meaning-making process by which people make sense of their social world
Levels of culture
Inner core
- Consists of history, identity, beliefs, values, worldviews
Intermediate layer (cultural activities)
- Consists of rules, roles, technology, material object, communication
patterns, rituals, and customs
Outer layer (institutions within culture)
- Religious systems, educational system, political system, economic system,
health system, kinship system (e.g., family size)
Characteristics of culture
Holistic: culture is an integrated and complex whole
Learned: we learn cultural norms and rules through communication
Dynamic: culture can change
Ethnocentric: the belief our own culture is better than another culture. It is generally
agreed that this goes for every culture.
Ways to study culture
Emic approach: each culture is a separate unique entity that can only be studied
using variables that are specific to the culture
Etic approach: culture can be examined with predetermined categories that work
for every culture
Subculture
Culture within culture
Types: social class, ethnicity, organization, geographic region, religion etc
- Ethnic groups: identifiable groups of people who have a common heritage
and cultural traditions passed through generations. Racial group boundaries
are fluid and people are rarely part of only one racial group.
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