Intercultural Communication in Business

This assignment delves into the crucial topic of intercultural communication within a business context. It examines how globalization has increased the need for understanding diverse cultures and effective communication strategies across different cultural backgrounds. The document highlights the importance of overcoming language, body language, and contextual barriers to achieve successful intercultural communication in various aspects of business, including human resources, marketing, and production.

RUNNING HEAD: Business Communication
Business Communication
Intercultural communication

Business Communication 1
Table of Contents
Reflection...................................................................................................................................2
References..................................................................................................................................6

Business Communication 2
Reflection
This reflection has been executed on the topic “Business Communication” in which
discussion will be made regarding the intercultural communication. Intercultural
communication is an important aspect of the business environment. With the increase in the
number of organisations operating at international level or global level, there is an increase in
the number of employees, customers and other stakeholders belonging from different cultures
who are crucial for every business (Ainsworth, 2013). This globalisation has resulted in an
increase in the communication between the individuals belonging from different linguistic
and cultural backgrounds. The term intercultural communication can be defined as a
discipline which helps in studying the communication process adopted across the different
cultures and other groups and the manner in which culture of the organisation affects the
communication (Blahova, 2015). Effective intercultural communication is essential for the
business as it helps in dealing with the different barriers faced by the organisation due to
differences in language and stereotypes (Martin & Nakayama, 2012).
It is vital to develop the knowledge of the concept of intercultural communication and its
importance for the business. Businesses operating at global level need to develop the
understanding of the intercultural communication (Fu, 2010). Every aspect of the business is
dependent on the intercultural communication such as human resource, marketing, production
and other departments (Ostendorf, 2012). Use of effective intercultural communication
method or process will enhance the communication process used by the organisation for
communicating with the employees, customers and other stakeholders. Poor communication
among the employees, customers and other stakeholders can affect the performance of the
organisation as well as sales of the organisation (Padhi, 2016).

Business Communication 3
There are various barriers to intercultural communication process of the business. These
barriers include the difference in the language, difference in the body language, level of
context, adverse stereotypes and prejudices and feelings and emotions. Strategies can be used
for the purpose of overcoming these barriers to intercultural communication (Zheng, 2015).
These strategies include acknowledging the differences, focusing on the behaviour,
development of intercultural sensitivity and accepting the differences by providing
intercultural communication training programs (Ybema & Hyunghae, 2009).
Cultural difference is an interesting topic which has attracted me towards executing the
reflection on the intercultural communication. Cultural difference is an important element of
the dynamic and global business environment which has gained much importance. I have
selected this topic for this reflection due to three reasons. I have conducted this reflection on
intercultural communication as it is an essential element of the dynamic and global business
environment. I will enhance my knowledge regarding the concept of cultural differences and
link between cultural differences and communication process. This knowledge will help me
in shaping my knowledge with the trending aspects of the business environment.
Another reason hidden behind the execution of this reflection on this topic is to develop a
base for the future role or career role as being a professional one must develop effective
communication skills for communicating with the people belonging to different cultures
properly. I will use the knowledge and skills gained regarding the reflection topic for meeting
the roles and responsibilities assigned and ensuring that the performance is not getting
affected due to the lack of knowledge of cultural differences and the manner in which these
can be dealt in. I will ensure that cultural differences are not resulting in disputes or conflicts
in the organisation I will be a part of.
Another reason behind the selection of this topic for my reflection is to use this knowledge
gained for establishing a healthy relationship in the professional career. This knowledge of

Business Communication 4
the intercultural communication process will help me communicate with the different
stakeholders in a better manner. For gaining the advantage of the growth opportunities
available, I need to enhance the knowledge regarding the crucial aspects of the business
environment. I will use the knowledge for enhancing the quality of the relationship shared
with employees, customers, management and other entities in a better way. Conflicts may
arise at the workplace due to the lack of knowledge of cultural differences and intercultural
communication channels. I will be able to deal with these conflicts arising at the workplace in
a better way by applying the approach of intercultural communication.
In the present era, I have faced various challenges due to the lack of knowledge of
intercultural differences and communication strategies for dealing with these differences. I
have faced the issue in communicating with people due to lack of knowledge of intercultural
communication. I will use the knowledge in the present as well as future for dealing different
situations. During the present era, I have analysed that I have issues in communicating with
the people of different culture due to lack of knowledge of the communication channel which
can be used for communicating with them. During the execution process of this reflection, I
have understood the role of cultural differences and intercultural communication in dealing
with these types of situations. I will use the intercultural communication process for
communicating in an effective manner without any miscommunication or misunderstanding.
I will use the knowledge for performing the roles and responsibilities assigned to me in
future. This knowledge will help in matching with the roles and responsibilities assigned. I
have gained knowledge regarding the manner in which barriers to intercultural
communication can be dealt. As a professional, I have to deal with different individuals at the
workplace. These individuals include customers, employees, managers, management,
shareholders, subordinates or investors. Differences in the culture can result in lack of
effective communication and increase the chances of errors. This can affect the satisfaction

Business Communication 5
level of the individuals I am communicating with. I will ensure that I am dealing with the
individuals from different cultures. This knowledge of intercultural communication will help
me in gaining the advantage of the opportunities for the growth in a career.
Thus, it can be concluded that intercultural communication knowledge is important for every
individual for its present and career perspective. I will apply the knowledge gained in a better
manner for dealing with situations I will face. I will be able to interact with the people
belonging to different cultures which will enhance my knowledge and skills.

Business Communication 6
References
Ainsworth, J., 2013, “Business Languages for Intercultural and International Business
Communication: A Canadian Case Study”, Business Communication Quarterly: BCQ, 76,
28-50.
Blahova, M., 2015, “Specific Role of Non-verbal Communication in Business”, European
Scientific Journal April 2015 edition, 11(10).
Fu, Z.Y., 2010, “A Study of How to Develop Students’ Intercultural Communication
Competence (ICC) in Business English Teaching (BET)”, Asian Social Science, 4, 84.
Martin, J. & Nakayama, T., 2012, “Intercultural Communication in Contexts”, McGraw-Hill
Humanities.
Ostendorf, A.M., 2012, “Intercultural business communication”, Business Communication
Quarterly: BCQ, 75, 221-224.
Padhi, P. K., 2016, “The Rising Importance of Cross Cultural Communication in Global
Business Scenario”, Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Science, 4(1), 20-26.
Ybema, S. & Hyunghae, B., 2009, “Cultivating Cultural Differences in Asymmetric Power
Relations”, International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 9(3), 339 – 358.
Zheng, M., 2015, “Intercultural Competence in Intercultural Business Communication”,
Open Journal of Social Sciences, 3, 197-200.