Is Intercultural Competence Important in International Business?

Essay

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
'Is intercultural competence important in international business?'..............................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Culture has been defined as a collective programming of the mind which differentiates
member of one group or one category from those who are from different group or different
category. Intercultural competence can be defined as a process in which individual from certain
country develops ability to adapt, change their point of view and understand and meet
expectations of the culture of host country (Arasaratnam-Smith, 2017). Intercultural competence
can also be considered as effectiveness of individuals with knowledge, skills and attributes
through which they can work successfully with people from different national culture and
backgrounds both within home country or abroad. This study will discuss whether intercultural
competence is important in international business.
MAIN BODY
'Is intercultural competence important in international business?'
In relation with international business intercultural competence has been considered to be
at two levels that are individual and organisational level. In at individual level it includes
attribute skills and knowledge of individual that associated with Global career success. On
organisational level intercultural competence is effective management of organisational activities
in different host locations or countries. In order to succeed in international business it is
important that organisation ability to adapt to International cultures so that they can be successful
in their international operations. This suggests that intercultural competence for in international
business is highly important at both individual as well as organisational level. This is because it
was associated with international organisation are likely to work with people from different
nations and cultures in such situation it is important to have skills and attributes to adapt different
culture (Zhou, 2017). This also becomes important when individuals are required to work in
other countries. In such situation intercultural competence helps them in effectively working
with people of host country. In international organisation it has become very common to send the
employees that are known as expatriates to work in different countries and because of this they
are also given training about intercultural competency. However, when people have intercultural
competency they will be e more able to deal with cultural shock they are exposed when they are