Stereotypes and Global Business

This assignment tackles the issue of stereotypes in global business, specifically addressing the misconception that all Australians are racist. It emphasizes the inaccuracy of such generalizations, highlighting their origins in individual mentalities and the spread through word-of-mouth. The text encourages critical thinking about stereotypes and their impact on cross-cultural communication in a business context.

Running head: CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN GLOBAL BUSINESS
Cross Cultural Communication in Global Business
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author note

1CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN GLOBAL BUSINESS
Table of Contents
Answer 1)...................................................................................................................................2
Answer 2)...................................................................................................................................2
Answer 3)...................................................................................................................................3
Answer 4)...................................................................................................................................4
Answer 5)...................................................................................................................................5
Answer 6)...................................................................................................................................6
Answer 7)...................................................................................................................................7
Answer 8)...................................................................................................................................8
Answer 9)...................................................................................................................................8
Answer 10).................................................................................................................................9
References:...............................................................................................................................11

2CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN GLOBAL BUSINESS
Answer 1)
The ability of communicating effectively is a challenge in relation to the global
environment. Both parties can speak the same language but still there can be
misunderstandings owing to cultural differences. Poor communication of the employees thus
leads to poor performance within an organization. Cross cultural communication is an
important business issue that affects the profit of an organization. The organizations can
create competitive advantage over that of the competitors if they understand the implications
of cross-culture communication. The challenges in the economic arena causes the
organizations in developing internal communication capacity that can help in the process of
monitoring the external threats ( Ferraro & Briody, 2017). The business should know the
way of effective communication with employees coming from different ethnic backgrounds
so that the mission of the company is accomplished and it can also help in building value for
that of the stakeholders. Technology plays a crucial role in the modern era for communicating
successfully in the global arena. It can help in the marketing of products and services of a
company. The advancement in technology demands that organizations must keep in mind the
cultural nuisances that can help in increasing the profits of an organization (Stahl & Tung,
2015). For the companies who are involved in international business operations relationship
between managers and subordinates is of crucial importance. Results have shown that
teaching employees belonging to different cultures to behave in a similar manner proves to be
ineffective in improving the intercultural interaction within an organization.
Answer 2)
Communication skills are vital for an organization. The organizations should become
accustomed to all kinds of working styles of employees belonging to different ethnic and
cultural backgrounds. It is important that firms understand the cultural differences so that

3CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN GLOBAL BUSINESS
they can communicate effectively within the organization. Cross cultural communication
within a company plays a pivotal role in establishing the name of the product across the globe
(Merkin, Taras & Steel, 2014). On the event of effective communication, the service is
oriented to that of the cultural norms and this paves the way for the purchase of the product.
Ineffective communication can offend an employee and a particular message can be
misunderstood that can lead to broken relationship between the employees.
Ethnocentrism is a belief that plays emphasis on one’s own culture. It involves the
judging of another culture by comparing it with the own culture of an individual. There are
some employees within an organization who think of themselves to be superior as compared
to the others by virtue of their distinct culture (Ang & Van Dyne, 2015). This kind of
mentality should be done away with in the organization and respecting the culture and ethnic
back ground of other people can have a positive impact on the performance of employees
within an organization. Understanding of ethics is important for communicating effectively
with people belonging to other cultural back grounds (Chen, 2017). Not knowing about the
distinctive characteristics of people of other cultural back grounds can give rise to conflict
within the organizations. These conflicts have an impact on the performance of the
employees of a company and will reduce their motivation of working.
Answer 3)
Understanding the effect of globalization on that of cross-culture communication is of
crucial importance in gaining a competitive advantage over that of the competitors. Countries
throughout the world have been affected at all levels owing to globalization. Globalization
has enabled the developing of closer economic relation between different countries.
Globalization has created opportunities within the less industrialized countries and they can
tap into a larger market. The countries that are less industrialized can become part of global

4CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN GLOBAL BUSINESS
production network and this has greatly facilitated trade (Islam, 2017). Present economic
condition prevailing in the world has caused people to move from that of low income to that
of high income group countries. The modern age has witnessed the movement of people from
that of one country to that of another and this creates an intermingling of people from
different kind of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. People of different mindset and differing
cultural background work in an organization and the effective functioning of a company rests
on the perfect development of internal communication capacity (Kraidy, 2017). This can
help in reducing misunderstandings and foment unity between the different employees in an
organization. It creates less chances of conflict and ensures perfect co-ordination of the
employees in the company. The ability of communicating well has increased manifold on
account of the global structure of the economy of the present age (Moran, Abramson &
Moran, 2014). It is of increasing importance that global business should know how to
communicate with the employees that can help in achieving the vision of the organization.
The using of technology is a boon of globalization. It has a great impact on the global
communication of business and helps in the marketing of products along with services.
Organizations should be able to know the cultural nuisances that will help them in rising
above the barriers and increase the profit margin of the organization (Adekola & Sergi,
2016). Cultural proficiency does not point forward to memorizing each nuances of culture
but it means that one knows when to listen and to speak.
Answer 4)
Understanding the cultural differences within an organization can help in effective
adjustment in a company. Being respectful to the thoughts and opinion of others can help in
building sound relationships within an organization. It helps in creating the right kind of
organisational culture that appreciates differences and uses it in order to help in the

5CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN GLOBAL BUSINESS
development of the organization. It is not necessary to memorize all aspects of culture but
one should be understanding and empathetic that can go a long way in creating bond between
the employees in an organization. Globalization has paved the path for mingling of people
belonging to different cultural backgrounds. The differences should be properly nurtured and
appreciated so that it can contribute in a positive manner for the development of the
organization (Crane & Matten, 2016).
One should have cultural knowledge that can help one in understanding people
belonging to other ethnic groups. It helps an individual in staying open to the ideas of people
belonging to other cultural backgrounds. The employees in the age of globalization should be
culturally sensitive and they should not assign any kind of value to any difference (right or
wrong). Judging will give rise to clashes and conflict can easily be managed if one keeps in
mind the organizational goals (Trevino & Nelson, 2016). The vision of the organization is
the sole factor that an individual should have in mind because that will help in rising above
the cultural and ethnic differences. One is accountable to the organization and should be able
to speak and ask for help whenever needed. Open communication in an organization can help
in removing misunderstandings and build unity between the members of an organization
(Peng, 2016).
Answer 5)
The term “diversity” is indicative of the manner in which individuals differ from each
other. The management of people belonging to different cultural back ground is an important
consideration for an organization. People belonging to different ethnic and cultural
background have their own set of perception and values and this should be channelized in the
proper direction for the growth of the organization (Weiss, 2014). In the global business
environment, people who have succeeded in suspending judgement brings a positive force to

6CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN GLOBAL BUSINESS
the organization. An organization that can sensitize itself to that of cross-cultural issues can
benefit to a great extent. An organization having employees of different cultural back grounds
will be able to attract the most talented and deserving employee from people belonging to
different cultural groups. An organization that is sensitive to the cross-cultural differences
can create a diverse workforce that can reduce employee turnover on the basis of cross-
cultural conflict (Albrecht et al., 2015).
Cultural adaptation is the process that enables an individual to assimilate in a new
culture. A person who is introduced into that of a new culture undergoes different kind of
sensations (Gurung & Prater, 2017). Forcing an individual to adjust to a new culture can
create mental disturbance in the mind of an individual. It does irreparable damage to his self-
respect and he will undergo identity crisis. It will be found that slowly he will lose confidence
and the courage to air his opinion. This will be alike a liability for an organization. Individual
differences should be nurtured in an appropriate manner in order to serve the organization.
People belonging to all kinds of cultures should be allowed to voice their opinions and live
freely in an organization. This can help in ensuring stability for the organization and help in
the growth of the organization.
Answer 6)
In the global marketplace of the present age the ability of communicating effectively
and in a multi-cultural manner is immense. It is found that if the top management cannot
adapt to different culture, then it can seriously damage the business. It can have a bad impact
on the ability of decision making in an organization. It is found that the organizations that are
ego-centric cannot win the favour of the customers and cannot produce positive results in the
long run (Katzenbach & Smith, 2015). Communication barriers generally arise on account of
absence of leadership between that of different parties. Culture creates different attitudes in

7CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN GLOBAL BUSINESS
relation to problem solving. The approach of solving a problem can be different for the
management and that of the staff. In the event of management and staff coming from
different cultural background the understanding in relation to the issues can become different.
In the event of absence of open communication, clashes and conflicts can occur in the
organization that can hinder the performance of employees in the organization (Wagner III &
Hollenbeck, 2014).
The barriers in relation to cross cultural communication arise on account of absence
of understanding between that of management and the staff. Language barrier and the worker
expectation are other important dimensions that affect the performance of a worker.
Understanding of the non-verbal code system of a person belonging to a different culture is of
crucial importance in building sound relationship within the intercultural context (Merkin,
Taras & Steel, 2014). The forging of effective relation between employees coming from
cross-culture is vital for the success of an organization.
Answer 7)
The managers of my home country that is United Kingdom favour good working
relationship with that of the subordinates. The boss adopts the role of a coach and creates an
atmosphere of support within the organization. This helps in resolving differences between
people coming from different kind of culture and helps people in voicing their opinions
within the organization. The business meetings that are held in the United Kingdom are
structured but they are not that formal. The meetings end with social conversation that helps
the employees to know about the distinct characteristics and cultural nuances of people
belonging to a different culture (Ang & Van Dyne, 2015). The communication style of
managers in Australia is similar as they also prefer social conversation that helps the
employees in knowing about each other. Humour is pervasive in the communication style of

8CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN GLOBAL BUSINESS
managers in Australia and humour is acceptable in all kinds of situations. Humour is not
practiced in the communication style of managers in United Kingdom and they prefer a more
formalized discussion.
Answer 8)
Humour in communication can lead to conflict and disruption within the organization.
An organization can have people from different kind of cultural back grounds and use of
humour can be misconstrued within the organization. Misunderstandings can rise on account
of this since an organization is composed of people coming from different kinds of cultures.
A culture of openness should be encouraged within the organization as this can help in
solving problems and resolving of disputes (Chen, 2017). A person coming from a different
culture will have a different kind of mental framework and he may not be able to understand
the manner of using humour. This can have negative repercussions on business and can
interfere in the performance of an individual. All facets of the mentality of an individual
should be known before the usage of humour within the organization. In the modern era of
globalization, the structure of an organization is multi-cultural (Kraidy, 2017). It is not
possible to know about the cultural nuances of each group so humour should not be used to a
great extent in the communication of an organisation.
Answer 9)
Ethnocentrism is indicative of the superior feeling that the members of a particular
culture possess. Overemphasizing on the differences between that of different culture can
result in stereotyping. Stereotyping creates a picture of the entire culture and over generalises
people who belong to the same culture having similar kind of characteristics. Stereotyping is
mostly negative and by taking recourse to stereotyping an individual forms an opinion about
the other group. It is instrumental in creating prejudices and provokes judgemental attitude.

9CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN GLOBAL BUSINESS
Stereotyping compels an individual to view another individual on the basis of their previously
formed attitudes. Stereotyping can lead to abuse and mistreatment in a company (Moran,
Abramson & Moran, 2014). Employees who have preconceived notions test the water by
their basic comments. The people in the top management in an organization should come
forward to address any kind of behaviour that is tinged with discriminatory practice (Peng,
2016). They should be discouraged in the organization as the open display of any kind of
discrimination can be detrimental for the future of the organization.
Stereotyping can pave the path for low morale of the workers of an organization. It
can make the atmosphere at the workplace toxic. The employees who have to face constant
criticism due to stereotyping can lose their motivation that can have an impact on their job
performance. Low morale affects the workers and the organisational culture becomes toxic.
Production is lessened on account of stereotyping in an organization.
Answer 10)
The Australians stereotype people from the United Kingdom and conceive of them to
be emotionally stunted. It is thought that the Britons are not that great in showing their
emotions and cannot clearly convey what they want to say. They are thought of to be
emotionally dead but the real fact is that they are only reserved (Stahl & Tung, 2015). The
Australians have a notion that people of United Kingdom are tight-lipped and they keep calm
under all kinds of circumstances.
An assumption prevails regarding the Australians among the British people that they
are racist in nature. Racism along with racist violence pervades the Australian society. Race
discrimination continues to affect people of the migrant along with refugee communities
within Australia. It cannot however be said with certainty that all the people of Australia are
racist and hurl insult on people belonging to migrant community (Ang & Van Dyne, 2015).

10CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN GLOBAL BUSINESS
The people of the United Kingdom have this misconception that all the Australians are
racists. I do not think that these kind of stereotypes are accurate as they are borne out of the
mentality of an individual. These stereotypes spread owing to word-of-mouth and they do not
hold true in most of the cases.

11CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN GLOBAL BUSINESS
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12CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN GLOBAL BUSINESS
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