Intercultural Business Communication: A Study of Cultural Dimensional Approach

Intercultural
Business
Communication

Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................3
2. CULTURAL DIMENSIONAL APPROACH ............................................................................3
2.1 Hosfstede's cultural dimensions.......................................................................................3
2.2 Validity and reliability of Hosfstede's cultural dimensions..............................................6
2.3 Evolution of Hosfstede's cultural dimensions..................................................................6
3. CRITIQUES OF HOFSTEDE'S CULTURAL DIMENSIONS..................................................6
4. ANTI ESSENTIALIST APPROACH ........................................................................................9
5. THE AUTHOR'S POINT OF VIEW .......................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

1. INTRODUCTION
Intercultural business communication deals with study of communication within
intercultural as well as cross-cultural business contexts. Within global economy as well as world
commerce intercultural business communication play key role within global business partners as
well as customer (Pikhart, 2017). Apart from this, cross-cultural communication also related to
the attempts which made for exchange, negotiate as well as mediate cultural difference by means
of gestures, body language and so on. Thus, simply it is how people of different culture
communicate with each other. This report is based on cultural dimensional approach and anti-
essentialist argument in context of cultural complexness. For proper explanation to this entire
framework Hofstede's cross cultural model will be explained. Along with this, critical discuss of
respective cross cultural model will take place including discussion on anti-essentialist belief of
“cultural complexity”.
2. CULTURAL DIMENSIONAL APPROACH
2.1 Hosfstede's cultural dimensions
Cross cultural communication is related to communication which take place within two
people who are different from each other in following manner such as age, nationality, working
style, ethnicity, rage,sexual orientation, gender and many more. In simple term, cross-cultural
communication also related to the attempts which made for exchange, negotiate as well as
mediate cultural difference by means of gestures, body language and so on. Thus, simply it is
how people of different culture communicate with each other.
In simple term it can be said that, Hosfstede's cultural dimensions framework use for
differentiate in different national cultures, dimensions of culture as well as their effect on
enterprise setting (Casmir, 2013). Main aim behind conducting this study is to determine the
dimensions within that society change. In addition to this, it is necessary to understand host
country's culture because domestic is not enough as global market is changing fast and result in
increasing level of competition. There are six categories within Hofstede model which define
culture explanation of these are as follows :-

(Source: Hofstede's cultural dimension theory, 2019)
 Power distance index – In this culture is considers within that inequality as well as
power are tolerated. Power distance dimension view inequality and power from followers
viewpoint i.e., the bottom level. Because high power distance index show that culture
accept inequality and power differences, promote bureaucratise as well as show high
respect for ranked people and authority (Mautner & Rainer, 2017). Whereas, low power
distance index indicate that cultural promote structures of company which is flat,
centralized responsibility related to decision making, participative management style and
place which emphasis on power distribution.
 Collectivism vs. Individualism – This dimension consider the level to that society is
incorporated within group as well as their perceived obligation as well as dependency on
group. Within this, individualism shows high importance to personal goals and their
achievement. Thus, individuals own image within individualism category is outlined as I.
on the other hand, collectivism shows its high level importance on goals as well as
entire group well being as own image of individual is explained as We.
 Uncertainty Avoidance Index – This is consider that extent to which uncertainty as well
as ambiguity is tolerated. Uncertainty avoidance index consider how unfamiliar situations
and unexpected events are dealt with. Within this, high uncertainty avoidance index have
Illustration 1: Hofstede's cultural dimension theory