Intercultural Competence in Business

This report explores the concept of intercultural competence in business and its significance in developing effective professional relationships. It analyzes a case study and identifies where the individual went wrong in understanding the cultural differences. The report also describes different intercultural theories and provides advice for better cross-cultural understanding. The importance of communication style, attitude towards conflict, decision-making styles, and knowing one another's culture are discussed. The conclusion emphasizes the need for deep understanding of cross-cultural dynamics and the importance of listening and reacting appropriately in intercultural business interactions.

Intellectual Competence in
Business

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
CASE 1............................................................................................................................................1
1. Where did Bob go wrong?......................................................................................................1
2. Helping bob in better understanding the cross cultural problem............................................1
3. Describing different intercultural theories..............................................................................3
4. Advice to Bob.........................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
The cross cultural competence generally accounts for the ability of the person to
understand the people from the residing from the different cultures and the way of engagement
with them. In the modern business practices, it is crucial to effectively communicate and work
with the people across the different cultures. It results into developing a better and effective
mutual understanding pertaining to the human relations which is essential for achieving the
professional goals. This report is in respect to case study on the topic of intercultural competence
within the business and answering the question based upon the case study.
CASE 1
1. Where did Bob go wrong?
Based upon the case study, it can be stated that when Bob was asked about his father by
the Saade, he straightforwardly answered the question to was little mundane about the health of
his father. But, his response from the point of view of the Saade resulted into making Bob look
like an undesirable and not a right choice as a business partner. The reason behind this is that
there is a difference between the culture of both the persons. Bob have spent lot of time in
Middle East while Saade is a Lebanese industrialist and there is a huge difference among the
culture the has come from. Saade has come from a society which puts more emphasis on the
family relationships and is on the high priority. From the perspective of Saade, it was completely
inhuman to leave one's old and aging parent (father) in a nursing home under the care of total
strangers. This depicts that on the part of Bob that if he is not able to effectively meet with his
primary responsibility and obligation of his family, then how he will be able to meet with the
business requirement and can be trusted. Lebanese culture is fundamentally conservative and
traditional and pays huge respect to their traditions (Lebanese Culture. 2020). The Lebanese
society is very diverse and one can see the traditional attire as well as modern European fashion.
Therefore, at this point, Bob went wrong in presenting the heath situation of his father which
resulted in conflict in the point of view and understanding of the two persons based on the
organizational culture. This is the pint where Bob went wrong, and he was never invited again
for any further discussion in respect to the joint venture.
2. Helping bob in better understanding the cross cultural problem
Culture is a very complex concept and it simply refers to the group of community which
shares the common norms and experiences which assist in better understanding the world. It is
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important for Bob to effectively gain an understanding about the various challenges which is the
outcome of the intercultural problem. There are various challenges, first is the difference in the
communication style, as the people residing from the different cultural background will be
having a different way of communication and the most crucial aspect of it is the language usage.
The usage of words and phrases across various cultures is different in various ways. In addition
to this, another aspect which is important in this challenge is the non-verbal communication
(Bartel-Radic and Giannelloni, 2017). It not only involves the facial expression and gestures but
also the seating arrangement, sense of time etc. Apart from this, the degree of assertiveness
while communicating is an addition to the misunderstanding. Second challenge is the different
attitude towards the conflict, as in some culture conflict is considered to be a positive thing
while in contrast to it, in other, it is taken to be the thing which should be avoided or neglected
(Yancu and Farmer, 2017). For instance, in US, the conflict is not usually desirable and in fact,
face to face meetings are preferred and is also the preferred way to work out whatever problem
exits. On the other hand, in many eastern nations, conflict is often considered to be the
embarrassing and demeaning and the differences or the issues are usually sort out quietly.
Another cross cultural challenge is the difference pertaining to the decision-making
styles as the role of the individual differs from one culture to another like in US most of the
decision are delegated, which simply means that an official gives the responsibility in regard to a
matter to his or her subordinates. While in the Southern European nations, they put high value
on the decision-making obligation on oneself. In respect to the challenges pertaining to the cross
culture problem there is another important factor which is essential for Bob to understand which
will help him in future business dealings which is the different approach of knowing one another
(Shepherd and et.al., 2019). This is the notable difference which occurs while dealing with the
people of across cultures. For example, in the European culture, it is considered that the
information acquired through the cognitive means is preferred to be more valid in compared to
the other ways of acquiring it while in the African cultures preference symbolic and rhythm and
the Asian cultures puts more emphasis over the validity of the knowledge which is acquired
through striving towards transcendence.
Thus, all these factors are essential for Bob to effectively and appropriately understand as
it will be advantageous for him in future dealing with the group of people across various
cultures. Therefore, it will help in ensuring that this mistake is not repeated again as which was
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faced in the case with Saade. Through the way of getting an insight into the inability to know the
different culture can pose as a challenge in the way of accomplishing the desired goals (Danso,
2018). Therefore, it is highly advisable for Bob to know the cultural background of the person
with whom he is about to have a meeting which will help in restraining him from involving into
unfavourable conversation and speaking something which is considered inappropriate in one
culture. If Bob rightly takes into consideration all these factors and challenges in mind will assist
and support him in better cracking the business deals and undertaking effective business
communication.
3. Describing different intercultural theories
In accordance with the Presbitero and Attar (2018) intercultural is all about task
distributed between two or more people who belong to different cultures. Therefore, it also
cultivates values and dispositions which includes curiosity, care and empathy between each
other. The theory also stated that by recruiting people of different culture focuses on the social
attributes, thought patterns that involves understanding other's culture, languages as well as
customs. Similarly, as per the Social Science Approach whose aim is to observe a person
particular culture's behavior that also describe as well as compare the cultures. This is generally
found when company work in own nation and wants o expand its business in foreign country
(Intercultural communication, 2020). Such as, comparing Western and Eastern culture where
non-verbal behavior is identified from the observation. That is why, the theory also supported
that Bob who is a retired military specialist having a good experience in Middle East was hire by
US computer software company in order to represent the Persian Gulf countries. Also, he wants
to discuss the prospects of joint venture between a US firm and Lebanese industrialist.
Therefore, there may be an intercultural issue with regard to communication and this in turn
affect the business relations as well.
On the other side, as per the Dialectical Approach, which offers multiple perspective on
different approaches and examine various characteristic of an intercultural communication. Also,
personal contextual feature stated that it is a role of a person to fulfill socially and
professionally. For example, if a person is invited for a professional meeting then they should
not discuss any personal things. People belong to Lebanese industrialist are quite conservative
and follow their own tradition strictly. Therefore, they did not tolerate any mistakes performed
by anyone. The same mistake performed by Bob, where he continuously talks unnecessary
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things with Mr. Saade either it is weather or his father health. This reflects that it is totally wrong
and that is why, Bob was never invited back for further discussion. Thus, Aguilar Pérez (2018)
supported that during a professional meeting, an individual must discuss formal talks, and they
are socially more relaxed. The same mistake performed by both of them and also there s a huge
difference between both of their culture and this in turn affect their business relations.
Moreover, another attribute shared by the theory is History/past- present culture which
means that people must be aware with each other's past and present scenario, this in turn helps
them to examine overall perspective (Caponio and Donatiello, 2017). Thus, awareness of present
as well as past conditions provide better insights into cultural change and this in turn assists to
understand the culture and minimize the barriers as well. As per the case study, it is reflected
that Bob did not have any deep understanding regarding the culture about Mr. Saade and that is
why it affected their conversation. Though Mr. Saade belongs to very traditional and
conservative culture whereas, Bob is related to monotheistic religion. Thus, as per the Hofstede,
culture dimension it is also examined that in Middle East country people like to work
individualist rather than multiculturalism. Thus, it can be stated that it is necessary to understand
the culture of a country where business wants to expand which helps to run in a smooth manner.
4. Advice to Bob
From the above it is understood that Bob did not identify the culture of other country and
without knowing anything, he performed meeting that leads to decline the joint venture prospect.
Therefore, there is a need to have deep understanding about the cross-culture so that it have a
positive impact upon the business relationship. The advice are as mentioned below:
 It is to be advised to Bob that he must listen carefully what Mr. Saade wants to convey
instead of start conversation by himself. It is so because it will help to understand what
the opposite party wants from your side. This in turn helps to facilitate meaningful
conversation and as a result leads to open communication as well.
 Moreover, it is also suggested to the Bob that they must talk professionally and formal
manner. This in turn helps to create positive impact upon opposite party. As Bob is
referred to present on behalf of US company and to finalize the deal of joint venture. But,
unfortunately due to low knowledge of cross culture, the deal is not completed due to
informal conversation (White, 2017). That is why, it is suggested to the Bob to aware
with the cross culture and present the entire business in professional manner.
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 Further, both of hem belong to different country and it is obvious that their language is
also different. That is why, it is suggested to Bob to first use their straightforward
language and speak clearly rather than talk about weather, golf games and his father
well-being. In addition to this, every person have their own culture, and they followed
own tradition as well. Similarly, Mr. Saade did not like to that Bob's father is at nursing
home, and he did not saw him from last many months. Therefore, it is necessary to have
good understanding about each other's culture so that a meaningful conversation will be
done.
CONCLUSION
By summing up above, it has been concluded that both individual belong to different
culture and that is why, it might affect the overall business relations. The study identified that
Bob did not have enough knowledge about cross culture and that is why, he was not able to
present the business in front of Mr. Saade. Moreover, it is recommended to the Bob to lay
emphasized upon own decision-making style and communication style that helps him to make
better decision. Further, through Social approach and Dialectical approach of intercultural, it is
also examined that one must understand the other culture first before making any decision so
that it provide best results. That is why, it is advice to Bob to listen others first and then react.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Aguilar Pérez, M., 2018. Integrating intercultural competence in ESP and EMI: From theory to
practice. ESP today. 6(1). pp.25-43.
Bartel-Radic, A. and Giannelloni, J. L., 2017. A renewed perspective on the measurement of
cross-cultural competence: An approach through personality traits and cross-cultural
knowledge. European Management Journal. 35(5). pp.632-644.
Caponio, T. and Donatiello, D., 2017. Intercultural policy in times of crisis: Theory and practice
in the case of Turin, Italy. Comparative Migration Studies. 5(1). pp.1-16.
Danso, R., 2018. Cultural competence and cultural humility: A critical reflection on key cultural
diversity concepts. Journal of Social Work. 18(4). pp.410-430.
Presbitero, A. and Attar, H., 2018. Intercultural communication effectiveness, cultural
intelligence and knowledge sharing: Extending anxiety-uncertainty management
theory. International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 67. pp.35-43.
Shepherd, S. M., and et.al., 2019. The challenge of cultural competence in the workplace:
perspectives of healthcare providers. BMC health services research. 19(1). pp.1-11.
White, B. W. ed., 2017. Intercultural cities: Policy and practice for a new era. Springer.
Yancu, C. N. and Farmer, D. F., 2017. Product or process: Cultural competence or cultural
humility. Palliative Medicine and Hospice Care Open Journal. 3(1). pp.e1-e4.
Online
Intercultural communication. 2020. [Online]. Available through:
<https://open.lib.umn.edu/communication/chapter/8-3-intercultural-communication/
#:~:text=Intercultural%20Communication%3A%20A%20Dialectical
%20Approach&text=A%20dialectic%20is%20a%20relationship,in%20between%20two
%20different%20phenomena.>.
Lebanese Culture. 2020. [Online]. Available
Through:<https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/lebanese-culture/lebanese-culture-core-
concepts>.
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