BUSN20017 T3 2018: Backpack Bed Intercultural Communication Report

This report analyzes the intercultural communication and decision-making challenges faced by Backpack Bed for Homeless, an Australian organization, as it plans to provide aid to Sulawesi, Indonesia, after a tsunami. It identifies potential issues stemming from differences in language, values, communication styles, and approaches to authority between Australian representatives and the Indonesian population. The report discusses how these differences can lead to misunderstandings, delays in rescue efforts, and ineffective decision-making. It also touches on the variations in philosophical approaches to problem-solving, with occidental analytical thinking contrasting with oriental holism. The report concludes by emphasizing the generally positive perception Indonesians hold towards Australia, suggesting a foundation for improved intercultural relations. The document is available on Desklib, a platform offering study tools and solved assignments for students.

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Introduction
Backpack bed for Homeless is an organization involved in charity. The
organization provides emergency beds to the homeless at the streets. This
enhances better living along with the safety and comfort. Recently, the
organization is planning to provide help to Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Cont..
This place is badly affected in tsunami. In order to provide the help in
the affected areas, Backpack Bed is sending some of the representatives to
sulawesi along with necessary things (Abdullah, 2018). While doing this the
representatives can face some of the problems which can become constraints
for providing the help.

Cont..
The identified problems are regarding the intercultural
communication, and decision making process. The main objective of
this paper is to identify the problems and their consequences. Along
with that recommendations are made to mitigate these problems. In
order to do this the analysis of the current situation is done.

Cont..
This part will elaborate different challenges those can be faced by the
Backpack Bed for Homeless representatives. The recommendations are made on
the basis of the discussion in order to mitigate the problems. However, building
the connection between the nations is not only about economics and trade.
That’s certainly important, but the rational benefit is only part of the narrative

Analysis of the current situation
Backpack Bed for Homeless is an Australian Organization sending help for
the Indonesia. In this situation there are some challenges for this Australian
company those are needed to be faced during the helping campaign. The analysis
of the current situation is done on the basis of the problems those can be faced by
the representatives from the backpack bed in Indonesia. It can be assumed that
backpack bed can face communication problems with sulawesi for the intercultural
differences.

Cont..
In this case, the identification of the intercultural differences are needed
to be done so that the mitigation of these problems can improve the flow of
communication. Cross-cultural deals with the comparison of different cultures.
In cross-cultural communication, differences are understood and acknowledged,
and can bring about individual change, but not collective transformations.

Intercultural challenges regarding the cultural values and
etiquette:
Some of the intercultural challenges regarding the cultural value and etiquette
regarding cooperation between Indonesia and Australia are-
Difference in language: the main speaking language in Australia is English. On the
other hand the main language in Indonesia is Malay which is different from English. Apart
from that there are other local languages present at Indonesia for the communication
(Carbaugh,2016). In that case, the representative from the Backpack Bed for homeless can
face problems during the communication with locals (Chi & Suthers,2015). This will make
the delay in the rescue process at Indonesia.

Cont..
Difference in values and morals: It has been seen that the values and morals of the
people in Indonesia are different from people of Australia. In this case, some of the gesture of
Australian people may seem weird for Indonesian people. In this case, the misunderstanding
can be created between the tsunami victims and representatives of Backpack bed.

Intercultural challenges regarding indirect style of
communication:
It has been seen that the communication in Australian culture is direct. On the other
hand, for the Indonesian culture the communication can be discreet and the messages are
presented in different ways. This can raise the problem during face to face interactions when
the communication plays an vital role (Lim & Pham,2016). The communication and the
responding the local people plays an important role in the effectiveness of the
communication.

Cont..
Apart from that, the trouble can be raised with understanding the accent
and fluency of the spoken language (Fernando,2018). In this case, the
representatives from Australia many not understand the concern of the locals
and vice versa (Elsey, Omarova & Grill,2016). This can cause the
representatives de-motivated in their work. It can be seen that there is a
difference in the approach towards the authority and hierarchy between
Australian and Indonesian people.

Intercultural challenge regarding decision making:
The term multicultural society refers to the group which has many ethnic
groups. All the people from the different background live and collaborate with
each other maintaining their uniqueness and identity. The difference in the
culture between the Australian people and Indonesian people can make problem
in the decision making system. The approach and perspective of the local people
may not be understood by the Australian representative in a clear way
(Mardiani,2015). In that case, misunderstanding many occur.

Cont..
The approach and perspective of the local people may not be understood
by the Australian representative in a clear way (Mardiani,2015). In that case,
misunderstanding many happen. From this misunderstanding of the situation,
there can be a problem in the decision making process for the organization.
This decision making problem can cause constraints in the helping campaign

Cont..
The variation of the decision making process can be raised
from the difference in the values, beliefs and philosophies.
Occidental philosophies are concerned about the use of analytical
thinking. On the other hand oriental philosophies are prone to
holism.

Cont..
This discrepancies brings the difference in the values and morals (Ambrose et
al.,2017). From the different values, the people driven by occidental philosophies may view
the incident differently from the people driven by oriental philosophy (Tudini,2016).

Cont..
In both cases, decision taken by the people from the different
philosophy would be different. Indonesians were more open-minded and
receptive to Australia (than the reverse), generally viewing their southern
neighbor in a favorable light (Shishavan & Sharifian,2016). Indonesians were
generally more knowledgeable and positive about Australia and, most
significantly, there was more ‘warmth’ in the way they talked about the country

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