Backpack Bed for Homeless: Cross-Cultural Communication in Indonesia

This case study analyzes the cross-cultural communication challenges encountered by 'Backpack Bed for Homeless' while attempting to implement their initiative in Indonesia. It identifies key issues such as differing cultural values and etiquette, direct versus indirect communication styles, and varying cultural norms in decision-making processes. The report highlights potential misunderstandings and obstacles that the organization may face when interacting with the Indonesian government and local stakeholders. Ultimately, the study emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity and effective communication strategies for successful international charity work and offers recommendations for 'Backpack Bed for Homeless,' including the need for negotiation with the government, establishing clarity in communication, and ensuring government involvement through formal agreements. Desklib provides access to this case study and many other solved assignments to help students in their academic journey.

C A S E O F B A C K PA C K B E D F O R H O M E L E S S
Communicational issues and
recommendations in cross cultural context

Introduction
Charity and philanthropic works are considered to be the
most holistic welfare practice around the world.
It is essential for the foundation to understand the cultural
ethos, values, etiquette and norms that can contribute a lot in
the decision making process.
Cross cultural communication and the importance of the
global foundations and charity organizations are subject to
further research.

Attention getting statement
It is important to get acknowledged with the correlation
between multi-cultural practices and the role of the charity
foundation.

Exigency of the topic
To get accompanied with different cultural values and charity
framework.
Understanding the role of international charity in a foreign
land.
Key features of the cultural norms in decision making.

Preview of the structure
The report tries to pin point the link between the cultural
values and norms in order to procure a better decision
making
 The report also focus on identifying the issue relating to
Direct versus indirect communication
The report will also assess the Different cultural norms of
decision making

Inter-cultural challenge one
Different cultural values and etiquette
Cultural differences are considered to be one of the major
aspect for the maintaining better communication in a
business to business relationship.
Cultural differences and etiquette has a long drawn impact on
the process of the business profitability.

Inter-cultural challenge one
Different cultural values and etiquette
Zeng and Greenfield (2015) opined that there are some
competencies during creating good relationship with other
business houses.
Naranjo-Valencia, Jiménez-Jiménez and Sanz-Valle (2016 )
highlighted completely different approach in order to
understand the efficacy of cultural values in business.
Stahl and Tung (2015) asserted that the cultural differences
can be seen in case of practicing different cultures within the
organizational activities.

Inter-cultural challenge one
Different cultural values and etiquette
In case of charity and relief activities the cultural values and
etiquette are played pivotal role in order to make the
charitable practices a success.
Cultural differences can create issues regarding the role and
functionality of the charitable tasks.
Zeng and Greenfield (2015) advocated that charitable and
philanthropic activities have a direct relation with the
common people and communities.

Inter-cultural challenge two
Direct versus indirect communication
Non verbal nature of indirect communication is not meagerly
judged by words but also depends on the behavior and the
sensitivity of the receiver
Misinterpretation of the intent of the concerned organization
would restrict the operations that are planned by the same to
make the relief activity possible

Inter-cultural challenge two
Direct versus indirect communication
The concerned organization might face issues in identifying
the expectations of the Indonesian government relating to the
foreign aid
Lack of proper communication between the concerned
organization and the stakeholders might result to failure of
attempts

Inter-cultural challenge three
Different cultural norms of decision making
It can be stated that the cultural norms are highly responsible
to deal with the decision making process as well.
Fehr and Williams (2018) pointed out the business culture in
USA strictly follows the flat management structure and an
egalitarian approach in course of making decisions.

Inter-cultural challenge three
Different cultural norms of decision making
Shimizu, Lee and Uleman (2017) asserted that there are huge
implication of the cultural norms in decision making process
that are entitled to provide more efficacy into the
organizational framework.
Role of the Indonesian government is to put an impression on
every aspects of decision making that is resembled with the
development of the country.

Conclusion
Therefore, from the above analysis it might be stated that
Backpack Bed for Homeless might encounter significant
issues while communicating with the Indonesian government,
which might result to failure of the initiative relating to the
relief
The report enumerates different issues that might be faced by
the concerned organization while distributing the backpacks
in Sulawesi

Recommendations
Recommendation 1- Convincing the government through
negotiation
The concerned organization must take steps to identify the
different cultural elements in the Indonesian economy in
order to adhere to the norms that are followed in the society

Recommendations
Recommendation 2- Establishing clarity in the messages
Clarity of the message will be helping the organization in
avoiding misinterpretation of information

Recommendations
Recommendation 3- Involvement of the government
through agreement
The Asian organizations strictly follow a hierarchical system,
which has made it mandatory for the organization to
communicate their intent to the government and the different
agencies