Analyzing and Overcoming Intercultural Communication Barriers Report

This report examines various barriers to effective communication in a business context, with a specific focus on intercultural communication challenges. It delves into the three cultural levels: artifacts, values, and assumptions, highlighting their impact on communication dynamics. The report explores the link between language and culture, emphasizing how language reflects and shapes cultural identity. It identifies key barriers to intercultural communication, including cultural issues, ethnocentrism, stereotyping, and language barriers. The report further addresses cultural differences and diversity in the workplace, discussing the challenges these differences pose and offering solutions such as training programs and the implementation of diversity policies. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of addressing these barriers to foster effective communication and promote a more inclusive and productive work environment.

Running head: Communication
Business Communication

Communication
Table of Contents
Cultural levels..................................................................................................................................1
Link between language and culture.................................................................................................1
Barriers to intercultural communication..........................................................................................1
Cultural issue................................................................................................................................1
Ethnocentrism..............................................................................................................................2
Stereotyping.................................................................................................................................2
Language barrier..........................................................................................................................2
Cultural difference and culture diversity.........................................................................................3
Training or the workshops...........................................................................................................3
Diversity policy............................................................................................................................3
References........................................................................................................................................4
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Cultural levels
It is observed that there are three cultural levels like Artifacts, values and assumptions.
1.) Artifacts and behavior: In this the focus is given on the dress, organization charts,
physical layout and logos. This is known as the level that is observable and also there are
various behavior patterns in relation to culture.
2.) Norms and values: In this the values are underlie and also the behavior is determined. In
this the overall operating values are considered that will also be concerned with the
behavior of the individuals.
3.) Assumptions and beliefs: It has been analyzed that it is necessary to have in-depth
understanding of the beliefs and assumptions. The different assumptions and beliefs
should be considered by the higher so that flow of communication can be maintained
(Inglehart, 2018).
Link between language and culture
Language and culture is related each other. Culture is the term that is concerned with the beliefs,
values and also the different behavior of the different groups. The language of the individual
relates with the culture from which they belongs. Language helps to communicate the
information but it is also concerned with the different culture. The language used by the
individuals showcase their culture which means that the personality of the individual showcase
the attitude of the people. Language and culture can be changed together which means that
culture can be passed or explained through the culture. The culture and the language of the
individuals determine the changes that are required. There are diverse employees in the
workplace who have the different language that reflects that they belong from different culture.
The individuals learn the different language from their culture. So, language and culture are
interrelated with each other (Jenifer and Raman, 2015).
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Barriers to intercultural communication
Cultural issue
It is evaluated that there are different cultures that represents different values, ethics and
decorum. By analyzing this it can be stated that these differences should be maintained by giving
value to the different cultural norms. One of the best example can be related to United States un
which it is common for the speakers to share their personal anecdotes to maintain the audience
rapport but in the other countries there are tiresome process that are important to be considered.
The people in the workplace belong from the different backgrounds and have different culture
which can also be stated as the barrier of inter personal communication (Lai and Yang, 2017).
Ethnocentrism
This is known as one of the barrier in which the people have the different mindset for the other
people. They look in a different manner towards the different culture from their own lenses. This
becomes barriers in the workplace because people think from their own perspective and also they
create their own perception for the other individuals. So, it can be said that this is one of the
major in relation to inter cultural communication (Puzakova et al., 2015).
Stereotyping
This is considered as one of the common issue that relates with the trust of the other person in
relation to the various backgrounds. Behavior of the individuals also changes in the company
towards other individual who belong from the different background. This issue impacts the
communication process as the people have different perception and attitude towards the people
who are from the different background or culture. This issue is important to be resolved at the
workplace as it can impact the overall operations of the company in the highly competitive
market.
Language barrier
It is the common barriers in the overall process of communication. It can be said that English
language is common that is used in organizations but it is not important that companies on the
global platform considers the English language. Employees in the workplace have to face the
problem in relation to the different languages used by the employees. There are many cases when
at the time of communicating in English the misunderstanding between the employees takes
place when considering the important decisions. This is one of the major barriers that affect the
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growth of the business and also impact the overall capacity of the workers. Due to language,
sometimes many issues pertains in which there is no clarity of the information and it creates
issue at the time of completing the allocated work. It can be stated that this is one of the issue in
relation to inter cultural communication (Lauring and Klitmøller, 2015).
Cultural difference and culture diversity
According to Holliday (2016), Cultural difference is considered as one of the issue of the
workplace that impacts the flow of communication. Due to difference in the culture there are
different ways in which the people deal with the situations at the workplace. In the present era,
companies employ different individuals from the different cultural backgrounds and they have
specific needs that are important to be considered by the management so that growth can be
attained. Culture Wizard global survey 2016 stated that there are 68% of the respondents who
focused on the cultural challenges it is considered that 18% of the respondents stated that their
companies will lost the opportunities of the loss due to cultural misunderstandings (Hamilton,
2015). Ways considered by the company to resolve the challenge related to inter cultural
communication.
Training or the workshops
It is important to be considering this approach by the management to resolve this issue. In this
training and workshops should be offered to the employees so that they can have positive
mindset towards the different background of the employees (Morling, B., 2016).
Diversity policy
It is important to implement the diversity policy by the company so that welfare of the
employees can be maintained. Nestle company focused on implementing the diversity policy in
which they focuses building the culture that values the different talents and experiences of the
employees and also helps to focus on the needs of the customers in the diverse markets. The
main aim of the company is to recruit and motivate the people who resect the value and offer
equal opportunities for the development (Nestle , 2019). So, it can be concluded that these are
the ways in which the overall inter cultural issue can be resolved effectively.
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References
Hamilton, D.L., 2015. Cognitive processes in stereotyping and intergroup behavior. Psychology
Press.
Holliday, A., 2016. Difference and awareness in cultural travel: Negotiating blocks and
threads. Language and Intercultural Communication, 16(3), pp.318-331.
Inglehart, R., 2018. Culture shift in advanced industrial society. Princeton University Press.
Jenifer, R.D. and Raman, G.P., 2015. Cross-cultural communication barriers in the
workplace. Internafional Journal of Management, 6(1), pp.348-351.
Lai, W.H. and Yang, C.W., 2017. Barriers Expatriates Encounter During Cross-Cultural
Interactions. Journal of enterprising culture, 25(03), pp.239-261.
Lauring, J. and Klitmøller, A., 2015. Corporate language-based communication avoidance in
MNCs: A multi-sited ethnography approach. Journal of World Business, 50(1), pp.46-55.
Morling, B., 2016. Cultural difference, inside and out. Social and Personality Psychology
Compass, 10(12), pp.693-706.
Nestle , 2019.Divesrity and inclusion. [Online] Available at: https://jobs.nestle.com/en/inside-
nestl%C3%A9/diversity-inclusion [Accessed 15 May 2019].
Puzakova, M., Kwak, H., Andras, T.L. and Zinkhan, G.M., 2015. The Role of Mass Media and
Marketing Communication in Consumer Ethnocentrism: A Study from the Russian Market.
In Proceedings of the 2009 Academy of Marketing Science (AMS) Annual Conference (pp. 180-
180). Springer, Cham.
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