HUE UNIVERSITY

INFORMATICS AND OPEN INSTITUTE

ASSIGNMENT ON

LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

TOPIC:
CROSS - CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN THE
WORKPLACE AND THE ROLE OF COMMUNICATION IN
AN ORGANIZATION

Lecturer: NGUYỄN VĂN TUẤN

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I. Introduction
Cross-cultural communication has an important impact on the workplace,
especially in today's global business environment. Cross-cultural
communication creates problems for effective communication. The problems of
cultural communication cross beyond the spoken and written language of other
cultures. Barriers are caused by differences in semantics, word meaning,
differences in tone and awareness. Non-verbal communication has different
meanings in different countries.
The importance of intercultural communication in the workplace cannot,
and should not be undermined. It plays an important role in the functioning of an
organization and affects the final output too. Though cross-cultural interaction is
not new and has existed for ages, with the advent of globalization, the world has
come close together. It is not surprising then that people have to travel to
different parts of the world as a part of their job and have to adapt to that new
environment. However, adaptation is not always easy, and a little support from
colleagues goes a long way in easing the process of ‘fitting in’ for the immigrant
employee. This article explains to you the importance of intercultural
communication in the workplace. [1].
II. Content
1. Important factors
Intercultural communication mainly relates to issues pertaining to speech
and culture of those belonging to an environment or land different from their
own. It is obvious that a person who grows up in China is going to have a
different culture than someone born and brought up in the United States. Even
people from the United Kingdom find it difficult to adapt to the United States
and vice versa, though these are seemingly similar countries and even speak the
same language.
In the work environment, these cultures affect the behavior and values of
the employees. How they respond to superiors, to colleagues and to
subordinates, are all determined by the culture they have been bred in. Their
attitude towards and their comprehension about their surroundings is also
different. Their pattern of communication is varied and their concept of
formality and informality is different. For instance, several organizations
address their bosses on a first name basis in the West. However, in other
countries such as India, it is considered informal, so every superior is addressed
as either ‘Sir’ and‘Ma’am’. It is when a person has to work in a country other
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than his own and is exposed to these changes, that he experiences a ‘culture
shock’. Culture shock is defined as the anxiety and disorientation experienced
when a person is made to operate in an unknown culture. In such cases,
programs that advocate intercultural communication and encourage healthy
communication among employees belonging to various cultures, are required to
help each other adjust easily. This is extremely important because the
environment impacts the efficiency of employees, local or immigrant. The only
way you can get the best out of them is to give them a positive environment that
they can embrace and move on. [4].
2. How to aid intercultural communication in the workplace
Miscommunication due to cultural barriers can be avoided and the process
of adjustment for an immigrant employee can be eased if the organization makes
an effort to make him feel welcome. Remember, he may already be having a
tough time dealing with learning the language, or just adapting to such drastic
changes. Anything that the organization can do to at least have his problems in
the workplace sorted is helpful.
2.1. Maintaining a positive attitude
Before conducting an interaction with employees belonging to another
culture, a little introspection is required. The employees of the dominant culture
in the workplace need to identify their own attitude towards other cultures, and
how this attitude is going to affect overall communication with those belonging
to other cultures. This thought process is normally affected by certain prejudices
and stereotypes, which have to be kept aside while interacting with immigrant
employees and their abilities should be assessed at an individual level.
Furthermore, taking for granted that all norms belonging to the dominant culture
are understood is wrong. There has to be an effort in understanding the nuances
of the immigrant employees culture. All this can be done only by maintaining a
positive attitude. [5].
2.2. Understanding diversity
It is important that employees of the dominant culture are educated about
other cultures so that they are able to accept and understand the concept of
diversity in the workplace. Just assuming that owning to citizenship of a
particular country one becomes British or American is not acceptable. Any
person carries his values, ethics and his culture wherever he goes. If he is
making an effort to understand the difference and accept cultural diversity in the
workplace, so should the organization.
2.3. Encouraging individual interaction
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 Apart from educating employees, personal interaction with the immigrant
employee to understand the nuances of his culture and explain the nuances of
yours also makes a difference. A generalized study is never adequate or as
effective as a one-to-one interaction. Furthermore, a person who is new to a
culture, may fear interaction with other employees. It is the job of the
organization to draw them out of their shell and genuinely include and accept
them as part of the organization.
2.4. Conducting induction programs
The first phase after recruitment includes an induction program for
employees. If these are held keeping immigrant employees in mind, it is going
to ease the process for both, the organization and the employee. In this induction
program, the organizational culture can be explained and the policies of the
organization can be made clear. Even the office jargon is a part of daily
functioning in the organization and should thus be explained to the immigrant
employee. For instance, local employees know that the weekend comprises a
Saturday and Sunday. However, for those belonging to the Middle East, the
weekend comprises Friday and Saturday, and in fact, Sunday is the first working
day. Such minor details should be made clear to the employee. [2].
2.5. Discourage racism and discrimination
Lastly, the best way to promote healthy intercultural communication is to
discourage racism and discrimination by strongly advocating a non-racist policy.
This will prevent any embarrassing situations that can lead to serious problems,
among colleagues. While personal attitudes cannot be altered, workplace
communication can be positive only if such rules are
implemented.Implementing the above-mentioned steps are sure to bring about
the much required healthy intercultural communication in the workplace.
Remember that all these will not only enhance the reputation of the organization
and the country in the eyes of the immigrant employee, but he will embrace it
willingly and give the job his best input. [3].There is no denying the importance
of communication in the workplace, considering the fact that, in an organization,
people belonging to different social and professional backgrounds come together
to work for the same goals. Effective communication amongst employees has
many benefits for the company.
2.6.Creates job satisfaction
Organizations which encourage an open and easy correspondence
between seniors and subordinates, face lesser employee turnover. If the work
environment is friendly where the subordinates are encouraged to communicate
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their ideas to their managers regarding work-related issues, and their feedback is
given due consideration, it motivates the employees to work better and makes
them feel valued in the organization. Thus, effective communication in the
workplace helps in building loyalty and trust which eventually attributes to
greater job satisfaction.
Lesser conflicts.Open communication in the workplace can help prevent
and resolve many conflicts. For example, if two employees have a disagreement
over some issue, and instead of resolving it and arriving at a solution, they end
up taking the whole thing personally. If it continues for a very long period, it
may lead to work-related problems wherein they might even refuse to talk or
work together in the future. Such issues can be nipped in the bud if the managers
act as a mediator and let the two warring employees put across their thoughts
and opinions to each other through open and clear communication. When a
conflict is resolved through mutual discussions, the employees develop respect
for each other, and this can lead to personal and professional growth.
2.7. Increases productivity
Effective communication at work is the most important issue for the
success and failure of an organization. Every organization has a set of clearly
defined goals, objectives and vision. The manager should be able to clearly
explain to his employees these goals and ensure that all his team members are
working towards the same objective. He also needs to communicate to his
employees their job responsibilities and duties, ways and protocol of doing work
as well as the results which are expected of them. If the manager is clear in his
communication, the subordinates will know exactly what the organization wants
and thus, will be able to deliver the same to the best of their abilities. Thus, the
importance of communication skills can be judged from the fact that it leads to
better deliverance of work, increasing workplace productivity. [2].
2.8. Better work future
We all know that communication is a two-way process, and being vocal
and communicative leads to a better work future. All employees and managers
in an organization should communicate clearly, openly and honestly. Managers
should establish a congenial working relationship with their employees, so that
the employees don’t hesitate to approach them for resolving any work-related
issues that may arise in the organization. Thus, by establishing a good rapport
with your subordinates and co-workers, you not only boost their morale but also
increase their work efficiency, leading to enhanced productivity. In addition,
employees too, should be given an opportunity to provide feedback to the

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management. This will help the management orient their policies and programs
to suit the needs of their employees. Thus, building a good working relationship
between employees and managers can go a long way in securing a better work
future for the organization. [5].
2.9.Formation of relationships
Open communication, whether between the employees and managers or
between the management and employees, leads to the formation of better
personal and professional relationships. This makes the employees feel
genuinely cared and valued for, and they are more likely to remain loyal to the
company. This creates a friendly environment and promotes a better working
relationship which is conducive to the employees.
2.10. Proper utilization of resources
If an organization faces problems, crisis and conflicts due to
miscommunication between the employees, it causes unnecessary delays in the
daily work. This leads to wastage of resources and lowers the overall work
productivity. So an environment of good communication is a must for any
organization to better utilize its resources and increase productivity.
III. Conclusion
The importance of communication in the workplace can be summed up in
two words, «work satisfaction». If the employees are satisfied working in an
organization, there is no denying the fact that the future of that organization is
absolutely secure. All organizations today should create an environment wherein
problems, plans, issues, opinions, thoughts and ideas pertaining to work, are
discussed and handled in a professional, proficient manner through positive and
effective communication. Communication, like all human behavior, is governed
unconsciously by deep cultural values, and preferences for particular value sets
produce distinctive communication patterns. In today’s multicultural work
environment, it is increasingly important to understand the implicit values that
affect our own and our workers’ communication styles and to be able to address
differences openly and check for clarity and comprehension in order to enhance
our collaboration, our success, and our relationships. To work in the global
environment, we have to develop communication as a conscious skill. [1].

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REFERENCES
1.Http://www.buzzle.com/articles/effective-communication-in-the-
workplace.html
2. Http://www.notredameonline.com/resources/intercultural-
management/intercultural-communication-in-the-global-workplace/
#.V78tySlkiUk
3. Http://www.iorworld.com/intercultural-communication-the-challenge-
of-the-multicultural-work-place-pages-240.php
4. Persikova. T.N Intercultural Communication and Corporate Culture:
Textbook.manual for schools / TN Persikov. - Moscow: Logos, 2004. - 224 p
5. Gushina, T. Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication: method.
instructions /T. Gushina. - Kostroma: Publishing House of the fire. state. tehnol.
University Press, 2015. - 13