Multiculturalism: What It Means Multiculturalism: What It Means in Education, Business, and in Education, Business, and SocietySociety

Prepared byPrepared by

Prof. Oscar ZamoraProf. Oscar Zamora

Oscar ZamoraOscar Zamora

Oscar ZamoraOscar Zamora

Prof. in GWU Godbold School of Prof. in GWU Godbold School of BusinessBusiness

Retired as Global Director of Retired as Global Director of Manufacturing - Azdel, Inc., Shelby, Manufacturing - Azdel, Inc., Shelby, NC, USANC, USA

Born - Matamoros, Tamaulipas, MexicoBorn - Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico B.S., Chemical Engineering, University B.S., Chemical Engineering, University

of Texas at Austinof Texas at Austin MBA, University of Texas at AustinMBA, University of Texas at Austin

Places WorkedPlaces Worked

1. Corpus Christi, Texas1. Corpus Christi, Texas 2. Guayanilla, Puerto Rico2. Guayanilla, Puerto Rico 3. Lake Charles, Louisiana3. Lake Charles, Louisiana 4. Natrium, West Virginia4. Natrium, West Virginia 5. Kaoshiung, Taiwan, R.O.C.5. Kaoshiung, Taiwan, R.O.C. 6. Beauharnois, Quebec, Canada6. Beauharnois, Quebec, Canada 7. Bergen op Zoom, Holland7. Bergen op Zoom, Holland 8. Lynchburg, Virginia8. Lynchburg, Virginia 9. Shelby, North Carolina9. Shelby, North Carolina

Multiculturalism & Multiculturalism & GlobalizationGlobalization

Why is multiculturalism important?Why is multiculturalism important? Homogeneous societyHomogeneous society DiversityDiversity

Globalization!Globalization!

Countries of the WorldCountries of the World

Countries & LanguagesCountries & Languages

196 countries196 countries 6500 spoken languages6500 spoken languages

1.5 billion speak Mandarin Chinese1.5 billion speak Mandarin Chinese 406 million speak Spanish406 million speak Spanish 335 million speak English335 million speak English

BusinessBusiness

““Global” employeeGlobal” employee Work for a global company.Work for a global company. Work in international location.Work in international location. Deal with international customers & Deal with international customers &

suppliers.suppliers. Work in international offices of your Work in international offices of your

company.company. Interact with different cultures & Interact with different cultures &

languageslanguages

SchoolsSchools

Have students from different Have students from different culturescultures

Some speak a language other than Some speak a language other than English as a first languageEnglish as a first language

Parents often do not speak EnglishParents often do not speak English U.S. Graduates will be competing U.S. Graduates will be competing

against graduates from all over the against graduates from all over the worldworld

School Mission StatementsSchool Mission Statements

…………to become productive citizens in to become productive citizens in a a globally competitive world….globally competitive world….

…….Gardner-Webb prepares its .Gardner-Webb prepares its graduates to make significant graduates to make significant contributions forcontributions for God and God and humanity in an humanity in an ever-changing ever-changing global community.global community.

SocietySociety

People from different ethnicities, People from different ethnicities, cultures & languages live in cultures & languages live in communitiescommunities

Some may not speak English well or Some may not speak English well or at allat all

What is Culture?What is Culture?--Global Business TodayGlobal Business Today, , C. HillC. Hill

Culture is a system of values and norms that are shared among a group of people, and when taken together constitute a design for living.

People arePeople are mostlymostly unaware of unaware of cultureculture

Culture is like an iceberg. Much is hidden from sight, even for its members.Culture is like an iceberg. Much is hidden from sight, even for its members.

The Determinants of CultureThe Determinants of Culture

Ethics

Customs

ReligionReligion

Christianity2.0B Islam

1.6B

Hinduism.8B

Buddhism.5BConfucianism

ReligionReligion

One of the most important elements of One of the most important elements of Culture is religion.Culture is religion.

Wars have been fought for thousands of Wars have been fought for thousands of years over religion.years over religion.

First communionsFirst communions Bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahsBar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs BaptismsBaptisms Travelers/businessmen need to be Travelers/businessmen need to be

aware of religious holidays in other aware of religious holidays in other cultures.cultures.

Education - Education - Key to learning Key to learning about other cultures and other about other cultures and other

languages…languages…

Education, either formal Education, either formal or informal, plays a or informal, plays a major role in the passing major role in the passing on and sharing of on and sharing of culture.culture.

Communities, schools, Communities, schools, universities, local and universities, local and international businesses international businesses need education to need education to understand understand multiculturalism.multiculturalism.

Gardner-Webb University - Gardner-Webb University - DiversityDiversity

Has a diverse student body and Has a diverse student body and faculty.faculty.

Its 2,600 undergraduates come from Its 2,600 undergraduates come from 33 states 33 states and 34 foreign countriesand 34 foreign countries..

Gardner-Webb UniversityGardner-Webb University

Face-to-face interaction with people Face-to-face interaction with people from different culturesfrom different cultures

International studentsInternational students Mission tripsMission trips International programsInternational programs Study AbroadStudy Abroad GEM tripsGEM trips International Business classesInternational Business classes Majors in International BusinessMajors in International Business

Business Cultural Awareness Business Cultural Awareness ProgramsPrograms

Learning the do’s and don’ts Learning the do’s and don’ts between cultures is never easy and between cultures is never easy and not all of the rules are written down.not all of the rules are written down.

Many companies have their own Many companies have their own cultural awareness programs.cultural awareness programs.

All companies that do business with All companies that do business with international suppliers or customers international suppliers or customers should prepare awareness should prepare awareness programs.programs.

PreparationPreparation

When communicating with other When communicating with other cultures,cultures,

Learn at a minimum - greeting & thanks.Learn at a minimum - greeting & thanks. Speak clearly. Speak clearly. Avoid colloquialisms.Avoid colloquialisms. Business cards in other language.Business cards in other language.

Things to do/not to do.Things to do/not to do.

What to look for in a Global What to look for in a Global employeeemployee

EducationEducationGradesGradesDegreeDegreeCoursesCoursesExtracurricular ActivitiesExtracurricular Activities clubsclubs sportssports civic organizationscivic organizations

Character TraitsCharacter Traits

AdaptableAdaptable Confident (not arrogant)Confident (not arrogant) Willing to learn/curiousWilling to learn/curious Pay attention to detailPay attention to detail PresencePresence DecisiveDecisive Good attendance/responsibleGood attendance/responsible

Character Traits, cont.Character Traits, cont.

Work within other cultures Work within other cultures (geocentric)(geocentric)

LeadershipLeadership Ethical ValuesEthical Values Low maintenanceLow maintenance

Specific SkillsSpecific Skills

Good problem-solving skillsGood problem-solving skills Work well with teamsWork well with teams Technical competence in your fieldTechnical competence in your field Foreign languageForeign language Good communication skills – both Good communication skills – both

written and oralwritten and oral

Language Language (Beamer & Varner) (Beamer & Varner)

Language -Language - system of communication system of communication using arbitrary signals, voice sounds, using arbitrary signals, voice sounds, gestures, or written symbols. gestures, or written symbols.

Language is essential in communicating Language is essential in communicating with people from different backgrounds.with people from different backgrounds.

However, However, cultural literacy cultural literacy is necessary is necessary to understand the language being used.to understand the language being used.

LanguageLanguage

If we select language without being If we select language without being aware of the cultural implications:aware of the cultural implications:

at best, do not communicate wellat best, do not communicate well

at worst, send the wrong at worst, send the wrong message.message.

Language/CultureLanguage/Culture

Sometimes different cultures use Sometimes different cultures use identical words that have different identical words that have different meanings.meanings.

The results can be humorous, The results can be humorous, annoying, insulting, or costly, annoying, insulting, or costly, depending on the circumstances.depending on the circumstances.

Same Words, Different Same Words, Different MeaningsMeanings

The word “administration”:The word “administration”: U.S. – department chair, dean or U.S. – department chair, dean or

provost.provost. French – upper level clerical staff.French – upper level clerical staff.

The “Resume”: The “Resume”: Germany - written in essay form; has Germany - written in essay form; has

information about your family, information about your family, Japan – used to be handwritten; never Japan – used to be handwritten; never

use standard U.S. format.use standard U.S. format.

““Force Majeure” - superior Force Majeure” - superior forceforce

U.S. law U.S. law – forces of nature/possibly war.– forces of nature/possibly war.

English lawEnglish law– broader meaning, includes – broader meaning, includes changes in economic conditions or other changes in economic conditions or other circumstances not anticipated when the circumstances not anticipated when the contract was drawn up.contract was drawn up.

Need to clarify what is meant and what Need to clarify what is meant and what the term covers.the term covers.

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Same words, different Same words, different meaningsmeanings

In the U.S. a In the U.S. a notarynotary is a licensed is a licensed person who can verify signatures and person who can verify signatures and documents. documents.

In Europe, a notary is a lawyer who In Europe, a notary is a lawyer who preparesprepares documents. documents.

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Same Same languagelanguage, different , different meaningsmeanings

British EnglishBritish English

to tableto table means to put it means to put it on the table for on the table for discussiondiscussion

American EnglishAmerican English

to tableto table means to put it means to put it away and close away and close discussiondiscussion

Same Same languagelanguage, different , different meaningsmeanings

Mexican SpanishMexican Spanish

Ahorita – right nowAhorita – right now

Ahora – today or Ahora – today or

anytimeanytime

Puerto Rican SpanishPuerto Rican Spanish

Ahorita - anytimeAhorita - anytime

Ahora – right nowAhora – right now

Linguistic Literacy or Myth?Linguistic Literacy or Myth?

Everyone speaks English.Everyone speaks English.

You never know where you will wind You never know where you will wind up, so you may be learning the up, so you may be learning the wrong language.wrong language.

A good manager is a good manager A good manager is a good manager everywhere.everywhere.

Linguistic Literacy?Linguistic Literacy?

I have been successful without I have been successful without learning a foreign language.learning a foreign language.

You can always hire a translator.You can always hire a translator.

You probably will not be good You probably will not be good enough to negotiate in a foreign enough to negotiate in a foreign language anyway.language anyway.

Linguistic vs Cultural FluencyLinguistic vs Cultural Fluency

A person who speaks some Spanish A person who speaks some Spanish but is knowledgeable about the but is knowledgeable about the culture of Mexico will be more culture of Mexico will be more successful in doing business in successful in doing business in Mexico than will a person who Mexico than will a person who speaks Spanish fluently but knows speaks Spanish fluently but knows little about Mexican culture.little about Mexican culture.

Translator/InterpreterTranslator/Interpreter

Translator:Translator: someone someone who “carries” who “carries” meaning of a word meaning of a word across from one across from one language to a word language to a word in another in another language.language.

Translation usually Translation usually refers to refers to writtenwritten communication.communication.

Interpreter: Interpreter: someone who someone who expresses meanings expresses meanings from one language in from one language in another language, another language, using context.using context.

Interpretation Interpretation usually refers to usually refers to spokenspoken communication.communication.

The Role of the InterpreterThe Role of the Interpreter

SENDER INTERPRETER

TRANSLATOR

RECEIVER

Encode message Decode/Encode message

feedback feedback

Decode message

The interpreter transmits messages, but does not enter into the discussion.

The ability to speak the language well does not eliminate the need for interpreter or translator.

Language StrategiesLanguage Strategies

Require references for translators.Require references for translators. Ensure the translator is familiar with Ensure the translator is familiar with

technical vocabulary for the business.technical vocabulary for the business. Do a back translation.Do a back translation. Use simple words/speak slowly.Use simple words/speak slowly. Avoid slang.Avoid slang. Repeat words and ask questions.Repeat words and ask questions. Expect extra time for communication.Expect extra time for communication.

Language StrategiesLanguage Strategies

Avoid abbreviations. Avoid abbreviations. Be careful with jokes.Be careful with jokes.Follow the conventions of business Follow the conventions of business

letters in target culture.letters in target culture.Be careful with numbers and dates.Be careful with numbers and dates.

Be Careful with NumbersBe Careful with Numbers

U.S. - $5,350.48 U.S. - $5,350.48

Europe - $5.350,48Europe - $5.350,48

The comma and the decimal point The comma and the decimal point are reversed.are reversed.

Often the punctuation to set off Often the punctuation to set off thousands is not used at all.thousands is not used at all.

Be Careful with DatesBe Careful with Dates

American usage: May 6, 2013 American usage: May 6, 2013

or 05/06/2013or 05/06/2013

German usage: 6 Mai 2013 German usage: 6 Mai 2013

or 6.5.2013or 6.5.2013

Increasing international usage:Increasing international usage:

2013 May, 6 or 2013, 05 06 2013 May, 6 or 2013, 05 06

World Perception about World Perception about LanguageLanguage

What is a person called who speaks What is a person called who speaks 2 languages? Bilingual2 languages? Bilingual

What is a person called who speaks What is a person called who speaks 3 languages? Trilingual3 languages? Trilingual

What is a person called who speaks What is a person called who speaks only 1 language?only 1 language?

Intercultural CommunicationIntercultural Communication

Learning the do’s and don’ts Learning the do’s and don’ts between cultures is never easy and between cultures is never easy and not all of the rules are written down.not all of the rules are written down.

Communication with a multicultural Communication with a multicultural workforce has made businesses in workforce has made businesses in all countries confront issues with all countries confront issues with diverse workforces and business diverse workforces and business dealings.dealings.

(Beamer & Varner) (Beamer & Varner)

Ten Commandments of Ten Commandments of Intercultural CommunicationIntercultural Communication (Hahn)(Hahn)

Be aware of differing social Be aware of differing social values.values.

Be aware of differing status Be aware of differing status symbols.symbols.

Be aware of decision making Be aware of decision making customs. customs.

Be aware of concepts of time and Be aware of concepts of time and moneymoney

Be aware of personal spaceBe aware of personal space

Ten Commandments of Ten Commandments of Intercultural Communication – Intercultural Communication – cont.cont.

Be aware of cultural content.Be aware of cultural content.Be aware of body language.Be aware of body language.Be aware of different etiquette Be aware of different etiquette

rules or manners.rules or manners.Be aware of legal and ethical Be aware of legal and ethical

behaviors.behaviors.

Verbal/non-verbalVerbal/non-verbal

Technical words do not exist in all Technical words do not exist in all languages:languages:Usually use English.Usually use English.

Many cultures avoid saying anything Many cultures avoid saying anything disagreeable – have trouble saying disagreeable – have trouble saying “NO.”“NO.”

Gestures vary from one region to another.Gestures vary from one region to another. Gift giving has specific etiquette in Gift giving has specific etiquette in

each culture.each culture.

Eye Contact/Facial Eye Contact/Facial ExpressionsExpressions

Eye contact: subtle; nonverbal Eye contact: subtle; nonverbal Meanings, can be quite differentMeanings, can be quite different

Some feelings are not appropriate Some feelings are not appropriate

to show in some cultures to show in some cultures (anxiety, anger, disappointment). (anxiety, anger, disappointment).

Arm and Hand MovementsArm and Hand Movements

TouchingTouching

A widespread example of touching is A widespread example of touching is the handshake.the handshake.

Other touching involves arm and Other touching involves arm and shoulder contact, embraces, kisses, shoulder contact, embraces, kisses, and ritual behavior.and ritual behavior.

AppearanceAppearance

Business dress:Business dress:Many American, Asian, and European Many American, Asian, and European

businessmen wear dark suits and white businessmen wear dark suits and white shirts.shirts.

Businesswomen wear conservative Businesswomen wear conservative clothing appropriate to their cultures.clothing appropriate to their cultures.

ETHICSETHICS

Within a given society, Within a given society, are the are the

accepted principles of accepted principles of rightright or or

wrongwrong that govern the conduct of a that govern the conduct of a

person, the members of a person, the members of a

profession, or the actions of an profession, or the actions of an

organization.organization.

Global Business TodayGlobal Business Today, , C. HillC. Hill

Ethical Issues in International Ethical Issues in International BusinessBusiness

ETHICAL ISSUES & DILEMMAS ARE ETHICAL ISSUES & DILEMMAS ARE ROOTED IN THE FACT THAT: ROOTED IN THE FACT THAT:

POLITICAL POLITICAL SYSTEMS, LAWS, SYSTEMS, LAWS,

ECONOMIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT, AND CULTUREAND CULTURE

POLITICAL POLITICAL SYSTEMS, LAWS, SYSTEMS, LAWS,

ECONOMIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT, AND CULTUREAND CULTURE

MAY VARY MAY VARY SIGNIFICANTLY SIGNIFICANTLY FROM COUNTRY FROM COUNTRY

TO COUNTRYTO COUNTRY

Country ACountry A Country BCountry B

Ethical Issues in International Ethical Issues in International BusinessBusinessthus, thus,

what is considered what is considered normalnormal practice in one nation may practice in one nation may be considered be considered unethical unethical in in others.others.

International Differences in International Differences in EthicsEthics

Not everything unethical is illegal.

Laws are often based on moral concepts that are not precisely defined, and require personal interpretation.

The degree to which they break a The degree to which they break a law.law.

The end justifies the means.The end justifies the means.

Conclusions/Conclusions/RecommendationsRecommendations

Schools/Business should prepare Schools/Business should prepare students and employees to succeed students and employees to succeed globally with Cultural & Globalization globally with Cultural & Globalization Awareness programs Awareness programs

International exchange programsInternational exchange programs Study Abroad programsStudy Abroad programs International Business classesInternational Business classes Learn from international studentsLearn from international students International Current EventsInternational Current Events

Conclusions/Conclusions/RecommendationsRecommendations

Accept that all cultures are not the same.Accept that all cultures are not the same. Learn another languageLearn another language Learn at a minimum - Greeting & Thanks.Learn at a minimum - Greeting & Thanks. Things to do/not to do.Things to do/not to do. International trips.International trips. Books (even tourist books); internet.Books (even tourist books); internet. Training seminarsTraining seminars

Conclusions/Conclusions/RecommendationsRecommendations

What is your Cultural Intelligence What is your Cultural Intelligence (CQ)?(CQ)?

Intercultural communication is Intercultural communication is important.important.

Ethical rules vary.Ethical rules vary. Wherever you go, maintain your Wherever you go, maintain your

ethical values.ethical values. The Golden Rule.The Golden Rule.

The Golden RuleThe Golden Rule

Thank youThank youMerci Merci GraciasGracias