What you don’t know…

Richard BakerAssociate Professor

Department of CommunicationsKansas State University

Increasing Importance of Intercultural Communication

• Technological advancements• General global interconnectivity

• Globalization of markets

• Intercultural workforce

Understanding Culture

Cultural has characteristics!Culture has dimensions!

Cultural Characteristics1. Culture is learned.2. Cultures are inherently logical.3. Culture forms our self-identity and community.4. Culture combines the visible and the invisible.5. Culture is dynamic.

Cultural Dimensions• High context versus low context • Monochronic vs Polychronic• Future vs Present vs Past Orientation• Power Distance• Individualism vs. Collectivism• Gender roles• Protocol• Persuasive Argument• Basis of Trust• Uncertainty Avoidance/Risk Taking Propensity• Short-Long Term Orientation

Key North American Beliefs…Dimensions:

–Individualism–Informality–Direct communication style–Importance of time

Foreigners’ views of us• Undisciplined• Insensitive to status• Aggressive, rude• Self-Absorbed• Untrustworthy, weak

Informal, friendlyEgalitarianDirectIndividualisticOpen

High versus Low ContextHigh-context cultures rely on nonverbal cues and the

total picture to communicate. Meanings are embeddedat many social levels.

Low-context cultures emphasize words, straightforwardness, openness. People tend to beinformal, impatient, literal.

High-Context CulturesJapaneseArabLatin AmericanSpanishItalianFrench

RelationalCollectivistIntuitiveContemplative

Low Context CulturesAnglosGermanicsScandinaviansNorth American

IndividualisticLogicalAction-oriented

Past Orientation

ChinaBritainJapanMost Spanish-speaking Latin

American countries

Future Orientation

United StatesBrazil

Quantity of Time

Time is a limited resource and must not be wasted!

versus

Time is plentiful, if not infinite!

Power Distance

How do people deal with theinequalities among themselves?

What kind of a distance is therebetween superiors and subordinates?

Power Distance

High power distance cultures tend toBe agrarian.

Low power distance countries includethe United States, northern Europeans,Israel.

Individualism vs. CollectivismCollectivist

Asian culturesIndividualist

Anglo cultures

What does all this mean to you?

The 25 percent of the India populationwith the highest I-Q totals more than theentire population of North America.

What does all this mean to you?

It means they have more Honors kidsthan we have kids!

What does all this mean to you?

In 2005, minorities accounted for 42percent of this nation’s elementary,middle, and high school students.

Diversity Demographics Quiz

From 2006 estimates of population, what is the numberone English-speaking country in the world?

a. India c. Chinab. United States d. Russia

India

Diversity Demographics Quiz

What country in the world has the highest percentageof people who would like to emigrate to the UnitedStates?

a. India c. Mexicob. France d. Russia

India

Diversity Demographics Quiz

The most dramatic workforce change since the 1960sis the growing number of_________ in the workforce.

a. Hispanics c. African-Americansb. seniors (65 or over) d. women

Women

Diversity Demographics Quiz

By 2050, close to _________ of the U.S. population will

be made up of Asians, Hispanics, African-Americans,

and other nonwhite groups.

a. one quarter c. one half

b. one third d. two thirds

One-half

Diversity Demographics QuizAmong individuals with a work-limiting disability, 44

percent hold college degrees and 75 percent are

computer literate. How many of these disabled

people are NOT part of the workforce?

a. one quarter c. one half

b. one third d. two thirds

Two-thirds

Diversity Demographics QuizDiversity Demographics QuizThe Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that

between 2000 and 2025 the number of over-55

workers will___________.

a. decrease by 13 percent

b. decrease by 23 percent

c. increase by 53 percent

d. increase by 83 percent

Increase 83%

Diversity Demographics QuizWhat percentage of the U.S. populationover 5 years of age speaks a languageother than English at home?

a. 8% c. 18%b. 28% d. 38%

28%

Diversity Demographics Quiz

Based on the latest census figures, what are the two

MOST racially and ethnically diverse states in the

continental United States?

a. Florida, New York c. California, Texas

b. Florida, California d. New Mexico, California

Florida & California

Diversity Demographics QuizBased on the latest census figures, what are the two

LEAST racially and ethnically diverse states in the

continental United States?

a. Rhode Island, Delaware

b. Maine, Vermont

c. North Dakota, South Dakota

d. Maine, New Hampshire

Maine & Vermont

Diversity Demographics Quiz

The most profound challenge for managers,

administrators, and employees of all organizations

striving for diversity will center on _____________?

a. recruiting c. management style

b. promotion d. communication

Communication

Three Basic problems!

1. interpretation

2. prediction

3. conflict

Dealing with DiversityCreate zero tolerance for bias and

stereotypes.Understand the value of differences.Learn about your cultural self.Broaden your view of other cultures.Make fewer assumptions.

Project Implicit?