Cultural differences in business communication certainly are factors, which should be taken into consideration when getting into contact in a cross-cultural business interaction. Geert Hofstede regards them as a crucial aspect causing considerable problems. On the front page of his website he claims that "culture is more often a source of conflict than of synergy. Cultural differences are a nuisance at best and often a disaster". Corresponding to this viewpoint, a lot of literature is dedicated to the awareness of culture in business. Most of these works refer to models of national culture, which are used as a basis for discussion in this essay as well. As the emphasis should lay on the way in which cultural differences in non-verbal communication might influence business interactions, the knowledge about these concepts is presumed and therefore the individual dimensions are not explained in detail. For the two neighbouring countries, France and Germany, which are used to elucidate the topics, one might expect a more or less common way of communicating and doing business. Yet there are some hidden but rather important cultural differences, mostly rooted in underlying concepts, which shall be taken under the umbrella term of non-verbal communication as well.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Time
- Two Time Systems
- Pace
- Space
- Face to Face Communication & Silence
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to explore how aspects of non-verbal communication, such as attitudes towards time, space, and silence, can affect international business interactions. It uses the example of communication between France and Germany to illustrate these differences. Key themes discussed in the essay include:- Cultural differences in non-verbal communication
- The impact of time perception on business interactions
- Spatial orientation and its influence on workplace dynamics
- The role of silence and communication style in face-to-face interactions
- The potential for misinterpretations and communication breakdowns due to cultural differences
Chapter Summaries
Introduction
This section introduces the concept of cultural differences in business communication, emphasizing their potential to cause conflict. It highlights the importance of understanding cultural nuances and introduces the two countries, France and Germany, that will be used as examples throughout the essay.Time
This chapter examines the contrasting time systems, monochronic and polychronic, as proposed by Hall. It discusses the German preference for a structured and compartmentalized approach to time, contrasting it with the French cyclical and more flexible approach. The chapter also explores the concept of pace, highlighting how the German focus on thorough planning leads to a slower working process compared to the French, who are more spontaneous and react to issues as they arise.Space
This chapter examines the contrasting spatial orientations of France and Germany. It explains how the French, with their public orientation to space, often work in close proximity and have more open communication styles. Conversely, Germans prioritize private space, preferring separate offices and fixed seating arrangements. The chapter highlights how these contrasting attitudes towards space can affect workplace dynamics and potentially lead to misinterpretations.Face to Face Communication & Silence
This chapter analyzes non-verbal communication styles, particularly in face-to-face interactions. It highlights the differences in directness, closeness, touching, visual contact, and loudness of voice between the French and German cultures. The chapter also explores how the use of silence in turn-taking processes can vary significantly between the two cultures, potentially leading to communication breakdowns.Keywords
This essay focuses on the impact of non-verbal communication on international business interactions, particularly in the context of French-German relations. Key themes include: cultural differences, time perception, spatial orientation, communication styles, silence, and misinterpretations. The essay draws upon frameworks such as Hall's monochronic and polychronic time systems, Hofstede's dimensions of national culture, and Walker/Walker and Schmitz's spatial orientation framework to explore these themes.- Quote paper
- Dorothee Müller (Author), 2009, The impact of cultural difference in international business communication, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/134047
