previous
Global Competence: Components
Cross-Cultural Communication
Cross-cultural communication refers to the ability to interact with
other cultures in appropriate manners. It entails the understanding of
what the verbal and non-verbal communications mean within the context of
the cultures. Four considerations within this component are:
- Language Use: Knowledge and ability to communicate (speak, read, write, and listen) using a second language and/or an international language. In Engineering, English is considered to be the international language. This skill refers to speaking another language help communication and interaction with colleagues.
- Cultural Communication Rules: Knowledge and ability to appropriately apply cultural communication rules when communicating with people from different countries. (i.e. For example, this would include Hofstede's cultural frameworks of power distance, individualism vs collectivism, masculinity vs femininity, uncertainty avoidance and long-term vs short term orientation). Since Hofstede other cultural frameworks have been developed. Each is an attempt to help explain cultural interactions.
- Interpersonal Representation: The ability to positively represent one's own culture, people, company, product etc. in a foreign culture. Care needs to be taken so stereotypes of cultures do not form or become common (i.e. All Canadians are polite and know each other.)
- Communication Technologies: The ability to use collaboration technologies in cross-cultural interactions. This is not just the knowledge of available technologies, but the knowledge of which technology is best suited to the given interaction.
