Communicating Globally: Intercultural Communication and International Business

Communicating Globally: Intercultural Communication and International Business provides students with a cultural general awareness of diverse world views, valuable insights on understanding and overcoming cultural differences, and a clear path to international business success. This text integrates the theory and skills of intercultural communication with the practices of multinational organizations and international business. Intended as supplemental reading in courses on communication, culture, and globalism, this book provides an innovative perspective on cosmopolitan communication, global leadership, cultural synergy, and the dynamic processes affecting international business. The book discusses the implications of these approaches and the new competencies needed for conducting international business and entering the world marketplace. It examines intercultural transitions and cross-cultural relationships as well as how virtual groups or teams and constant change influence multinational organizations. The book further provides insights into doing business abroad by examining significant geographic regions and emphasizing cultural themes and patterns, business conduct and characteristics, and emerging trends. Also included is a regional resource guide that establishes a sensible foundation for readers to continue their own cross-cultural or international business research, personally transforming their understanding into individually instructive significance.

Table of Contents:
Preface UNIT ONE: KEY CONCEPTS 1. The Concept of International Business and a Global Marketplace Why Study Global Communication and International Business International Business, Globalism, and the Nature of Global Communication Political Issues and Globalization Economic Issues and Globalization Technological Issues and Globalization Training Challenges of a Complex Intercultural World for International Business Summary 2. The Concept of Intercultural Communication and the Cosmpolitan Leader Defining Culture and Cultural Patterns The Interface of International Business, Culture, and Communication Cosmopolitan Leadership and an Emerging World Culture Summary 3. The Concept of Cultural Synergy and the Global Organization The Emerging Global Landscape The Reconfigurable Organization and Globalism Corporate Cultural Models and Critical Cultural Factors Globalism and Cultural Synergy The Virtual Organization, Cultural Synergy, and the Global Marketplace Summary UNIT TWO: DEVELOPING NEW SKILLS AND INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCIES 4. Cultural Contact and Interfacing With Others Relational Dialectics and Cultural Contact Adaptation and Building Intercultural Relationships Intercultural Effectiveness and Cross-Cultural Competencies An Expatriate′s Journal: A Three-Year Sojourn In Singapore Summary 5. The Nature of Language and Nonverbal Communication Characteristics of Language Nonverbal Communication Summary 6. Intercultural Communication and Conflict Management Defining Intercultural Conflict Phases of Intercultural Conflict Characteristics of Intercultural Conflict Steps in Constructive Intercultural Conflict Management Conflict Negotiation, Mediation, and Arbitration Summary UNIT THREE: INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION AND THE NEW WORLD OF BUSINESS 7. Cosmpolitan Leadership, Teams, and the Global Workforce Cosmopolitan Leadership and Leadership Competencies Cosmopolitan Leadership and Global Teams Decision-Making, Problem-Solving, and the Global Teams The Global Workforce and Technology Summary 8. Disturbing the Equilibrium and Creating Planned Change Chaos, Change, and Innovation Strategies for Innovation and Change: Theoretical Frameworks Communicating About Changes Cross-Cultural Considerations for Implementing Change Taking the Long View: Seeing the Future Summary UNIT FOUR: ENTERING THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE AND WORLD BAZAAR 9. Doing Business in North America Geography and Demographics Case Study: The Growing Latin American Population Cultural Themes and Patterns Social, Economic, and Political Factors Case Study: The Cost of Terrorism Business Conduct and Characteristics Emerging Trends Summary Resource Guide 10. Doing Business in Latin America and the Caribbean Geography and Demographics Cultural Themes and Patterns Social, Economic, and Political Factors Trade and Economic Integration Case Study: The Mexican Peso Crisis Business Conduct and Characteristics Emerging Trends Summary Resource Guide 11. Doing Business in East Asia and the Pacific Rim Geography and Demographics Cultural Themes and Patterns Case Study: How Cultural Factors Contributed to the 1997 Asian Economic Crisis Social, Economic, and Political Factors Business Conduct and Characteristics Case Study: The Sino-Japanese Struggle?--Who Will Trump Asia? Summary Resource Guide 12. Doing Business in Europe Geography and Demographics Social, Economic, and Political Factors Trade and Economic Integration The European Union and the Euro Case Study: The Russian Federation Business Conduct and Characteristics Emerging Trends Summary Resource Guide 13. Doing Business in Africa and the Middle East Geography and Demographics Cultural Themes and Patterns Culture, Language, and Religion Social, Economic, and Political Factors Business Conduct and Characteristics Emerging Trends Summary Resource Guide Epilogue: Breaking Free and the Road Ahead References

About the Author :
Wallace V. Schmidt (Ph.D., New York University; M.A., University of Nebraska; B.A., Midland Lutheran College) routinely teachesa courses in organizational communication, intercultural communication, and communication theory, retinue of elective courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels (e.g., interviewing; persuasion; training & development. He is the 1992 recipient of the Walter E. Barden Distinguished Teaching Award, past president of the Florida Communication Association, and co-author of two successful textbooks: Results-Oriented Interviewing: Principles, Practices, and Procedures (Allyn & Bacon/Pearson Education) and Business and Professional Communication: Managing Information in an Information Age (South-Western/Thomson Learning). Roger N. Conaway (Ph.D., Bowling Green State University; M.A., Stephen F. Austin State University) teaches organizational communication, advanced interpersonal communication, listening, and freedom of speech. His research interests include business communication, intercultural and organizational communication, and interviewing. He is the co-author of Results-Oriented Interviewing: Principles, Practices, Procedures (Allyn & Bacon/Pearson Education) and is Past President of the Association of Business Communication—Southwest Region.. Susan Easton (Ph.D., Florida State University; M.S., Syracuse University; B.A., State University of New York at Oswego) is an internationally known expert on group dynamics and work teams. Her research interests include virtual communication, geographically dispersed work teams, and systems thinking. Widely published in the area of online/distance learning, Dr. Easton has also consulted for such companies as Nike, General Electric, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Walt Disney Co., Lockheed Martin, University of Central Florida, and Hyatt Hotels. She regularly teaches courses in small groups and work teams, strategic change and communication, and organizational communication.

Review :
"College-level libraries strong in business and global communications won′t want to miss Communicating Globally: Intercultural Communication and International Business. From understanding the processes of communication and miscommunication, to insights into how to do business abroad given differing cultural perspectives, communicating Globally offers many important key concepts essential for global business success." "The insight supplied is based on research and application that can permit you to make necessary choices and decisions. This is definitely an excellent book for advanced courses in the field of international business communication."