Purposes of Report

The purposes of this report are to (1) define ethnocentrism, (2) identify factors affecting cross-cultural business communication, and (3) recommend improvements for small business in an international arena.

Ethnocentrism

Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s own cultural group is innately superior to others. To rise above the issues of ethnocentrism one needs to understand how the meaning of a message changes depending on the culture of those communicating.

Factors Affecting Cross-Cultural Business Communication

•Language: Understanding linguistic differences is a huge part of international business communication. Language failures usually fall into three categories: Gross translation problems, subtle distinctions from language to language, and culturally-based variations among speakers of the same language.

•Environment and Technology: Every culture has different surroundings; resources that may be abundant in one place can be limited in another. Several factors must be considered including climate and topography, population size and density, and relative availability of natural resources.

•Social Organization and History: Cultural perspectives can differ on many aspects. Therefore, it is necessary to work within the restraints of a culture to succeed because one will have trouble doing so if they try to impose their own values.

•Conceptions of Authority: Shapes the view of how the message will be received based on the relative status or rank of the person delivering the message. Influences the forms that managerial and other business communications take.

•Nonverbal Communication: Learn the prevailing attitudes in different areas before conducting business with businesses or people of other cultures since nonverbal communication varies among cultures. Be aware of body language, clothing choices, eye contact, touching behavior, and conceptions of personal space.

Recommendations for Small Business and International Communication

The author suggests the following to improve business communication in the international arena. (1) Be respectful toward all people, (2) think before speaking, and (3) research current business practices including etiquette, cultural and customer sensitivities, current events, and relevant history.

there you go — i fixed the mistakes.