Managing intercultural conflicts effectively

Cultural definition of culture
System of knowledge, meanings and symbolic actions that is shared by the majority of people in a society.

Individualism: refers to broad values tendencies of culture to emphasize the importance of individual identity “I” over group identity “we”. We can find democracy in individualist societies because of individual rights.

Collectivism: refers to broad values tendencies of a culture to emphasize the importance of the collective identity “we” over individual identity “I” and group obligation over individual rights.

Low context: refers to communication pattern of linear logic interaction direct approach, direct verbal interaction style. Loose, wide networks, shorter term, compartmentalized relationships, task more important than relationship.
• Rule oriented, people play by external rules
• More knowledge is codified, public, external, and accessible.
• Sequencing, separation--of time, of space, of activities, of relationships
• More interpersonal connections of shorter duration
• Knowledge is more often transferable
• Task-centered. Decisions and activities focus around what needs to be done, division of responsibilities.

High context: refers to societies or group where people have close connection over a long period of time. Dense, intersecting networks and long-term relationships, strong boundaries, relationship more important than task
• Less verbally explicit communication, less written/formal information
• More internalized understandings of what is communicated
• Multiple cross-cutting ties and intersections with others
• Long term relationships
• Strong boundaries- who is accepted as belonging vs who is considered an "outsider"
• Knowledge is situational, relational.
• Decisions and activities focus around personal face-to-face relationships, often around a central person who has authority.

Mono-chronic time

- Do one thing at a time - Concentrate on the job
- Take time commitments (deadlines, schedules) seriously
- Are low-context and need information
- Are committed to the job
- Adhere religiously to plans
- Emphasize promptness
- Are accustomed to short-term relationships
Poly-chronic time


Poly-Chronic time

- Do many things at once
- Are highly distractible and subject to interruptions
- Consider time commitments an objective to be achieved, if possible
- Are high-context and already have information
- Are committed to people and human relationships
- Change plans often and easily
- Base promptness on the relationship
- Have strong tendency to build lifetime relationships