Reference no: EM133398000 , Length: Words Count:900

Assignment:

Write a 750 to 900 word email on Microsoft Word to your supervisor by including the following:

• Discuss your observations of the intercultural communication issues impacting Janet and Ai's relationship.
• Recommend communication strategies that will foster productivity and employee satisfaction. Discuss the following:
• Adjusting communication for low-context vs. high-context communicators
• Adjusting communication for low-power distance vs. high-power distance cultures
• Top value considerations for both Janet and Ai, according to the Schwartz scale and how these values may conflict or agree with each other
• The influence of collectivism and individualism on Janet and Ai's behavior
• The responsibility, if any, of Ai improving relations with Janet, given that she is a native of Shanghai
• Share how your recommendations will improve the relationship between Janet and Ai.
• Discuss how both Janet and Ai may feel more at ease with one another without them feeling the need to change their identity.
• Reference specific intercultural elements and concepts within your email to support your analysis and recommendations as they relate to Janet and Ai.

You will learn about common obstacles that pose challenges in workplace communication between individuals from different cultures by reviewing an intercultural dialogue between two co-workers. You will practice integrating core intercultural communication principles, including those pioneered by Edward T. Hall, Geert Hofstede and Shalom Schwartz.

Analyze the intercultural exchange between Ai and Janet. Both Ai and Janet work together for an American textile company in Shanghai, China and are struggling to agree on plans to curb unmet goals within their company's sales department. You are the Human Resources manager responsible for both employees and Janet recently expressed her concern to you about Ai's "attitude."

In the dialogue between Ai and Janet, there are at least four elements of communication in a cultural context that are in effect. Examine these four communication elements and keep these in mind as you review the exchange:

• High-context cultural communication and low-context cultural communication.
• Power-distance ratings, according to Hofstede's power-distance index.
• Schwartz's values orientations. (What are the top values of Janet and Ai?)
• Hofstede's dimensions of collectivism and individualism.

Generalizations based on culture do not always apply but can be useful for the purpose of analysis. (For instance, Janet could have

Chinese-born parents, Ai might have studied in the United States, and each person does not represent the exact average of academic findings.) Still, Hofstede's, Hall's, and Schwartz's theories have been tested hundreds of times by researchers and have merit, despite our changing world.

Background

Janet Harvey is from Wyoming and is the supervisor for an American textile company located in Shanghai, China.

Ai Chen is from a small town south of Shanghai. Ai works for Janet and submits monthly reports to her on the productivity of the sales department, though the sales department does not report to Ai. Ai has a cousin that is also a part of the sales team.

Consider the following questions as you read through the dialogue:

• Why do you think Janet uses so many more words than Ai? Is the nature of her language suitable? Why or why not?
• Why do you think Ai does not answer Janet directly?
• What assumptions does Janet make about Ai that are impacting their communication?
• Which of Janet's values might be in conflict with Ai's values?
• How could Janet work on the sales department issue with Ai in a way that would suit both of them according to their cultural backgrounds?

An Intercultural Dialogue

Review the below dialogue between Janet and Ai.

Janet: Hey Ai, how ya doing?

Ai: Good morning, Mrs. Harvey.

Janet: It's so cool that U2 is going to be playing here! I am going to order tickets. Isn't it cool?

Ai: (Does not speak. Janet appears extremely uncomfortable and keeps talking about U2 until, after five minutes of stony silence, she gets sort of angry).

Janet: So Ai, we need to talk about your monthly report. Clearly, the sales team is not motivated enough. Don't you think they have a problem? We need to really tell them to work more efficiently, don't you think? I think it would be good management practice for you to tell them. That's a great chance for you. Tell them they are late with their numbers every month and it's causing us problems in accounting.

Ai: (Smiles but looks stiff and uncomfortable, does not respond directly to Janet's request). I think the sales team is having a meeting next month with the global director. Perhaps then there can be some directions about priorities.

Janet: What? Next month is way too late! How about you send out an email as soon as possible to the team and copy the global director.

Ai: I will inform them of future sales goals deadlines.

Janet: (Getting frustrated) Well, don't you think we should have it on record that they didn't meet their deadlines?

Ai: Thank you. (Ai is looking down at this point and is very stiff. Her silence is driving Janet crazy). I am sure the team will be a success and we will have a better year than last year.

Janet: Don't you agree? You seem unsure, so can you tell me when you will write?

Ai: I will send an email.