Short description:

Communicating Globally: Intercultural Communication and International Business uniquely integrates the theory and skills of intercultural communication with the practices of multinational organizations and international business. Authors Wallace V. Schmidt, Roger N. Conaway, Susan S. Easton, and William J. Wardrope provide 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.

Long description:

Communicating Globally: Intercultural Communication and International Business uniquely integrates the theory and skills of intercultural communication with the practices of multinational organizations and international business. Authors Wallace V. Schmidt, Roger N. Conaway, Susan S. Easton, and William J. Wardrope provide 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.

Key Features

• Offers an interdisciplinary view: The authors draw on a variety of sources, including important intercultural and organizational theories in the intercultural communication and international business disciplines.
• Provides an innovative perspective: This book presents cutting-edge viewpoints on cosmopolitan communication, global leadership, cultural synergy, and the dynamic processes affecting international business.
• Presents an integrated, action-oriented framework: The integrated framework for understanding intercultural communication and international business focuses on essential principles and practices necessary for developing a cosmopolitan orientation.
• Introduces different ways of conducting business around the world: The text provides insights into "doing" business abroad by examining significant geographic regions and emphasizing cultural themes and patterns, business conduct and characteristics, and emerging trends.
• Includes a regional resource guide: The authors encourage readers to continue their own cross-cultural or international business research, personally transforming their understanding into individually instructive significance.

Intended Audience

This is an excellent text for advanced courses in intercultural communication, business communication, international business, and organizational communication as found in departments of communication and business.

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