International business negotiation is playing a more and more important role in modem society. We can see clear that there are great differences in international business negotiation. Specially, culture can influence negotiating styles in numerous ways, because negotiator who may come from another nation is different from us, in language, beliefs, and behaviors. Different cultures employ different ways of doing business.
Nowadays, the world is developing quickly in the age of economic globalization. Under this circumstance, opportunities for international business negotiation are on the dramatic increase. Negotiators from different countries conduct business in different ways, which are influenced by their given cultures. Thus, international negotiators tend to act according to their own values shaped by culture.
Negotiators from different cultures prefer different approaches to negotiate. So, there is a closed link between negotiation and culture.
Negotiating in domestic culture is easier because the two sides are relatively familiar with each other's cultural background, but it is not the case for international negotiations. When the two parties at the negotiating table pursue their own interests respectively, problems often crop up and the potential for misunderstanding each other is great.
Discussions are frequently hindered because of different communication styles. Even though negotiators are technologically well prepared, it is not so easy to reach a satisfactory agreement between negotiators across cultures. Negotiations can be easily broken down due to a lack of mutual understanding of the cultures. Culture affects negotiation even before negotiators meet with face to face. It conditions how they view the negotiation, a human activity based on communication. For instance, negotiation is viewed as a competitive game full of power confrontations while in another culture as a