Part I
My fast-food franchise has been cleared start a business in United Arab Emirates, Israel, Mexico, and China. I will now begin the construction of my restaurants. The financing of my business will come from the United Arab Emirates, the materials will come from China and Mexico, the technology and engineering will come from Israel, and the labor in the restaurants will consist of hiring employees within the countries that the business is in. My management team from the United States will be in charge of hiring employees for the restaurants. There will be a big meeting at the headquarters located in the United States to provide and explain the project and to help everyone become acquainted with one another. While attending the meeting the members in the group are staying with their own culture and not communicating with anyone outside their group.
Because these different cultures are not mingling, the cultural phenomenon in this situation is the language, ethnocentricity, beliefs etc. This is because each of the groups has their own values and standards. Each of the cultures ethnocentricity is different and they use their own standards based on their culture to judge the behavior and beliefs of other individuals of a different culture. Each of the cultures has their own behaviors, values, customs, and beliefs that are taught from generation to generation, which is known as enculturation. Some of the other cultural phenomenons are nationality, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic class. Each of these terms are used interchangeably and can cause much confusion in an organization. The different groups have a sense of connection with each other and can relate to their own culture.
Intercultural communication is very important in the business world and is required when expanding business to other countries. To have a complete understanding of a different culture, there has to be respect of customs, etiquette, and traditions.
References: Bennett, M.J. (1998). Intercultural Communication: A current perspective. Retrieved from Basic concepts of intercultural communication Countries and their Cultures (2013). United Arab Emirates., Israel, Mexico, and China Retrieved from http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/United-Arab-Emirates.html Krotz, J.L. (2013). The Most Common Negotiating Mistakes-and How to Avoid Them. Retrieved from http://businessonmain.msn.com/browseresources/articles/systemsandprocesses.aspx?cp-documentid=27727711#fbid=jyUPKEfpZoX Live Wire (2013) http://www.shell-livewire.org/business-library/employing-people/management/resource-management-working-with-suppliers/Negotiation-4-Relational-influence-and-power Mind Tools (1996-2013) http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/NegotiationSkills.htm The Community Toolbox (2013)