Communicating Across Cultures - Softcover

Guirdham, Maureen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0333754107 ISBN 13: 9780333754108

Publisher: Palgrave, 1999

Synopsis

This work explains how to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, namely: how to understand the influence of cultures and subcultures on others' behaviour and attitudes, and how to communicate across the barriers created by these differences. The author relates the emerging discipline of intercultural communication to the practical needs of people at work. The book contains eight key intercultural communication theories presented from a European perspective. With a strong focus on work applications, it provides many real life examples illustrating practice. An instructor's manual is also available.

About this title

Review:

Endorsements for the 3rd Edition 'This is an impressively thorough update of an already excellent textbook. It provides a practical but unfailingly well-researched overview of the major areas of intercultural and multicultural business communication, in such a way that students get acquainted with the discussions that underlie the resulting guidelines. This makes it a very useful course book for organizational communication in an age of globalization.' - Professor Anne Marie Bulow, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark 'This book is a valuable resource for students on an undergraduate or postgraduate business or management degree programme which includes the study of culture and communication in the context of work and/or intercultural communication in the workplace. It is particularly useful for students planning to do an international work or study placement as part of their degree programme or those intending to work in organisations that operate across the globe. As the book is thoroughly grounded in research, it is also suitable for research purposes. The up-to-date, real world examples included throughout the book, together with the questions and exercises at the end of each chapter, make the book an appropriate course book for all levels of study at university.' - Claire Richardson, Aston Business School, UK '...a wealth of information and a broad perspective on cross cultural communication. The inclusion of ethics, teams and leadership and very useful questions and exercises are to be particularly welcomed.' - Roberta Wiig Berg, Associate Professor, The Norwegian School of Management BI, Norway

From the Publisher:

Reviews and Contents
Reviews:

'Clearest and most thorough treatment of the subject I have read so far - well done!' - Simon Ferris, Newlands Park College

'...an invaluable resource for those studying international management and for those preparing to become experts.' - Richard Barnes, RGU

'Each of the literatures reviewed here offers some insights into communicating in a multi-cultural organisation or workplace. Dr Guirdham's subject matter ranges from large firms operating internationally through to small local organisations whose employees hail from diverse cultural backgrounds. Drawing on her own primary research she gives vivid examples of good and bad practice, and she provides guidelines through the mass of published material which bears on how we convey the messages we mean to convey.' - David Chambers, Emeritus Professor of Comparative Management, London Business School

'A resourceful and insightful examination of interaction across cultures in the broadest sense. At the same time it is a persuasive plea for restraint and understanding, and for that most difficult of human acts - trying to imagine what it feels like to belong to a different culture.' - Peter Lawrence, Professor of International Management, Loughborough University

'This is a distinctive text. It combines an impressive marshalling of all the evidence on cross-cultural communication with many fascinating practical insights on how to communicate better'. - Professor Derek Pugh, Open University Business School

'A sound, practical introduction to how to get people from diverse backgrounds to work more effectively together.' - Strategy

'A useful and approachable text for introducing main themes and topics about intercultural communication...I found the chapter on communication strategies useful and intelligent.' - Dr Susanne Tietze, Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University

'This text is just what the course has been waiting for...always a very helpful approach...' - G.A. Bath, School of Business, Oxford Brookes University

'A highly valuable, practical introduction, of use to a wide range of students.' - Russell Warhurst, Leeds Business School, Leeds Metropolitan University

Contents:

Preface

Communicating with Diversity at Work

Diversity at Work

How Cultures Differ

Subcultural Communication at Work I

Subcultural Communication at Work II

Barriers to Communicating Across Cultures

Intercultural Communication Theories

Skills for Working with Diversity

Skills for Working Abroad

Appendix I

Further Reading

About this edition

• Publisher: Palgrave
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0333754107
• ISBN 13: 9780333754108
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 332