THE INTERNATIONAL MANAGER: INTERNATIONAL TO METANATIONAL

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THE INTERNATIONAL MANAGER INTERNATIONAL TO
METANATIONAL

• BIG ISSUE 1 COMMUNICATION

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Code Model of Communication

received acoustic signal
acoustic signal
received thought
thought

central thought processes
central thought processes
linguistic encoder
linguistic decoder
transmission
Transferees Context
noise
Transferors Context

• Adapted from Sperber Wilson, 1986
• and Ronen, 1986

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System of Signification
Signifier
Signified
Sign
Saussure, 1916

• Signifier Acoustic or Mental Signal,
  Representationsound of a word, script of a
  textExample Black and white formal kimono with
  black knotted obi-sash
• Signified Concept or Meaning, UnderstandingFuner
  al
• Sign Associative total of the Image (signifier)
  and its Meaning (signified),
• The Concrete Entity

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Recontextualization of Firm Assets
New Cultural Context
(Pre)-existing Meaning
Firm Assets
S1
S3
S2
Resultant Meaning(s)
Positive
Negative
S1 Initial Semiosis S2 Ongoing Semiosis S3
Reflexive Semiosis
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Process Model of Recontextualization in
Transnational Tranfser
Country of Origin (A) Country of
Destination (X)
Semiosis at each level is ongoing (ta ,x ??tn)

Adapted from Barthes, Mythologies, 1957
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Recontextualizations of Walt Disney Strategic
Firm Assets
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SEMANTICS, SEMIOTICS AND ATTRIBUTION
Behavior

Attribution American How long will it take you
to finish American Im asking him to
participate. this
report? Greek I do not know. How long should it
take? Greek Her behavior makes no sense. She is
the boss! American You are in the best position
to American He refuses to take responsibility
for his own analyze time
requirements. actions. Greek
Ten days. Greek What nonsense! I better
give her an answer. American Take 15. So we
agree you will American Im offering him a
contract. do it in 15 days,
right? In fact the report needed 30 days of
regular work. So the Greek worked day and night,
but at the end of the 15th day, he still needed
one more day to finish. American Where is my
report? American Im making sure he fulfills
his contract and learns to be
punctual. Greek It will be ready
tomorrow. Greek Shes asking for the
report. American But we agreed that it would be
American I must teach him to deliver on
time. ready today. Greek (Speechless,
fuming) Greek The stupid, incompetent boss!
Not only did she give me the
wrong orders, but she doesnt
appreciate that I did a 30-day job in 16
days. The Greek hands in his resignation. Greek
I cant work for such a boss. The American is
surprised.
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PROCESS OF CULTURAL ADAPTATION
We expect others to be like us, but they arent
Thus, a cultural incident occurs,
Causing a reaction (anger, fear, etc.)
We become aware of our reaction.
Usually followed by a false attribution about
their behavior
We reflect on its cause.
And our reaction subsides.
And we withdraw.
We observe and decode the cultural differences
present.
Which results in developing culturally
appropriate expectations.
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THE D.I.E. MODEL

• DESCRIPTION What I see only observed facts
• INTERPRETATION What I think about what I see
• EVALUATION What I feel about what I think

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COMMUNICATION STYLES

• Direct versus Indirect
• Linear versus Circular
• Low Context versus High Context
• Detached versus Attached
• Truth versus Face

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COMMUNICATION

• Key cultural dimensions
• -High vs. Low context cultures
• -Individualism / Collectivism
• So,
• Think formal be emotionally restrained, use
  polite language, show deference to seniors and
  hierarchy
• Refer to contact person (in-group member)
• Indirect style ask questions to encourage
  opening up
• Much communication depends on subtle cues and is
  nonverbal
• Silence is normal part of conversation
• After hours socializing is important

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NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION

• What nonverbal gesture indicates embarrassment in
  your culture?
• What nonverbal gesture indicates anger in your
  culture?
• What does silence mean in your culture?

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SILENCE

• In individualistic cultures, silence has less
  meaning and is tolerated less. Talk is valued
  more than silence.
• In collectivist cultures, silence is valued and
  has meaning. In Japan silence can convey
  truthfulness, social discretion, defiance, or
  embarrassment. In China, silence can mean
  agreement.