1. Khemarak University, KU in Phnom Penh Chapter 4 The Self and Group
Intercultural Communication
in The Global Workplace
Fifth Edition
Iris Varner & Linda Beamer
Chapter 4
The Self and Group
Khemarak University-Facilitator: Mr. UON SOKCHEA, PhD. Can-Tel:
9/1/2014
9/8/2014

2. (Continue From Chapter 3)
4- The Self and Self-identify
A social psychology approach
A communication approach
Critical approach
Culture shows how people think of themselves and their self-identity.
Khemarak University-Facilitator: Mr. UON SOKCHEA, PhD. Can-Tel:
9/8/2014

3. Self-identity – A social psychology approach
The self-concept, that we build up our sense of self from childhood, based on experiences from home, family, society, religious gatherings, work environments, and so on – give us a change to develop multiple identities
Self-identity – A communication approach
The communication builds on the self-concept witch is co-created through communication. For example, thinking of the ways you communicate with various people in your life.
Khemarak University-Facilitator: Mr. UON SOKCHEA, PhD. Can-Tel:
9/8/2014

4. Self-identity – A critical approach
Self-identity uses history, economics, politics, and public discourses. Self-concept is formed against the background of large social contexts. Power relationships are important in these contexts. For example, we may call ourselves minority or dominant culture members or native of a particular culture.
Khemarak University-Facilitator: Mr. UON SOKCHEA, PhD. Can-Tel:
9/8/2014

5. Self-construal Basic Unit of Society
Is how we see ourselves in the image of construing or structuring in relation to others, with regard to feelings, thoughts and behaviors
Independent self-construal (Western cultures): Making decisions for one’s own life, taking care of your self.
Interdependent self-construal (Eastern cultures): The self consults with others before making decisions.
Basic Unit of Society
Individualism values individual achievements, failures, and rights.
Collectivism values the group achievements, and people have a responsibility to the group.
Khemarak University-Facilitator: Mr. UON SOKCHEA, PhD. Can-Tel:
9/8/2014

6. For examples, Individualism in Japan refers to selfishness.
The United State, companies motivate employees by offering individual rewards, not in work group as Japanese companies can.
Individuals in Western cultures (Canadian, Dutch, German, English,…) also make career choice on basic of personal needs or goals.
Throughout Asia, in varying degrees, collectivism is celebrated.
Khemarak University-Facilitator: Mr. UON SOKCHEA, PhD. Can-Tel:
9/8/2014

7. Obligation and Indebtedness
Individualist – collectivist priorities mean that cultures interpret differently what obligation means.
Collectivist cultures tend to see it as a benefit to nurturing relationships.
Individualist culture tend to see it as a burden to independence.
Khemarak University-Facilitator: Mr. UON SOKCHEA, PhD. Can-Tel:
9/8/2014

8. Age: Is seniority valued and discounted?
Seniority : the advantage that you get by working for a company for a long time.
In cultures that value age, the older is more credible.
In hierarchical cultures, age often places people at the top the leader.
Businesspeople need to understand the differences in how age is valued.
Gender: Are women Equals or Subordinates?
The answer of this question may involve finding out how roles and status are attributed to women in particular culture. Women make up more than 50 percent of the world employees.
Khemarak University-Facilitator: Mr. UON SOKCHEA, PhD. Can-Tel:
9/8/2014

9. 5- Social Organization
Group Membership
Is group membership temporary or permanent?
Friendships develop from a variety of contact: school, neighborhood, place of worship, clubs, and community service organizations.
An insight into this cultural dimension comes from attitudes toward family membership.
Collectivist cultures treats group membership as permanent, serving the group’s needs such as the countries of Latin America, The Middle East, Africa, the Pacific Islands, and Southern Europe.
Khemarak University-Facilitator: Mr. UON SOKCHEA, PhD. Can-Tel:
9/8/2014

10. Individualist cultures treats group membership as temporary, serving the individual’s rights.
Form
Is form Important or Untrustworthy?
- Form means protocol.
- Form tends to be highly valued in cultures that are hierarchical, where face can be lose by not conforming to etiquette, where harmony in the groups is important, and where relationships matter. Behaving according to form means behaving correctly.
- Form is the reason why Thais & Cambodians usually use in public words or actions.
Khemarak University-Facilitator: Mr. UON SOKCHEA, PhD. Can-Tel:
9/8/2014

11. Indians to greet one another with namaste, with putting the palms of the hands together with the fingers pointing toward the chin and slightly bowing the head.
In the recently invented culture of United state, form looks mannered. It is dangerous sophistry, even deceit.
To communicate effectively, businesspeople need to be aware of the different attitudes toward form and to adjust their reactions to other cultures’ communication messages.
Khemarak University-Facilitator: Mr. UON SOKCHEA, PhD. Can-Tel:
9/8/2014

12. Personal Matter: Private or Public?
In Europe, as in Britain, Canada, the United State, Australia, and New Zealand, a person’s work life is kept fairly separate from private life. As a rule, workers can not bring private concerns with them to work; for example they do not bring children to the office; personal phone calls and visitors are not appropriate.
Khemarak University-Facilitator: Mr. UON SOKCHEA, PhD. Can-Tel:
9/8/2014

13. Social Organization Patterns
Is social organization horizontal or hierarchical?
The general pattern in society also is reflected in companies. Where hierarchy characterizes the nation or social culture, companies also will have a clearly defined corporate ladder.
Khemarak University-Facilitator: Mr. UON SOKCHEA, PhD. Can-Tel:
9/8/2014

14. Approach to Authority: Direct or Mediate?
Authority means different things in different cultures.
In collectivist and hierarchical cultures, business organizations tend to be hierarchical, and authorities are remote, making one or more intermediaries necessary.
In individualistic and horizontal cultures, organizations tend to be horizontal, with authority more directly accessible.
Khemarak University-Facilitator: Mr. UON SOKCHEA, PhD. Can-Tel:
9/8/2014

15. The Course Book : Intercultural Communication in The Global Workplace
The Course Book : Intercultural Communication in The Global Workplace Fifth Edition Iris Varner & Linda Beamer
Khemarak University-Facilitator: Mr. UON SOKCHEA, PhD. Can-Tel:
9/8/2014