The present research paper aims to reveal the importance of intercultural competences. Despite the world moving continuously closer together and the gradual omission of strict boundaries, these competences are rarely communicated within educational institutions. Including an empirical research on peoples’ intercultural competence, this research paper delivers different approaches to improve one’s competence and defines the most suitable institution to communicate these skills. Last but not least the author examines his hypothesis that people tend to overestimate their personal intercultural competence.
There are boundaries separating each country from another, but some of them are by far less strict than a couple of years ago. Free trade areas in Europe, Asia or America already readjust these boundaries when it comes to international trade. The European Single Market further allows all members of the union to work and to live permanently in another members’ state. On both levels, the world is moving closer together and nowadays, countries already experience an omnipresent influence of foreign cultures.
Different country equals different culture. There is a unique culture in every country that explains the population’s way of thinking, its actions or values. Social rules in one country might be the opposite in another one. There are lots of differences people should be aware of when living harmoniously side by side with people from other origins.
On the basis of the increasing multiculturalism and internationalisation everyone will sooner or later be confronted with foreign countries, cultures or their economic influence. The fact that we have to come along with alien cultures and that we have to deal with new behaviours might evoke both, pleasure and discomfort. Nevertheless, it shows that in times of globalisation understanding and interpreting foreign cultures’ actions is indispensable. Being interculturally competent has become fundamentally important.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Research problem and purpose
1.2 Structure of the research paper
2 Theoretical Framework
2.1 Culture and its five dimensions
2.1.1 Culture
2.1.2 Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions
2.1.3 Cultures’ affects on international negotiations
2.2 Intercultural Competence
2.2.1 Definition
2.2.2 Importance of intercultural competence
2.2.3 How to improve intercultural competence
3 Empirical Survey on Intercultural Competences
3.1 Research methods
3.2 Analysis of the questionnaire
3.3 Interpretation and recommendation
3.4 Critical acclaim
4 Conclusion
4.1 Summary
4.2 Outlook
Research Objectives and Key Themes
This paper explores the growing importance of intercultural competence in an era of globalization and increased multiculturalism. It specifically investigates whether individuals accurately assess their own competence, and seeks to identify effective methods and institutions for developing these essential cross-cultural skills.
- The theoretical exploration of Geert Hofstede’s cultural dimensions.
- The impact of cultural factors on international business negotiations.
- An empirical analysis of questionnaire data regarding intercultural awareness.
- Evaluation of strategies for improving intercultural competence in educational settings.
- Analysis of the correlation between self-perceived and actual intercultural knowledge.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1.1 Culture
Beginning with the concept of culture it is important to say that in literature a great variety of different approaches to its definition can be found. Further, culture can be seen as an extensive and all-embracing concept that can be impossibly summarised in one globally accepted definition. This complexity of the approaches to defining culture can be explained by the different natures of various field interpretations such as sociology, development, economics, politics, history or geography.
Culture consists of the habits and tendencies to act in certain ways, but it does not consider the actions themselves. Goodenough underlines this point by defining culture not as things or behaviours. For him it is rather certain attitudes people have in mind as well as their personal models for perceiving, relating and also for interpreting things.
Sometimes even individuals are said to be cultured, but in the sense in which it is being considered here culture can only be defined collectively. As Rohner said, culture is ‘the totality of equivalent and complementary learned meanings maintained by a human population, or by identifiable segments of a population, and transmitted from one generation to the next’.
Consequently culture can be seen as conformity of attitudes of multiple individuals. These conformities create a value system that is supported by the specific group of individuals. All members of this group tend to have similarities with regards to thinking, feeling, acting and behaving in certain situations.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the research problem by highlighting how globalization necessitates intercultural competence and outlines the structure of the paper.
2 Theoretical Framework: This section defines culture and Hofstede’s dimensions, while also detailing the essential elements of intercultural competence and how it can be improved.
3 Empirical Survey on Intercultural Competences: This chapter presents the methodology, data analysis, and recommendations based on a questionnaire, followed by a critical review of the survey results.
4 Conclusion: The concluding chapter summarizes the main findings, confirming that people tend to overestimate their competence, and provides an outlook on future institutional roles.
Keywords
Intercultural Competence, Globalization, Cultural Dimensions, Geert Hofstede, International Business, Questionnaire, Cultural Diversity, Education, Self-evaluation, Cross-cultural Negotiation, Migration, Language Skills, Social Integration, Empathy, Institutional Training.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the increasing necessity of intercultural competence due to global trends and investigates how these skills can be better fostered, particularly within educational environments.
What are the core themes addressed in the study?
The study centers on the definition of culture, Hofstede's cultural dimensions, the importance of intercultural skills in business, and the empirical analysis of individual competency self-assessments.
What is the main research hypothesis?
The author investigates and confirms the hypothesis that individuals frequently tend to overestimate their own level of personal intercultural competence.
Which scientific method was employed for the empirical part?
The author conducted a quantitative empirical survey using a questionnaire distributed via the internet to respondents of various nationalities.
What does the main body of the paper analyze?
It covers theoretical frameworks of culture, the impact of these cultures on negotiations, and detailed data analysis from the survey regarding respondents' international interests and self-evaluations.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Intercultural Competence, Globalization, Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions, International Negotiation, and Educational Strategy.
How do cultural dimensions impact international business according to the author?
Cultural dimensions, such as Power Distance or Individualism versus Collectivism, significantly complicate international negotiations, influencing goals, communication styles, and the perception of time and team structures.
What recommendation does the author give to universities?
The author suggests increasing the number of international courses, implementing a mandatory time frame for studying abroad in all curricula, and improving support systems for both local and international students.
- Quote paper
- Lennart Heß (Author), 2015, An Empirical Research on the Increasing Importance of Intercultural Competences, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/322858
