Intercultural Skills For International Business And International Relations By Paul Verluyten

Nowadays intercultural communication has become an important topic due to economic globalization, the development of transport technology and the increased need for immigrant labour. The book ‘Intercultural Skills for International Business and International Relations’ by author Paul Verluyten introduces the reader to the different theories of intercultural communication. Furthermore, the author exemplifies each theory with business related situations or personal stories. This essay will first discuss Chapter 9.1 of this book which tackles the different aspects between an individualistic society and a collectivistic society. Subsequently, it will also discuss chapter 14.3 in which the author explains the different factors that might harm the
In addition, they believe the individual could only succeed if they do everything by themselves and on their own terms. The book states that Western societies pride themselves in being able to say 'I made it by myself and I do not owe anything to anyone’. This is an attitude that might seem pompous and selfish to people from a group oriented society in where the group success is highly praised. In most of the cases this attitude is also reflected on the decision making process. People from a individualistic society tend to make a decision by themselves rather than letting group decide for them. Contrary to a group oriented society in where the individual depends on the group to make a decision. Furthermore, the author explains personal opinion is highly valued in a individualistic society. The people in this society are free to express their opinion wherever and whenever they want with any repercussions whatsoever. This is not the case in a group oriented society.
In general people from group oriented cultures might find it extremely awkward that Westerners are very private. When moving to a western society, they tend to have a difficult time adapting because of the great amount of time they spend alone. Personally speaking people from western countries like to keep interaction at a minimum. This so called 'interaction' will happen only within a time frame and at a specific place. In most cases this leaves
In most cases it is impossible for it to be the other way around. However, this tend to happen when it spoken about dominant - dominated relations factors. According to the example giving by the book, the most dominant mode of doing business is the Western. Which means the use of a Vietnamese or Bolivian mode might lower the chance of success for international companies. Moreover, the book addresses the factor, physical location, which entails there is a bigger chance a visitor would have to adapt to the new culture. However, they should not expect that locals will adapt to their