The impact of cross-cultural differences on business
Cross-cultural differences impact all interactions. Today we are going to look at how they impact the organization within a business.
Many readers may not quite be here yet. But I thought this would be interesting to look at.
Are There Differences?
What makes an international business different?
Does an international business function differently from one that is not international?
Are there international growing pains?
Apart from the legalities of operating an international company, it is hard to identify any tangible differences.
In my personal experience, the differences are nuanced. They center around collective “soft” skills. This obviously stems from the nature of “international skills” and “cross-cultural skills”.
Cultural Influences
There are some obvious ways culture influences an international business:
The way how we present ourselves
How we express opinions
Assumptions based on the environment and context
Perceptions of voice, and other personal physical details
When you work inside an international company, you learn to adapt to these cultural differences. They stop interfering with communication.
Cultural Conflict Within A Company
Some people may think that conflict within an international company is a result of the confrontation between cultures.
Although cultural personality issues and misunderstandings do happen, it is difficult to identify how culture influences teamwork within a company.
Most people learn to adapt to the different cultures and this enhances personal growth, interpersonal relations and intercultural interactions.
And this is where there may be differences in an international company and a company that is not international.
Most of the employees in an international company will be at a comparable level of personal growth. They will have similar interpersonal and intercultural skills.
And in a company that is not international, there could be wider differences in these areas.
Better
Many readers may not quite be here yet. But I thought this would be interesting to look at.
Are There Differences?
What makes an international business different?
Does an international business function differently from one that is not international?
Are there international growing pains?
Apart from the legalities of operating an international company, it is hard to identify any tangible differences.
In my personal experience, the differences are nuanced. They center around collective “soft” skills. This obviously stems from the nature of “international skills” and “cross-cultural skills”.
Cultural Influences
There are some obvious ways culture influences an international business:
The way how we present ourselves
How we express opinions
Assumptions based on the environment and context
Perceptions of voice, and other personal physical details
When you work inside an international company, you learn to adapt to these cultural differences. They stop interfering with communication.
Cultural Conflict Within A Company
Some people may think that conflict within an international company is a result of the confrontation between cultures.
Although cultural personality issues and misunderstandings do happen, it is difficult to identify how culture influences teamwork within a company.
Most people learn to adapt to the different cultures and this enhances personal growth, interpersonal relations and intercultural interactions.
And this is where there may be differences in an international company and a company that is not international.
Most of the employees in an international company will be at a comparable level of personal growth. They will have similar interpersonal and intercultural skills.
And in a company that is not international, there could be wider differences in these areas.
Better