MGMT2102
Week 4 Tutorial
Communicating Across Cultures
MGMT2102: Managing Across Cultures
Term 3, 2025
Acknowledgement of Country
I acknowledge the Bedegal people that are the
Traditional Custodians of this land. I would also like to
pay my respects to the Elders both past and present
and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islanders who are present here today.
W
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Lecture: Two models of
communication
Tutorial: Culturally Sensitive Feedback
Tutorial Week 4: Agenda
1. Group Presentation 1
2. Short review of the lecture
3. Cross-cultural communication activity
4. Important reminders for next week
Agenda
Here are some of the main
concepts covered in the lecture
Communicating Across Cultures
• Consider the difficulties and complexities of cross-cultural
communication
• Appreciate the cultural variables that affect
communication for both the sender and the listener /
receiver
• Consider strategies for managing cross-cultural business
communications
The Communication Process
Sender
Meaning Encode
Medium
Message
Receiver
Decode Meaning
Noise
Feedback
Culture
Definitions
• Encoding:
• the Sender produces a message so the Receiver will understand the meaning of
it. This can be in the form of words, signs, images, video, SMS or non-verbal
body language, such as hand gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice etc.
• Decoding:
• how does the Receiver understand and interpret the meaning of the message
• Medium:
• channel or system of communication such as face-to-face, email, telephone,
SMS,…
Cultural Screens on Interpersonal Communications
Cultural screens Examples
Language and
linguistic structures
Language-in-use; formal and informal language; native
and non-native speakers
Cognitive evaluation Attaching meanings to messages; norm of authenticity
Personal biases Stereotypes, prejudices, implicit associations, previous
conflict
Cultural logic Assuming that others think and act in the same manner
as we do
Communication
conventions
Choice of appropriate topics; conversation sequencing;
turn-taking, interruptions; emotional displays
Hall’s Cultural Dimensions
Dimensions Scale Anchors
Context: extent to which the
context of a message is as
important as the message
itself
Low context: direct and frank
communication; message itself
conveys its own meaning
High context: much of the
meaning in communication is
conveyed indirectly through
the context surrounding a
message
Space: extent to which
people are comfortable
sharing physical space
Centre of power: territorial;
need for clearly delineated
personal space between
oneself and others
Centre of community:
communal; comfortable
sharing personal space with
others
Time: extent to which people
approach one task at a time
or multiple tasks
simultaneously
Monochronic: sequential
attention to individual goals;
separation of work and
personal life; precise concept
of time
Polychronic: simultaneous
attention to multiple goals;
integration of work and
personal life; relative concept
of time
CROSS-CULTURAL
COMMUNICATION ACTIVITY
Let’s explore how cultural norms shape
communication styles, especially when
making requests, and how
misinterpretations can arise due to differing
expectations regarding directness and
indirectness.
Request MAKING- Direct vs In-direct
Communication
We will read three conversations.
Pay attention to how requests are made, interpreted, and responded to
.
In groups, answer these questions:
What was the intended message?
Was the request understood or missed?
How did cultural assumptions affect the outcome?

4.1.Group Activity
Part A
Cross-Cultural Communication Activity
Recognizing Direct and Indirect Communication (Scenario 1)
Round 1 Round 2 Round 3
AMERICAN 1: We’re going to New
Orleans this
weekend.
Three days. By the way,
we may need a ride to
the airport. Do you think
you can take us?
10 P.M. this coming
Saturday.
AMERICAN 2: What fun! I wish we
were going with
you. How long are
you going to be
there? [If she wants
a ride, she will ask.]
Sure. What time?
Cross-Cultural Communication Activity
Recognizing Direct and Indirect Communication (Scenario 2)
Round 1 Round 2 Round 3
CHINESE 1 We’re going to New
Orleans this weekend.
Three days. [I hope
she’ll offer me a
ride to the airport.]
Are you sure it’s
not too much
trouble?
CHINESE 2 What fun! I wish we
were going with you.
How long are you
going to be there?
[She may want me
to give her a ride.]
Do you need a ride
to the airport? I’ll
take you.
It’s no trouble at
all.
Cross-Cultural Communication Activity
Recognizing Direct and Indirect Communication (Scenario 3)
Round 1 Round 2 Round 3
CHINESE We’re going to New
Orleans this
weekend.
Three days. [I hope
she’ll offer me a ride
to the airport.]
Thanks, I’ll see you
when I get back. [If she
had wanted to give me
a ride, she would have
offered it. I’d better ask
somebody else.]
AMERICAN What fun! I wish we
were going with you.
How long are you
going to be there?
Have a great time. [If
she wants a ride, she
will ask.]
Gau, G., & Ting-Toomey, S. (1998). Communicating with the Chinese. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. P. 76.
Cross-Cultural Communication Activity
Gau, G., & Ting-Toomey, S. (1998). Communicating with the Chinese. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. P. 76.
Direct communication Indirect communication
Explicit verbal language, perhaps even blunt at times Subtle expressions of the intended message
Non-verbal language only supplements or
emphasizes the words in the message
Non-verbal language (eye contact, gesticulation, tone,
etc.) has more importance in conveying the message
High importance placed on individuality and freedom
of expression
Group harmony is more important than personal wishes
or agendas
Being forthright is more important than “saving
face”
Messages are framed to avoid making anyone (speaker
or receiver) “lose face”
Efficiency of communication is more important than
style and eloquence
Style and eloquence are valued
Less context and background information is
required – just “the gist” or “the bottom line”
More context and background information is required
Silence or hesitation do not have meaning and may
be interpreted as inattention
Silence and hesitation have more meaning and may
show respect
Request MAKING- Direct vs In direct
Communication
In your groups, answer these questions:
What strategies can help bridge these styles in multicultural teams?
How can organisations train staff to recognise indirect cues and
respond appropriately?

4.1.Group Activity
Part B
Request MAKING- Direct vs In direct
Communication
Indirectness in Chinese culture is not vagueness—it’s a strategic politeness to preserve
relationships and avoid imposing.
Directness in American culture is seen as efficient and respectful, assuming that clarity
avoids confusion.
Miscommunication often arises when one party expects explicit requests, while the other
expects offers based on implied needs.

4.1.Group Activity
Part B
Gau, G., & Ting-Toomey, S. (1998). Communicating with the Chinese. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. P. 76.
Bonjour Culture Shock! What Emily in
Paris Teaches Us About Cross-Cultural
Communication
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
Understanding Cultural Screens
through Emily’s Experience
Emily’s American cultural screen:
• Examples from the show:
– Her directness in emails and
meetings.
– Her upbeat, optimistic attitude toward
work.
– Her use of social media and
branding.
• How do these behaviors reflect
American cultural values (e.g.,
individualism, efficiency, positivity)?
French cultural screen:
• Examples:
– Preference for hierarchy and
formality.
– Value placed on work-life balance.
– Subtlety and indirect communication.
• How do the French characters interpret
Emily’s behavior through their own
cultural screens?
4.2 Group Activity
Reflect on strategies for overcoming cultural screen
biases and improving cross-cultural communication.
Moments of conflict or
misunderstanding:
What are some key scenes where Emily’s
cultural screen leads to tension or
confusion?
Example: Her marketing pitch being seen
as too bold or disrespectful.
Moments of adaptation:
How does Emily begin to adjust her
behavior or perspective?
Example: Learning to appreciate slower-
paced work culture, or adapting her
communication style.
4.2 Group Activity
Reflect on strategies for overcoming cultural screen biases and
improving cross-cultural communication.
Reflecting on Emily’s journey, how do cultural screens shape not only misunderstandings but also
opportunities for learning and adaptation in cross-cultural communication?
If you were Emily’s cultural coach, what advice would you give her to navigate French workplace culture
better?
What strategies can individuals use to become more aware of their own cultural screens and navigate
others’ more effectively?
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
What to do before next tutorial ?
Attend Week 5 lecture
Read the case: Bargaining in Japan, Brazil and the US
(Steers, p.290-293)

学霸联盟