<p>The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the implications and challenges of intercultural communication. An in-depth study was performed of the perspectives from people who work within an international organization. How they experience cultural differences and how they handle them, in particular when it comes to communication. Also, their perceptions of communicative competence were explored. The study was carried out at Svalorna India Bangladesh, at the Swedish office in Lund. Svalorna’s staff was interviewed on their experiences of intercultural communication. Both employees at the Swedish office and employees on location in India and Bangladesh were interviewed. The method used in the study was qualitative interviews where the interviewees could expand their answers fully as the interview developed. The main theory used was Geert Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, presented in the thesis and considered in the study. It was concluded that being aware of cultural differences and having knowledge of other cultures but also your own is important for understanding the so-called non-verbal communication in an intercultural situation. There are also differences in to what extent a certain culture uses non-verbal communication. Both India and Bangladesh, according to the interviewees, are high context cultures whereas Sweden has a low context culture. All the interviewees had similar experiences when it comes to intercultural communication. A cultural difference in the perception of time is an example of when verbal communication can be inadequate, if one is not aware of cultural differences. Both India and Bangladesh use polychronic time whereas in Sweden monochromic time is used. This is indeed confirmed by all interviewees. Many of Hofstede’s cultural dimension theories are found to be coherent with the results of this study, for example the Individualism.</p>

This thesis deals with the ethics approaches in advertising in different countries. First of all I describe the culture influence to the ethical values in the countries which need to be respected in the advertising appeal selection especially in the international advertising. In order to identify the concrete ethical values and attitudes in particular countries, the legal regulations and self-regulatiuons rules in advertising were analyzed. Furthermore, I choosed the unethical ads in particular countries and explained that approach through the theory of Hofstede's Cultural Dimension Model. The conclusions of such ethical analysis could be used in the international advertising. For this cross-country ethical comparison was chosen Czech Republic, China, India and Great Britain.

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the implications and challenges of intercultural communication. An in-depth study was performed of the perspectives from people who work within an international organization. How they experience cultural differences and how they handle them, in particular when it comes to communication. Also, their perceptions of communicative competence were explored. The study was carried out at Svalorna India Bangladesh, at the Swedish office in Lund. Svalorna’s staff was interviewed on their experiences of intercultural communication. Both employees at the Swedish office and employees on location in India and Bangladesh were interviewed. The method used in the study was qualitative interviews where the interviewees could expand their answers fully as the interview developed. The main theory used was Geert Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, presented in the thesis and considered in the study. It was concluded that being aware of cultural differences and having knowledge of other cultures but also your own is important for understanding the so-called non-verbal communication in an intercultural situation. There are also differences in to what extent a certain culture uses non-verbal communication. Both India and Bangladesh, according to the interviewees, are high context cultures whereas Sweden has a low context culture. All the interviewees had similar experiences when it comes to intercultural communication. A cultural difference in the perception of time is an example of when verbal communication can be inadequate, if one is not aware of cultural differences. Both India and Bangladesh use polychronic time whereas in Sweden monochromic time is used. This is indeed confirmed by all interviewees. Many of Hofstede’s cultural dimension theories are found to be coherent with the results of this study, for example the Individualism.

<p>AbstractAuthors: Åsa Höjer, Karl WijkmarkTitle: The intercultural communicator. A study of cultures’ influence on communication.Level: BA Thesis in Media and Communication StudiesLocation: University on KalmarLanguage: SwedishNumber of pages: 67Date of seminar: 2009-01-15Advisor: Jens CavallinKey words: Intercultural communication, culture, Hofstede´s cultural dimensions, anxiety and uncertainty, self-confidence, high and low context, verbal and nonverbal communication, Telenor, Pakistan, Scandinavia.Case company: TelenorPurpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate what cultural differences, regarding communication, that are present between Scandinavia and Pakistan. Furthermore the purpose is to illustrate which factors that are important for personnel working for Telenor, that are about to work in a foreign culture, in order to create effective intercultural communication.Methodology: The following study is a case study that has used a qualitative methodology with interviews conducted via e-mail. To be able to interpret and understand human experiences and situations a hermeneutical approach has been taken. Since we have had existing theories which has enabled us to look and test the “real world” a deductive approach has been used.Theoretical perspectives: As a basis for this study lies a cultural theory with focus on Hofstede´s study of specific cultures within nations. Furthermore, theories within the intercultural communication´s area such as stereotypes, high and low context communication, verbal and nonverbal communication have been used. Finally a theory regarding anxiety and uncertainty was applied.Conclusions: By studying the Pakistani culture that is characterized by collectivism, a large power distance and high context communication where the messages are implicit, this study has established that communication is carried out in a rather different way than in Scandinavia. Besides having basic knowledge about the foreign culture, and thereby be able to manage and avoid misunderstandings in the communication, this study has established thatan individual´s personality has a big influence on the effectiveness of the intercultural communication. The person´s cultural background together with his/her individual traits and values creates a personal communication-pattern that is more or less suitable in the intercultural communication encounter.</p>

AbstractAuthors: Åsa Höjer, Karl WijkmarkTitle: The intercultural communicator. A study of cultures’ influence on communication.Level: BA Thesis in Media and Communication StudiesLocation: University on KalmarLanguage: SwedishNumber of pages: 67Date of seminar: 2009-01-15Advisor: Jens CavallinKey words: Intercultural communication, culture, Hofstede´s cultural dimensions, anxiety and uncertainty, self-confidence, high and low context, verbal and nonverbal communication, Telenor, Pakistan, Scandinavia.Case company: TelenorPurpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate what cultural differences, regarding communication, that are present between Scandinavia and Pakistan. Furthermore the purpose is to illustrate which factors that are important for personnel working for Telenor, that are about to work in a foreign culture, in order to create effective intercultural communication.Methodology: The following study is a case study that has used a qualitative methodology with interviews conducted via e-mail. To be able to interpret and understand human experiences and situations a hermeneutical approach has been taken. Since we have had existing theories which has enabled us to look and test the “real world” a deductive approach has been used.Theoretical perspectives: As a basis for this study lies a cultural theory with focus on Hofstede´s study of specific cultures within nations. Furthermore, theories within the intercultural communication´s area such as stereotypes, high and low context communication, verbal and nonverbal communication have been used. Finally a theory regarding anxiety and uncertainty was applied.Conclusions: By studying the Pakistani culture that is characterized by collectivism, a large power distance and high context communication where the messages are implicit, this study has established that communication is carried out in a rather different way than in Scandinavia. Besides having basic knowledge about the foreign culture, and thereby be able to manage and avoid misunderstandings in the communication, this study has established thatan individual´s personality has a big influence on the effectiveness of the intercultural communication. The person´s cultural background together with his/her individual traits and values creates a personal communication-pattern that is more or less suitable in the intercultural communication encounter.

This Diploma paper deals with topic of cultural impact on the Marketing. Connections and significance of cultural elements are explored in marketing perspective. The methodical section of this paper is focused on the Culture of New Zealand, when its specific traits are described and main cultural elements related to the marketing are analyzed. In the first part of the paper it discusses the culture in general terms as well-dynamic process and takes up with the main elements of culture. Extraordinary attention is paid to the specific symbolic perception of colours in various cultures as the most important visual factor, which is also connected with the marketing. Theoretical section of this paper is closed up by analysis of the Model cultural dimensions, which was invented by Dutch anthropologist Geert Hofstede. This model provides measurable data about main cultural traits and differences in certain cultures over the World. The Analysis of Hofstede`s model also includes relation to the various religions. The second part of the paper deals with the process of significant culture elements application on the marketing field. Primarily attention goes to the marketing mix and its tools -- product, price, place and promotion. This section defines and explains main aspects and perspectives of multicultural marketing, which are necessary to respect. The final methodical part of this paper focuses on the Culture of New Zealand and its fundamental elements related to the marketing as well. It provides overview of the main culture traits, which are essential to be adapted to launch New Zealand market successfully. Research of the visual symbol perception in Czech and New Zealand culture completes this topic. This was done through questionnaire using cultural based print advertisements. In conclusion it presents summary of the main goals found in this diploma paper.