Discoursebased technology support for intercultural communication in multinationals

Nurit Zaidman, Dov Te'eni, David G. Schwartz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this research is to suggest a framework based on the discourse approach to analyze intercultural communication problems in multinational organizations. The paper also aims to suggest solutions to these problems by designing support in computermediated communication. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses qualitative methodology to discover communication problems and strategies as they are used by employees in a multinational organization. Findings Communication problems and strategies were associated with differences between communicators at three levels of discourse: different assumptions about communication; different ways of structuring information and differences in style. Research limitations/implications The implementation of the suggested tools introduces potential sensitivities that need to be considered. Originality/value The paper highlights how to apply the discourse approach to the analysis of intercultural communication problems and suggests several implementations of computermediated communication mechanisms and techniques that can effectively mitigate communication problems in multinational organizations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)263-272
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Communication Management
Volume12
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 25 Jul 2008

Keywords

  • Communication
  • Multinational companies
  • Organizational culture

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