INTERCULTURAL AWARENESS AND SKILLS

Intercultural Awareness and Skills

Intercultural Awareness and Skills

Introduction In the 21 century, the rapid development of technology has led to the economic society and life has changed significantly (Budhwar & Debrsh 2002). As part of these changes and uncertainties of the business environment, how to capture their competitive advantage has become the most important issue for organizations (Tye & Chen 2005). There is general recognition that to work at the global level is necessary to maintain a competitive advantage for many organizations (Tye & Chen 2005). In this situation, how to manage human resources on a global scale becomes a big problem in business is becoming more international (Liu 2006). To be successfully implemented global strategic business requires international systems of human resource and international competent people (Liu 2006). The aim of this study is to identify the differences between international and national approaches to managing human resources, and through four myths discussed issues and problems in the selection of expatriates for international assignments. It will conclude by claiming that a more important element between the host country and the country, the choice of expatriates. Intercultural awareness It is not possible to take, if there is a strong desire to know each other, understand each other, but do not want to erase all the costs of the differences that exist between us. At this stage we are talking about cross-cultural awareness, understanding that others exist, they are different and that we should accept their differences, if we really communicate with them and be able to live, or even beside them. You can travel a lot, you can live and work in another country, but without the cross-cultural awareness, unless we want that for contacts, exchanges and communication, and our contacts with other cultures will be limited to trips and visits to museums, hotel rooms and changing currency (where there is no common currency not yet exist). There are many examples of immigrants who have lived for 20 years and over in a foreign country, but have not yet learned the language or integrate with the local community. They continue to maintain contact only with their compatriots, carefully keeping to their own language, traditions and customs. The reason is simple: they do not want to leave their own country, but were forced to do so, economic or political circumstances. There will never be unity in Europe without a strong motivation and will to communicate with other people, without this cross-cultural awareness, which encourages us to take (and not just tolerate) others and compels us to acquire cross-cultural awareness. Intercultural awareness thus allows us to obtain cross-cultural skills, which, when they are supported by the language skills, opportunities to provide context. Discussion The challenge is to culture shock (Dowling & Welch 2004). The first myth espoused, that foreigners can take the appropriate cultural behavior. However, Dowling and Welch (2004) argued that sometimes people can not take the appropriate cultural patterns of conduct applies to the cultural ...