Question

Discuss the differences between high context and low context cultures. What is the US classified as, and how does know about other kinds of cultural context prepare you for international business relationships? Give an example of an assumption that you make about social or business context that may not apply to someone from a different culture.

Answer 1

Differences between High Context culture and Low Context culture

The high context culture and low context culture is the way in which people communicate in different countries. In high context culture, the message is conveyed with the use of body language, tone, gestures, and expressions along with words. In low context culture, the entire message is communicated mostly with words and fewer elements of expressions like body language and tone. The message is very ambiguous in high context cultures, unlike low context cultures where the message is clear and direct.

The characteristics of high context culture are to maintain lasting relationships while low context cultures normally don't have lasting relationships with more acquaintances. Collectivism is another major trait found in high context cultures where the people identify themselves in groups. However, in low context cultures, people are more individualistic and don't identify themselves in groups.

High context cultures tend to keep knowledge and information more confidential within groups, unlike low context cultures where the knowledge and information are accessible to everyone. The transition from old traditions is slow in high context cultures whereas low context cultures are open to change and evolve faster in this aspect.

US: The US is classified as a low context based on all the characteristics mentioned. The people in the US exhibit the characteristics of a low context culture. They are individualistic and don't identify in groups. They communicate with less ambiguity and are more result-oriented. The traditions and past cultures don't define them as they evolve with the modern perspective.

The knowledge of other cultures does play an important role in International Business as they help in improving business relationships. A strained business relationship is not considered healthy in Internation Business. for example, If an American organization wee to do business with China, to be successful in the Chinese market, they need to garner information about the Chinese culture. China, being a low context culture conflate personal relationships with business relationships. A practice called "guanxi is necessary for outsiders to do business in China where the relationship is based on the exchange of favors between the two parties involved.

One of the common misconceptions about any culture is the association of a particular practice with the entire group. Indian culture is one which is subject to this kind of misconception which includes the way the people in India greet each other in Business meetings. Although "Namaste" is a common way to say hello, It is not every common in business meeting and a firm handshake is adequate to start the conversation.