International Business Practices: Hidden Dimensions

699 Words3 Pages
International Business Practices: Hidden Passages Karolina Klambatseas International Business Professor Thomas Gush 10/07/13 International Business Practices: Hidden Dimensions by Edward T. Hall is about the effects of cultures on international business. In today’s society, more companies are deciding to go international and enter global markets to increase profits and revenues. Edward Hall states that a big problem for most companies is understanding cultures in other countries, which often has a tremendous impact on their business relationships. Hall begins by introducing us to the three basic principles for entering an international marketplace. Information, space and time. According to Edward Hall, information is communicated differently across cultures, and if systems of information are not understood properly, communication breaks down and the business fails. Systems of information consist of high context communication and low context communication. Several key elements of high context communication are the following. In high context communication, information is known, information flows free as air, and there is the sea of information concept. High context communication deals primarily with group orientation. Low context communication on the other hand involves information is taught, information is compartmentalized, information is a commodity, and remains hidden, and information remains factual. Low context communication is an individualistic type of communication. Mr. Hall moves forward by giving examples of high context and low context countries. Low context cultures are not well informed, possess narrow expertise, are compartmentalized, tend to deal with information overload, involving too much data, and have rigid adherence to schedules. Some examples of low context countries are Sweden, Germany, and North America. High context cultures are

More about International Business Practices: Hidden Dimensions

Open Document