intercultural business communication: the case of new zealand

Master in mediazione e promozione per l’internazionalizzazione delle imprese

Intercultural business communication: the case of New Zealand

Claudia Ciuraru Cucu28 June 2013

Understanding social relationships and the way other cultures work

How each society conveys meaning Adapting values and guiding principles to

the local context

Avoiding misunderstandings Being successful

Intercultural communication

Culture in New Zealand

Cultural peculiarity

Māori British

High context culture Communication tends to

be more indirect and formal

High power distance Collectivism Masculine society Low tolerance for

uncertainty long-term orientation

culture

Low context culture Communication is direct

and linear Low power distance Individualism Masculine society Pragmatic culture Short-term oriented

culture

Equality and opportunities for everyone Individualistic culture: individual goals and

accomplishments (British)

But

Each individual contributes to the community wellbeing (Maori)

Honesty- Trust

Kiwi values

Business values

Environment- sustainable development

Source: http://www.fonterra.com/nz/en/Sustainability/Environment

Community and Social responsibility

Source: http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/content/homepage/communities-and-environment

Promote New Zealand

Source: https://careers.airnz.co.nz/about-us/our-vision-and-principles/diversity

Cultural diversity- value people

The Warehouse: “You are our Number 1We wouldn’t be here without you, so keeping in close contact with you our customers is big priority for us. Whether it’s talking with you when you visit our stores, reading your letters of thanks or taking note of what you love and you don’t through sales reports, our relationship with you our customer is the focus of our business.” Goodman New Zealand's core values:“Customer+focusOur customers are at the heart of everything we do.We believe success comes from listening to our customers. We focus on building relationships for the long term and delivering innovative solutions to meet our customers’ needs.

Focus on customers

Source: www.fonterra.com

Teamwork

Communication style

Air New Zealand

Draws inspiration from the Maori tradition:

“To communicate the way we see the world and the principles that guide us, we look to our famous Koru.”

“The Koru is beautiful and tenacious. Even in the most adverse situations it is able to regenerate and re-grow.”

Communication style: direct*, clear*, sincere, sentimental, colloquial

Focused on New Zealand Supported by data and facts

We will strive to be number one in every market we serve by creating a workplace where teams are committed to our customers.Our people make us who we are. They are the face of Air New Zealand. We welcome the things that make individuals different, as we celebrate the one thing that we all share - our Air New Zealand.We have a sense of community and a share in the success of Air New Zealand and its place on the world stage.It is about who you are, that counts.

Our Awards Our Fleet Enhancement Air New Zealand has committed over $2.5 billion

to updating our fleet with Boeing 777-300ERs and Boeing 787-9s.

Sustainable Bio fuel On the ground, our support vehicles at Auckland,

Blenheim and Christchurch airports are running on 20% biodiesel.

Kia ora, Thank you,Grazie

http://www.edwardthall.com/ http://geert-hofstede.com/ http://www.maori.info/ http://www.teara.govt.nz/en http://www.airnewzealand.com/ http://www.fonterra.com/global/en http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/

Sources