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Top1. Introduction
Effective communication with people of different cultures can be challenging because of each culture molds individuals differently. Peoples' ways of thinking, hearing, seeing, and interpreting the world around them is all shaped by culture. Thus, words could be interpreted differently to persons of different cultures, even though they may speak the “same” language (Norris, 2009, p. 2). In such cases where languages are different, translation eases the process of communication. However, this can be made ineffective by cultural differences, which could lead to misinformation and misunderstanding. People of different cultures will vary in their views of the means and forms of communication in various contexts and situations.
Culture is a prominent aspect in all of these cases, and it can be interpreted in two ways. One way is that culture was borrowed from Western languages. In this way, culture aims to make people civilized and to enhance their minds with art, literature, and education. This varies within different cultures, as in the European culture, Shakespeare is considered an icon. However, Voltaire Sartre is an icon and representation of French culture. In a broader sense, culture's meaning refers to activities that refine the mind and define the ordinary aspects of life: greetings, choosing to exhibit emotion, physical distance from others, and eating/drinking habits. The definition of culture is further simplified by Khan (2014), who defines culture as a collective mentality within a group of people that differentiates them from others. Baumüller (2007) offers a broader definition by stating that culture is the pattern of skills, knowledge, behavior, and beliefs that society creates and imparts onto future generations. A way to unite such differences in culture is through cultural pluralism (Muszynska, 2015; Baumüller, 2007, p. 3). Pluralism works best in The United States of America, as the country features many diverse people, but there is one cohesive American culture within it, as well. America has achieved what every multinational country aspires to do, which is to sort out cultural differences for employees and stakeholders.
Communication and culture are two distinct concepts, but they have a direct relationship. Communication can be defined aa s basic human contact or the sharing of thoughts and feelings with another individual. Communication becomes a key tool for learning, teaching, transmitting, representing, and preserving culture (Deresky & Christopher, 2011, p. 10). Communication is the avenue through which cultural characteristics are constructed and shared. In essence, culture is the outcome of social communication. Also, the reverse is true, in that communication practices go a long way towards constructing, shaping, preserving, and transmitting culture (Deresky & Christopher, 2011). In a construction project, communication is essential because a project unites a team of experts. For one to do his part, another has to have started or completed his. This level of coordination requires proper communication, and if cultural differences affect communication, then the project performance is also affected.
As a result of globalization, today’s workforce has a diverse population of employees, clients, suppliers, and other external stakeholders who are drawn from different parts of the world (Deresky & Christopher, 2011, p. 14). This has created a dynamic multicultural and multiracial environment that brings with it differences in abilities, skills, and experiences. Embracing this diversity has proved to be a critical first step for businesses that want to be more competitive on the international front. Organizations, such as airlines, accounting firms, and food outlets, are all embracing the benefits of having a culturally diverse workforce (Wen-Cheng, Chien-Hung & Ying-Chien, 2011, p.4). Multinational construction companies have been the recipients of this diversity, as they branch out across borders and continents. Being in an industry that requires constant communication means that these companies have experienced the good and the bad of cultural diversity, as seen in the performance of their projects (Kurylo, 2012, p.11). While diverse culture brings different skills to construction projects, it also brings differences in thinking. In the way of doing things, these differences must be ironed out before any work can be completed.