Business Communication- Ethics in the Workplace- Blog Assignment Solution

Business Communication Assignment

Task 1: There are two (2) parts to this assignment. Part 1 happens around the time when Topic 7 (Intercultural Communication) and Topic 10 [(Ethics in the Workplace - Business Communication in the Digital Age (Extract 11)] is taught. Part 1 blog is on the topic of Intercultural Communication. Part 2 blog is on the topic of Effective and Ethical Communication. Part 1: Blog Posting - 5 marks. You will do a short blog posting of about 500 words on non verbal intercultural communication". The objective of this blog is to allow you to exhibit your knowledge and experience in this area across cultures by citing some examples from school, workplace or home and relating them to your readings. Part 2: Blog Posting - 5 marks. You will do a short blog posting of about 500 words on "Effective & Ethical Communication". The objective of this blog is to allow you to reflect on a certain current news event happening and allow you to relate to what you have read in the chapter.

Blog 1

1. Introduction
In current economy, it is very difficult to survive without effective and ethical communication. The companies are also introducing ethical policies and minimum requirements for communication skills of individuals working in the organization (Arta Musaraj, 2006). This study will enable better understanding of effective and ethical communication by understanding reflections of real examples and happenings across the world.
2. Ethics
Ethics is a set of established standards for right and wrong communications that also determines the factors of societal influence, religious backgrounds, perceptions of individuals and ethical code practices. Ethics is mostly incorporates as the aspects of law but cannot be defined as legal considerations. In terms of business, ethics have different roles to attract potential clients and employees (Communication, 2012). The ethical considerations also maintain moral image of individual or company. For example, Uber is utilizing unethical practices for promoting their business. Uber is using aggressive strategy of marketing. It is canceling the rides booked on other applications and guiding users to use Uber. It is a completely unethical practice followed by company and they are also making fake requests to decrease the availability of drivers of other companies so that users can go to Uber application (Kar, 2004). It is not only breaking ethical considerations but also, laws of fair competition.
3. Effective communication
Communication skills are considered to be most necessary skills in daily life and work place. Effective communication considers clear expression of individual and it is better to have two way communication process. The customs and principles need to be followed while communicating with people of different cultures. It will help in reducing the communication breakdown and miscommunications (Annabel Jones, 2007). The different type of communications such as email, face to face, phone can be selected according to the specifications of culture and importance of communication.
4. Styles of communication

The selection of communication styles differ according to the cultures and appropriate selection ensures the maintenance of ethical approach.

• Implicit vs. Explicit – Most of the western cultures communicate in explicit manner and believes in communicating the important information directly and in an unambiguous manner. This is the current style of ethics (Arta Musaraj, 2006). In Middle East and Latin America, individuals tend to communicate implicitly. It results in indirect and ambiguous communications.
• Non-verbal communication – The signals or indications also communicate in imperative manner. The eye contact, volume and tone of speech, gesture and body positioning communicates to individuals (Kar, 2004). The western cultures are mostly silent which indicates their arrogance but they believe it as a sign of respect.
• Language – In context to communication, language has become one of the most important aspects especially for people from different cultures. It also indicates the level of ethics in communication.

In conclusion, it can be considered that effective and ethical communication is a complex issue and the process of communicating ethically in global work place requires high level of awareness. It will enable anticipation of differences, level of adaption while maintaining own ethics and values (Kar, 2004). It is also considered that combining own and others cultural factors for communication is best way and an excellent ethical behavior in itself.

Blog 2

Intercultural Communication

1. Introduction

With evolving, merging and overlapping economies, there is a need to conduct business in variety of cultures. The main objective of this study is to understand intercultural communication in context to non-verbal intercultural communication to exhibit necessary knowledge and experience across different cultures (Kim, 2011). The international corporations are also exploring diverse skills and work force for reaping extra ordinary benefits. There are several intercultural issues that can impact the business in positive or negative manner. The motive of diverse individuals should be to learn required set of skills for transcending cultural boundaries and also, cultural communications. However, it is possible through proper intercultural communication training.

2. Intercultural Communication

Intercultural communication consists of sharing information across different social groups and cultures i.e. religions, ethnicity, society and backgrounds. The culture has significant impact on daily activities of individuals and way of conducting business (Knutson, 2010). Therefore, the cultural implications are critical for success. It is also indicated that lack of cultural sensitivity in dealings can offend other individuals or employees at work place across the globe.

3. Intercultural communication and non-verbal communication

The verbal and non-verbal communication varies according to the cultural formalities across the globe. There are different types of gestures and movements which can indicate positively or negatively. The same gesture that is offensive for some people may be considered as innocuous for others. The understanding of non-verbal communication will lead to maintain relationships in better manner. It will also reduce misunderstandings between individuals, personal and professional relations and employees at workplace. The body language, eye contact and unfamiliar phrases vary in different culture (Qingwen Dong, n.d.). Below are some examples of differences in intercultural communication practices.

• Differences in formal communication - In western cultures like America, Australia, New Zealand, people are very informal when dealing with business associates and addresses with first name. The culture of Europe is completely different. The titles such as “Mr.”, “Mrs.” etc. are used along with family name for addressing people. At the same time, they also consider disrespect when called by their first name.
• Body language misinterpretations - The body language has imperative effects on culture of individuals. For example, in North America, eye contact is considered as method to engage in interaction and to indicate authority and confidence (David MATSUMOTO,2005). In Japan, Africa and Latin America, eye contact is considered that individuals are insecure of suspicious. Similarly, handshake is done regardless of gender in North America and considered as workplace gesture. But in Islamic culture, touching hands and handshakes between male and female is disapproved.
4. Removing barriers of intercultural communication

The understanding and awareness of different culture can remove barriers of intercultural communication. The form of communication is main source of adapting the skills and meeting intercultural collaboration. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the barriers and promote better communication across different cultures and individuals (Knutson, 2010) . The intercultural communication training can be provided for enhancing the negotiation skills and enhance communication across the globe. It is also recommended to integrate cross-cultural framework for individuals who work with different cultures. The adaptability and adjustment with cultural intelligence and sensitivity is a need to current environment.