Republic of the Philippines
BULACAN AGRICULTURAL STATE COLLEGE
Institute of Arts and Science
Pinaod, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Philippines 3010
Analysis Paper on Selected Micro Case Studies in
Cross Cultural Communication
DCCH
Submitted by: Marcoso, Marvin I.
Year and Section: BSDC 2A
Submitted to: Mr. Adrian Arbi Caseja
Micro Case Study 1. A Reluctant Hand Shake
The case study, "A Reluctant Handshake," explores the challenges of cross-cultural
communication, focusing on how simple actions like handshakes can hold deep cultural
or personal significance.
In Professor Ruskin's class, an incident highlighted the need for cultural awareness and
inclusivity in education. By not offering other ways to introduce students, Ruskin
unintentionally excluded someone who might have avoided physical contact for
personal or cultural reasons. This example reminds us to question social norms and
encourage teaching practices that respect and include everyone’s differences.
Questions
1. What are the cultural and personal factors that may have influenced the student's
reaction?
2. How could the instructor have handled the situation more effectively?
3. What are the broader implications of this case study for educators and
professionals?
1.Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory. The Power distance Index, if the students
comes from culture from high power distance, they expected hierarchical norms. This
could lead to resistance and discomfort. In low power distance cultures, the students
may expect egalitarian attitudes and lack of understanding about this may lead fo
problems or frustration.
2.By adapting the communication style. The instructor may balance the indirect and
direct communication, for students who has a high context cultures she may use
incorporate nonverbal reassurance and with a gentle tone. For the students who's from
the low context culture instructor may provide a clear and detailed explanations for
them.
3.Instructors must be aware of students culture to avoid being ethnocentric, they must
the social norms, cultural lens, social class, and also the traditions to better
understanding the students actions. Instructors need to enhancing their communication
skills to mitigate the implicit biases, ensuring that all stuents feel safe ,respected and
valued.
Micro Case Study 2. Collaboration or Betrayal: Communicating Inside an Alliance.
The case study, "Collaboration or Betrayal: Communicating Inside an Alliance," looks at
the challenges of building trust and good communication in the workplace after a
serious incident. It focuses on a team investigating the issue, made up of both union
workers and management at a manufacturing plant. The team faces big problems, like a
history of mistrust between workers and management, fear of punishment, and worker
loyalty sometimes outweighing safety concerns.
The study shows how critical open and honest communication is for a successful
investigation. The team struggles to agree because of fears of blame, lack of trust, and
disagreements about whether to prioritize transparency or loyalty to coworkers. It raises
important questions about trust, fairness, and ethics in workplace investigations and
what can happen when personal interests come before group safety.
Questions
1. How can the company get workers and managers to trust each other more, so
they can talk openly about what happened without fear?
2. What can the team do to make sure everyone focuses on safety and finding the
truth, even if it means going against their friends at work?
3. If the company lets workers off the hook for mistakes to get them to talk, could
this cause more problems in the long run?
1.Hofstede's cultural dimension theory emphasizes power distance index and
individualism vs collectivism. Lessen the power distance index can create a comfortable
and effective environment for workers and freely share their ideas and concerns.
Managers can practice active listening to openly discuss the matter at the work to
create a comfortable workplace.
2.Hall's theory cultural context distinguishing the high and low context communication.
Implement the training programs that highlights the shared goals rather than an
individual responsibility, transparency process and policies that prioritizing the safety
and the truth over the personal relationships.
3.Trompenaar's seven dimensions of culture, particularly the universalism vs
particularism showing on how people view rules and relationships. Workers in
universalist cultures might perceive leniency as unfair, it can reduce the management
reputation. To address this management must provide training program on cross
cultural understanding to help both workers and managers appreciate the perspectives
of each other in terms of rules and fairness.
Micro case study 3. Fried Cottage Cheese
The case study, "Fried Cottage Cheese," by Christine Day, shows how regional
language differences and cultural habits can affect communication. Catherine Roberts,
part of a negotiation team, faces a misunderstanding when she misinterprets her lead
negotiator’s request for "fried cottage cheese."
Although Roberts is fluent in English, she doesn’t catch the regional accent and subtle
pronunciation her colleague uses. This highlights the need for active listening, attention
to detail, and awareness of cultural and regional differences, even when speaking the
same language. The case reminds us that good communication is not just about
knowing the words but also understanding the context, accents, and cultural cues that
can change their meaning.
Questions.
1. What can this story teach us about how people from different parts of the same
country might talk differently, and how that can cause misunderstandings?
2. Why is it important to pay close attention to how people actually say things, even
if you think you understand the words?
3. How can this experience help Catherine become a better communicator,
especially when working with people from different backgrounds?
1.According to Hall's Theory, some countries rely on high context communication and
low context communication . When people interact from different parts of the same
country assumptions about shared meanings can lead to misunderstandings of they
don't know culture variations.
2.Hofstede's uncertainty avoidance dimension is playing a important role in paying
attention for other cultures. This is why we should paying attention closely to the people
we interact to avoid ambiguity and fosters trust. Misinterpretation can rise when
someone assuming that they know the word , but never consider the accents, cultural
context, and regional idioms.
3.Empathy and active listening by focusing on how other persons express themselves
and being open to clarifying messages, clearly shows empathy to others. Recognizing
the other culture differences within their country foster inclusivities.
Micro Case Study 4 Culturally Appropriate Responses
The case study, "Culturally Appropriate Responses," looks at the difficulties of
communicating across different cultures and the need to be sensitive to cultural
differences. It shows how actions that are normal or caring in one culture can be
misunderstood or seen as offensive in another.
The story focuses on a group of Chinese friends walking hand-in-hand, who have a
negative encounter with an American couple. The couple makes a rude and
stereotypical comment that offends the Chinese women, leaving them embarrassed and
ruining their happy evening. This example highlights the importance of understanding
cultural norms, avoiding stereotypes, and thinking about how your words and actions
might affect others.
Questions
1. Why did the American couple's comment make the Chinese friends feel so
uncomfortable?
2. What could the American couple have done differently to avoid offending the
Chinese friends?
3. What can we learn from this situation about how to be respectful of other
people's cultures and backgrounds
1.American culture, oftentimes highly individualistic, they honest and value self
expression. While Chinese culture is collectivist, prioritizing group harmony and save
public appearances. Direct honest commment might have clashed with the Chinese
couple preference for indirectness leading to discomfort.
2.They notice the discomfort of their Chinese friends such as hesitation and subtle
expressions might have help the couple that their friends is uncomfortable to their word.
3.Appreciate other cultures lead to harmonious communication, adapting other cultures
help us to show our respect and understanding to their communication style, values,
and social norms.
