Scandinavian Cultures in the Workplace

Abstract

When we think about intercultural communication differences we usually are comparing different ethnic cultures. This reading highlights that there are many different cultures within Scandinavian culture, and that these differences play out in their workplace communication practices. While the authors do not directly compare Scandinavian communication to other cultures, they do provide insights into cultural differences from the United States, Middle East, Japan, and China that illustrate how culture plays a role in defining communication practices. As you read this selection, focus on the findings and discuss sections to see the insights the researchers found. You will see parallels with the theories and models we have been learning throughout the course.

This paper looks at the way cultural influences affect communication, concentrating on how Scandinavian culture affects communication style. The paper starts out by providing an understanding about how crucial it is to comprehend cultural nuances in communication and the difficulties that can result from misunderstandings. Then, it looks at the cultural aspects of communication, such as context, worldview, social norms, and power relationships. The paper explores the fundamental tenets of Scandinavian culture that have influenced local communication norms, including social equality, achieving consensus, and indirect communication. The authors underline the need of cultural sensitivity and understanding for effective communication through a review of pertinent literature and case examples from such nations as the United States, Middle East, Japan, and China that illustrate how cultural elements play a crucial role in defining communication practices. Finally, the authors offer insights into the distinctive features of the Scandinavian communication style to advance knowledge of how cultural influences affect communication.

Keywords

Cross-Cultural Communication, Context, Cultural Factors, Scandinavian Culture, Communication Styles

Source: Mille Langaas and Bahaudin G. Mujtaba
View original source.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.