Intercultural Relationship different culture.

Such a person should

not only be expertly versed in
mechanical processes but also be able
Introduction to get the job done. In case you do not
In today’s world, a sound basic have a replacement for Mr. Y, we prefer
knowledge of international affairs is a that you do not ask Mr. Y to return. We
prerequisite to operating in a global are prepared to begin production with
network. The ability to contribute our own crew. Please send me the
qualified and informed opinions is contractual conditions for Mr. Y’s
central to international business and replacement. Thank you very much”.
constitutes an integral part of a person’s Know-how and technical specialization
self image. In order to be taken seriously alone are apparently not enough to
in the global arena, a person must have ensure success in global business.
a well-founded understanding of Customers are demanding intercultural
environmental issues, European, sensitivity, understanding and the
transatlantic and transcontinental willingness to adapt to other-culture
security, rankings in global economic customs, rules and general social
competition and the worldwide struggle norms. Those who are unwilling or
against poverty. Business leaders can unable to meet this challenge are likely
no longer afford to lag behind in their to forfeit their long-term competitive
grasp of international politics and global edge in the international market place.
developments, regardless of their Terminating an international assignment
position in the corporate hierarchy or prematurely and finding a replacement
whether they are themselves only is costly and likely to damage the
indirectly involved in international company’s image in the long run in
business. A minimum of international terms of trust, as personal failure can
competence is required in either case. cast doubts on professional
competence.
Intercultural (source:https://library.oapen.org/bitstrea
Incompetence m/id/b4cc2a3d-3fa5-4529-a2d0-
424d0c46f6ae/1000245.pdf)
A German engineer received the
following mail from his Nigerian client:
“Dear Mr. X! Thank you very much for
your support. We have decided that Mr.
Y will leave Nigeria tomorrow. We feel
that there is little sense in continuing his
assignment. Regarding his return to
complete the assignment, we feel that
we need another specialist from
Germany, one who is more tolerant and
cooperative and is better able to
communicate with people from a
Intercultural Situations that
Communication in the international crew
Maritime World members will recognize
COURSE TO DEVELOP CROSS- Spot On Learning's 'Intercultural
CULTURAL COMMUNICATION Communication in the Maritime World'
Course is developed by interviewing a
COMPETENCES
large number of maritime professionals.
Language barriers and The interviews helped us describe a
miscommunication are often mentioned number of situations in the maritime
as causes of maritime incidents. world where crew members with
Besides language learning programs different cultural backgrounds often
Spot On Learning has developed online have different perspectives. A lot of
courses that help prevent theory about 'cultural dimensions' has
misunderstandings and develop cross- been compressed to 14 situations on
cultural communication competences. board that many crew members from
around the world will recognize. The
course helps them understand how
people from different countries &
Preventing cultures will often have their own
misunderstandings in perspective. Often encountered
differences are and their consequences
communication are explained and discussed.
Language barriers and Participants in the course learn to
miscommunication are often mentioned recognize 'symptoms' of possible
as causes of maritime incidents. This is intercultural misunderstandings and
not surprising as most merchant ships build bridges between different cultural
are operated by multilingual and perspectives in a very practical, down to
multicultural crews. English is the earth way.
number one language spoken in the (Source:https://www.spotonlearning.eu/1
maritime industry but for many crew 85/intercultural-communication-the-
members this is not the native language. maritime.htm)

Hierarchy of Needs
Language and culture What do you think of when you hear the
term "culture"? How would you answer if
Working with international crews around
someone asked you to describe your
the world it became clear that working
cultural background? What does the word
on English language proficiency is a
good start but not enough. "multicultural" mean to you? Believe it or
not, how you answer these questions can
play a part in how you operate as a in order to thrive. Maslow's Hierarchy is like
crewmember and an officer. a ladder: each need must be "climbed" in
order to reach the next need, and
Before we can understand culture and its
eventually, the top. Look at the picture
effect on behaviour, we must first
below to find out more about Maslow's
understand the very basic components that
Hierarchy of Needs.
drive us as humans. There are numerous
theories and schools of thought regarding
human nature. One such theory, Maslow's
Hierarchy of Needs, arranges human needs
on a pyramid. Maslow theorized that the
components that make up the pyramid
below are the elements human beings need
 Filipinos and Danes while on board Danish
Culture vessels, Fabienne Knudsen, whose
Even though as humans we share the most research focuses on multicultural crews,
basic biological imperatives, how we satisfy explains how culture is just one of many
these is often a matter of culture and things that affects our behavior.
personal experience. What exactly is
culture? The Merriam Webster dictionary
Communication
offers a variety of definitions for culture, but
the one best suited for this discussion is One of the most important tools you will
"the customary beliefs, social forms, and have to use while working at sea is
material traits of a racial, religious, or social communication. As a future officer, you
group; also :the characteristic features of will have a great deal of responsibility on
everyday existence (such as diversions or a board. Not only will you have your own
way of life) shared by people in a place or tasks to accomplish daily, but you will
time." (Merriam-Webster) likely have to delegate responsibilities
and duties to other crewmembers as
well. Besides that, working at sea is no
Culture and Behavior simple task. Many stressful factors can
Your cultural background impacts many come into play when working on board a
aspects of your daily life- from your work ship. All of these elements will influence
ethic to your interactions with others. your ability to communicate properly and
Culture acts as a filter. It modifies your successfully. Both environmental factors
behavior and your perceptions. However, it and personal factors can affect how
is important to remember that culture people communicate. Below, you see a
table with a list of these different factors.
only influences behavior. It is not an
Can you think of more?
absolute, and it does not determine how a
person will act or react in every situation. In
a report discussing the interactions of
With such a multitude of factors involved in Putting things in writing can also
help when communicating with large
communication on board a ship, it's no
groups of different backgrounds.
surprise that problems occur. There is no
such thing as an easy fix when attempting
to improve onboard communication. There
• Actively listen: When someone
are, however, a number of ways that can tells you something, listen to what
help when trying to communicate with your they are saying. This might seem
colleagues: obvious, but often times when we
are engaged in conversation, we
begin to think of how we are going to
• Working language: A working respond while the other person is
language must be established and still talking. Active listening requires
enforced on board. In most cases, you to focus on what the person who
this language should be English. is talking is saying. Afterwards, you
Having one language that all can follow up with questions about
crewmembers must use to things they have said, as well as
communicate, even in social your own comments on the matter.
scenarios, helps to ensure safety
and fosters a sense of community. A • Be patient and understanding: As
good team has to be able to you noticed from the list of factors
understand each other. above, so many things can influence
communication. Perhaps the person
• Clear and direct: When giving you are talking to is experiencing
instructions and messages of stress because of an illness or a
importance, be direct and clear. Say family situation. This can absolutely
exactly what you mean. When affect their ability to communicate
relaying information of importance, it objectively. Keep in mind that
might even be a good idea to have everyone you are working with has
the person you are speaking to their own factors at play, and
repeat what you have told them.
 your empathy is necessary to both
giving and receiving information.
(Source: http://www.marfag.no/k13/chapter-
5-the-multicultural-ship)