Fruitful Friction: The Interface of the Global Business and the Interculturalist Cultures
Facilitators
Douglas Stuart, IOR Global Services
Christine Baldy Ngayo, Accenture
Ursula Brinkmann, Intercultural Business Improvement
Panel discussion at the SIETAR Europe 2005 Congress in La Colle sur Loup, France, September 21 - 25, 2005
Panel discussion topic
In many ways the future of interculturalism as a profession -
particularly in the work of training, coaching, and business consulting
- depends on its evolving relationship with the global business
community. Much of the interculturalist's role in the past has been as
a bridge between cultures, working on both sides of the cultural chasm
to create mutual understanding, and helping to reveal the impact of the
differences on communication and collaboration. The interculturalist
stance, based on the value-neutral approach of the social sciences, has
always been to value both cultures equally - not better, not worse, just
different.
However, in our partnership with global business, we are increasingly
required to help in the creation of a uniform "global business culture."
That is, our clients in global business tend to see cultural difference
as a part of many global business challenges. The value of the
interculturalist is in direct proportion to his or her ability to
analyze the role of cultural difference in the business challenge and to
propose solutions within the framework of the dominant business culture
- to play a role in directed cultural change. Also, the
interculturalist, to engage effectively in such work, needs to
thoroughly understand the business culture and to be fluent with
business concepts and language. The panelists will discuss these
challenges to the comfort and competence of interculturalists from
personal examples, frame the learning challenges, and lead the
discussion with participants of how we can best evolve as professionals,
increasing our value to our clients, as the globalization of business
continues. |
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