INTERCULTURAL CONFLICT

Intercultural Conflict

Abstract

In this research paper, the researcher aims to determine the concept of Intercultural Conflicts. It's the common form of conflict which occurs due cross cultural miscommunication and misattributions. The paper will focus on the possible reasons which may lead to cross cultural conflicts. Furthermore, the paper will highlight the conflict resolutions settings, intercultural conflict styles, cultural conflicts in organizations, common barriers to cultural variation leading to multicultural conflicts.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Cross Cultural Conflict1

Culture, Ethnicity, and Ethnic Conflict1

Conflict Resolution1

Conflict Resolution in Intercultural Settings2

Intercultural Conflict Styles2

Low-Context Societies and Conflict2

High-Context Societies and Conflict2

Problems with a Cross Culture Relationship2

Family3

Geography3

Religion3

Intercultural Conflict and Organizations3

Factors Leading to Conflict4

Ways to Resolve Conflict4

Common Barriers to Cultural variation leading to multicultural conflict4

Individual Differences5

Parochialism5

Ethnocentrism5

Cultural Shocks5

Managing Cross-Cultural Conflict Productively5

Conclusion6

References7

Intercultural Conflict

Introduction

Intercultural conflict occurs due to cross cultural miscommunication and misattributions. The conflict between the people belonging to various cultures occurs because of different value assumptions, verbal and nonverbal habits, norms, values and social backgrounds. The definition of intercultural conflict is the basis of multicultural competencies. Learning of multicultural context by the individuals is essential as it leads to the understanding of human behavior.There are three factors of cross cultural competences such as awareness, skill and knowledge. Globalization of the world had forced us to learn how to manage intercultural conflict. It's mandatory to learn cross-cultural conflict management tactics due to increased workforce diversity and globally oriented businesses operations. The elimination of country borders has increased the importance of cross-cultural conflict management at all levels as people bring new work habits and cultural practices. Therefore, adopting new skills and knowledge is necessary to manage conflict constructively and creatively (Crawford, 2007).

Cross Cultural Conflict

It occurs due to the presence of individuals and groups belonging to various cultural boundaries. The more typical and conservative the society is, the more will be the groupings. Individual in the same culture may belong to other societal groups. For example by kinship into families, languages, nationality, religion, occupation, race etc. Therefore, individuals of all groups in the society are representative of their cultures, disparity if occurs, may lead to cross cultural conflict. So it becomes clear that conflict across cultures can occur at different levels, not just at higher levels of societal groupings. For example, factors separating “American” from the “Japanese” cultures (Peter, 1993).

Understanding the impact of cultural differences at all levels of society have high significance for analysts and practitioners. In the coming century, the individuals will experience more dangerous and severe problems, which are intercultural in nature.

Culture, Ethnicity, and Ethnic Conflict

Differences in ethnicity may also lead to cultural conflict. This phenomenon is more prevalent where a large group of people communicates with each other. Disparity between the ideas, norms, values and practices leads to severe ethnic conflict if it is not managed at initial stages.

The presence of other shared languages obscures other cultural differences. For example, Black and White Americans have major cultural differences in spite of sharing the common language. Such differences may include the patterns of problem solving in argument and disagreement ...