Overview
The following publication is related to cultural miscommunication and how the organization, being the within an International University, finds lasting solutions to mitigate any issues related to cultural differences and reap the benefits and powers of diversity. The publication has been derived from an interview with a lecturer of The University offers a unique perspective from within the organization as the interviewee is an international lecturer from Curaçao by birthright. The University is an internationally focused educational institution located in the Netherlands. It is to be noted that the majority of faculty, students and staff are Dutch.
Hofstede Dimensions
The Hofstede dimensions lack the necessary insight into the culture present within and amongst the population of Curaçao. A country comparison will thus be drawn using data on the Dutch culture alongside the spoken word of the interviewee.
According to the Hofstede Dimensions, the Netherlands has a relatively low power distance making it more egalitarian. Communication is generally carried out in a way which is low context and with few barriers or formalities. Management and staff can converse in conversation and the social norm is to communicate as human to human rather than one party being the subordinate to the other. Being a feminine society, work/ life balance is a priority as is wellbeing, this supports the high indulgence of the Dutch as well as the abundance of part-time working positions within the cultural landscape of Dutch society as they desire fulfilment and enjoyment of life. In language and communication, the Dutch culture brings forward a sense of directness. The Dutch culture furthermore has a high sense of individualism which can bring forward an in-group / out-group mentality, or rather cause a division between “us” and “they”. Lastly, the higher long-term orientation can influence people working together as the truth can be seen as dependent on the situation and context, depending on the topic, a less implicit and lesser low context speaking method may be necessary.
Our interviewee being from Curaçao by origin could pinpoint a few key differences in order for a cultural comparison to be drawn. Curaçao has a higher power distance as well as a higher sense of hierarchy. Within the cultural landscape, individuals have a position making the cultural setting generally less egalitarian. Curaçao has a more masculine society, striving for work/ life balance is less of a norm and part-time positions are rare. With language and context, Curaçao is more conservative and there is a general politeness, and the spoken word is less direct. Everyone’s position in society as well as the position of the individual engaged in conversation is also a determinant of the manner and language used, especially through the use of personal pronouns in showing respect. The structure within society is rather polychronic which can lead to multiple conversations or tasks happening at the same time rather than the more monochronic structural approach of the Dutch, supported by the long-term orientation of the Dutch culture.
The Dutch culture and the culture in Curacao differ from each other when you look at the Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet discussion. In the Netherlands it’s inhibitive and for some people even prohibitive to talk about it, because it’s seen as racism. The Dutch are more implicit in dealing with sensitive subjects. There is less low context communication necessary. To discuss the Zwarte Piet discussion a different approach needs to be taken. However, in Curaçao people painted themselves blacker than ever.
Comparing Curaçao and the Netherlands and their cultures in the Hofstede Insights framework, one can clearly see the cultural differences. Since teachers have to professionally work together with students from all cultures, it is very important for them to be able to understand and implement cross-cultural communication.
Outcome
Being the Dutch culture a very individualistic society where in-groups and out-groups prevail and are often evident, a relevant outcome has been found during the interview. Moreover, as mentioned above The University is an International Business School with a strong influence on the Dutch culture, where the decisions making are influenced by the Hofstede Dimensions of the Netherlands as well as the behavioural preference of using the in-group and out-group system; out-group individuals may encounter exclusivity issues. The University has strongly supported Ukrainian students (in-group) during the terrible months of war through donation campaigns or by directly supporting students via email, and phone and reassuring their mental health status. On the other hand, the university has lacked support for the students of other cultures such as Islamic students (out-group), who have encountered a similar issue, where war at home is becoming a norm. Those students may have felt a sense of exclusivity and unfairness, where The University has prevailed in-groups over out-groups, and this is due to the Dutch individualistic society which brings a societal division.
Furthermore, another practice that has been denoted to be a sensitive subject in Dutch society is Zwarte Piet. The interviewee has encountered a discussion with students at The University concerning Zwarte Piet which is a prohibitive subject for Dutch society as it’s seen as racism. This shows the preference of the Dutch culture as well as The University to be more implicit in dealing with personal and sensitive subjects in public. A low context communication is necessary to adopt a different communicational approach. Thus, the outcome shows the differences between the Curacao society, being less sensitive and open to discussion over the Dutch society preferring a low context communication and a less explicit conversation when dealing with thoughtful subjects.
Possible solutions
Best practice of the organization
The University is open and accepting towards students and lecturers. With rainbow campaign key chains, they support the LGBTQ+ community.
Facilitating mindfulness and collaboration for finding solutions for showing continuous support for the students from war countries.
The University is keeping all faculty informed about solutions and new information, they sincere in wanting to do it right. Helping students from Ukraine.
Open communication is very important. Search for ways to make the organization more inclusive, for example, training for making learning more accessible for students with ADHD or Dyslexia (explanation. Hearing text is easier than reading for these students). With this solution the university includes more students. With these solutions the university is not forgetting certain groups.
Possible solutions for miscommunication for students
Implement plenty of group work within the curriculum. With this solution students communicate with each other and get used to communicating with different cultures. Mainly use this solution to avoid miscommunication and regard it to students.
High context students can be more unclear, which can lead to frustration within groups. Dutch students can be perceived as impolite, and direct with negative feedback. As a solution provide structure within the groups. A structured working attitude means being on time for meetings, open communication and diversity within groups. This will lead to better results.
Solution for commonly experienced miscommunication amongst students
Implement two courses each year to touch on the importance of effective communication across cultural borders. With this solution miscommunication will be prevented and students get used to working together. The perks of this solution are that students will develop personally.
Authors
Yanika Einholz (linkedin)
Student: Amsterdam School of International Business, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Block 4, Semester 2, 2022
Billy Schur (LinkedIn)
Student: Amsterdam School of International Business, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Block 4, Semester 2, 2022
Francesca Meraviglia Mantegazza (LinkedIn)
Student: Amsterdam School of International Business Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Block 4, Semester 2, 2022