INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE IN BUSINESS .

Case 2:

Several months after beginning sales efforts in China, Anna, a German manager, was discussing her new job challenges with a friend. At first, she had been charmed by the Chinese, especially by the fact that they were so nice. But now she is wondering if they are perhaps too nice. "For example," Anna said to her friend, "I can never get clear feedback from the Chinese people I supervise. If I ask for their help in solving a problem, they always start by saying, 'This is just a suggestion, but....' And if I ask for input during a meeting, they will very rarely make negative statements. Isn't the idea to get all the pros and cons out on the table so that we can discuss things objectively? I think this politeness is going a little too far! What's going on?"

Where did Anna go wrong?

How could you help Anna better understand this cross-cultural problem?

Use intercultural theories to explain it and support your discussion.

What would be your advice to Anna?

WHERE I CAN FIND RELEVANT RESEARCH