Abstract
This paper discusses nonverbal communication and states that people like to be treated in a polite manner, and are comfortable with the customs with which they have been taught. The paper continues and relates that people are not always comfortable with customs from other cultures, however, and may be offended because of cultural misunderstandings. The paper relates how nonverbal communication which affect other cultures, can be of help to a business person, no matter who he or she deals with, and concludes with a discussion on smiles and handshakes, two common gestures that are universal.

Outline:
Introduction and Background - The Importance of Nonverbal Communication
The Problem - Ongoing Cultural Misunderstandings
Conclusion - Interpersonal and Communication Recommendations

From the Paper
"Some of the most serious and important contests in the land, Presidential debates, begin with handshakes. The purpose there is not to equalize the opponents, but is more of a face-off acknowledgment, such as boxers do when they touch gloves before and after a fight. The candidates acknowledge one another, but they do not try to be equal. After the debate they shake hands again to show that they still have goodwill toward one another after the debate is over (Andrew, 2002). Business handshakes are an offshoot of this, but in recent years they have been reduced severely from what they used to mean. In older times, a handshake was a person's pledge and contract, showing that someone was honorable and intended to do what he or she said would be done. Now it is merely a formality when someone interviews with a prospective employer, when a person makes a purchase, or sometimes just when two people meet. Years ago, in the banking industry, people could borrow money based on their handshake. Nowadays there is much more to it than that. A handshake is no longer someone's word of honor."

Tags:conversations, gesture, handshake, culture

Abstract
The paper discusses how McNamara (2008) indicates that two of the leading causes of communication issues arising within an organization are the belief by management that everyone knows what he or she is thinking.

Tags:communications, business, edu

Abstract
This paper discusses issues with communication in the school system. It discusses the reasons why efficient communication is important in a school setting and it looks into some of the effects of poor communication. The paper focuses primarily on the obstacles that may exist to effective communication in a school setting and it then discusses possible solutions to these problems.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Nature and Purpose of Communication
Obstacles to Communication in a School Setting
Solutions for the Communication Problems
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Schools in general are extremely intricate atmospheres for effective communication, more so then they seem. Bennett (1982) writes that every individual is driven in their actions, interpretations, sayings and preferences by their personal "vision of a just, peaceful and joyous world". The occupation of teaching is what teaches all other profession so it is extremely important that teachers are capable of instilling an effective method of the process of communication. The school setting can sometimes cause problems and challenges that aren't always anticipated or easy to handle for the administrators. But the opportunity to get rid of a problem comes with every problem and the solution of handling students in a school setting is to clearly understand their life history and experiences. Success will be found when the employees as well as the students have understood enough of each other's cultures to look beyond their boundaries and treat each other with mutual respect. The job of educational administrator is to instill this communicational ability his/her employees and students thereof."

Tags:understanding, diversity, interpretation

Abstract
This paper looks at the communication problems between patients suffering from HIV/AIDs or for those who have an insecurity about discussing such problems with their general practitioners. Following on from this discussion is a brief case study and how to help the patient with his communication with his general practitioner.

Abstract
Communication problem in the school system is as common as in other work places. It arises out of leadership roles of superintendents and teachers. Poor communication between teachers and support staff results in poor school performance. Group dynamics and racial prejudice in a multi-ethnic setting further contributes to this problem.

Abstract
The paper relates that intercultural communication is a major issue in the literature on communication and is emphasized in part as a way of training people to understand one another and to communicate in a way that is accepted by others. The paper discusses how many parts of the world today are becoming more alike because of the prevalence of media that exposes everyone to elements of different cultures, though even then, misunderstandings can abound because of a failure to understands and account for real differences in perception and meaning. The paper demonstrates how some of these problems can be seen illustrated in the film "Borat".

From the Paper
"Intercultural communication is a major issue in the literature on communication and is emphasized in part as a way of training people to understand one another and to communicate in a way that is accepted by others. Many parts of the world today are becoming more alike because of the prevalence of media that exposes everyone to elements of different cultures, though even then, misunderstandings can abound because of a failure to understands and account for real differences in perception and meaning. Some of these problems can be seen illustrated in the film "Borat". In the film "Borat" (Larry Charles, 2006), fully titled "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan", a..."

Tags:borat, communication, studies

Abstract
This paper is a research design proposal for analyzing the issue of how improper communication taks place between IT professionals and users in a company, testing in this case the perception of each group as to how the other group communicates.

Abstract
This paper examines an organizational communication problem encountered at the small political activists' organization for which the author of the paper once volunteered. The paper explains that there was an organizational communication problem because the volunteer supervisor did not have projects ready during the scheduled volunteer time slots and that, despite a thorough interview process to determine skill-need matches and to discover prior verbal scheduling of volunteer times, this problem persisted for months. The paper then relates that the consequence of the communication problem was a diminished enthusiasm for the cause and growing level of frustration causing the author to cease volunteering despite having a true belief in its mission. The author analyzes the situation and proposes that a communication plan should have been written and a communication vehicle defined.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Knowledge
Sensitivity
Skills
Values
Alternative Solutions
Proposed Solutions

From the Paper
"This paper does acknowledge that as with many political activists' organizations, things happen on the spot, and there is a great deal of crisis management, and not a lot of pre-planning. Additionally the communication focus for this organization was external, not internal. This organizational culture spilled over into the communication methods of this writer's volunteer work, and was a cause of a great deal of frustration."

Tags:scheduling, time saving, volunteer plan, written instructions

Abstract
This paper claims that in discussing various seizure disorders, a common thread in much current research concerns communications issues. The paper contends that as a measure of impairment following head injury, concomitant with head injury or any other focal neural deficits, it is apparent that language is a key element. The paper examines the effects of various brain injuries and attendant physical factors such as aphasia and focal neurological deficit for all age groups, from early childhood to old age. The paper explores the reason behind the use of language, its acquisition, delay or impairment as the tool most often used to make assessments.
Outline
Abstract
Introduction
General Studies
Neurological Factors in Language Acquisition
Head Injury Studies

From the Paper
"Maratsos and Matheny conducted studies to develop information abut language specificity and elasticity related to various neurological conditions. They devoted an enormous amount of time and effort to an exhaustive investigation, based on their hypothesis that "Language is currently the highest human mental function for which faculty-specific biological programming seems plausible (Fodor 1983, quoted by Maratsos and Matheny 1994). They drew into their investigation commentary from other disciplines, notably concepts developed by Noam Chomsky, who stressed "the putative independence of language as a functioning mental faculty" and Fowler who proposed that "one cannot conduct language development research without at least acknowledging the hypothesis that language is acquired, processed, and represented independently of other cognitive domains" (Maratsos and Matheny 1994). "

Tags:neurology, language, head, injury

Abstract
This paper discusses components of Adecco, a Fortune 500 company based in Switzerland that specializes in human resources. The paper explores various components of the company including the background, the organizational culture and the communication problems that the company is facing. Further, the essay involves a literature review and discussion of ways in which to improve communication within the company. The essay finds that regular department meetings, HR's presence in all interdepartmental activities, encouragement of an open door policy among other best practices will improve the company's communication system.

From the Paper
"Scholarly articles were reviewed in the area of OCI, corporate cultures, communication and communication enhancement. The goal was to determine whether there were best practices that Adecco could follow in order to develop a new, more effective communication strategy. Balthazard, Cooke and Potter (2006) found that communication is only one aspect of a larger cultural problem that needs to be repaired. The dysfunctional organization exhibits markedly lower effectiveness, efficiency, and performance in comparison to societal standards. Culture plays a pivotal role."

Tags:best practices, human resources, communication