Abstract
The paper relates that in order for the CEO to succeed in Sealwrap's global expansion, he would need to understand what common cultural barriers other companies have experienced, and what policies and processes to implement in order to avoid such hurdles. The paper then examines how Parasoft, a Monrovia-based corporation headed by CEO Adam Kolawa, experienced and overcame the cultural barriers to the company's global expansion. The paper explains the reasons why people may not appreciate the cultural point of view of others and points out that most issues arise from assuming that our own practices are followed everywhere else.

From the Paper
"With many companies expanding abroad, more and more issues have been noted to surface in regards to offshore and global expansion. As CEO of Sealwrap -a producer of plastics in the United States- Jerry is considering such an expansion for his company. Of the potential hurdles that exist in global expansion, one primary concern of Jerry's is the potential cultural barriers that expanding abroad may present. At first glance, this concern that Jerry has appears deceptively minor. However, in conducting research on other companies that have made this global shift, like Sealwrap, it becomes evident that several have indeed failed because of different cultural point of views."

Tags:outsourcing, offshoring, communication

Abstract
The paper discusses the tragedy that occurred in California at the Merced Community Medical Center when the lack of language and cultural understanding between the medical staff and refugee parents led to a medical travesty. The paper explores whether hospitals have improved language barriers in their emergency departments in the last twelve years. Based on several studies, the paper reaches the conclusion that emergency departments continue to have a major problem addressing the issue of language and cultural barriers.

From the Paper
"The United States continues to become more diverse in its population. About one-third of the population of the United States -- 34 percent -- claims "minority" racial or ethnic heritage, a jump of 11 percent from 2000. In May, 2009, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that the 2008 minority population reached approximately 105 million, or 34 percent of the nation's total population. This compares to 31 percent in 2000. If present trends continue, the U.S. population will grow from 296 million in 2005 to 438 million in 2050, and 82 percent of this increase will be the result of immigrants coming into the country and their American-born descendents, according to a Pew Research Center study. Of the 117 million people added to the population during this period, 67 million will actually be the immigrants and 50 million will be their children or grandchildren. Given these cultural changes in the U.S. population, how are emergency departments responding to the need of communicating with the diverse populations that seek medical help? Based on the studies noted here, language barriers continue to be a major problem in emergency departments.
"A study by Boschert reported that language barriers continue as "a major roadblock" to high-quality emergency care, according to the National Medical Association. A survey conducted in 2004 of 57 emergency departments reported that they "experience poor communication with non-English-speaking patients.""

Tags:interpreters, immigrants, minorities, patients

Abstract
This paper defines cultural competency in a manner that is specific to the unique environment of an Emergency Room. The paper contends that with the changing demographics of North American Emergency Room patients, physicians and nurses must be able to understand the normative values of each culture so that the patient remains as informed as possible despite obvious barriers.

From the Paper
"Contemporary healthcare workers are no longer faced with homogeneous patients from the same cultural background. Instead, with an increasingly diversifying population in North America, Emergency Rooms are being inundated with patients from a variety of cultural backgrounds."

Tags:cultural competency, standards of care, emergency room

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that social networking through such sites as MySpace and Facebook has become a popular and spreading interest in the United States. Such online contexts for community and group orientation and networking have originated in the U.S. and have generated remarkable success and innovative application there. The writer looks at how language barriers and cultural differences affect marketing efforts in different countries. The writer discusses that China is a market context where challenges are specific and dominant due both to the dramatic distinction between the Chinese language and Romantic or Latin-based tongues and due to China's isolated and distinctly defined cultural nature. The writer then discusses an approach to introducing a product like the iPod to Egypt, a country that is somewhat modernized but still characterized by many of the cultural distinctions of its region.

From the Paper
"In both of these, we consider that there is a real and difficult obstruction for organizations seeking to establish a meaningful identity.
"In consideration of the example of Foster's beer, for one, we are given a narrative detailing a long and difficult process by which the Australian beer distributor was eventually able to penetrate the market. For Foster's, one of the biggest problems was its prior strategic dependence on its name and Australian identity, which are easily and charmingly conveyed in advertisement in America. In a non-English speaking market, this is a harder association to draw. "

Tags:Google, success, product, brand

Abstract
This paper discusses the human ability to communicate and cites recent research into communication among other so-called "higher" forms of animal life.

Outline:
Introduction
Communication Theory and Intercultural Communication
Communication Through Symbolism and Ritual
Complex Ideas and the Limits of Nonverbal Communication Across Cultural Barriers
Conclusion

From the Paper
"According to contemporary anthropologists and evolutionary biologists, the essential element of humanity that differentiates us from our nearest evolutionary cousins is our ability to communicate, and in particular, our ability to do so verbally. Some authorities believe that verbal communication is a natural result of our large cranial capacity while others suggest the reverse, characterizing the latter as one beneficial consequence of the former (Poole, et al 2007).
"In recent years, research into communication among other so-called "higher" forms of animal life has led to a different possible conclusion altogether, in that human communication may differ much more in degree than in kind from other mammals and from our closest Simian relatives. Despite the fact that human communication may
represent the pinnacle of intraspecies communication, whales, for just one example, may have equally complex varieties of sounds that lie much closer to human language than previously suspected.(Gerrig & Zimbardo 2005)."

Tags:evolutionary, intraspecies, sounds

Abstract
An examination of the cultural barriers that exist when people travel abroad and how Americans are specifically sensitive to anything "non-American" when touring. This paper includes useful websites and hints the traveler should explore before embarking on his travels in order to avoid culture shocks. The paper brings an example of a South American group of students wishing to study in an exchange program.

From the Paper
"But, while business travel and vacation trips may be relatively brief, increasing numbers of both businesspeople and students are taking advantage of study- or work-abroad programs and moving into radically different cultures not as temporary tourists, but as semi-permanent residents for weeks, months, or even years at a time. This propensity for packing up and "seeing the world," together with an increased overall global consciousness, is commendable but it's also not without its own share of hazards which are above and beyond the normal challenges of everyday life in one's native country. "

Tags:travel, tour, guide, culture

Abstract
This paper identifies the main barriers to intercultural communication and suggests how barriers might be overcome in order to be an effective international manager. It identifies the main barriers as including misperception, misinterpretation, and misevaluation.

From the Paper
"There are certain barriers to intercultural communication. More specifically there are barriers to effective intercultural communication that prevent people from communicating effectively. Learning what these barriers are and how to overcome them will make individuals better communicators and will make international managers far more effective..."

Tags:intercultural communication, effective international manager, misperception, misinterpretation, misevaluation, overcoming barriers misperception cultural accommodation stereotyping, subconscious cultural binders, lack of cultural self-awareness, projecte

Abstract
This paper discusses how the current business environment is one of extreme competition and how cultural diversity is one area that is often described as a method of achieving competitive advantage especially with reduced trade barriers within the international market. It examines how having employees of different cultural backgrounds is an effective way of building these social and business networks since employees from different cultural backgrounds have an understanding of the other culture. It also shows how a culturally diverse workplace gives all employees the skills to communicate with any individual regardless of individual differences which increases the flexibility of the organization and enhances creativity within the organization.

From the Paper
"With business becoming more international, organizations need to consider other countries and cultures. This could be simply to serve customers in other countries, to purchase supplies from other countries or to set up operations in other countries. A multicultural workforce means that employees are available that may represent the other culture. One article argues that cultural barriers are a major reason that companies do not pursue opportunities in other countries. The author argues that business and social networks that operate across national borders can overcome these barriers (Rauch 2001). Having employees of different cultural backgrounds is an effective way of building these social and business networks."

Tags:business, environment, networks, employees, skills, trade, barriers, international, market

Abstract
This paper examines ntercultural communication, which has become more significant in social service work. According to the paper, people in multicultural communities strive to understand each other despite the barriers put forth by cultural differences. It further notes that as our communities become more diverse, issues of intercultural understanding are affected by other social goals. The paper concludes by noting that it is important to deliver social services in a tolerant atmosphere, but it is even more important to build a truly respectful, diverse environment where every voice is heard.

From the Paper
"Intercultural communication has become more and more important in social service work, as people in multicultural communities strive to understand each other despite the barriers put forth by cultural differences. As our communities become more diverse, we have begun to realize that issues of intercultural understanding are necessarily complex, and are affected by other social goals. It is important to deliver social services in a tolerant atmosphere, but it is even more important to build a truly respectful, diverse environment where every voice is heard. The process of developing an intercultural communication strategy requires us to think..."

Tags:barriers, intercultural, communication

Abstract
This paper examines the barriers that may present for Caribbean immigrants as distinguishable from other immigrants. Findings include politically motivated agendas, dual-cultural mobility as exemplified by Puerto Rico, and diasporic communities that offer support but by nature reinforce isolation.

From the Paper
"Migration barriers present political, social, cultural and financial issues for Caribbean Peoples. Some of the barriers may not have been anticipated but nevertheless contribute to impede integration into a host country. Although it could be said that migration barriers are fairly typical for most countries having a large migration status, for Caribbean peoples migration issues are perhaps more accentuated on account of their geographical proximity to both the North American continent, as well as Europe. The problem could perhaps be summarized by the following adage: ""We have seen that poorer countries, when they are unable to sell goods...""

Tags:caribbean, immigration, barriers