Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace, 3/e by Varner and Beamer offers student readers the solid theoretical foundation they need and a highly engaging writing style peppered with personal examples culled from the authors' experience living and working abroad. The authors zero in on the specific needs of a firm, from broad cultural and business values to the influence of culture on negotiations, to the structure of the firm. Chapter 12 in the 3rd edition focuses on applying cultural concepts to real-life situations. It also emphasizes team work in intercultural groups. Legal issues in intercultural business communication are covered extensively. Opening chapters contain detailed discussion of cultural values that influence intercultural business communication. Table of Contents     CHAPTER 1: Culture and Communication The Importance of Learning about Cultures Onstage and Backstage Elements of Culture Transactional Cultures Culture: The Operating Environment or Windows of the Mind Understanding Culture Culture is Coherent Culture is Learned Culture is the Shared View of a Group of People Culture Ranks What Is Important Culture Furnishes Attitudes Culture Dictates How to Behave Responses to Other Cultures Diversity at Home Diversity Abroad Culture Shock The Question of Change in Cultures Typical Reactions to Unfamiliar Cultures The Importance of Self-Knowledge Communication and Culture High-Context and Low-Context Cultures Perception and Communication A Schema Model for Intercultural Communication Multilevel Messages Pattern Recognition CHAPTER 2: The Role of Language in Intercultural Business Communication The Language Barrier and Its Consequences: Real and Perceived The Relationship between Language and Culture Language as a Reflection of the Environment Language as a Reflection of Values The Meaning of Words Changes in Language Acronyms Implications of the Language Barrier Selection of the Right Language Linguistic Considerations Business Considerations Political Considerations Appropriate Level of Fluency The Company Language Choosing a Company Language Using Additional Foreign Language Expertise The Role of the Interpreter The Importance of Choosing a Good Interpreter The Effective Use of an Interpreter--Some Guidelines Communication with Nonnative Speakers Effective Face-to-Face Communication Effective Written Communication The Impact of Technology on Oral and Written Communication Some Guidelines for Communicating with Businesspeople from DifferentCultures Communication with a Multicultural Workforce CHAPTER 3: Getting to Know Another Culture Asking Questions Theories about Understanding an Unfamiliar Culture Where Can Information about Cultures Be Found? Are Generalizations Productive or Perilous? Category 1: Thinking and Knowing Does Knowing Come from Concepts or Experience? Does Learning Come from Asking Questions or Mastering Received Wisdom? Does Knowledge Have Limits? How Do People Reason? Category 2: Doing and Achieving Is Doing Important or Is Being Important? Are Tasks Done Sequentially or Simultaneously? Do Results or Relationships Take Priority? Is Uncertainty Avoided or Tolerated? Is Luck an Essential Factor or an Irrelevance? Are Rules to Be Followed or Bent? Category 3: The Big Picture Do Humans Dominate Nature or Does Nature Dominate Humans? Are Divine Powers or Humans at the Center of Events? Major Global Belief Systems How is Time Understood, Measured, and Kept? Is Change Positive or Negative? Is Death the End of Life or Part of Life? CHAPTER 4: Individuals and Groups in Business Culture Category 4: The Self The Basic Unit of Society: The Individual or the Collective? Obligation and Indebtedness: Burdens or Benefits? Age: Is Seniority Valued or Discounted? Gender: Are Women Equals or Subordinates? Category 5: Social Organization Group Membership: Temporary or Permanent? Form: Important or Untrustworthy? Personal Matters: Public or Private? Social Organizational Patterns: Horizontal or Hierarchical? Approach to Authority: Direct or Mediated? CHAPTER 5: Organization of Messages to Other Cultures Review of the Communication Model Meaning and the Communication Model Why: The Purpose and Factors of Communication Who in Business Communication Where: Channels of Communication When: Time and Timing of Communication Organizing Routine Messages Direct Plan Indirect Plan Organizing Persuasive Messages and Argumentation Argumentation and Logic Persuasion Tactics Organizing Unwelcome Messages Communicating about Problems Saying "No" Organizing Problem-Solving Messages Storytelling Analogy Syllogistic and Inductive Reasoning Bargaining Discourse The Role and Force of Words The Relative Importance of Encoding Messages in Words The Role of Words in Arabic Cultures The Role of Words in Japanese Culture The Role of Words in English-Speaking Cultures The Effect of Language's Structure Channels of Business Messages Internal Channels for Written Messages External Channels for Written Messages Structured Behavioral Channels Oral Channels Communication Style Formal or Informal: Hierarchical or Horizontal Framed Messages CHAPTER 6: Nonverbal Language in Intercultural Communication Paralanguage Vocal Qualifiers Vocalization Nonverbal Business Conventions in Face-to-Face Encounters Eye Contact Facial Expressions Gestures Timing in Spoken Exchanges Touching The Language of Space Appearance Silence CHAPTER 7: Cultural Rules for Establishing Relationships Respect for Authority and the Structuring of Messages Signals of Respect Positions of Authority Dress as Symbol of Authority Power Distance and Symbols of Power and Authority Tone and Behavior of Power and Authority Language as Symbol of Power and Authority Family and Societal Structures as Indicators of Power Assertiveness versus Peacekeeping Standing Up for One's Rights Preserving Harmony Recognition of Performance Monetary Recognition Non-Monetary Awards The Role of Social Contacts in Intercultural Business Conventions for Extending Invitations Mixing Social Engagements and Business Appropriate Behavior for Hosts and Guests Gift-Giving Dealing with Controversy in Social Settings Holiday Greetings Ethical Considerations in Intercultural Engagements CHAPTER 8: Business Information, Decisions, and Solutions The Nature of Business Information Culture?????s Impact on What Constitutes Information Assessment of Information Possession of Information Formal and Informal Information Ambiguity versus "Hard" Data Criteria for Business Information Business Information Sources Formal Information Sources Informal Information Sources Information and the Knowledge Economy Decision-Making Making Decisions Based on Ends Making Decisions Based on Means Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution Defining Problems and Dealing with Them Managing Conflicts Communicating about Conflicts CHAPTER 9: Intercultural Negotiation Negotiation: A Specialized Communication Task What Really Happened with Canwall in China? How Knowledge of Culture Can Help Factors in Negotiating Expectations for Outcomes Members of the Negotiating Team Physical Context of the Negotiation Communication and Style of Negotiating Phases of Negotiation Development of a Relationship Information Exchange about the Topic Under Negotiation Persuasion Concession and Agreement CHAPTER 10: Legal and Governmental Considerations in Intercultural Business Communication Communication and Legal Messages Specific Legal Systems Code Law Anglo-American Common Law Islamic Law Dispute Settlement Direct Confrontation and Arbitration Communication with Agents Trademarks and Intellectual Property International Enterprise and the National Interests Legal Issues in Labor and Management Communication Labor Regulations Employment Communication Laws for Safety on the Job Equal Opportunity Legal Considerations in Marketing Communication Investment Attitudes and the Communication of Financial Information CHAPTER 11: The Influence of Business Structures and Corporate Culture on Intercultural Business Communication Corporate Culture and Intercultural Communication Stages in Internationalization The Import-Export Stage Reasons for Exporting Communication in the Import-Export Environment The Multinational Corporation The National Subsidiary The International Division The Global Firm The Structure of the Global Firm Communication in the Global Organization Implications of Cultural Aspects of Business Structures for Communication in the International Firm Communication in the Organization Based on Credentials Communication in the Organization Based on Context Communication in the Organization Based on Family Orientation Communication in the Organization Based on Political Principles CHAPTER 12: Intercultural Dynamics in the International Company Cultural Issues in the Daimler Chrysler Merger Preparation and Training Attitudes Towards Management Attitude Towards Compensation Regulatory Issues Reports on the Merger Intercultural Business Communication as a Strategic Tool for Success Process of Intercultural Business Communication Dynamics of Culturally Diverse Groups Self-Awareness Mapping Differences Bridging Differences and Identifying Synergies Developing an Intercultural Business Communication Strategy Assessing Results Culture in the Context of Corporate Strategy Summary Appendix Case 1: What Else Can Go Wrong? Case 2: Hana, a Joint Venture Between Health Snacks and Toka Foods