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CMA Foundation · Fundamentals of Business Laws and Business Communication · Intercultural and International Business Communication

A firm in Chennai tells its American partner 'we will meet the deadline by the end of the week, God willing', and the partner is annoyed at the lack of firm commitment. Which difference is chiefly involved?

The difference lies in cultural attitudes to time and control over events. The Indian firm's 'God willing' acknowledges uncertainty, while the American partner expects a firm commitment. Such differing outlooks on deadlines and fate can cause intercultural misunderstanding even when the words are clear.

  1. ADiffering attitudes to time and control over eventsCorrect
  2. BDifferences in currency exchange rates
  3. CDifferences in the legal system of contracts
  4. DDifferences in the size of the organisations

Explanation

Cultures differ in whether they treat time and outcomes as controllable commitments or as subject to fate or circumstances. The phrase reflects a fatalistic attitude that the American partner reads as vague. Currency, law and firm size are not at issue in the statement.

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