THE SIGNIFICANCE OF INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE IN CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Authors

  • Jadranka Zlomislić Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek
  • Ljerka Radoš Gverijeri Faculty of Economics in Osijek Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek
  • Elvira Bugarić Jesuit Classical Grammar School in Osijek

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the influence of education and additional factors influencing students’ awareness of intercultural differences. For the purposes of this research assessment was carried out with regard to their role in promoting cultural awareness and facing cross-cultural challenges posed by unfamiliar cross-cultural contexts.  Cultural education is presumed to be a key factor for achieving a significant increase of cultural sensitivity and cultural awareness in order to ensure successful cross-cultural communication and increase mobility of students/working professionals. For this study, it was assumed that the cultural awareness of students increases due to the courses they take and their overall study experience. A special questionnaire was developed for the purposes of this research, and the obtained results were statistically analyzed with the help of descriptive statistics, the non-parametric chi-square test, and the Mann-Whitney test. The research has shown that intercultural competence has a statistically significant positive effect on the readiness of students to participate in study and work programs abroad. Thus, it is mandatory that foreign language competence as well as intercultural competence be a priority of the curriculum if we are to increase the number of highly educated experts who will be capable to compete successfully as students or professionals in all fields and all cultural areas. If we recognize that globalization has made the world a global village, we all need the intercultural competence to successfully live in it.

Keywords: Globalization, intercultural competence, cross-cultural communication, intercultural education

Author Biographies

Jadranka Zlomislić, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek

Jadranka Zlomislić grew up in the United States where she received her elementary and high school education. She earned her BA in English and German language and literature at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Osijek, her MA from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb and her PhD from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek, where she teaches British and American Culture and Civilization as well as English language courses as an assistant professor. Her research interests include American and British cultural studies, and cultural studies in language teaching.

Ljerka Radoš Gverijeri, Faculty of Economics in Osijek Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek

Senior Lecturer in English, Chair of Interdisciplinary Courses
 

Elvira Bugarić, Jesuit Classical Grammar School in Osijek

Professor of English and German Language and Literature

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Published

2016-12-13

How to Cite

Zlomislić, J., Radoš Gverijeri, L., & Bugarić, E. (2016). THE SIGNIFICANCE OF INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE IN CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION. Ekonomski vjesnik/Econviews - Review of Contemporary Business, Entrepreneurship and Economic Issues, 29(2), 433–451. Retrieved from https://hrcak.srce.hr/ojs/index.php/ekonomski-vjesnik/article/view/4230

Issue

Vol. 29 No. 2 (2016)

Section

PRELIMINARY COMMUNICATION

License

Upon acceptance of an article for publication in Ekonomski Vjesnik / Econviews – Review of Contemporary Entrepreneurship, Business, and Economic Issues, contributing authors automatically waive their copyright in favour of the journal. The journal reserves copyright of all papers published in it.