Cross-Cultural Communication and Collaboration: Case of an International e-Learning Project

Autor/inn/en	Toprak, Elif; Genc-Kumtepe, Evrim
Titel	Cross-Cultural Communication and Collaboration: Case of an International e-Learning Project
Quelle	In: European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning, 17 (2014) 1, S.134-146 (13 Seiten) PDF als Volltext (1); PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei (2) Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1027-5207
Schlagwörter	Intercultural Communication; Electronic Learning; Distance Education; Open Education; Cross Cultural Studies; Cultural Differences; Consortia; Case Studies; Phenomenology; Interviews; Program Administration; Barriers; Second Languages; Correctional Institutions; Foreign Countries; Belgium; Germany; Greece; Netherlands; Poland; Russia; Turkey; United Kingdom + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Interkulturelle Kommunikation; Distance study; Distance learning; Fernunterricht; Offene Erziehung; Offener Unterricht; Cultural comparison; Kulturvergleich; Kultureller Unterschied; Vereinigung; Case study; Fallstudie; Case Study; Phenomenological psychology; Phänomenologie; Psychologie; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik; Second language; Zweitsprache; Jugendstrafvollzug; Ausland; Belgien; Deutschland; Griechenland; Niederlande; Polen; Russland; Türkei; Großbritannien
Abstract	Communication is an indispensable part of international cooperation and it requires managing different cultures. Being prepared to see and understand different values, trying to understand contrasting views in a consortium, can decrease the potential of misperception which otherwise may act as a real barrier to cooperation. This is why international cooperation necessitates negotiation across cultures. In the case of collaboration, parties come together for a joint work which itself may create common values/understanding, besides the set goals. This is because collaboration requires strong we-feeling and commitment. The purpose of this paper is to focus on cross-cultural communication and collaboration in the area of Open and Distance Learning (ODL), concentrating on the communication processes in project management. Cross-cultural studies point to different communicative behaviours of individuals in multinational work environments e.g. the cultural characteristics affect the preferences towards the use of the media. For the purposes of this paper, the authors make a phenomenological-oriented case study of project management based on interviews with partners of a multilateral Grundtvig (adult learning) project, affiliated with distance education institutions in eight different countries. The authors test their assumptions for constructive and cooperative communication in e-Learning projects; delineating the effects of different cultures as regards the expectations from (1) international projects and (2) communication media. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	European Distance and E-Learning Network. Available from: EDEN Secretariat, c/o Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Egry Jozsef u 1, H-1111, Hungary. Tel: +36-1-463-1628; Fax: +36-1-463-1858; e-mail: secretariat@eurodl.org; Web site: http://www.eurodl.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10