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This book explains the subtle maneuvers of what researchers call "facework" and demonstrates the vital role it plays in the success or failure of cross-cultural interactions. Building on Geert Hofstede's seminal research on cultural dimensions, Merkin synthesizes more recent research in business, communication, cross-cultural psychology and sociology to offer a model for better understanding facework. Additionally, Merkin's model shows how particular communication strategies can facilitate more successful cross-cultural interactions. The first book of its kind to focus on the practical aspects of employing face-saving, it is a needed text for academics, students, and business professionals negotiating with organizations from different cultures.
List of contents
1: Introduction.- 2: Principles of Saving Face.- 3: Culture and Face Enactment.- 4: Individualism-Collectivism and Saving Face.- 5: Individualism-Collectivism Applied to Direct versus Indirect Facework.- 6: Masculinity-Femininity Applied to Cooperative and Competitive Facework.- 7: Power Distance, Receiver Facework, Innovation, and Superior-Subordinate Relationships.- 8: Uncertainty Avoidance, Face Saving, and Organizations.- 9: Long/Short-Term Orientation, Facework, and Organizational Relationships.- 10: Overview and Facework Model Application for the Cross-Cultural Workplace.
About the author
Rebecca S. Merkin is Associate Professor at Baruch College CUNY, USA. She has published over twenty peer-reviewed articles on cross-cultural studies of communication and saving face in journals such as
the Journal of Intercultural Communication Research, Cross-Cultural Research,
the
Journal of Behavioral and Applied Management,
and
Intercultural Communication Studies
. Prior to academia she worked in management at McKinsey & Company, TPF&C, and Merrill Lynch.
Summary
This book explains the subtle maneuvers of what researchers call “facework” and demonstrates the vital role it plays in the success or failure of cross-cultural interactions. Building on Geert Hofstede’s seminal research on cultural dimensions, Merkin synthesizes more recent research in business, communication, cross-cultural psychology and sociology to offer a model for better understanding facework. Additionally, Merkin’s model shows how particular communication strategies can facilitate more successful cross-cultural interactions. The first book of its kind to focus on the practical aspects of employing face-saving, it is a needed text for academics, students, and business professionals negotiating with organizations from different cultures.
