A longitudinal examination of the effects of self perceived leader–member dyadic communication differentiation and perceived group member performance: Does ethnicity make a difference?

This study investigated the notion that ethnicity similarity/dissimilarity and leader–member dyadic communication differentiation at several different points of time effect group member's performance. Longitudinal data from 4 studies on 141 matching dyads in 28 group's projects were used. Both leader's and member's perceptions on dyadic communication was assessed at three points (Time 1, 2 and 3) and used to predict group leader's perceived ratings of performance in Time 4 during groups’ life cycles. Results of hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) analyses indicate that the effect for leader–member dyadic communication differentiation and the dyads ethnicity similarity only occurs near the end of the group's lifecycle. These findings show that effects for leader–member dyadic communication differentiation on group member performance differ depending on the ethnicity of the dyads to which they belong at what point in the group's lifecycle dyadic communication is assessed. Results showed that such effects are distinct at the later stage of the group development.     

Leader–member skill distance,team cooperation,and team performance: A cross-culture study in a context of sport teams

Team heterogeneity research has been traditionally dominated by atomistic or single-culture assumptions. This study extends this stream by investigating the influences of cooperation and culture on the link between leader–member skill distance (one special type of team heterogeneity) and team performance. Building upon input-process-output framework from the perspective of individualist and collectivist cultures, we propose that the association between leader–member skill distance and team performance has an inverted-U shape in individualist cultures. Further, in such cultures, team cooperation can augment the positive effect of leader–member skill distance on team performance. In contrast, in collectivist cultures, the association between leader–member skill distance and team performance has a monotonic and positive shape, and team cooperation will attenuate the positive effect of leader–member skill distance on team performance. We find the empirical support for our views with a mixed-methods design: a qualitative study interviewing informants in different cultures to clarify the psychological mechanisms, and also a quantitative study analyzing the data from US’s National Basketball Association (NBA) and China Basketball Association (CBA).     

A Test of the Relationships between Host and Home National Involvements and the Preferences for Intercultural Conflict Management Styles

This study focused on the relationships between host national (host interpersonal communication) and home national (ethnic interpersonal communication) involvements and preferences for conflict management styles in the context of a conflict with a member of the host culture. Two hypotheses that examined the relationships between these variables and the preferences for the integrating, the compromising, the avoiding, the obliging and the dominating styles were proposed. Survey data from two hundred and sixty-nine, international and exchange, students were analyzed. The results revealed that the level of host national involvement positively predicted the preferences for the integrating and the obliging styles, and the level of home national involvement positively predicted the preference for the avoiding style. These findings suggest the need to consider contextual influences in understanding the complexities that underlie intercultural communication and adaptation.     

Measuring Communication Styles in the Malaysian Workplace: Instrument Development and Validation

The aim of the present study is to access communication style in the Malaysian workplace through the development and validation of a communication scale appropriate to the Malaysian workplace. The analysis involved data from 200 state development employees, and construct and criterion-related validation using data from 510 employees, representing three organizations in Malaysia. The results provided support for the use of language (pekerti) and communication and interaction (bicara) as crucial communication dimensions for the Malaysian workplace, which are identified from the item-generation procedure.     

Superior–Subordinate Communication Dimensions and Working Relationship: Gender Preferences in a Malaysian Organization

This paper attempts to investigate the Western proposition on the communication preferences of male and female employees in a Malaysian organization. Based on the literature, Western scholars suggest that male employees prefer working communication with their superior that will allow them to accomplish their jobs. On the other hand, female employees prefer relationship communication with their superior in order to maintain and develop their relationship with their superior. Our findings show the combinations of working and relationship communication emerging from Malaysian male and female respondents. The consequences of these findings are discussed and elaborated.     

Malaysia as an “Other” in Indonesian popular discourse

This article reads contemporary popular publications in Indonesia on the topic of Indonesian–Malaysian relations. It looks at how Indonesia perceives Malaysia and the function of that perception in relation to Indonesian national identity. The article also looks at how Indonesian perceptions of Malaysia were discussed during the revolutionary period by reading the speeches held at the constitutional meeting (BPUPKI) and the Konfrontasi period, reading the speeches written by Sukarno and the letter of Pan-Malay leader exiled in Indonesia, Ibrahim Yaacob. The article then compares the ideas espoused by Sukarno, Yaacob and others in the past and the arguments presented in the present day concerning Malaysia. A preliminary conclusion is reached that geopolitical anxiety and not kinship is a more important factor in how contemporary Indonesia sees Malaysia.     

Influence of sensation seeking on intercultural communication competence of international students in a Malaysian university: Attitude as a mediator

The present study aims to retest the relationship between sensation seeking, attitude towards other cultures (ATOC), and intercultural communication competence (ICC) introduced by the Western researchers. It was proposed that sensation seeking and ATOC have a direct impact on ICC, and ATOC mediates the relationship between sensation seeking and ICC in the Malaysian context. Survey technique was considered and structural equation modeling was performed in the study. The participants (N = 336) included international students of a Malaysian public university and were randomly selected for data collection. Findings revealed that sensation seeking is a predictor of ATOC and ICC. In addition, ATOC appeared as the mediating variable. The results reconfirmed the findings of Western studies and validated the culture-general nature of variables in the Malaysian context. Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) Malaysia can predict the accomplishment of their existing plans and further develop a policy for making Malaysia a hub of international students by considering the findings of this study.     

Teaching for Social Justice: Resources,Relationships, and Anti-Racist Practice

Fear and bigotry have spread through schools on the heels of a presidential campaign that promoted divisiveness grounded in racism and discrimination. This article describes the need for and a path toward explicit anti-racist teaching and anti-racist action to counteract this surge of hate speech. In addition, to create a more equitable and just education system and society, the article outlines actions needed to change key aspects of institutionalized racism and intolerance that are embedded in our schools: a) Correcting the unequal resources leading to inequitable opportunities, programs, teacher and leader distribution; b) providing equal opportunity for the kind of deeper learning demanded in the 21st century: A curriculum that supports critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration, and applications of knowledge to real-world problems; c) developing social/emotional as well as academic skills; and d) supporting personalization and relationships so that students feel cared about and cared for and experience culturally responsive, engaging, and empowering learning opportunities in contexts that provide supportive relationships and community.     

The Use of Japanese Language in Intercultural Context among Malaysian Japanese Speaking Employees in Japanese Companies

ABSTRACT

Lack of proficiency in Japanese language is a hindrance for successful intercultural communication between Malaysian Japanese speaking employees (MJSE) and Japanese employers (JE) in Japanese companies (JC) in Malaysia. Therefore, this quantitative study using Japanese Language Questionnaire (JLQ) investigated Japanese language use in intercultural context among MJSE to identify Japanese language challenges faced by them in JC. The findings indicate major challenges in listening and speaking compared to reading and writing. This indicate lack of language preparedness of Malaysian Japanese language learners before embarking for employment into JC in Malaysia. The study recommends evaluation of the Japanese language curriculum to ensure MJSE’s readiness to embark into employment at JC.     

Revisiting the contact hypothesis: Effects of different modes of computer-mediated communication on intergroup relationships

This study applies the contact hypothesis to computer-mediated communication (CMC) and examines whether intergroup computer-mediated contact can facilitate relationships between conflicting groups. The effectiveness of different CMC modes, text-based and video-based, in improving interpersonal and intergroup attitudes was compared. The results from an experiment indicated that video-based CMC exerted greater influence in improving participants’ attitudes towards a targeted outgroup member when compared to text-based CMC. However, text-based CMC produced a stronger effect than video-based CMC in improving one’s attitudes towards the outgroup as a whole.     

The state question in Chinese popular cultural studies

Abstract

This note is an attempt to trace the change and continuity of leftist political policies, and to analyse why the Left generally, especially the Malay Left, has not been successful in Malaysian politics. It questions why the Malaysian Left was stafter the Second World War but slowly dissipated until it is almost crippled now. Other than examining the formation and the roles of the Malaysian Left and their struggles for independence, this note also sorts out the factors of the unsuccessful struggles to get wide Malay support for the Malay-dominated Malay Nationalist Party of Malaya (PKMM) and the Chinese-dominated Communist Party of Malaya (CPM).     

Superior – Subordinate Request Email in Workplace Communication of a Malaysian Organisation

Email is key in workplace communication. This study examines structure of request emails and display of politeness by Malaysian superiors when writing to subordinates. Authoritative and solidarity-oriented structures with corresponding linguistic strategies were found to reflect different leadership styles, autocratic and democratic. Language and communicative style were influenced by situational context of a request. When face threat and imposition were low, superiors were authoritative and when face threat and imposition were high, they were egalitarian. Email functioned as an equalising medium that enabled superiors to be democratic as well as a channel for power enactment that reinforced hierarchical structures.     

College Students’ Perspectives in Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Malaysia,Singapore, England,and the US: Formative Evaluation Insights and Implications

The purpose of this study was to elicit college students’ knowledge and perceptions about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), attitudes and practices regarding condom use, and information about what educational and prevention materials that they think would be most effective for their peers. As part of a larger study, data was collected using focus groups and questionnaires. While American and Malaysian college students in the US participated in the focus groups, the open-ended questionnaire was emailed to college students recruited in Malaysia, Singapore, and England. Participatory communication was used as the theoretical framework to generate information and message concepts necessary for the design of effective health education and promotion materials. This study revealed that college students, regardless of nationality, should be informed and educated of the STIs problem on a gradual basis through various means and communication channels.     

Identity Management and Relational Culture in Interfaith Marital Communication in a United States Context: A Qualitative Study

This study explored the identity management processes in interfaith marital communication in a United States setting. Sixteen marital partners participated in this interview study. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, interpreted, and analyzed. Guided by identity management theory, the interview data analysis revealed three general themes: development of the interfaith relational identity via the co-creation of a superordinate spiritual and value system; implementation of relational boundaries to prioritize the relational identity; and identification of key milestone decisions (i.e. wedding plans and children socialization coordination) interfaith partners face in their intimate relationships. Contributions, limitations, and directions for future studies on interfaith marital communication are addressed.     

High-Speed Internet Access to the Other: The Influence of Cultural Orientations on Self-Disclosures in Offline and Online Relationships

The global village metaphor, originally popularized by Marshall McLuhan, suggests that individuals connected to information and communication technologies become more involved with others from around the world. The speed at which messages are communicated is one factor why Internet-supported technologies create a sense of community. The diffusion of Internet networks to areas around the world naturally increases the potential for intercultural communication. Considering the cultural differences of the communicators and diminished social cues of the environment, the opportunity for misunderstandings may be elevated in intercultural Internet-based communication. The present investigation explores how two important components of culture—individualism and collectivism—influence communication behaviors in face-to-face and computer-mediated relationships. Self-disclosures, which are fundamental to relationship development, are specifically studied. The findings reveal that collectivism is associated with fewer self-disclosures in computer-mediated relationships than in comparable face-to-face relationships. The difference between self-disclosure behaviors in face-to-face and computer-mediated relationships is more pronounced among individuals high in collectivism than those high in individualism. Implications to social information processing theory and future directions for intercultural Internet-based communication research are considered.     

Interpreting Cues of Goodness: Thin Sliced Judgment of Malaysians and Chinese towards Political Leaders

Thin slice studies have demonstrated that quick personality inferences of unknown others can be made fairly accurately. Utilizing focus group interviews, the current study examines thin sliced judgments and perceptions of six leaders in the context of goodness. Findings revealed that perceivers were able to form relatively accurate impressions of some leaders based on brief glimpses of nonverbal footage. Across all groups (Malaysian and Chinese) paralinguistic cues, dynamic cues and static cues were instrumental in the formation of positive perceptions of leaders in the context of goodness. These findings have implications for the areas of nonverbal behaviour, political communication, and personality judgement.     

Racial similarity as a moderator variable in the perception of leader behavior and control

This study compared leader behavior ratings of black and white Army infantry squad members serving in squads led either by black or white leaders. One black and one white squad member, chosen at random from each of 34 racially mixed squads, rated their leader's Consideration and Initiation of Structure behaviors (Stogdill, 1963), and their leader's behavior relevant to French and Raven's (1959) five bases of social power. In general, it was found that members who were of the same race as their leader rated him as significantly less likely to use punishment-related behaviors than did members who were of a different race than their leader. However, same-race members did not rate their leader's considerate or structuring behavior differently than did different-race members. The overall pattern of findings were discussed in terms of the leaders' implicit reliance on their punishment power to obtain compliance from different-race subordinates.     

A qualitative study of temporary reentry from significant others’ perspective

Using data collected through participant observation and in-depth interviews with 13 mothers of study abroad students in China, this study explores, from the mothers’ perspectives, patterns of social interaction between them and their children during their short-term reentry. It shows that the mothers’ confusion about their children's cultural identities led to their confusion about their motherhood identity and the renegotiated rules of interaction that virtually transformed mother–child relationships into host–guest relationships. The courteous and apparently friction-free interactions between mothers and their children were laden with latent relational distress and tension. The study suggests that reentry is not an individualized process of psychological and behavioral adjustment on the part of returnees only, as suggested by the existing literature; rather, it is co-produced by returnees and their significant others through communication. It also suggests that effective interaction between returnees and their significant others may be the key to reducing reentry stress.     

Influences of organizational communication tactics on trust with procedural justice effects: A cross-cultural study between Japanese and American workers

This study looked into possible relationships between workplace organizational communication tactics, workers’ feelings of trust, and workers’ perceptions of procedural justice. Raw data was collected by questionnaires, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to reveal the relationships. The subjects in the study were Japanese (N = 417) and American (N = 591) workers, surveyed in a period running up to late May 2004. For both the Japanese and the Americans, perceived procedural justice was influenced positively by rational communication tactics, and negatively by hard communication tactics; and soft communication tactics did not relate to perceived procedural justice. In the case of Japanese workers, it was found that, after controlling for perceived procedural justice, soft, rational, and hard communication tactics affected trust in different ways: positively, positively, and negatively, respectively. Therefore, perceived procedural justice had a partially mediating effect on the relationships between rational and hard communication tactics and trust. In contrast, for the Americans, there were no direct relationships between communication tactics and trust; rather, there were indirect effects from rational and hard communication tactics, via perceived procedural justice as a full mediator. The influence of three communication tactics on trust was much stronger for Japanese workers than their American counterparts. On the other hand, the influence of hard and rational communication tactics on perceived procedural justice and that of perceived procedural justice on trust were much stronger for American workers than their Japanese counterparts. Based on the results, some academic and practical implications are presented.     

Communication in the intercultural reentry: Student sojourners'perceptions of change in reentry relationship

This article first presents a theoretical rationale for investigating the role of communication in reentry relationships, then describes the results of a study investigating student sojouners' (N = 173) perceptions of positive and negative changes in three types of reentry relationships (parent, sibling, and friend). Results of statistical analyses revealed that the degree of positive and negative change reported by the sojourners varied with the particular type of relationship. Specifically, relationships with parents and siblings were perceived to have changed more positively than negatively. This somewhat contradicts previous research characterizing reentry relationships as problematic. Relationships with friends were perceived to have changed both negatively and positively. These results are interpreted from various theoretical perspectives and the author speculates on the specific role of communication in each type of reentry relationship.