A Meta-Analysis of the Cultural Propositions about Conflict Management Styles in Face-Negotiation Theory

Among the most influential intercultural communication theories is Ting-Toomey\u27s face-negotiation theory. The theory has undergone a number of refinements over the past two decades and has emerged as one of the most cited theories in intercultural business communication research. The theory posits that face or “identity respect and other-identity consideration” is maintained and negotiated in communications and interactions of members of all cultures; however, it is perceived and enacted differently across cultures as a function of the cultural dimensions of individualism-collectivism, power distance, and low-context/high-context orientation. Our study is a meta-analysis of all research during the past two decades about the cultural propositions related to conflict management styles in this theory. Specifically, these propositions state that individualist cultures tend to use more dominating conflict management styles whereas collectivist cultures tend to use more integrating, compromising, avoiding, and obliging conflict management styles. We integrate findings across studies to answer the degree to which these theoretical propositions are answered by empirical research. We then describe avenues for future intercultural business communication research

Mobile Phone Use in Meetings among Chinese Professionals: Perspectives on Multicommunication and Civility

The purpose of this study was to examine the nature of mobile phone use in meetings among Chinese professionals. We replicated and extended surveys conducted in North America in order to draw cross-cultural comparisons. We surveyed 186 Chinese professionals about their attitudes toward mobile phones in meetings, their actual mobile phone actions in meetings, and their attitudes about appropriate response time to digital messages. Based on survey results, we concluded the following: (a) Chinese professionals are far more accepting of mobile phone use in meetings than are American professionals; (b) older Chinese professionals are more accepting of mobile phone use in meetings than are younger Chinese professionals – exactly opposite the pattern among American professionals; (c) Chinese women are less accepting then Chinese men of mobile phone use in meetings – similar to the pattern seen among American professionals; (d) multicommunicating via mobile phones in meetings is mostly client-based and relationship-based, and to a lesser extent team-based; and (e) meeting size strongly impacts attitudes toward mobile phone use in meetings. Many of our conclusions point toward a seniority-based, high-context approach to mobile phone use in meetings among Chinese professionals

The Impacts of Team Listening and Unscheduled Meetings on Team Coordination

We examined the impacts of the team listening environment and the frequency of team communication on team coordination in business environments. While there is a long history of examining listening on an individual and interpersonal level in communication research, the construct of a Team Listening Environment (TLE) was only recently developed. We surveyed 233 full-time working professionals, including executives, mid-level managers, and entry-level managers. Using multiple regression analysis, we found that a team listening environment is the single most important contributor to team coordination. We also found that the frequency of unscheduled meetings increased team coordination but that the frequency of scheduled meetings did not increase team coordination. Other factors such as length of employment with current employer, frequency of other forms of communication, age, and gender did not impact team coordination

Displays of Status and Expressiveness in Professional Profile Pictures on LinkedIn and Corporate Websites: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of China and the United States

This research compares how Chinese and American professionals visually self-present with professional profile pictures. Three studies were conducted. In Study 1, we surveyed 310 professionals in China and 215 professionals in the United States about preferred profile picture backgrounds for professional sites, such as LinkedIn and corporate webpages. Generally, Americans opted first for grey backgrounds more so than Chinese, and Chinese opted for blue and white backgrounds more so than Americans. Chinese and Americans both preferred office pictures over outdoor settings, although Chinese were more likely to choose office settings without views. In Study 2, we evaluated CEO profile pictures on corporate webpages of 100 Chinese CEOs and 100 American CEOs. Generally, Chinese CEOs project more formal, status-driven signals whereas American CEOs are more likely to display expressiveness. In Study 3, we evaluated the LinkedIn profile pictures and banners of 900 early-career finance professionals, including 300 American finance professionals, 300 Chinese finance profiles with English-language LinkedIn profiles (also referred to as cosmopolitan Chinese professionals), and 300 Chinese finance profiles with Chinese-language LinkedIn profiles (also referred to as domestic Chinese professionals). American women and cosmopolitan Chinese women are significantly more expressiveness than nearly all other groups, closely followed by Chinese domestic women and American men. Cosmopolitan Chinese men and domestic Chinese men are the least expressive. As far as professional profile pictures, we found that Chinese and American professionals tend to cluster into the following types: friendly professionals, corporate leaders, expressive leaders, casual professionals, and independents. These typologies involve various combinations of expressiveness and status displays. Each of these typologies effectively serves as a visual rhetoric of professional identity

Acceptance of Speech-to-Text Technology: Exploring Language Proficiency and Psychological Safety in Global Virtual Teams

Natural Language Processing, such as speech-to-text technology, is increasingly implemented in collaboration software that is used by global virtual teams (GVT). GVT collaboration has become ubiquitous and has additionally accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main issues of global virtual teams are technology difficulties, language and time zone differences, and lower levels of psychological safety. Advances in collaboration technology aim at improving collaboration for GVT. But we know little about the acceptance of these technologies. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore how Millennial and Gen Z members of GVT accept speech-to-text technology; namely, automated captions in virtual conferences and automated meetings transcripts. Particularly, we are comparing antecedents of acceptance across levels of language proficiency and psychological safety. We surveyed 530 users of speech-to-text technology in GVT both before and after they used the technology. The pre-survey was administered before the COVID-19 pandemic hit; when participants completed the post-survey all were under some degree of lockdown. Results suggest that use of the technology reduces anxiety and effort, but decreases performance expectation and hedonic motivation. Non-native speakers rate the technology more positively. The impact of psychological safety is limited to self-efficacy and anxiety

Smart Collaboration in Global Virtual Teams: The Influence of Culture on Technology Acceptance and Communication Effectiveness

Teams are beginning to rely on smart communication technology that is enhanced by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Yet, we lack understanding of how these smart communication technologies (SCT) influence team collaboration, especially in global virtual teams (GVT). This study empirically investigates how cultural values and practices influence the acceptance of SCT and how the use of this technology impacts communication effectiveness in GVT. We surveyed 643 members of 109 GVT before and after using the SCT. Results showed that team members from individualistic, future oriented cultures generally had more positive expectations towards the performance and enjoyment of using the technology. Uncertainty avoidance increased effort expectancy. After using SCT for communicating in the GVT, most differences disappeared. Regarding communication effectiveness, SCT had a positive influence, which was stronger for performance and future oriented cultures

A new standard for treatment of torus fractures of the wrist?

A new standard for treatment of torus fractures of the wrist? A large multicenter trial evaluated effects on pain and function for pediatric patients treated with a soft bandage vs rigid immobilization.Peter Mitchell Martin, DO, CAQSM; Mario Gaddini, DO; Brock Cardon, MD (Nellis Family Medicine Residency, Nellis Air Force Base)Includes bibliographical reference

Language Proficiency and Media Synchronicity Theory: The Impact of Media Capabilities on Satisfaction and Inclusion in Multilingual Virtual Teams

Virtual teams that use integrated communication technologies are ubiquitous in cross-border collaboration. This study explored media use and communication performance in multilingual virtual teams. Based on surveys from 96 virtual teams (with 578 team members), the research showed that more time spent in synchronous communication channels such as online conferences increased inclusion and satisfaction. Team members with lower language proficiency felt less included in synchronous and asynchronous collaboration, whereas team members with higher language proficiency felt less satisfied with asynchronous collaboration. Also, limited language proficiency speakers were significantly less likely to view synchronous tools as helpful for their teams to reach a mutual decision. Our data supports Media Synchronicity Theory (MST) for native and highly proficient English speakers. However, MST needs to be adjusted to account for different levels of language proficiency

New method for determining relative oscillator strengths of atoms through combined absorption and emission measurements: Application to titanium (TiI)

The authors introduce a procedure that combines measurements of absorption and emission by atoms to obtain relative oscillator strengths that are independent of temperature determination in the sources and of assumptions regarding local thermodynamic equilibrium. The experimental observations are formed into sets of transitions and required to satisfy defined ratios. The screened data are adjusted with a least-squares program to obtain optimized relative oscillator strengths and constants relating the observations to these values. With appropriate choices of input observations, the constants are proportional to upper-level lifetimes and lower-level populations. The procedure is illustrated by the published data of Whaling et al. and Smith and Kühne for 16 transitions in TiI. The relative oscillator strengths resulting from this procedure have calculated uncertainties between 5 and 17% (∼ 95% confidence level). Evidence is presented to suggest that these uncertainties have been overestimated. Calculated oscillator strengths are normalized to the atomic-beam absorption measurements of Bell et al. and to the experimental lifetimes of Roberts et al. and Whaling et al. The absolute oscillator strengths are determined with an uncertainty of 7-18%. The results indicate that the published lifetime for the level y 3D20 of TiI should be increased by 24%