Interkulturelle Wirtschaftskommunikation zwischen Deutschland und Korea: Problematik im interkulturellen Verstehen in Bezug auf die Arbeitsweise von Deutschen und Koreanern

Economical relationships between German and South Korean companies are successfully growing. Nevertheless, difficulties in understanding each other in face-to-face-communication between managers of both countries become evident when management styles of the own culture are applied to multi-cultural business situations. Such conflicts lead to an increasing interest in theories of intercultural business communication in South Korea. The following article summarizes the outcome of a research project "A Transcultural Study for Solution of Trading Conflicts between Korea and the EU" which was conducted in 2003. The goal of the project was to make out culture-based differences in German and Korean management styles. The focus was put on three main domains which seem to be the most outstanding causes of conflicts: 1. valuation of the written and oral word in business communication; 2. concepts of time in mutual planing activities and 3. methods of operation in carrying out business plans. 30 managers of both countries were interviewed about their work experiences in the other country. Hofstede's modell of cultural dimensions and Hall's description of cultures provide the foundation for comparing and interpreting their answers. The article concludes with suggestions for improving future enterprises in the field of business between both countries

Intercultural Business Communication between Germany and Korea: Issues in cross-cultural understanding in relation to the operation of the Germans and Koreans

Economical relationships between German and South Korean companies are successfully growing. Nevertheless, difficulties in understanding each other in face-to-face-communication between managers of both countries become evident when management styles of the own culture are applied to multi-cultural business situations. Such conflicts lead to an increasing interest in theories of intercultural business communication in South Korea. The following article summarizes the outcome of a research project "A Trans-cultural Study for Solution of Trading Conflicts between Korea and the EU” which was conducted in 2003. The goal of the project was to make out culture-based differences in German and Korean management styles. The focus was put on three main domains which seem to be the most outstanding causes of conflicts: 1. valuation of the written and oral word in business communication; 2. concepts of time in mutual planing activities and 3. methods of operation in carrying out business plans. 30 managers of both countries were interviewed about their work experiences in the other country. Hofstede’s modell of cultural dimensions and Hall’s description of cultures provide the foundation for comparing and interpreting their answers. The article concludes with suggestions for improving future enterprises in the field of business between both countries

Comparative effectiveness, safety and acceptability of medical abortion at home and in a clinic: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE: To compare medical abortion practised at home and in clinics in terms of effectiveness, safety and acceptability. METHODS: A systematic search for randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies comparing home-based and clinic-based medical abortion was conducted. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, MEDLINE and Popline were searched. Failure to abort completely, side-effects and acceptability were the main outcomes of interest. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Estimates were pooled using a random-effects model. FINDINGS: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 4522 participants). All were prospective cohort studies that used mifepristone and misoprostol to induce abortion. Complete abortion was achieved by 86-97% of the women who underwent home-based abortion (n = 3478) and by 80-99% of those who underwent clinic-based abortion (n = 1044). Pooled analyses from all studies revealed no difference in complete abortion rates between groups (odds ratio = 0.8; 95% CI: 0.5-1.5). Serious complications from abortion were rare. Pain and vomiting lasted 0.3 days longer among women who took misoprostol at home rather than in clinic. Women who chose home-based medical abortion were more likely to be satisfied, to choose the method again and to recommend it to a friend than women who opted for medical abortion in a clinic. CONCLUSION: Home-based abortion is safe under the conditions in place in the included studies. Prospective cohort studies have shown no differences in effectiveness or acceptability between home-based and clinic-based medical abortion across countries