The Role Of Electronic Cross-Cultural Competence Among Students In An International University Enviroment
Miller Leon, Tuisk Tarmo, Nekrassova Natalja
Tallinn University of Technology Tallinn University of Technology
КЛЮЧЕВЫЕ СЛОВА: CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION, CROSS-CULTURAL COMPETENCES, ELECTRONIC CROSS-COMMUNICATION, LOW-CONTEXT AND HIGH-CONTEXT, HIGHER EDUCATION
АННОТАЦИЯ:
The continuously increasing impact of electronic communication is creating a corresponding increase in the need for people to develop specific electronic communication skills and competence. This is especially true when it comes to the role of electronic interactions in institutions of higher education; the role of electronic communications in facilitating and accommodating an intensification of multifaceted systems of interactions in institutions of higher education, and the need to effectively manage the increased diversity challenge that has resulted from the internationalization of higher education. This article argues that although there has been much research on the role of intercultural communications and increased competence in preparing students of institutions of higher education to manage the diversity challenges of the 21st century there is little or no research on factors that play a role in electronic communications competence. This article fills that gap by undertaking a comprehensive analysis of the role that ICT plays in student adjustment in cross-cultural learning environments. According to Edward Hall cultures can be classified as of low or high context. The current study aims to investigate how one’s cultural background can influence his/her effectiveness and interest in electronic communication. A study of 107 students majoring in business administration and international relations was carried out in an international university at the beginning of 2016. The results of the study show that there exists a strong variation among students with different cultural backgrounds in respect of their cross-cultural communication competences. Representatives of high context culture are more likely to rely on electronic communication systems to help them with their adaptation and in facilitating interactions in their new cross-cultural environment when compared to low-context respondents.
