A comparison of English and U.S. American communication patterns in work settings : an English perspective
type: CreativeWork
description: This thesis examines communication patterns between the English and U.S. Americans in a work environment. These two cultural groups engage in significant business, economic, and political relationships, and though they share many similarities, the cultural and communication differences can lead to misunderstandings and conflict. This study investigates the perceptions of 32 English nationals about their interactions with U.S. Americans in order to better understand the differences between their workrelated preferences and processes. The English participants completed a selfadministered written questionnaire that elicited their thoughts about the following: English and U.S. American communication and work behaviors, perceived cultural differences, and skills deemed most effective for successful working relationships between the two cultures. Forty-one percent of the participants also participated in a follow-up telephone interview. The results showed that the majority of the participants felt that national and individual cultural differences contributed to communication challenges at work. Some of the significant areas of difference include: language usage, preferred ways to deliver and receive information, use of humor, and approaches to decision-making and managing conflict. Suggested recommendations based on the findings of this study are intended to help professionals enhance stronger working partnerships between the English and U.S. Americans.
abstract: This thesis examines communication patterns between the English and U.S. Americans in a work environment. These two cultural groups engage in significant business, economic, and political relationships, and though they share many similarities, the cultural and communication differences can lead to misunderstandings and conflict. This study investigates the perceptions of 32 English nationals about their interactions with U.S. Americans in order to better understand the differences between their workrelated preferences and processes. The English participants completed a selfadministered written questionnaire that elicited their thoughts about the following: English and U.S. American communication and work behaviors, perceived cultural differences, and skills deemed most effective for successful working relationships between the two cultures. Forty-one percent of the participants also participated in a follow-up telephone interview. The results showed that the majority of the participants felt that national and individual cultural differences contributed to communication challenges at work. Some of the significant areas of difference include: language usage, preferred ways to deliver and receive information, use of humor, and approaches to decision-making and managing conflict. Suggested recommendations based on the findings of this study are intended to help professionals enhance stronger working partnerships between the English and U.S. Americans.
author: Nersesian-McGuire, Dianne Rene
keywords: Intercultural communication, National characteristics, American, British, English language Variation English-speaking countries, International and Area Studies, Social and Behavioral Sciences
license: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
date published: 2009-01-01T08:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-24T05:36:46Z
provider: University of the Pacific
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of the Pacific