Intercultural Conflict Patterns and Training Implications for Koreans
The study analyzes Korean conflict styles through cultural dimensions such as collectivism, power distance, and face-saving, offering frameworks for educators and trainers to design more culturally responsive programs (Choe, 2002).
Intercultural Conflict: Where Does it Come From?
Cultural Values
Intercultural conflicts involving South Korea are related to communication style differences and cultural values.
Communication Style
The cause of intercultural conflict between the South Korean company and its American counterpart is in different communication strategies. Americans are open communicators, while South Koreans will not clearly say what should be said. This vagueness will be noticed by Americans as something strange.
Indirect + High Context
South Korean culture is characterized as a high-context culture, in which communication involves nonverbal behavior, contextualization, and indirectness.
Hierarchal Influence
Another factor in intercultural conflict is power distance and hierarchy. South Koreans honor authorities, whether they are their bosses, teachers, or other elderly people. South Koreans accept and do not oppose power differences and hierarchy.
Keeping the Peace
Koreans have developed under the influence of Confucianism, and that is based on harmony. It is unlikely to find conflicts in South Korea, as people there try to maintain peace at all times, so they will be very careful about not offending anyone and not saying anything that might cause trouble. In case of any conflict, Koreans will tend to use indirect communication as a method to resolve any problems. From the point of view of their counterpart, it will seem that Koreans want to avoid discussion of some issues.
