Is the concept of intercultural competence a useful concept?

background

Published by Cairn, this book offers a critical analysis of the concept of intercultural competence in the context of international management. He questions the usefulness of this concept in the face of the contemporary realities of globalization, which sees an exponential increase in intercultural interactions.

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Issues of the theme

• Reassess the effectiveness of the concept of intercultural competence in international affairs.
• Examine the limits of the traditional approach to intercultural management that favors individual communication over the larger, political and institutional context.
• Propose a renewed vision of the skills needed in a globalized world where power dynamics and organizational structures have evolved.

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Summary

This training, in book form, questions the prevalence of the concept of intercultural competence, which is often considered an indispensable prerequisite in international affairs. The text criticizes the focus on individual intercomprehension, which neglects essential political and collective realities during international negotiations. Moreover, it confronts the contradiction between valued personal qualities (such as openness and flexibility) and modern management practices that focus on standardization and short-term efficiency, typical of large companies. Finally, the author argues that the successes observed among emerging international companies, such as in India and China, call into question the need for these skills as currently defined. This reassessment suggests the need to adapt intercultural theories, developed mainly in the 1980s for businesses in the North.

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A word about the publisher

Cairn is a publishing house recognized for its significant contribution to academic and professional debates through the publication of research and theoretical analyses that challenge established paradigms, particularly in the humanities and social sciences.

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