Journal of Business and Technical Communication Apr 2002

When Cultures and Computers Collide: Rethinking Computer-Mediated Communication according to International and Intercultural Communication Expectations

Kirk St.Amant

Abstract

Online communication technology makes intercultural communication faster and more direct than was ever before possible, but, in doing so, it may also amplify cultural rhetorical differences. Communication scholars, therefore, need to begin examining potential areas of conflict in international cyberspace to anticipate and to resolve potential cross-cultural misunderstandings related to online exchanges. This commentary proposes that researchers need to compare the communication patterns noted in the computermediated communication (CMC) literature and in the intercultural communication literature to see where these communication patterns collide.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
2002-04-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651902016002003
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
rhetorical criticism cultural rhetorics digital rhetoric
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (19)

  1. Fiss (2026)
    “No Mining Engineer Could Be a Lady”: A Historical Case Study of Drag and Humor…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Rahman (2022)
    Wikis as "Third Space": Diversifying "Access" for Technical Communication
    Reflections: A Journal of Community-Engaged Writing and Rhetoric
  3. Fiss (2021)
    Ridicule, Technical Communication, and Nineteenth-Century Women Performing Coll…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Cleary et al. (2019)
    Developing Strategies for Success in a Cross-Disciplinary Global Virtual Team P…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Wang (2018)
    Strategies for Managing Cultural Conflict: Models Review and Their Applications…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Show all 19 →
  1. Verhulsdonck (2018)
    Designing for global mobile: considering user experience mapping with infrastru…
    Communication Design Quarterly
  2. Verhulsdonck (2015)
    From Cultural Markers to Global Mobile: Using Interaction Design for Composing …
    Computers and Composition
  3. Ballentine (2015)
    Creativity Counts: Why Study Abroad Matters to Technical and Professional Commu…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Shin et al. (2015)
    Building Relationships Through Integrated Online Media: Global Organizations’ U…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Lillqvist et al. (2014)
    Facing Facebook: Impression Management Strategies in Company–Consumer Interactions
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  6. Ruppel et al. (2013)
    Using Communication Choices as a Boundary-Management Strategy: How Choices of C…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  7. Dysart-Gale et al. (2011)
    Culture, Communication, and ICT for Development: A Caribbean Study
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  8. Matveeva (2008)
    Teaching Intercultural Communication in a Basic Technical Writing Course: A Sur…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  9. Sapienza (2008)
    A Shared Meanings Approach to Intercultural Usability: Results of a User Study …
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  10. Goby (2007)
    Business Communication Needs: A Multicultural Perspective
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  11. Amant (2007)
    Online Education in an Age of Globalization: Foundational Perspectives and Prac…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  12. Amant (2007)
    Online Education in an Age of Globalization: Foundational Perspectives and Prac…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  13. Amant (2003)
    Making contact in international virtual offices: An application of symbolic int…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  14. Amant (2003)
    Expanding Internships to Enhance Academic-Industry Relations: A Perspective in …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

References (43) · 1 in this index

  1. (2001)
    The Economist
  2. Aristotle (1991)
    On Rhetoric: ATheory of Civic Discourse
  3. Axtell, Roger E. (1999)
    Do's and Taboos of Humor around the World: Stories and Tips from Business and Life
  4. Baym, Nancy K. (1997)
    Culture of the Internet
  5. Carliner, Saul (2000)
    Intercom
Show all 43 →
  1. (2001)
    The Economist
  2. Condon, John C. (1997)
    Good Neighbors: Communicating with the Mexicans
  3. Crystal, David (1995)
    The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language
  4. Drozdiak, William (2001)
    Star Tribune
  5. Einhorn, Bruce (2001)
    Business Week
  6. 10.4135/9781452231471.n10
     ↗
  7. 10.2307/1149230
     ↗
  8. Friedman, Thomas L. (1999)
    The Lexus and the Olive Tree
  9. (2000)
    The Economist
  10. Gurak, Laura J. (1997)
    Persuasion and Privacy in Cyberspace: The Online Protests over Lotus Marketplace and the …
  11. Hall, Edward T. (1976)
    Beyond Culture
  12. Hall, Edward T. (1983)
    The Dance of Life: The Other Dimension of Time
  13. 10.1075/pbns.39
     ↗
  14. 10.7551/mitpress/4920.001.0001
     ↗
  15. Hofstede, Geert H. (1997)
    Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind
  16. Hu, Wenzhong (1999)
    Encountering the Chinese: A Guide for Americans
  17. Katzenstein, Gary J. (1989)
    Funny Business: An Outsider's Year in Japan
  18. 10.1037/0003-066X.39.10.1123
     ↗
  19. Koretz, Gene (2001)
    Business Week
  20. Li, Xiangling (1999)
    Chinese-Dutch Business Negotiations: Insights from Discourse
  21. Richmond, Yale (1995)
    From Da to Yes: Understanding East Europeans
  22. Rodman, Lilita (1996)
    International Dimensions of Technical Communication
  23. 10.1075/z.87.09sch
     ↗
  24. Schauble, John (2001)
    I.T.: News from the World of Information Technology
  25. 10.1177/009365094021004001
     ↗
  26. Sproull, Lee (1997)
    Culture of the Internet
  27. 10.1287/mnsc.32.11.1492
     ↗
  28. (2000)
    The Economist
  29. Turkle, Sherry (1995)
    Life on Screen: Identity in the Age of the Internet
  30. (1999)
    Internet Marketing Hotlist
  31. 10.1109/IPCC.1999.799108
     ↗
  32. Ulijn, Jan M. (1995)
    Communicating in Business and Technology: From Psycholinguistic Theory to International P…
  33. VanGelder, Linsey (1990)
    Talking to Strangers: Mediated Therapeutic Communication
  34. Warnick (1998)
    Rhetorical criticism of public discourse on the internet: Theoretical implications
    Rhetoric Society Quarterly
  35. 10.1075/z.87.06wei
     ↗
  36. (2000)
    The Economist
  37. (2000)
    The Economist
  38. Zappen, James P. (1997)
    Rhetoric, Community, and Cyberspace
CrossRef global citation count: 73 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related Articles

  1. Pedagogy Apr 2025
    Contributors ↗
    modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism african american rhetorics cultural rhetorics first-year composition writing pedagogy basic writing graduate education two-year college teacher development writing centers technical communication professional writing labor and working conditions digital rhetoric multimodality social media literacy studies race and writing gender and writing community literacy literary studies editorial matter
  2. Philosophy & Rhetoric Sep 2024
    Where’s the Rhetoric? Imagining a Unified Field ↗
    Joshua Hanan
    modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism composition theory genre theory discourse analysis cultural rhetorics argument qualitative research quantitative research digital rhetoric social media grammar and mechanics gender and writing disability studies public rhetoric affect and writing body and rhetoric editorial matter
  3. The Peer Review Sep 2021
    Navigating and Adapting Writing Centers through a Pandemic: Justifying Our Work in New Contexts ↗
    Russell Mayo; Russell Mayo; Elise Dixon; Eric Camarillo
    rhetorical criticism cultural rhetorics first-year composition writing pedagogy two-year college teacher development argument collaborative writing assessment writing centers peer tutoring professional writing digital rhetoric multimodality social media online writing instruction race and writing disability studies editorial matter
  4. Rhetoric Review Jan 2020
    Digital Rhetoric on a Damaged Planet: Storying Digital Damage as Inventive Response to the Anthropocene ↗
    Dustin W. Edwards
    rhetorical criticism cultural rhetorics digital rhetoric social media editorial matter
  5. Philosophy & Rhetoric May 2015
    Rhetorical Citizenship and Public Deliberation ↗
    Matthew Houdek
    classical rhetoric modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism discourse analysis cultural rhetorics service learning argument portfolios qualitative research digital rhetoric race and writing gender and writing public rhetoric