Understanding cultural diversity: The relationship of differences in communication styles with career outcomes among White and Asian Americans

Gina Janelle Medsker, Purdue University

Abstract

This dissertation investigated differences in communication behaviors of Asian and non-Hispanic White Americans, assessed relationships of these behaviors to career success, and evaluated methods for measuring communication behaviors. This research focused on openness, English proficiency, and influence styles, because anecdotal evidence suggests differences on these may hamper Asian Americans' career success. Literature on Asian and American differences on these variables and their relationships to career success was reviewed. Both influence tactics research from organizational behavior and human resources management and compliance-gaining research from communication studies were reviewed. Differences on the three variables were analyzed for 80 Asian and 59 White Americans from two organizations. Then, relationships of these variables to performance ratings, promotions, promotability, hierarchical level, salary, and size of a recent pay increase were assessed. Other possible determinants of career success were included in the regression analyses to prevent biases due to omitted relevant variables: socioeconomic status, work experience, education, marital status, grade point averages, age, race, gender, hours worked, mentoring, and networking. Both subordinates (n = 139) and managers (n = 104) provided data describing subordinates' communication behaviors by responding to close-ended questions. In addition, subordinates described their influence behaviors by responding to open-ended questions (n = l07). Foreign-born Asian Americans were rated lower in English proficiency, as hypothesized, but mixed support was found for cultural hypotheses for openness and influence tactics. Results showed U.S.-born Asian Americans using significantly fewer influence tactics overall and being less open compared with Whites or foreign-born Asian Americans. Comparisons of White, Japanese, Chinese and Filipino Americans showed several differences among Asian American groups as well as with Whites, suggesting that Asian American groups are not homogeneous in their communication styles. Much less support was found for hypotheses relating communication variables to career outcomes. Control variables had more relation to career outcomes than communication variables. Comparisons of the three methods for measuring influence tactics did not support the idea that the construction methodology is more valid or sensitive. There was also considerable dissimilarity in ratings from the three methods.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Berger, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Management|Communication|Minority & ethnic groups|Sociology

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