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Globalization, Communication, Culture, and Etiquette: Thailand Globalization Nowadays, globalization has become a reality. Due to globalization, many companies are now operating in more than one country. This crossing of geographical edges by the companies creates multicultural organization where employees from more than one country are working together. Stiglitz (2006) said “I believe that globalization has the potential to bring enormous benefits to those in both of the developing and the developed world. Economics has been driving globalization, especially through the lowering of communication and transportation costs” (Stinglitz, 2006, P. 4). According to ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 a regional economic integration agenda in ASEAN, Thailand is one of the founding members. The ASEAN Economic Community offering opportunities in the form of a huge market of US $2.6 trillion and over 622 million people. In 2014, AEC was collectively the third largest economy in Asia and the seventh largest in the world. Moreover, AEC members have agreed on the free flow of professional-level labor in seven fields including; engineering, architectural, surveying, nursing, medical, dental, and accounting services. Silpa-archa (2015) stated "In addition, as the world becomes more connected socially and economically, decisions to migrate to seek better opportunities beyond one's motherland is on the rise. Taking both ageing and migration into account, one can see that labor markets across the globe are in a transformational period” (Silpa-archa, 2015, para. 8). Why Communication Is Important? In a global world economy, having a work force that is diverse from a cultural and country perspective can help companies establish roots and develop business in foreign markets. The ability to communicate effectively with global business markets, to establish strong relationships with partners and suppliers in nondomestic markets and to understand the cultural implications of doing business in different parts of the world are key benefits. Communication is very important to every organization or even in daily life. Communication allows executive level and employees to understand each other tasks and responsibilities. Moreover, clear communication leads the organization to operate effectively. What Is Culture? Draft (2008) defined “culture is the set of key value, assumptions, understandings, and norms that is shared by members of an organization and taught to new members as correct” (Draft, 2008, p. 428). Culture also can be defined as the acquired knowledge that people use to interpret experiences and generate social behavior. It is important to recognize that culture is learned and helps people in their efforts to interact and communicate with others in the society. “The Land of Smiles” is likely represented from Thai people characters. Most of Thai people are friendly and polite because they are strongly influenced by the Buddhist penchant for compassion and hospitality as much as traditional hierarchies within the family, the workplace, and society. Thai traditional greeting is called “Wai" pressing hands together. The appropriate manner in business conduction, to conduct the meeting with Thais normally starts with a small talk before starting a business meeting. It is a way to build trust and to establish a firm basis for a working relationship. According to an interview from Mr. Rosep Thawichit, The office of Thailand Trade Advisor: "When establishing a business with Thai businesspeople, they want to know that they are compatible with you personally before developing a business relationship. The way you interact with them and the enjoyable you have together both business and social situations will be a determining factor in doing business with you" - Rosep Thawich Is Foreign Language Necessary? One of my personal favorites is discovering a new culture. It is an enriching experience intricately tied to the knowledge of a foreign language. You can learn a particular geography’s culture without knowing the language. You get to see the show, understand the plot, etc., but you miss out the real feeling of being in the audience. You can learn a lot about a culture, but you can’t feel it fully without throwing yourself in, and that begins with the language. Foreign languages are vital in today’s changing world. When you visiting different country either for vacation or business, learning a simple conversation in their language makes a great impression and could also make the travel much smoother. In addition, learning a foreign language open up employment opportunities. For businesses, it is essential to develop and sustain a strong footing in the global economy. It is better achievable if they can understand the psychology and the language of their foreign clients. Most companies look for candidates with foreign language skills. If you are already working, knowing a foreign language may lead to special recognition or promotions. As an employer, it will help encourage staff performance, improve customer services, and increase revenue for your company. If you would like to start learning or gain some more knowledge of Thai language, this link below is where you can find an incredible native Thai speaker tutor, with a basic 20 minutes class start for only US $5. WOW, CHECK IT OUT!! https://www.fiverr.com/s2/77d38287ce All in all, becoming more aware of cultural differences, as well as exploring cultural similarities, can help you communicate with others more effectively. It is best to be yourself but show an understanding of the other side’s customs, expectations, and behavior. Whether you learn a language for a specific reason or out of interest, learning a foreign language will lead to long-term success. The more language you know, the better you can express yourself. References: Association of Southeast Asian Nations. (2015). ASEAN Economic Community. Retrieved October 17th, 2016 from http://asean.org/asean-economic-community/ Daft, R. (2011). The Leadership Experience. United States: South-Western. Hodge, S. (2000). Global Smart. (1st ed). New York: Wiley. Silpa-archa, N. (2015). Thai labour market faces dual challenges. Retrieved on October 8, 2016 from http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Thai-labour-market-faces-dual-challenges-30255064.html Thawichit, Rosep. " Business Manner". Telephone interview. September 1, 2016.
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