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2.3 CommunicationGlobalisation refers to “a growing economic interdependence amongcountries as reflected in the increased cross-border flow of three types ofentities: goods and services, capital, and know-how” (Leung et al, 2005).Leung et al (2005) also state that these inter-relationships on a global scalehave enhanced participation in the world economy and contribute greatly todomestic economic growth and prosperity. The study of cross-culturalcommunication can be referred to as a natural extension of a lesson inlanguage and political science, which examines the challenges faced bymanagers within organisations in dealing with people from different culturalbackgrounds (Johnson et al, 2006). The occurrence of these challenges, dueto the previously mentioned globalisation, will only become more frequent.Effective communication is essential in the attainment oforganisational success. This communication could either be at interpersonal,intergroup, intragroup, organisational or external levels (Wertheim, 2008,pg.1). The process of communication involves the transmission ofinformation from one person or group to another. Any form of distortion orinterference with the delivery of this information can be referred to as noisewithin the process. In the process of communication amongst employees andmanagers within an organisation, this noise can be certain barriers tocommunication such as language used, perceptual biases and culturaldifferences (Wertheim, 2008, pg.2). Wertheim states that in order forcommunication amongst individuals of varying cultures to be effective,deciphering of basic values, motives, aspirations and assumptions must bedone. He also states that the opportunities for miscommunication in cross-18