Success in the International Virtual Office

Abstract

The advent of technologies such as company e-mail systems and corporate intranets has expanded the office to include co-workers from various national and cultural backgrounds. This new development means that certain deep-seated cultural factors can affect interoffice communications in the new workplace. This essay presents some of the more prevalent cultural “problem” areas that can affect international and intercultural communication in the new virtual workplace. This essay also provides a series of tips or strategies that can facilitate effective intercultural communication in the new atmosphere of the virtual office area as well as overview certain resources that can facilitate communication in this international and multicultural environment.