Culture and Team Leadership Communication Effectiveness : A Cross-cultural Study from Japanese and German Leadership Communication Literature

Abstract

This extended literature review investigates the relationship between culture and communication. It analyses the effect of culture on team leadership communication. Specifically, this project focuses on the discussion about Japanese and German team leaders’ communication behaviours. The analysis is based on the literature in cross-cultural management, business, leadership, and intercultural communication. The collected data are analysed by cultural variability theories and the adapted model of communication roles of team leaders. This dissertation argues that communication is at the centre of team leaders’ activity. Cultural values affect team leaders’ communication behaviours. The findings suggest that the effective team leadership communication across cultures involves the combination communication styles of Japanese and German team leaders. For the implications of this study, a model for team leadership communication across cultures is developed.