Intercultural communication on a passenger aircraft flight deck: a qualitative study set in the context of South African corporate affirmative action policy

• Main Author: Waite, Michele Jeannette
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Rhodes University 1995
• Subjects: Intercultural communication > South Africa; Language and culture > South Africa; Communication and culture > South Africa; Affirmative action programs > South Africa; Air pilots > South Africa > Language; Flight crews > South Africa > Language
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002591

The recent emphasis on Affirmative Action policies in South African corporations has illuminated the issue of cultural diversity in organizations and the difficulties arising from this transition and change. One such difficulty is the problem of intercultural communication where miscommunication can have life-threatening consequences. This problem is particularly critical in the operational environment of the passenger aircraft flight deck where small group factors, as well as intercultural issues must be taken into account. In this thesis the problem of intercultural communication in such contexts as a consequence of Affirmative Action is examined. The data for this thesis comprises the communication of five culturally diverse flight crews. A multi-method was used for the gathering and analysis of this data. This involved the use of video-taped flight simulator sessions, and personal interviews with each crew member. The subjects themselves were involved in identifying key communication problems from the video and interpretation of the data. Three levels of analysis were used in the interpretation of the findings - the individual, the group and the organization. The factors which affected communication at each level in the small, culturally diverse group are highlighted. Furthermore, factors which influence the climate in which communication takes place are also considered. The implications for Affirmative Action are discussed.