Cultural Dimension Interests, the Dance of Negotiation, and Weather Forecasting: A Perspective on Cross-Cultural Negotiation and Dispute Resolution

This article will argue that effective cross-cultural negotiations and dispute resolution requires an understanding of Cultural Dimension Interests (CDI). The article will review many of the cultural interests that impact negotiation and dispute resolution by: 1) specifically reviewing the cultural theories of Edward T. Hall, Geert Hofstede, Fons Trompenaars and Charles M. Hampden-Turner, and Richard D. Lewis, 2) considering country specific anecdotal accounts of national negotiating behaviors, and 3) reviewing some specific beliefs, behaviors, and practices that impact national negotiation styles and approaches. This article will focus mainly on cross-cultural differences between American and Asian negotiation styles and behaviors.