"Does humor travel well in business?" - Intercultural group work at IHI Zittau

On June 16, 2023, IHI Zittau hosted the presentation of an intercultural group work project aimed at exploring the universality of humour in a business context.

A total of 7 students from 3 nations worked together. The intercultural group consisted of students from the International University Institute (IHI) Zittau (1x), the University of Economics in Wroclaw (1x) and the National Technical University "Polytechnic Institute Kharkiv" (5x).

© CS

Under the leadership of Oliver Tettenborn (TU Dresden/ IHI Zittau), Prof. Oksana Makovoz (NTU Kharkiv) and Prof. Aleksandra Kuźmińska-Haberla (Wroclaw University of Economics), the joint work within the module "Intercultural Competences" shed light on the question: "Can humour be used well in business life?".

Humour has long been considered a valuable social tool that can foster relationships, reduce tensions and improve communication channels. In the business world, the "right" use of humour can also play a crucial role in building business relationships, fostering creativity and defusing conflicts. However, when different cultures clash in a professional context, the effectiveness and appropriateness of humour can vary.

© CS

To answer their research question, the cross-cultural group interviewed workers from Poland to examine the reception of humour in different cultural contexts and industries. They identified similarities and differences in humour preferences, linguistic nuances, and cultural norms related to humour. They also examined the impact of gender, hierarchy, and power dynamics on the use of humour in business.

While developing the project, students also encountered challenges within the group due to misunderstandings, language barriers, and cultural nuances. However, these obstacles offered valuable lessons in cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and effective communication across national boundaries.

© CS

The students concluded their lively presentation by summarizing that successful intercultural collaboration requires a willingness to listen, learn, and adapt one's humour style to the cultural context as appropriate.

The joint work was carried out within the "TUD and Ukraine: Bridges that Connect" project of the Technical University of Dresden (TUD).
The DAAD funded the project as part of the "Ukraine Digital" program with funds from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.