A serious game for collaborative intercultural business communication

  • Authors:

  • Andrew Hogue;Bill Kapralos;Teresa Pierce

  • Affiliations:

  • University of Ontario Inst. of Technology, Oshawa, ON;University of Ontario Inst. of Technology, Oshawa, ON;University of Ontario Inst. of Technology, Oshawa, ON

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Humans and Computers
  • Year:
  • 2010

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Abstract

Intercultural communication has moved past the need to have basic knowledge of how to interact with other cultures. In today's "global market", intercultural business transactions are commonplace and simply knowing what general behaviors are acceptable in intercultural exchanges is just the beginning. Serious games and simulations may provide a way to facilitate intercultural communications training for business professionals. In this paper, we present the design of a team-based (collaborative), player-driven serious game that applies group and team dynamics, leadership, and intercultural communication theories to move beyond the "bow, kiss, or shake" training common in international business. We present the players with cultural information in a nonlinear emergent narrative fashion enabling them to develop strategy and employ their knowledge. Our design emphasizes exploration, role-playing and team work in a multi-cultural setting facilitating the learning process of other cultures communication needs and customs.