SMU MBA ASSIGNMENTS

Answer:  Kinesics is the most often studied and important area of non-verbal communication and refers to body movements of any kind. Different body movements can express inner states of emotion. The different body movements are:

• Facial expressions – Facial expressions can convey feelings of surprise, happiness, anger and sadness. If you meet a long lost friend and say “I am very happy to meet you again”, but with a sad facial expression, it conveys the exact opposite meaning.

• Eye movements – The eye movements such as wide open pupils express feelings of surprise, excitement or even fear. The importance of eye contact with one’s audience was pointed out earlier. Direct eye contact is an indication of intensity and interest, while lack of it can convey feelings of nervousness and guilt. As prolonged eye contact can intimidate people, it is not a good idea to stare at people. Different cultures perceive eye contact differently. In Asia, Latin America and Africa people avoid direct eye contact to show respect. Arabs use prolonged eye contact to measure trustworthiness.

• Gestures – The gestures such as movement of the hands while giving a lecture or presentation indicates a high level of involvement in what you are saying. On the other hand, shuffling of the feet is a sign of nervousness and speaking with one’s hands in one’s pockets is considered to be casual or even rude.
• Head movements – The head movements like nodding the head can convey interest, appreciation, agreement or understanding.
• Posture – Posture, refers to carriage or attitude. Our posture can indicate our feelings. In formal settings such as job interviews or classroom settings, it is essential that you maintain an erect posture to convey that you are attentive, since slouching or a relaxed posture conveys a casual attitude. Similarly, crossing your arms and legs can convey that you are defensive and rigid. Uncrossing your arms and legs can indicate that you are willing to listen.
• Physical appearance – Our outward appearance, including the way we dress and the jewellery and make-up that we wear can convey an impression of formality or informality. Going to a job interview dressed in blue jeans or not sticking to a stipulated dress code at the workplace can convey that you are a rebel, non-conformist or a very casual person.

Proxemics

Proxemics is derived from the word ‘proximity’ or closeness and is the communication term for personal space and distance. The space and distance which we choose to keep from people is also part of non-verbal communication. Each of us has our own inner and outer circles, which differ for different people. The different types of spaces are as follows:

• Intimate space – Our inner most circle is an ‘intimate space’, into which we generally admit only select people such as family and close friends.
• Personal space – A ‘personal space’ might include other friends and colleagues or co-workers. The intimate and personal spaces involve communication of an informal nature.
• Social and public space – The ’social and public space’ includes official or workplace relationships, where the communication is of a more formal nature.
• In a business context, it is more relevant to understand the concept of the following spaces:
• Fixed space – Fixed space means that the physical features of the work environment such as furniture, room size and seating arrangement are permanent. This conveys an impression of formality.
• Semi-fixed space – Semi-fixed space means that certain elements of the environment can be changed. For example, changing the seating arrangement conveys an impression of informality.

Sometimes, use of space at the workplace can determine leadership positions. For example, seating at the head of the table conveys leadership or authority. A round table meeting, however, conveys the idea of equality, since no one can be seated at the head of the table. All points of a circle are the same. That is why when heads of state meet (as in UN Security Council meetings), it is always a round table discussion, since all heads are equal.

Space should therefore be used carefully in a work environment, so as to convey the right impressions.

3 How does internal business communication affect the organization? Discuss the role of each stakeholder in this.( Importance of internal business communication, Stakeholders role )