Observations of Communication Patterns in the European Work-place

189-202Successful diffusion of communication technologies requires an understanding, to some extent, of the existing interaction patterns of their potential users and the likely impact of the introduction of these technologies This paper focuses on a study seeking to identify cultural differences in communication patterns that might apply in an international context. In this study, Mature students from the UK underwent 3-month work assignments in organizations in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy during the Summer of 1997. During their placements the students were asked to complete questionnaires which sought their perceptions of the use of various communication technologies and methods, together with written, verbal and non-verbal differences of people in their work situations compared with their experiences in UK organizations. Salient features of the findings and conclusions derived there-from have been presented