Finding intercultural business communication research sites in companies.

The North American Fee Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will increase intercultural communication between business people in Mexico, Canada, and the U.S., creating important opportunities for business communication researchers. Research conducted inside companies could yield useful industry-specific and regional information about communication processes, ways of conducting meetings, use of communication technologies, proposals, marketing letters, product documentation, labels, training programs, letters, and memos. As cultural adaptation occurs, more research will be needed to document ongoing changes. If you're interested in meeting such challenges, this essay will help you identify appropriate companies and contact them.

Naturally, your communication research questions, not the availability of data, ought to drive your choice of research sites. There are many interesting and appropriate research questions to pursue (Limaye & Victor, 1991). Carefully thinking through your research plan in advance will make it easier to determine what kind of companies would make the best research sites. Finding a site isn't easy, but if you start your search with your closest resources and then look for more distant …