Analyze the Columbia airlines Avianca flight 052 situation described in Outliers

Step 1: Listen and take notes on the Lecture on Values ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUVHc1l3fsQ )

Step 2: Read the .PDF from The Ethnic Theory of Plane Crashes a chapter from Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell, pages 185-202.  See .pdf in Modules.

Step 3 : In a 200-300 word post, answer the following questions:  Analyze the Columbia airlines Avianca flight 052 situation described in Outliers (pages 185-202) in terms of high versus low context.  These concepts are explained in the Lecture on Values.  (Note:  Do not discuss power distance as Gladwell already provides that analysis.)  Did the cockpit crew valued high or low context?  Explain.  Did  ground control valued high or low context.  Explain.  Imagine you could go back in time before the plane crash.  What specific suggestions regarding intercultural compentence would you offer to promote more competent intercultural communication between the cockpit crew and ground control.  Be specific.  Don't forget to integrate course terms from the Lecture on Values. Be sure not to summarize the situation.  This assignment is about analyzing the situation.  (Be sure to apply the suggestions from Analyzing versus Summarizing in modules.) 

The Columbia airlines Avianca flight 052 situation described in Outliers involves the crash of a commercial airplane in January 1990, resulting in the death of 73 passengers and crew members. The incident highlights the importance of intercultural communication and the high-context and low-context value orientations in such situations.

High-context cultures rely heavily on nonverbal cues, context, and indirect communication to convey meaning, while low-context cultures prefer explicit and direct communication. In this scenario, the cockpit crew valued high-context communication, as they were Colombian and accustomed to using nonverbal cues and indirect communication. On the other hand, the ground control, consisting of North Americans, valued low-context communication, relying heavily on explicit and direct communication.

The communication breakdown occurred due to the clash of cultural values between the cockpit crew and ground control. The cockpit crew's use of indirect communication and their reluctance to challenge the ground control's instructions ultimately led to the crash. The ground control's failure to understand the indirect communication and lack of assertiveness from the cockpit crew also played a crucial role in the incident.

To promote more competent intercultural communication, specific suggestions include:

1.      Provide intercultural communication training to all individuals involved in air traffic control and aviation operations, highlighting the differences in communication styles between cultures, and promoting a better understanding of cultural values.

2.      Establish clear guidelines for communication protocols in high-pressure situations, emphasizing the importance of explicit and direct communication in such circumstances.

3.      Encourage assertiveness training for pilots and flight crews, enabling them to communicate more clearly and effectively with ground control, and preventing miscommunication due to cultural differences.

4.      Foster an inclusive workplace culture that promotes diversity and encourages individuals to be more aware of different communication styles.

In conclusion, the Avianca Flight 052 incident highlights the importance of intercultural communication in high-pressure situations, and the role of cultural values in shaping communication styles. Promoting intercultural competence through training and awareness can help prevent communication breakdown and improve safety in aviation operations.