Exploring Intercultural Competence at the Macro and Micro Scale: A Case Study from Albanian University Students

Nina Gjoci (1) , Erjon Gjoci (2)
1. Department of Humanities and Communication, European University of Tirana, Bulevardi, “Gjergj Fishta”, Nd.70, H1 Tirana, Albania
2. Department of Economics, Epoka University, Rr. Tirane-Rinas, Km.12 1032 Vore, Tirana, Albania

Abstract

Globalization and increasing cultural diversity have resulted in the growing necessity of being able to communicate effectively across cultural and linguistic contexts—that is, of intercultural communication competence. This study adapted extant empirically-based scales to explore the constructs of communication competence at the macro (cultural) and micro (regional) scale, the variations based on demographic characteristics, and the relationship between macro and micro constructs. Participants from five Albanian universities in Tirana (Albania), Pristina (Kosovo), and Tetovo (Macedonia) completed the self-administered survey. The exploratory factor analysis generated two factors for intercultural items and three factors for regional items. The intercultural and regional measures were positively correlated. The results of this study suggest that a comprehensive definition of intercultural communication competence and culture general measurement could be conceptualized/designed as a macro-micro continuum.

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Authors

Nina Gjoci
dr.ngjoci@gmail.com (Primary Contact)
Erjon Gjoci
Author Biographies

Nina Gjoci

Nina Gjoci, (PhD, Bowling Green State University) is a lecturer in the Department of Humanities and Communication, European University of Tirana, Albania. Her work focuses on intercultural and international development and public memory.

Erjon Gjoci

Erjon Gjoci (MSc, University of Akron) is a lecturer in the Department of Economics, Epoka University in Tirana, Albania. His work and publications include financial institutions, investment professionals, markets, and business statistics.

Gjoci, N., & Gjoci, E. (2020). Exploring Intercultural Competence at the Macro and Micro Scale: A Case Study from Albanian University Students. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 20(1), 32-51. https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v20i1.298

Article Details

How to Cite

Gjoci, N., & Gjoci, E. (2020). Exploring Intercultural Competence at the Macro and Micro Scale: A Case Study from Albanian University Students. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 20(1), 32-51. https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v20i1.298