Module 3 / Unit 3: What You Need To Read/Watch 1 ✓ Solved

Module 3 / Unit 3: WHAT YOU NEED TO READ/WATCH 1. Lesson: "W

Module 3 / Unit 3: WHAT YOU NEED TO READ/WATCH 1. Lesson: "Writing Ethically and Internationally." View the video. 2. Reading: Ch. 3: "Writing Ethically." TASKS: Task 1: Ethics — Locate the code of ethics for your discipline or potential career field. Choose three issues included in the code and copy and paste the three issues. Explain why each of the three issues could be helpful to someone working in that area — why they are important to your profession. Task 2: International and Multicultural — Identify five differences in acceptable business or cultural norms between the U.S. and another country of your choice. Explain how you might compensate for these differences if you needed to communicate with someone from that particular country. Include full URLs of your sources. Task 3: Discussion — Write a half-page explaining why it is important to understand your audience and its characteristics and how that might change or guide your writing.

Paper For Above Instructions

Introduction

This paper completes the three module tasks: (1) an ethics assignment referencing a discipline code, (2) an international and multicultural comparison between U.S. and Japanese business norms with compensatory communication strategies, and (3) a short discussion about audience analysis and how it shapes writing. The professional code selected for Task 1 is the IEEE Code of Ethics (electrical and electronic engineering focus). The international comparison uses Japan as the second country and cites business-etiquette and cultural-dimension sources to inform recommended adjustments (IEEE, 2022; Hofstede Insights, n.d.; JETRO, n.d.).

Task 1 — Ethics Assignment (Electrical/Electronic Engineering, IEEE)

Below are three issues copied directly from the IEEE Code of Ethics (selected items):

  1. "to accept responsibility in making decisions consistent with the safety, health, and welfare of the public, and to disclose promptly factors that might endanger the public or the environment;" (IEEE Code of Ethics)
  2. "to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever possible, and to disclose them to affected parties when they do exist;" (IEEE Code of Ethics)
  3. "to be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on available data;" (IEEE Code of Ethics)

Why these issues are helpful and important:

1. Safety, health, and welfare of the public: Prioritizing public safety is foundational in electrical engineering, where design flaws or implementation errors can cause fires, electrocution, or system failures with broad societal impact. Emphasizing this responsibility promotes risk assessment, adherence to standards, and conservative decision-making (IEEE, 2022). Practically, it helps engineers implement safety margins, require testing, and escalate concerns if a product or system could endanger users.

2. Avoidance and disclosure of conflicts of interest: Conflicts of interest can compromise technical judgment or create biased procurement, testing, or certification. For an electrical engineer, disclosure preserves transparency when recommending suppliers, accepting consulting fees, or holding investments related to projects. This principle protects both professional reputation and public trust, making project decisions more defensible and ethically sound (NSPE, 2021).

3. Honesty and realistic claims based on available data: Engineering decisions should be evidence-based. Overstating capabilities, timelines, or reliability can result in project failure or safety hazards. Honesty supports accurate risk communication to stakeholders (clients, regulators, public) and fosters better planning. When estimates and claims are realistic, teams can plan mitigation measures and avoid liability and harm (ACM, 2018).

Task 2 — International and Multicultural Assignment: U.S. vs. Japan

Five differences in business and cultural norms and recommended compensations:

  1. Punctuality and meeting structure: In Japan punctuality is highly valued; meetings often begin exactly on time and have a formal structure (Commisceo Global, n.d.; JETRO, n.d.). Compensation: Arrive early, prepare a concise agenda, and distribute materials in advance to respect time norms.
  2. Formality and use of honorifics: Japanese business culture uses surnames with -san and formal greetings; direct first-name usage is less common (The Balance, 2019). Compensation: Use formal titles until invited to be less formal; learn basic honorifics and proper greetings (e.g., bowing) to show respect.
  3. Indirect communication and high-context preferences: Japanese communication tends to be high-context and indirect compared with the U.S. preference for directness (Hofstede Insights, n.d.; HBR, 2013). Compensation: Read nonverbal cues, avoid confrontational wording, ask clarifying questions politely, and provide options rather than blunt rejections.
  4. Decision-making process (ringi and consensus): Japanese companies often use consensus-building and slower, inclusive decision-making rather than rapid top-down decisions common in U.S. firms (JETRO, n.d.). Compensation: Allow time for internal consultation, provide thorough documentation, and plan for multiple review cycles.
  5. Gift-giving and exchange of business cards (meishi): Exchanging business cards is ritualized and treated with respect; gifts may be expected in specific contexts (Commisceo Global, n.d.). Compensation: Present and receive business cards with two hands, take a moment to study cards before storing them, and follow local customs on appropriate small gifts when culturally appropriate.

Full URLs used for guidance (select examples):

  • Japan business etiquette guide — Commisceo Global: https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/japan-guide
  • Japan business practices — JETRO: https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/setting_up/section3/page9.html
  • Japanese business etiquette overview — The Balance Careers: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/japanese-business-etiquette-2059683
  • Hofstede Insights — Japan country page: https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country/japan/
  • Cross-cultural communication guidance — Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/2013/07/how-to-negotiate-across-cultures

Task 3 — Discussion: Importance of Audience Understanding

Understanding audience characteristics is essential because writing always aims to inform, persuade, or instruct readers with varying backgrounds, needs, and expectations. In technical and professional contexts, audience analysis guides level of detail, tone, format, and the choice of supporting evidence (Purdue OWL, n.d.). For example, a report for engineers may include technical diagrams and quantitative data, whereas the same findings presented to executives will need concise executive summaries and business-impact framing. International audiences add layers of cultural expectations: preferred indirectness, formality, or required translations can affect clarity and reception (Hofstede Insights, n.d.; HBR, 2013). Adapting content for audience knowledge, values, and communication norms increases effectiveness, reduces misinterpretation, and demonstrates respect—especially important in multicultural collaborations where misunderstandings have operational and ethical consequences.

Conclusion

Ethical codes like IEEE's provide concrete obligations (public safety, conflict disclosure, honesty) that directly support professional practice and public trust (IEEE, 2022). When working internationally—here illustrated with Japan—awareness of punctuality, formality, indirectness, consensus decision-making, and rituals like meishi exchange helps professionals communicate effectively and respectfully (JETRO, n.d.; Commisceo Global, n.d.). Finally, rigorous audience analysis shapes how technical content is structured and delivered so it is accessible, actionable, and culturally appropriate (Purdue OWL, n.d.). Taken together, ethics, intercultural competence, and audience understanding are essential competencies for contemporary technical communicators and engineers.

References

  • IEEE. (2022). IEEE Code of Ethics. https://www.ieee.org/about/corporate/governance/p7-8.html
  • NSPE. (2021). NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers. https://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics
  • ACM. (2018). ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. https://www.acm.org/code-of-ethics
  • Purdue OWL. (n.d.). Audience Analysis. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/professional_technical_writing/audience.html
  • Hofstede Insights. (n.d.). Country comparison: Japan. https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country/japan/
  • JETRO. (n.d.). Business practices in Japan and etiquette. https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/setting_up/section3/page9.html
  • Commisceo Global. (n.d.). Japan Guide — Business & Culture. https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/japan-guide
  • The Balance Careers. (2019). Japanese Business Etiquette. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/japanese-business-etiquette-2059683
  • Harvard Business Review. (2013). How to Negotiate Across Cultures. https://hbr.org/2013/07/how-to-negotiate-across-cultures
  • Intercultural Communication Institute. (n.d.). Resources on intercultural communication. https://intercultural.org/

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