EMPLOYEE INTERCULTURAL KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS IN INTERNATIONALISING SMES IN PODKARPACIE PROVINCE

This article studies the state of intercultural knowledge and awareness of employees in internationalising SME subsidiaries of multinational companies (MNCs) operating in Podkarpacie province, Poland. There is dearth of empirical evidence regarding the study area. First, it discusses concepts related to intercultural communication, including the anxiety reduction theory to minimise possible tensions capable of arising from cultural ignorance and misconceptions. Next, it investigates the study sample, using an online questionnaire based on a 7-point Likert scale. The substantive section relies on eight subsection items to investigate the employees’ cultural knowledge and employee awareness. Research reveals that employees of internationalising SMEs in Podkarpacie province are attentive to their intercultural knowledge and awareness, a desired requirement for successful international business. It also reveals that miscommunication is likely due to misunderstanding and lack of cultural awareness.