The Road to Hell
1. Summary
John Baker, the chief engineer of the Caribbean Bauxite Company of Barracania located at West Indies. He was about to leave the company located there and wanted to move on to Keso Mining Corporation. But, as always, one person leave, another would replace. Therefore, Matthew Rennalls the young Barracanian; top scholar of London University, son of the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning is the perfect heir after John Baker leaves.
Matthew Rennalls is a loyal and strong nationalist as he is, by choosing to perform under the league of Europeans just to serve his country best because he sees the importance of his country natural resources. However, the cultural barrier between John and Rennalls has always at the minimum but indefinable.
One day, John Baker summoned Rennalls into the office to discuss Rennalls performance and to influence Rennalls to be motivated by the day their discussion ends. During their conversation, John uses the “plus and minus” technique to encourage Rennalls. Conversation at first was pleasing because compliments were given to Rennalls, but later on, “minus” were put into discussed, which is the issue of feud between Hutchins the production manager.
John perceives that Rennalls has a problem with skin color, but Rennalls deny it. Then lastly, John tried to end the interview but adding another “plus” factor of Rennalls. John mentioned about the year gap between the European and the West Indies. And later on, the conversation had run along in a friendly manner till it ends.
The next morning, John was shocked to received resignation letters from Rennalls and the problem was the “misunderstood” statement delivered by John during their conversation.
2. Problem statement
2.1 Problem.
1. John Baker is unaware of cross-cultural situation that he confronted.
2. Rennalls has had to leave the company because he felt discriminated.
3. Communication barrier that seems to be in...