A contextual understanding of “Excellence” in the globalized communication network

This paper reports Chinese industry professionals´ perceptions of ldquoexcellencerdquo in professional communication. These findings are drawn from a larger-scale study (supported by a University Small Research Grant through Kansas State University) on Chinese professionals´ needs for technical communication education. The entire study is scheduled to publish in IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication in 2010. Based on interviews with Chinese industry professionals, the author found that Chinese employees who otherwise all work in multinational companies and use English for workplace writing have different attitudes toward excellence in professional communication. This difference, I suggest, is caused partly by these professionals´ different work environments: extra-national global and intra-national Chinese. Chinese global workers have a greater need for English proficiency and excellence in written communication than those working in China-based multinational companies. In addition, Chinese cultural perceptionsof writing may lead some professionals to de-emphasize written communication. Based on these findings, the author suggests that technical communication teachers/trainers adjust their teaching approach when working with industry professionals from China and elsewhere to better promote excellence in communication.