A more productive approach would be to develop
an integrative model of intercultural competence
that is both consistent with the theoretical
and empirical literatures, and also provides specific
predictions of competent behavior. This approach
is reflected in basic form in Figure 1, and is elaborated
on by means of the series of propositions
that follow The propositions are broken down into
three levels of analysis: (1) the individual system,
(2) the episodic system, and (3) the relational system.
The individual system includes those characteristics
an individual may possess that facilitate
competent interaction in a normative social sense.
The episodic system includes those features of a particular
Actor that facilitate competence impressions
on the part of a specific Coactor in a specific episode
of interaction. The relational system includes
those components that assist a person's competence
across the entire span of relationships rather
than in just a given episode of interaction. Each
successive system level subsumes the logic and
predictions of the former. The propositions serve
both to provide an outline of a theory of interpersonal
competence in intercultural contexts as well
as offer practical advice. To the extent that interactants
can analyze intercultural situations sufficiently
to understand initial conditions, then each
proposition suggests a course of action that is
likely to enhance their competence in the situation
encountered