Ep. 02 - A cultural approach to oral communication apprehension by accounting students

This study examines the relationship between oral communication anxiety and the cultural dimension of power distance among accounting students in Brazil and Portugal. Using a quantitative approach, the authors analyze how sociodemographic factors, such as gender and age, influence the fear of speaking in public or in group settings.The results show that higher levels of power distance are positively associated with greater communication apprehension. It was also found that women and younger students exhibit higher levels of anxiety, regardless of their country of origin.The study highlights that shared historical and cultural roots contribute to similar behavioral patterns in both Brazilian and Portuguese populations. Consequently, the findings suggest that reducing hierarchical barriers may be key to improving the communication skills of future accounting professionals.