HAMBATAN KOMUNIKASI ANTARBUDAYA DI LINGKUNGAN KERJA MILITER MULTIKULTURAL: STUDI KASUS PANGKALAN UTAMA TNI AL VI

Abstrak

This study aims to identify and analyse intercultural communication barriers in a multicultural military workplace, namely the Main Naval Base VI of the Indonesian Navy (Pangkalan Utama TNI AL VI). A descriptive qualitative approach was employed with nine personnel selected through purposive sampling; this number was considered adequate because data collection and analysis continued until no substantially new patterns or themes emerged (data saturation). Data were collected through interviews and semi-structured questionnaires and analysed through data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. Of the nine types of barriers in Chaney and Martin's framework, three were most prominent: physical barriers (voice clarity and differences in accent or dialect), experiential barriers (particularly at the beginning of an assignment), and competition barriers (divided attention due to mobile phones or other activities). These barriers were overcome through adaptation, the use of Indonesian as the formal language of communication, and the support of the military hierarchy and values of unity. The novelty of this study lies in examining intercultural communication barriers within a hierarchical military institution, showing that communication conditions and initial experience matter more than cultural differences themselves.