There are a number of reasons for using the ICS Inventory:

1. The ICS model is based on extensive, cross-cultural research: The four-quadrant Intercultural Conflict Style (ICS) model developed by Dr. Mitchell Hammer was intentionally developed to eliminate potential cultural bias by insuring that the theoretical model is grounded in research evidence that is generalizable and inclusive of a wide-range of cultural communities (e.g., individualistic to collectivistic cultural groups).

2. The ICS provides practical information: The ICS Inventory provides in-depth insights on an individual’s core approach for communicating about differences, resolving conflicts and solving problems. This is accomplished through sophisticated, individual ICS profile results in the ICS Interpretive Guide. The individual’s ICS Interpretive Guide identifies the person’s intercultural communication and conflict resolution style and how it differs from other intercultural styles.

3.  ICS Inventory results are actionable: The ICS Interpretive Guide results provide clear guidelines for identifying common cultural style misinterpretations and inaccurate judgments that can arise. In addition, the ICS Facilitator Manual identifies training and educational program designs and content to facilitate increased cultural self and other-understanding. The ICS model and Inventory promote cooperative conversations and actions directed toward growth and development rather than judgment and resistance.

4. The ICS Inventory has wide application: The ICS Inventory can be used with individuals who are 15 years of age and older in a wide-range of educational institutions, not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, military and law enforcement, faith-based communities, international Non-Government Organizations (NGO’s) and for-profit companies. The ICS Inventory is well suited for use in intercultural, diversity and inclusion and international training and education programs as well as various communication programs and conflict resolution, peace-building and mediation workplace efforts.

5. The ICS Inventory is rigorously validated to apply across cultures and is not culturally biased: The ICS Inventory has been psychometrically tested and cross-culturally validated across domestic diversity and global cultural groups to provide a powerful and accurate profile of an individual’s core intercultural approach for communicating ideas and resolving conflicts (see: Hammer, M.R., 2009, solving problems and resolving conflict using the Intercultural Conflict Style model and inventory, In M.A. Moodian (Editor). Contemporary Leadership and Intercultural Competence, chapter 17, pp. 219-232, Los Angeles, CA: Sage; and Hammer, M.R., 2005, the Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory: A conceptual framework and measure of intercultural conflict approaches, International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 29, 675-695).

6. The ICS materials are “back translated” into multiple languages: The online ICS Inventory, ICS Interpretive Guide and ICS Facilitator Manual are available in English and other languages. Each language version has been rigorously “back translated” insuring both linguistic and conceptual equivalence in meaning.