Overview

In this module, weekly lectures will introduce concepts related to the cultural differences between countries. These will be complemented by weekly seminars which focus on the application of concepts to practical situations.

Cultural collision underlies many of the situations we read about in the media – eg. political tension between countries, the failure of strategies by some companies who assume that ‘what works at home will succeed internationally’, & difficulties in managing employees that are experienced by managers who have managed similar operations in other countries.

You will learn about the influence of cross-cultural differences on management practices in organisations engaged in cross-border business activities. You will be able to identify & manage issues arising from cross-cultural differences, including the formulation & implementation of ethical & responsible policies by multinational corporations.

Topics may include but will not be limited to:-

• Understanding the sources and evolution of cross-cultural differences
• Linkages between national institutional systems and national and organisational cultures
• Communications and negotiation across cultures both within and between organisations
• A strategic view of culture
• The impact of multi-cultural teams and managing diversity on performance
• Role of leadership and motivation in cross-cultural management systems
• National cultures and organisational cultures and the inter-relationships between them
• Organisational change across countries
• International human resource management and expatriate management
• Impact of differences in cross-cultural settings for the design and implementation of corporate social responsibility policies

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -D- to D+ (40-49%): No major omissions or inaccuracies in the deployment of information/skills. Some grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Integration of theory/practice/information present intermittently in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives.

-good -B- to B+ (60-69%): Very good performance Most of the relevant information accurately deployed. Good grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Good integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

-excellent -A- to A+ (70%+): Outstanding performance. The relevant information accurately deployed. Excellent grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practice elements. Good integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Strong evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

-another level-C- to C+ (50-59%): Much of the relevant information and skills mostly accurately deployed. Adequate grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Fair integration of theory/practice/information in the pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Some evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

Learning Outcomes

• Analyse the linkages between national institutional settings and the impact on these on national and organisational cultures.

• Apply the insights contained in the academic literature on how to effectively manage international business activities.

• Assess the importance of cross-cultural differences for organisations engaged in international business activities.

• Evaluate the usefulness of the major theories of cross-cultural management to identify the major problems and opportunities faced by organisations engaged in international business activities.