Cross Cultural Management

Overview

This module aims to develop the awareness, skills and knowledge required by managers seeking to work abroad as international executives. The module provides a key grounding in the nature of management in the global context by increasing awareness and understanding of the soft skills in international management, particularly those relating to cross cultural management.
The course explores key theoretical lenses through which international management can be considered. The meaning of culture will be explored by touching on a range of national culture models and studies. Additionally, the module explores the institutional lens as a frame for considering international management. Other more contemporary issues in relation to ethics and ethical management practices across cultures is explored along with issues on cross cultural teams, cross cultural leaderships; cross cultural negotiation and communication and biculturalism. In particular the impact of culture on various management practices as well as human resources of the organisation are considered through contemporary issues such as international assignments and how multinationals manage the process of sending managers abroad on assignments.
Culture as an enabler and a constraint on international management practices is an important overall theme of this module. The impact of culture on knowledge management and sharing in organisations and the benefit of developing cultural intelligence and a global mind-set are important factors in this module.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the importance of cross-cultural management, and of the major theoretical and empirical studies comparing cultures and institutions
• Apply their understanding of cultural and institutional differences to evaluate the challenge and opportunities of doing business in different countries
• Understanding a range of international management practices and how culture impacts upon them: work, motivation, performance appraisal, leadership, cross-
• To analyse and critique theory and research on national cultures, and to convert theory and research into practice.
• Display an understanding of cultural difference in interactions with different nationalities.

Skills

This module aims to develop subject specific skills, cognitive skills and key transferrable skills. For example:

Subject-specific Skills
1. Knowledge acquisition, cultural development and analysis skills;
2. Critical reflection and analysis, synthesis of different perspectives and knowledge;
3. Writing skills and practical strategic problem solving skills and understanding of the relevance and implications of cross-cultural issues for the performance and survival of the organization.

Cognitive Skills
1. Problem solving
2. Logical reasoning
3. Independent enquiry
4. Critical evaluation and interpretation
5. Self-assessment and reflection

Transferable Skills
1. Synthesise and evaluate information/data from a variety of sources
2. The preparation and communication of ideas in written form
3. Work both independently and in groups
4. Organisation and time management
5. Problem solving and critical analysis

Assessment

Students must achieve an overall mark of 40% in the module to pass