55778 - Developing Multicultural Skills in Global Contexts

Learning outcomes

Students are expected to learned features to be aware of in cross-cultural negotiation, how to gather information about cultural styles and how to adapt behaviour to get results by simulating a cross-cultural experience and to build cross-cultural sensitivity. Moreover students will learn how to recognize the importance of attitudes and values in determining behaviour and understanding cross-cultural communication as a system as well as the cross-cultural framework, learning about key cultural differences and how to be conscious of the synergies and differences between others’ values and attitudes and those of your own culture. At the end of the course students will be acquainted on tools for recognizing cultural problems at work and avoiding them or repairing them.

Course contents

This module aims to develop cultural intelligence (CQ) through enhanced interpersonal and intercultural communication skills to improve the effectiveness of students when working in and leading multi-cultural teams and when becoming managers in an international business environment.

More specifically, you will

• develop an understanding of culture, cultural differences, cultural values, beliefs and assumptions
• build an awareness of the benefits (and potential barriers) towards effective intercultural communication
• through a highly practical approach, explore how cultural differences can impact on group effectiveness, negotiations, communication, and personal presentation and impression
• use your cultural background as the basis for contrastive analysis across all forms of communication, including verbal, non-verbal, written and professional.
• Become more effective international team leaders

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module you will typically have knowledge and understanding of

• the concepts of societal culture and managerial culture, and the underlying attitudes, values and behaviours of different cultures
• recent research on the impact of cultural differences in management and communication
• the nature of communication
• cross-cultural issues in different forms of communication – verbal, non-verbal and professional
• how to develop and apply appropriate inter-cultural leadership skills

In addition to knowledge based outcomes, the learning and assessment methods used in the module will require you to develop and demonstrate your ability to

• be critical of your own culture, behaviour and perspectives
• be sensitive to, and tolerant of, the needs and differences of other cultures through strategically building inter-cultural rapport
• work effectively with colleagues from different cultures
• benefit practically from the different ideas and approaches of team members from other cultures
• demonstrate improved cross-cultural communication skills and strategies to ensure more effective results in multi-cultural teams
• become a more effective and inspiring team leader

Teaching and learning approach

The module consists of lectures and group-based activities, simulations and discussions. The module will be delivered over a total of 10 days with intervals between scheduled days to allow for group and individual activities and presentations as well as integration and reflection.

Readings/Bibliography

Recommended information sources and reading material

Text book that you should consider purchasing to support this module is:

Guirdham Maureen 2005 Communicating across Cultures at Work Oxford, Palgrave Macmillan

Martin J Gannon Culural Metaphors, Readings, Research, Translation ands Commentary

Hofstede Geert 2001 Institutions and Organisations across Nations, Sage Publications

Hofstede, Geert, 2003 Cultures and Organisations, Software of the Mind, Profile Books

Huijser, Mijnd, 2006 The Cultural Advantage, A New Model for Succeeding in Global Teams, London NB Books

Lewis, Richard D 2003 (3^rd edition) When Cultures Collide, Leading, Teamworking and Managing Across the Globe, London, NB Books

Mole John 2003 Mind your Manners London NB Books

Storti Craig 2003 The Art of Crossing Cultures London Maine Intercultural Press

Storti Craig 2003 (second edition) The Art of Coming Home Maine Intercultural Press

Trompenaars, Fons & Hampden-Turner, Charles 1998 Riding the Waves of Culture, New York, McGraw-Hill Professional

Trompenaars, Fons & Woolliams, Peter, 2003 Business Across Cultures, Capstone Publishing

Trompenaars, Fons & Woolliams, Peter, 2004 Managing People Across Cultures, Capstone Publishing

Other sources used to support the module include

Bennett Milton (ed) 1999 Basic Concepts in Intercultural Communication Maine, Intercultural Press

Garton, Colleen & Wegryn, Kevin, 2006Managing Without Walls, MC Press,

Tomalin B and Nicks M 2007 The World’s Buiness Cultures and How to Unlock Them’ London Thorogood

Zweifel, Thomas, D. 2002 Culture Clash, Managing the Global High Performance Team, Select Books,

Various Authors, CultureSmart!Guides,Simple Guides 150+ Titles, Kuperard Publishers, 2002-2009

Journals

In addition to these text book sources you should develop your knowledge and understanding of cross cultural communication by regularly reading the following publications:

Harvard Business Review

International Journal of Cross-cultural Management

International Journal of Intercultural Relations

Cross-cultural Management

Journal of Cross-cultural Psychology

Multilingual Matters www.multilingualmatters.com

Expatriate adviser, quarterly www.theamericanhour.com

 

Websites

www.dialogin.com

www.bbc.co.uk

www.global-dynamic.com

 

Assessment methods

Individual Reflective Assignment –2000 words

 

This module will be assessed on the basis of a 2000 word paper submitted at the end of the module and should contain reflections on the personal change that has occurred in your experience during this course and with your multi-cultural colleagues and your plans to sustain and enhance this change

The outcome of the module will be averaged to that of the other module composing the integrated course in order to determine the final grade.

Office hours

See the website of David Raphael Solomons