Cross-Cultural Management

Objectives 
In an increasingly global world, managers must be able to handle diversity effectively. 
The aim of this module is therefore:
 To increase awareness of the impact of national cultures on business. 
 To know the most significant cultural dimensions:
- Identity: individual or collective
- Rules: strict or flexible
- Task orientation (“specific”) or people orientation (“diffuse”)
- Trust
- Expression of emotions
- Vision of time
- Attitude towards change
- Distribution of power and hierarchy
- Attitude: assertive (“masculine”) or modest (“feminine”)
 To understand the logic behind each cultural preference.
 To provide students with theoretical and practical tools designed to help them improve their productivity when working and doing business with people from other cultures.
 To raise students awareness of their own personal orientations.
 To tolerate and value cultural diversity as a source of higher productivity in companies when handled effectively.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course students should:
1. Be more aware of the impact of national cultures on business / the workplace.
2. Be able to recognize and understand the most significant cultural differences.
3. Know the strengths and weaknesses of each cultural orientation.
4. Be aware of their own way of doing things.
5. Have tools to increase their effectiveness when doing business / working internationally.
6. Have a sound knowledge of the business / work cultures of the most significant world economies.

Content
Course introduction / Welcome Session reminder. A Cross-Cultural Anecdote by students / The concept of “Culture”.
A Cross-Cultural Anecdote by students Syllabus / The concept of “Culture”. A Cross-Cultural Anecdote by students. Individualism vs Collectivism.
Reading: “The would-be pioneer”.Individualism vs Collectivism. Individualism vs Collectivism.
Reading: “Dealing with cultural differences”. The vision of Time. Individual Presentations:The vision of Time.
Individual Presentations The vision of Time. Individual Presentations Uncertainty Avoidance.
Individual Presentations. Uncertainty Avoidance. Individual Presentations. Power Distance.
Individual Presentations Power Distance. Individual Presentations Power Distance.
Individual Presentations Masculine / Feminine. Guest Speaker: Guest Speaker: CHINA.
“Cultural Metaphor” Group Presentation Masculine / Feminine. “Cultural Metaphor” Group Presentation. Reading: “The Codifiers-In-Chief” Universalism vs Particularism.
“Cultural Metaphor” Group Presentation Universalism vs Particularism.“Cultural Metaphor” Group Presentation. Universalism vs Particularism + Trust.
“Cultural Metaphor” Group Presentation Specific vs Diffuse involvement.“Cultural Metaphor” Group Presentation Specific vs Diffuse involvement.
“Cultural Metaphor” Group Presentation. Emotions. “Cultural Metaphor” Group Presentation. Emotions.
“Group Project” Presentations. A review activity to prepare for the final exam. “Group Project” Presentations. A review activity to prepare for the final exam.