This module introduces students to the fundamentals, complexities, challenges of managing culturally diverse organisations across borders. The module encourages students to develop an appreciation and understanding of cross-cultural differences across major regions of the world and how these differences affect organisational cultures, communication, negotiation, motivation, and leadership across cultures. The module will cover the following content:

1. Globalisation and international linkages – globalisation, anti-globalisation, and global pressures for change; global and regional integration; changing global demographics; global economic systems; economic performance and issues of major regions

2. The political, legal and technological environment in a global context


3. Ethics, social responsibility, and sustainability in a global world – labour, employment and business practices; ethical obligations of MNCs; reconciling ethical differences across cultures; corporate governance; corruption


4. The meanings and dimensions of culture – the nature of culture; cultural diversity; values in culture; cultural dimensions – Hofstede and Trompenaars; integrating culture and management – the GLOBE project


5. Managing across cultures – the strategy for managing across cultures (strategic predispositions); cross-cultural differences and similarities (parochialism and simplification); using the GLOBE project to compare managerial differences; managing culture in selected countries and regions

6. Organisational cultures and diversity – organisational cultures in MNCs; managing multiculturalism and diversity

7. Cross-cultural communication and negotiation – the overall communication process; communication barriers due to the impact of culture; achieving communication effectiveness; managing cross-cultural negotiations

8. Decision-making across cultures – factors affecting decision-making authority; cultural differences and comparative examples of decision-making

9. Motivation across cultures – motivating employees in a multicultural context; insights from emerging markets; incentives and culture

10. Leadership in the international context – culture clusters and leader effectiveness; cross-cultural leadership – insights from the GLOBE study.

The initial assessment is an MCQ test, comprising 15 questions, lasting 30 minutes, weighted at 15% of the overall module mark, and assesses LO1.

The individual video presentation, lasting 15 minutes, weighted at 85% of the overall module mark, assessing all LOs 1-3, and could be used as a digital briefing guide for managers with regard to managing across cultures.

The module will draw upon a mixture of activities including lectures, web-based activities, case study analysis, relevant videos and in-class discussions, individual and group problem solving, and self-directed learning. Directed, guided and self-study, together with preparation for and completion of the assessment tasks will inform your learning. You will undertake ‘formative’ assessments during the module in the form of class quizzes to help you monitor your learning and provide you with ongoing feedback on your progress, that helps you prepare for the summative assessment(s) during and at the end of the module.

Module Learning Outcome

1.Identify the complexities and challenges involved in the managing of international and culturally diverse organisations.

University Learning Outcome

Knowledge and Understanding

Enquiry

2. Apply a range of theories and concepts to the effective management of people and cultural diversity across international boundaries.

University Learning Outcome

Analysis

Application

3. Formulate solutions to a range of contemporary and cultural organisational issues related to communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, motivation and leadership.

University Learning Outcome

Analysis
Problem solving

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development: www.cipd.co.uk

The Chartered Management Institute: www.managers.org.uk

Institute of Leadership and Management: www.i-l-m.com

McKinsey and Company: www.mckinsey.com

Harvard Business Review: hbr.org

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development: www.oecd.org

LinkedIn Learning

The University Library and Learning Resources - books and academic journals

The module VLE

Electronic data bases

Learning support materials

Online Tools, Internet

Luthans, F. and Doh, J. P. (2018) International management: Culture, strategy and behavior. 10th edn. New York: McGraw-Hill

Fatehi, K. and Choi, J. (2019) International business management: Succeeding in a culturally diverse world. 2nd edn. Switzerland: Springer.

Branine, M. (2011) Managing across cultures: Concepts, policies and practices. London: SAGE

Today, more firms than ever are earning some of their revenue from international operations. As a result, knowledge and insights about global issues and specific cultures are a requisite for both individual and organisational success. This module will give you insight into the fundamentals, complexities, challenges of managing culturally diverse organisations across borders. It will help you develop an appreciation and understanding of cross-cultural differences across major regions of the world and how these differences affect organisational cultures, communication, negotiation, motivation, and leadership across cultures.