Newcastle University

Aims

Understanding the impact of culture and how to develop management strategies and techniques that are culturally-sensitive are essential features of contemporary business and management. The impact of globalisation and the internationalisation of business have had a central role in making cultural difference a key aspect of organisations. This makes it imperative to develop awareness and appreciation of diversity, as well as understanding of how to strengthen cross-cultural competence to deal effectively with the challenges from increasingly multi-cultural workplaces. Cross-cultural management is essential not only to gain advantage from the multiple capabilities within teams but it is also essential to understand customers and clients, and to collaborate effectively with suppliers, partners, and other organisational stakeholders.

Original Summary:

Outline Of Syllabus

The module is organised in four main themes:

1.Conceptual foundations in the study of culture and cross-cultural management
«Introduction: From management to cross-cultural management
«Culture: Perspectives and definitions
«Conceptual frameworks and models in cross-cultural management

2.Impact of culture on organisations, individuals and teams
«Understanding culture in context: How culture affects organisations
«Cultural differences: experiences and management at the level of individuals
«Communication and cooperation in multicultural teams

3.Dynamics and functions: Managing cultural diversity
«Culture, language and communication
«Cross-cultural leadership and motivation
«Cross-cultural conflict and negotiations

4.Culture and the International Manager
«Cultural intelligence and intercultural competencies
«Ethics, culture and management

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lectures are used as the principal and most effective mode of imparting the core knowledge of the module. Seminars provide a forum where students can engage critically in discussion with their peers to challenge and expand on ideas and concepts covered by lectures. The private study is essential for in-depth review of knowledge imparted through lectures. The combination of these pedagogic components is deemed appropriate to help students to gain holistic understanding of the subject and engage in activities that help them achieve both the knowledge and skills-based outcomes of the module.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The combination of assessments is deemed to be pedagogically useful to allow students to showcase their knowledge through different sets of requirements and help them progress in their level of analytical engagement. The exam is designed to assess students’ breath of knowledge and understanding of issues related to cross-cultural management. The essay is designed to assess students’ ability to critically engage with specific conceptual discussions and develop informed argumentation that supports a position related to decision-making in the context of cross-cultural management.