Ramon Llull University - Barcelona
IQS School of Business (AACSB Accredited)
Forum-Nexus Program
Undergraduate Division
Introduction
As the network of globalized operations expands and the diversity in the workplace increases, managers will need to become more culturally competent and responsive in order to effectively address issues, challenges, and opportunities that arise. This course will explore the implications of culture on managerial and leadership approaches, business practices, communication and interpersonal relations, organizational and individual performances in both international and domestic settings.
Course Description
This course focuses on the study of international management practices and managing diversity in the context of understanding multicultural and international affairs. The objectives of the course are to understand the impact of culture on international management, to identify the areas in which cultural differences present a challenge in communication with persons of different cultures, and to explore our cultural backgrounds and distinctive management assumptions and practices. The course is designed to be a stepping-stone for students to become cross-culturally effective managers. It will help students become more self aware of our cultural conditioning, individual biases and assumptions and the way they impact our interactions with people who are different from us.
The course will include visits to leading European companies and international organizations in which different aspects of the topic will emerge through presentations and conversations with company executives. In this way, the students will be able to see the practical relevance of the concepts covered in class.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
Understand the relevance and impact of culture on international business
Establish a cognitive framework to analyze and appreciate the impact of culture on managerial behavior
Improve their level of cultural intelligence
Understand their own culture and how it impacts their behavior
Interpret behavior, attitudes and communication styles of people from different cultures correctly
Use a repertoire of behavioral skills appropriate to different inter-cultural situations
Understand negotiation styles and strategies commonly found in an international business context
Deal with ambiguity in an ever-changing and unpredictable context that result from the globalization of business activity
Exhibit a higher degree of effectiveness when working in culturally diverse groups
Course Requirements
The course requires active student participation. Students are expected to read the assigned textbook chapters, cases and articles before every class. Punctual attendance is required. There will be a midterm exam, a final exam, case studies, and a team project. Each student is required to participate in a minimum of four professional visits.
Teaching Procedures and Methodology
Teaching methods used in this course include lectures, case discussions, group assignments, and professional visits. Learning in this course requires the student's constructive participation and active involvement in both class discussions and small group discussions. Small group discussions, in particular, are a key mechanism for facilitating learning from other team members. Thus, it is essential to attend all group activities inside and outside classes. The corporate visits will expose the participants to different aspects of the class and will highlight the practical relevance of the concepts learned. The visits will be accompanied by individual or group assignments.
Required Textbooks
"Cultural Intelligence: Living and Working Globally", by David Thomas and Kerr Inkson, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2009
"Managing Across Cultures: The 7 Keys to Doing Business with a Global Mindset" by Charlene Solomon and Michael S. Schell, McGraw Hill, 2009
Team Project
Working in multi-cultural teams, students will develop a training manual for U.S. managers who are about to be sent as expatriates to one of the countries visited in the program. Each team will take on the role of consultants and coaches in cross-cultural management that have been asked advice to coach and train the high-potential executives about to be sent abroad. The manual will have two parts:
The first part consists of an informative section that provides the executive with a broad cross-cultural understanding of key cultural issues, differences and similarities between their home country and the target country.
The second part consists of a practical training session, in which these managers are taught in a 2- hour session practical exercises on cross-cultural management know-how, concepts and skills. The team elaborates the outline for this training session, including practical exercises that will help the executives become effective managers in their assigned country.
The project report should be between 6 and 8 pages in length, including a description of the proposed practical training sessions and exercises in part 2. (Font: Arial, 12; Line Spacing: 1.5).
The globalization of business and people in the 21st century
Workshop: The profile of a global manager and self-assessment exercise
Understanding culture, cultural differences and their impact on business
Components of cultural intelligence
Key cultural values and concepts
How culture affects behavior of actors in the international business arena
Switching off cultural cruise control
Cultural differences within Europe
Cultural differences between Europe and other countries
Focus: Cultural characteristics of and business culture in Spain and France
Workshop: Creating a global mindset in business
Module 2
Developing cultural intelligence: Stages, process and supporting activities
National and global cultures explored
Executive decision-making models across cultures
Goals, motivation and ethics in decision-making
Self-assessment: Cross-cultural communication failures
The cross-cultural communication process
Cross-cultural management language, codes and conventions
Non-verbal communication
Negotiating styles in Europe, Latin America and Asia
Focus: Cultural characteristics of and business culture in Italy and Switzerland
Women crossing cultures: Gender bias and success stories
Workshop: Creating effective global teams and working with diverse colleagues
Midterm Exam
Module 3
Raising your cultural intelligence: knowledge, mindfulness and behavior
Leadership across cultures: styles, expectations and examples
Effective leadership: Managing talent across cultures - hiring, training and retaining
Working in multi-cultural teams: concepts, processes and performance
Culturally intelligent team management: skills and strategies
Creating cultural competence: the international experience
Workshop: Negotiations and team management training
Focus: Cultural characteristics of the US, Japan, Brazil and Mexico
Module 4
Toolbox for understanding and solving ethical dilemmas of international executives
Managing international careers: challenges and opportunities for the 21st century
Putting it all together: knowledge, mindfulness and behavioral skills
Workshop: Individual cross-cultural management skills inventory and scorecards
Focus: Cultural characteristics and business culture in Greece
Key industries and markets requiring cross-cultural managers
Team projects: findings and discussion
Case study: becoming a global manager
Final Exam
Schedule of Classes and Professional Visits
The detailed schedule of classes and professional visits for each session is available online at www.forum-nexus.com/schedules Please note that this course will be offered as a Section 2 class.
Academic Integrity
The Ramon Llull University places a high value on the integrity, good conduct and academic honesty of all students. Students are expected to maintain high standards of academic integrity at all times. Any instance of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, will result in a grade of F for the course.
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