Module Title: International Business Culture
Credits: 10
NFQ Level:7
Module Delivered In 2 programme(s)
Teaching & Learning Strategies: Lectures - communication of knowledge and ideas from the lecturer to the student. Problem Solving Exercises - students will typically work as part of a team and will work together to investigate different scenarios related to business culture. Class Discussion/Debate - Students will be encouraged to actively participate in the class sessions which will develop their analytical and communication skills. E-Learning - It is envisaged that the module will be supported with on-line learning materials. Self-Direct Independent Learning - the emphasis on independent learning will develop a strong and autonomous work and learning practices.
Module Aim: The aim of this module is to give students a thorough understanding of cross-cultural management; the comparison of organizational behavior across countries and cultures: and importantly to give them a basis from which to understand and improve the interaction of co-workers, clients, suppliers, and alliance partners from cultures and companies across the world.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1 Demonstrate an understanding of cultural diversity and its relevance to issues of management in the organisation.
LO2 Demonstrate sensitivity to own and other cultural backgrounds and distinguish between different cultural clusters.
LO3 Evaluate key models of cultural dimensions and their influence on communication, negotiation, decision-making.
LO4 Identify components of effective programmes for global assignments.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.

No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Introduction to cross-cultural management
Importance of cross-cultural management Definitions of culture; ethnocentrism/parochialism/stereotyping; blunders in international business.
Hofstede's dimensions of culture
Individualism; power distance; uncertainty avoidance; masculinity index. Applications to business, limitations.
Profiling clusters
Western clusters; eastern clusters; mini-cases on cultural issues.
Trompenaars' dimensions
Universalism, individualism, sequential, neutral, achievement, inner-directed, and applications to business situations.
Further dimensions of culture
Hall's silent language: high and low-context cultures, monochronic and polychronic cultures.
Work behaviour across cultures
Cultural different of managerial styles; Laurent's research into worldwide differences in managerial styles and applications.
Cross-cultural motivation
Transferability of motivational theories across cultures. Universality of Maslow's, Herzberg's, McClelland's theories of motivation.
Issues in cross-cultural negotiation
Characteristics of effective negotiators; cross-cultural considerations; negotiation guidelines; Weiss framework.
Global Assignments
Issues in staff selection; factors in expatriate selection;culture shock and its minimisation
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment100.00%
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Project Individual Report 1,4 30.00 Week 7
Presentation Team Research and Presentation 1,2,3 70.00 Sem 1 End
No Project
No Practical
No End of Module Formal Examination

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture Every Week 6.00
Independent Learning Every Week 7.00
Total Hours 13.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture Every Week 1.50
Independent Learning Every Week 5.50
Total Hours 7.00
 

Module Delivered In

Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CW_HHIBU_B Bachelor of Business (Honours) in International Business 5 Mandatory
CW_BBINB_D Bachelor of Business in International Business incorporating Double Degree 5 Mandatory