Cross Cultural Management

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/E_BA_CCM

Course Objective

Upon completion of this interdisciplinary course, students have broadened their horizon through accomplishment of: Knowledge and problem solving:Students develop and expand their knowledge and understanding of: the basic (historical) drivers of national, corporate and professional cultural differences, the impact of cultural issues in and between organizations.Students acquire an understanding of the importance and effectiveness of integrating value differences as a key (international) leadership strategy and problem solving capacity. Academic skills:Students are able to diagnose the influence of cultural differences that play a role in intercultural relationships, global business interactions, and (online/local) communities .Students are able to analyze business and leadership challenges from different cultural perspectives.Students are able to apply a methodology to elicit, chart and reconcile cultural dilemmas that occur in a business context. Professional self-reflection:Students take responsibility for their own cross-cultural learning and critically reflect on their own cross-cultural aspirations, strengths and challenges.Students have increased awareness of their own culturally-shaped implicit assumptions, norms and values, and increased respect for other cultural and historical perspectives.

Course Content

This interdisciplinary course introduces students to integrated principles and models of cross-cultural management. It aims to provide a new paradigm for looking at business management practices in a global context and, thereby, prepare students to act effectively in international business environments. It demonstrates how cultural diversity, as opposed to single cultural orientation, is more effective at creating lasting and innovative solutions to business challenges/dilemmas. From all corners of the globe, there is growing call for a change in (corporate) leadership to less selfish and bonus-oriented leaders, and greater concern for the sustainable wellbeing of the company and society. This interest and attention to rethinking the paradigms of leadership in a global and cross-cultural business context has prompted the inclusion of a sub-theme within the course, related to servant-leadership across cultures.

Teaching Methods

Lectures and knowledge clips Seminars
- including team presentations and exercises Q&A sessions Symposium

Method of Assessment

Assignment
- Individual assessment Assignment
- Team assessment

Literature

Riding the Waves of Culture, Fons Trompenaars and Charles Hampden-Turner, 4th edition, N. Brealey Publishing, 2020, ISBN: 1529346185 other course literature will be announced via Canvas

Target Audience

The CCM course is one of the interdisciplinary electives, and relevant to Master students in SHRM, IM, LCM, MC, S&O specialization programs and beyond.