1.

Name of Course
Cross-Cultural Studiesl Management

2.

Course Code
BBDM2063

3.

Name(s) of academic staff

Dr Teh Peng Hong

4.

Rationale for the inclusion of the course in the programme

This course is introduced to enable students to acquire pertinent theoretical concepts,
principles and practical knowledge to work in a cross cultural environment. In addition,
this course enables students the opportunities to research and reflect on the cultural
dimensions of business practices in diverse countries.
Objectives:
1. To develop students understanding of the concept of culture, crosscultural relation
and cross cultural management.
2. To acquire skills and knowledge of cross-cultural communication and international
business negotiation.
3. To develop an understanding of cross-cultural teams and cross cultural coordination in
a multinational organisations.

5.

Semester offered
Semester 5

6.

Total Student Learning Time (SLT)

Total Student
Face to Face
Learning Time (SLT)

7.

L=Lecture
T=Tutorial
P=Practical
O=Others
Credit Value
3

8.

Prerequisite (if any)

Nil

9.

Learning outcomes

Total Guided and

Independent
Learning

28

21

67

Total SLT

120

Upon completion of the course, students are able:

1. Explain cross-cultural relations and management in a multinational organisation. (C4, A4,
CTPS)
2. Discuss the importance of intercultural communication in a diverse work environment. (C4,
A3, TS)
3. Analyse types of global strategies required for international businesses environments in an
effort to entwine local and international human resource management, and intercultural
competencies.(C5, A4, P4,CS)

10.

Transferable Skills
Skills and how they are developed and assessed, Project and practical experience and
Internship
Transferable Skills
Analytical and critical
thinking skills
Problem Solving Skills
Teamwork and cooperation
Effective written and oral
communication

11.

How they are developed

Developed through lectures,
tutorials, coursework and
case studies
Developed through lectures,
tutorials, coursework and
case studies
Developed through
tutorials, group coursework
and presentation
Developed through
tutorials, coursework and

Assessment
Assessed through
coursework and
examination
Assessed through
coursework and
examination
Assessed through group
based coursework and
group presentation
Assessed through written
coursework, coursework
presentation and
examination

Teaching-learning and assessment strategy

Teaching-learning Strategy
Lecture and tutorial which include group discussions, individual class participation and
individual / group presentation etc.
Assessment
Coursework and examination

12.

Synopsis
The study of cross cultural relations and management enables students to apply intercultural
communication skills in a global workplace, to manage an organisations resources in a
diverse and dynamic global environment, and to examine the theoretical concepts and
practical contributions to the varied areas of cross-cultural management. It also enables
students the opportunities to research and reflect on the varied cultural dimensions of business
practices in cross cultural and diverse multinational organisations.

13.

Mode of Delivery
Lecture and tutorial.

14.

Assessment Methods and Types

Coursework (40%)
Individual assignment
Group Assignment
Examination (60%)
Coursework (40%)
Mid-term Test

Assignment
15.

Examination (60%)
Mapping of the course to the Programme Aims
PA1, PA2,

16.

Mapping of the course to the Programme Learning Outcomes

LO3, LO5, LO6

17.

Content outline of the course and the SLT per topic

Week
Topic
Student Learning Time (SLT)
L
T
P
O
Total Guided and
Independent Learning
1
Introduction to Cross Cultural
2
1.5
3
Studies
Global business environment,
global managers role
Introduction to culture and its
effects on organisations
Skills of managers in managing
culture, cultural variables
2

Cultural Values Dimensions

Hofstedes, Traindiss, Halls and
Project GLOBE cultural value
dimensions.
Developing cultural profiles and
management styles around the
world

1.5

Cross-Cultural Communication
The communication process.
Cultural noise in communication
process.
Cultural variables in
communication process.
Communication channels.
Managing cross-cultural
communication.

1.5

Cross-Cultural Negotiation
The understanding of negotiation
process and negotiation styles in
relation to national cultural
values.
Environmental context of
international negotiations.
Face-Negotiation Theory.
Managing conflict and
negotiation.
Ethics in international
negotiations.

1.5

Culture Influences in Decision

making
The influence of national and
cultural variations in decision
making.
Awareness of the errors in
decision making across borders
and cultures.
Important of computer mediated
communication in negotiation
and decision making.

1.5

Motivating Global Management

Teams
Meaning of work across nations
and cultures.
Applying cultural frameworks.
Motivation in international and
global corporations.

1.5

Leadership for Global

Management Teams
Global leaders role.
Leadership across cultures and
borders and finding from Project
GLOBE.
Non-western styles of leadership

1.5

Multicultural Work Groups and

Teams
Characteristics and types of
groups in organisation.
Variable that influences the
process and performance of work
groups.
Cultures influence on work
groups
Cultures effect in different group
structures and tasks
Global virtual teams

1.5

Global Alliances and Culture

Reasons for going international,
globalisation, regionisation.
The influences of culture on
strategic alliance choice.
The types of strategic alliances,
motivations and benefits,
challenges and guidelines for
successful alliances, cultural
influences on alliances.
.
Organisational Structure and
Control Systems
Evolution and change in MNC
organisational structure.
Cross-cultural typology of
organisational structure and
emergent structural form.
Control systems for global
operations, monitoring and
reporting systems.

1.5

1.5

International Human Resource

Management 1
Staffing and development for
global operations.
Approaches, selection processes,
problems with expatriation.

1.5

10

11

18

12

International Human Resource

Management 2
Training and development,
cultural shock, sub-culture shock,
training techniques.
Training of host-country
nationals.

1.5

13

International Human Resource

Management 3
Compensation schemes for
expatriates.
Compensating host-country
nationals.

1.5

14

Developing Global Management

Cadre
Preparation, adaptation and
repatriation process, global
management teams.
The roles of women in
international management.

1.5

Assessment
Coursework
Final Exam
Total
Total
Total SLT
Subject Credit
Main references supporting the course

28

21

2
2
4
4

10
15
25
67
120
3

1. Varner, I & Beamer L 2011, Intercultural communication in the global workplace, 5th edn,
McGraw Hill International, New York.
2. Phatak AV, Bhagat RS & Kashlak RJ 2009, International management: Managing in a
diverse and dynamic global environment, 2nd edn, McGraw Hill International, New York.
3. Thomas DC 2008, Cross-Cultural Management, Essential Concepts, 2nd edn,Sage.
Additional references supporting the course
1. Deresky, H 2010, International management, managing across borders and cultures, 7th edn,
Pearson Prentice Hall.
2. Luthans F & Doh J 2011, International management: Culture, strategy & behaviour, 8th edn,
McGraw-Hill.

19.

Other additional information

Nil