06211261 - Cross-Cultural Management & Communication (CCMC)

This comprehensive course explores the fundamental principles and practical applications of cross-cultural communication and management in today's interconnected global business environment. Students will develop essential skills to navigate cultural differences, lead diverse teams, and communicate effectively across cultural boundaries.
Through a blend of theoretical frameworks and practical case studies, participants will gain deep insights into how culture shapes communication patterns, management styles, and organizational behavior. The course emphasizes the development of cultural intelligence and practical tools for successful cross-cultural collaboration.

Estimation of private study (outside of contact hours): 20 hours

DIMENSION OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

This course incorporates Social Corporate Responsibility principles throughout its curriculum, recognizing that effective cross-cultural communication and management are essential components of ethical and sustainable business practices in our globalized world.

SCR Learning Outcomes:

• Cultural Equity and Inclusion: Students develop skills to create inclusive work environments that respect and leverage cultural diversity, promoting social justice and equal opportunities across different cultural groups.
• Ethical Cross-Cultural Leadership: Emphasis on responsible leadership practices that consider the social and cultural impact of business decisions on diverse stakeholder communities.
• Sustainable Global Partnerships: Understanding how culturally sensitive communication contributes to building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with international partners and communities.
• Social Impact Awareness: Recognition of how cross-cultural misunderstandings can perpetuate inequalities and how effective intercultural competence can contribute to positive social change.
• Global Citizenship: Development of awareness regarding corporate responsibilities toward different cultural communities and the role of cultural intelligence in creating socially responsible business practices.

TARGETED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
• Analyze and apply major theoretical frameworks for understanding cultural differences in business contexts
• Identify and navigate various dimensions of cultural variation using established cultural mapping tools
• Develop effective strategies for intercultural negotiation and team communication
• Lead and manage culturally diverse teams with enhanced cultural sensitivity and agility
• Demonstrate improved cross-cultural communication skills in professional settings

• Knowledge to be acquired:
- Definition of the multidimensional concept of culture and its different frameworks of application in management
- Knowledge of the major theoretical frameworks of reference in cross-cultural management & communication

• Target skills:
Be able to:
- understand cultural diversity;
- understand the issues, representations and current practices of cross-cultural communication & management;
- develop operational skills in intercultural project management in different environments;
- provide a guide for reflection and action to (future) managers confronted with cross-cultural situations.

COURSE OUTLINE

Course structure 
Session 1: Introduction
An overview of the course objectives, methodology, and the increasing importance of cross-cultural competence in global business environments.

Session 2: Key Concepts and Theoretical Foundations
Exploring the multifaceted concept of culture and its business applications, examining various analytical frameworks and theoretical approaches that form the foundation of cross-cultural communication and management studies.

Session 3: Analyzing Cultural Differentiations
Deep dive into established cultural analysis models including Hofstede's cultural dimensions, Trompenaars' framework, and Erin Meyer's culture mapping approach. Students will learn to identify and interpret cultural distances, conflicts, and relativities that impact business interactions.

Session 4: Cross-Cultural Communication in Practice
Practical application of cross-cultural communication principles focusing on intercultural negotiation techniques and effective communication strategies within diverse team environments.

Session 5: Cross-Cultural Management
Excellence Advanced management practices for leading multicultural teams, developing personal cross-cultural agility, and building organizational capabilities for global success.


Session 1. Introduction

Session 2. Key concepts and theoretical foundations: The concept of culture and its applications
2.1. What is a culture? 
2.2. The variety of frameworks and levels of analysis 
2.3. The different theoretical frameworks of cross-cultural communication & management

Session 3. Interculturality: the classic grids for analyzing cultural differentiations
3.1. Interculturality: what are we talking about? distances, conflicts, cultural relativity and other differentiations
3.2. Culture & management styles and national cultures: Hofstede, Trompenaars, …
3.3 Cross-culturality: a complementary mapping of cultural differentiations by Erin Meyer: mapping the cultural differences

Session 4. Cross-cultural communication practices
4.1. Intercultural negotiation 
4.2. Communication within cross-cultural teams

Session 5. Cross-cultural management practices
5.1. Management of cross-cultural teams
5.2. Developing inter/cross-cultural skills and agility

RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND PUBLICATIONS

1. Barmeyer C. et Franklin P., Intercultural management: a case-based approach to achieving complementary and synergy, Palgrave Macmillan, 2016.
2. Trompenaars Fons and Hampden- Turner Charles, Riding the Waves of Culture: Understanding Diversity in Global Business, McGraw- Hill, 2012 (3rd edition).
3. Hofstede Geert, Hofstede Gert Jan, and Minkov Michael, Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind, McGraw- Hill, 2010 (3rd edition).

EMBLEMATIC BOOKS OR RESEARCH PAPERS REGARDING THE SUBJECT OF THE COURSE

1. Meyer Erin, La carte des différences culturelles : 8 clés pour travailler à l’international, 2° édition, Diateino, 2022.
2. Mayrhofer Ulrike, Management interculturel : comprendre et gérer la diversité culturelle, Vuibert, 2017.
3. Meier Olivier, Management interculturel : négocier, manager et communiquer, 7° édition, Dunod, 2019.
 

Individual grade
- Final exam: MCQ + micro-case studies, 30min
- Continuous assessment: Case studies

Assessment Methods:
• Online participation in forums and virtual sessions
• Individual reflection papers submitted through Moodle
• Group project presentations delivered via video conferencing
• Digital portfolio showcasing cross-cultural competency development
• Online final examination with scenario-based questions
 

TEACHING METHODS / NATURE OF MATERIALS

This course is delivered entirely online through the Moodle learning management system, utilizing a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning approaches designed to maximize engagement and practical skill development.

Online Learning Components:

• Interactive Video Lectures
  Pre-recorded lectures with embedded quizzes and reflection prompts, allowing students to learn at their own pace while ensuring active engagement with the material.
   
• Discussion Forums
  Structured online discussions where students analyze cross-cultural scenarios, share experiences from their own cultural backgrounds, and engage in peer-to-peer learning about cultural differences and management challenges.
   
• Digital Case Study
  Analysis case studies presented through multimedia content, where students work individually or in virtual teams to apply theoretical frameworks to real-world cross-cultural business situations.
   
• Peer Collaboration Projects
  Cross-cultural team assignments facilitated through Moodle's collaborative tools, where students from different cultural backgrounds work together on projects, experiencing firsthand the dynamics they're studying.
   
• Self-Assessment Tools
  Digital cultural intelligence assessments and reflection exercises that help students identify their own cultural biases and track their development throughout the course.
   
• Multimedia Resources
  Rich content library including videos, podcasts, articles, and interactive cultural mapping tools accessible through the Moodle platform.