Cross Cultural Competences and Management

llsms2091  2022-2023  Louvain-la-Neuve

Cross Cultural Competences and Management
5.00 credits
22.5 h + 7.5 h
Q1
Teacher(s)
Aust-Gronarz Ina; Hellemans Marc (compensates Aust-Gronarz Ina);
Language
English
Prerequisites
None.
Main themes
Working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds has become part of the daily activities in organizations today for employees at all levels. The global pressure for competitiveness and effectiveness has increased the number of strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, with the objective of having access to resources, capital and new market opportunities. In this context, it is no longer sufficient, that managers, entrepreneurs or employees are able to communicate effectively and work with people from one culture and that they understand and learn how to adapt to this particular culture. Instead, all employees must be able to interact simultaneously and effectively with people from multiple cultural backgrounds – at home, abroad and in virtual communications.
This course is based on research and insights from diverse disciplines, including cultural intelligence, cross-cultural psychology, social psychology, cultural anthropology, organizational behaviour, sales techniques, international marketing and international human resource management.
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

This course contributes to the development of key competences expected from all graduates at the Louvain School of Management.
This course will contribute in particular to developing the following skills:
(P) Priority is given to cross-cultural competences and knowledge in this course
  • that will enable you to work effectively with people from multiple and diverse cultural backgrounds,
  • that will develop your communication and interpersonal skills,
  • your ability to work in and lead a diverse team,
  • advance your personal development with regard to cross-cultural competences (cultural intelligence).
(S) Secondary competences also developed in the course are a scientific and systematic approach for complex cross-cultural management situations.
General course objectives: getting to know your own culture and how it impacts your behaviour and interacting and communicating with people from different cultural backgrounds are the two key objectives of this course.
Specific learning goals: At the end of this course you will be able to
  1. Develop a deep understanding about the impact of culture on behaviour and an appreciation for cultures that are different from your own.
  2. Reflect on your and other people’s cultural behaviour, based on dominant culture theory perspectives and cross-cultural communication research.
  3. Apply these theories and frameworks to understand and diagnose critical cross-cultural interaction situations (‘critical incidents’) and to make effective cultural attributions.
  4. Adopt a critical point of view on the literature, on the one hand, and on managerial attributions and decisions in diverse cultural contexts, on the other.
  5. Improve the ability and competence to work in, interact with and lead people across different cultures.
 
Content
The following themes are examples of what will be addressed in this course:
  • Key components of culture (language, time, space, basic values, context) and cross-cultural management
  • Culture theories and perspectives
  • Working effectively in diverse (virtual) teams
  • Intercultural competence and cultural intelligence
  • Culture in M&A’s, Joint Ventures etc.
For a detailed description, please see the schedule on the Moodle website of this course.
Teaching methods
We will apply different teaching methods such as lecture input, case analysis, videos, guided readings, group discussions and guest speakers.Depending on possible Covid pandemic evolution, this course might be in a blended learning format, using both face-to-face sessions (if the pandemic situation permits) AND e-learning whenever relevant or necessary.
Evaluation methods
Regarding students' evaluation, the following deliverables are expected in English language:
  1. Team evaluation (60%): Oral team presentation of a cultural analysis (ppt/poster presentation following our guidelines)
  2. Individual evaluation (40%): Individual written exam in session
If a student does not pass the course following the first exam session, a second session will consist of an individual written examen.
Online resources
On the course website and in the university library a number of regularly updated resources will be available, such as ppt slides, readings, cases, links to blogs, videos and other online teaching material.  
Bibliography
A list of readings will be provided (see course outline on the Moodle website from this course) and it is expected that students will do the course preparations and readings when requested.
Teaching materials
  • Moodle
Faculty or entity
CLSM


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Master [120] in Communication
CORP2M
5
Master [120] : Business Engineering
INGE2M
5
Master [120] in Management
GEST2M
5
Master [120] in Human Resources Management
GRH2M
5
Master [120] in Management [CEMS Programme]
GESM2M
5
Master [120] : Business Engineering [CEMS Programme]
INGM2M
5