Cross Cultural Management (5 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

This course aims at enabling students to operate effectively in culturally diverse business environments and equipping them with relevant skills for multicultural projects. Students will acquire skills and competence to comprehend diverse communication patterns and other forms of diversity based on different levels of culture that exist in various multicultural contexts. One key aspect of the course is the study of the influence of culture on consumer behavior so that students can examine how company adapts to international market diversity. Students will have an overview of cross cultural management, multicultural projects and project teams and task and process strategies for managing multicultural teams.

After completing the course, the students will be able to:
- have an overview of cross-cultural management and multicultural project teams and on task and process strategies for managing multicultural teams
- appreciate intercultural management as an inter-related system in which a number of interdisciplinary tasks are coordinated and aligned with overall strategies
- have interpersonal, intercultural communication, teamwork and presentation skills required in multicultural teams and cross cultural tourism business projects
- value cultural diversity as an asset in projects and draw benefits from it
- act as a team member in a multicultural project team in the field of tourism business.

Exam schedules

No written examination. All work is assessed.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Active participation in contact sessions, team work, assignments, essays, reports, presentations, a multicultural project and IWBAS (International Week of the School of Business and Services).

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Contact teaching, assignments, team work, a multicultural project and presentations.

Learning materials

To be announced in the beginning of the course.

Student workload

This course is 5 credits which means about 135 hours of student work in total. Contact teaching including special sessions and workshops will be about 45 hours, the remaining hours consist of studying the course literature, course-related work and assignments. Attendance of 75 % in contact teaching is required. Participation in presentations and workshops of IWBAS (International Week of the School of Business and Services) including a report is part of the course. 4 IWBAS sessions (a combination of a lecture and following workshop sessions is possible) compulsory. More details about IWBAS to be announced later on.

Content scheduling

Periods 3 and 4. 11.1.-17.5.2017.
IWBAS 27.3.-31.3.2017

Completion alternatives

To be agreed upon with Pirkko Varis.

Practical training and working life cooperation

Assignments from companies.

International connections

Company connections. IWBAS week and other guest lecturers from partner institutions.

Further information

Senior Lecturer in Marketing Pirkko Varis, +358 50 329 3144, pirkko.varis@tamk.fi

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student has not achieved the objectives of the course on a sufficient level. Student is not able to recognize, determine and use the concepts and models of cross cultural management.

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student has achieved the objectives of the course on a sufficient level. Student understands the premises and principles of cross cultural management. Student recognizes, is able to determine and use the concepts and models of cross cultural management on a level 1-2.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student has achieved the objectives of the course well although the skills and competences are somewhat in need of further development. Student is able to determine and apply the concepts and models of cross cultural management well and is able to apply them in most tasks. Student has achieved the level 3-4.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student has achieved the objectives of the course on an excellent level. The student masters the concepts and models of cross cultural management in an excellent manner. Student is able to conduct fluent and reasoned analysis and has good capabilities to apply the learning. Student has achieved the excellent level.