Outline

Overview

An understanding of cultural differences and how to manage such differences is critical to effective management in international and multi-cultural business environments. The aim of this unit is to provide conceptual frameworks and evidence from practice that will develop an understanding of the ways in which cultures differ, how these differences can impact on management, and how cultural issues can limit organisational effectiveness. Major topics include the significance of culture in international management, the meaning and dimensions of culture, comparative international management and leadership styles, managing communication across cultures, ethics and social responsibility in global management, cross-cultural negotiation and decision-making, forming and managing global teams, and developing the international and global manager.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	International Business
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Sally Gaunt, sally.gaunt@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Take-home short release)	Final exam Case study exercise and reflection on a previous assessment	30%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Culture video presentation Video presentation	10%	Multiple weeks	10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Case study debate Proposal and debate	35%	Multiple weeks	700 Words individual exercise and group
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Participation and reflection Attendance and reflection	10%	Ongoing	Ongoing
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Mid-semester assignment MCQ via Canvas	15%	Week 07	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

Tutorial participation: It is expected that students read materials indicated for each week (articles, textbook chapters, cases, and
major news events that are relevant to the unit) and come to class prepared with questions and comments. Given this course is also delivered via online platforms, in order for students to obtain their participation marks, we will be requesting 2 short (no more than 300 words) reflection exercise is uploaded just prior to each of the following tutorials. Deadlines for these reflection exercises will be given in week 1. Students will also receive participation marks for giving responsible and actuate feedback during the Cultural Video Presentation. There will also be a minor element that is at the discretion of the units teaching staff
Cultural video presentation: This activity will be performed in groups of a maximum of 5 students (these groups will be formed in week 2 or week 4 depending on when students arrive in Australia), Each group will be given a country by the tutor and one group member will take the role of a newly appointed expatriate who will be embarking on a position in a very different culture. This culture will be chosen by the group members. The remaining group member will make a video to prepare the expatriate for their new role. The video should contain practical information including any of the following: historical events that have impacted the way people in each culture think and behave, cultural dimensions, the current political, economic, technological, and legal environment. Students may also wish to consider how employees’ expectations of their managers may differ and what may motivate employees in the new culture.
Mid-semester exams: This is an open-book exam and will consist of 30 MCQ covering theoretical concepts and insights discussed in lectures and tutorials preceding the exam. Course case studies, knowledge from the textbook, and required readings will also be covered.
Case study debate: In the same groups formed for the culture report presentation, students will choose from a selection of 3 recent and relevant case studies that present a cultural dilemma. The tutor will give specific scenarios for each case study with 2 possible solutions. Each group will be required to represent one of the solutions. However, prior to the debate, individual group members will write their own word proposal to a key stakeholder, advocating the benefits of their solution. Each group will have to defend the arguments made against them by the opposing side after the pitch. Finally, both groups will be required to answer questions raised by their peers.
Final exam: This will take the form of a mini-case study/situation that will require students to provide a short answer to a specific question about a case/situation and a reflection exercise that is based on one of the team assessments

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to the unit	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 02	Understanding the role of culture/subculture	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 02	Groups formation	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 03	Developing a global management team	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 03	Group exercises for exploring and developing communication skills to an international audience	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 04	Communicating and decision making across cultures	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 04	Understanding Australian cultures	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 05	Negotiation across cultures and dealing with gifts and bribery	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 05	Viewing and marking of student group-made cultural video exercise	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 06	Exam revision	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 06	Case study preparation	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 07	Exam	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 07	Focus on readings	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 08	Corporate social responsibility/working with indigenous and disadvantaged communities	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 08	practise debate	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 09	International human resource management	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 09	International human resource management case study	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 10	Leadership in a global environment	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 10	First case study debate	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 11	The changing role of the global CEO	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 11	Second case study debate	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 12	The international business environment	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 12	Third case study debate	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 13	Exam preparation	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 13	Exam preparation	Tutorial (1.5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Deresky, H. (2017). International Management: Managing Across Borders and Cultures. Text and Cases, 9th.

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. select and apply disciplinary knowledge to business situations in both local and global environments
LO2. demonstrate increased critical thinking and problem-solving skills
LO3. identify and relate research to business situations, and analyse and propose appropriate and well-justified solutions
LO4. demonstrate enhanced communication skills, and accomplish professional business communication in both written and face to face presentations, within a multicultural environment
LO5. understand the value of effective teamwork, the importance of working in a diverse team, and how to increase the functionality when completing tasks with a wide range of culturally diverse team members
LO6. appreciate ethical, social, and environmental responsibility, and demonstrate a sound awareness of the moral, social, and environmental implications of business practice from a cultural perspective.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

IBUS6002: Cross-Cultural Management

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect