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Unit outline_

IBUS6002: Cross-Cultural Management

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

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 Connie Chan, chui.chan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Final exam
Short answers to questions on topics covered (total 1200 - 1500 words)
40% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Small continuous assessment Quizzes
MCQ via Canvas
15% Multiple weeks 10 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO2
Participation Tutorial Participation
Attendance, discussions, engagement and reflection
10% Ongoing Weekly
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Group Project
Submit 15 slides and video online; class presentation, Q&A, peer comments
20% Week 07 12 minute oral presentation; documents
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Case study analysis
Response to questions based on given case information
15% Week 10
Due date: 10 Oct 2022 at 23:00
1200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Tutorial participation: Attendance, active participation, engagement and reflection on learning are essential to pass. Students are expected to read course contents of the preceding and current weeks to benefit from class discussions and exercises. Grading is based on the consistency and quality of the student’s responses in every tutorial. 

  • Group Project:  The tutor will assign students to groups (comprising an average of 4 members each). Following the guidelines provided, each group will research, identify and analyse cross-cultural management issues in their selected countries, topics and cases. The group representative will submit the required documents by the due date. Group members present and address questions in class, and provide feedback on other groups’ work. 

  • Small continuous quizzes: MCQ are assigned in selected weeks. Each test comprises questions on topics and course contents of the preceding weeks. The test must be completed during the available times and within the time limit specified.  

  • Case analysis: This is a take-home written response to questions on a given case. Each student is expected to apply knowledge gained from the course, including relevant concepts, frameworks, and analysis of cross-cultural management issues. 

  • Final exam: Students are required to provide short answers to questions on international cross-cultural management issues by drawing on their learning in the whole semester. The exam is record+ reviewed. Students cannot utilise any online resources, books or applications but are permitted to refer to notes on two sides of an A4 sheet.      

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas. Students are encouraged to seek guidance and feedback from teachers throughout the semester. 

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to international cross-cultural management Online class (1.5 hr) LO2
Week 02 Conceptual Frameworks Lecture (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2
Introduction, foundation, exercises Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 03 Organisational environments and complexities Lecture (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2
Discussions and exercises. Group formation. Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 04 Motivation and managerial environment Lecture (1.5 hr) LO2 LO4 LO6
Discussions and exercises Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO2 LO4 LO6
Week 05 Decision-making & organisational environments Lecture (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Exercises and role play Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Global leadership Lecture (1.5 hr) LO1 LO4
Discussions and exercises Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Communications across cultures Lecture (1.5 hr) LO1 LO3
Group Presentation Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Negotiations in international management Lecture (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Group Presentation (2) Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Managing diverse global teams Lecture (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
Discussions and exercises Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
Week 10 International assignments and human resource management Lecture (1.5 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Discussions and exercises Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Multicultural individuals Lecture (1.5 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Discussions and exercises Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Cultural competence, emerging topics, changes Lecture (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Discussions and exercises Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Review and concluding insights Lecture (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2
Revision, discussions and exercises Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Lectures and Tutorials / Workshops

 Attendance of all live non-clashable timetabled classes (lectures and tutorials) is required.  Students who do not attend at least 80% of classes will struggle to perform at an average level due to missed content and insights. 

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

Steers, R. M. & Osland, J.S. (2020)  Management across cultures : challenges, strategies, and skills . Fourth edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Assigned readings will be posted on Canvas and can be accessed through the Library reading list.

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.

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

  • LO1. apply relevant frameworks and disciplinary knowledge to management across cultures
  • LO2. identify, analyse and critically evaluate cross-cultural management issues in global business
  • LO3. develop good communication and negotiation skills and capabilities to work effectively in culturally diverse teams and multicultural environments
  • LO4. demonstrate problem-solving skills and suggest practical and well-justified resolutions
  • LO5. identify and analyse ethical, social and institutional issues that have implications on international cross-cultural management
  • LO6. identify the facilitators and constraints on managerial decisions and conflict management in diverse global environments

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

Minor changes reflected more support for diversity of students.

Site visit guidelines

https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/writing/help-support.html https://www.library.sydney.edu.au/help/online-training/ https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/learning-hub-academic-language.html

Work, health and safety

All lectures are conducted remotely. Please keep up-to-date with university guidelines on health and safety requirements on campus. 

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.