LANG0814-1 : Intercultural Studies

University of Liege | Version française

Study programmes 2011-2012

Last update : 13/02/2012

LANG0814-1

Intercultural Studies - Part I

Duration :

30h Th

Number of credits :

Master in Business Engineering, didactic approach, 1st year	Second semester	2

Master degree in Business Engineering, professional Focus in Financial Engineering, 1st year	Second semester	2

Master in Management Engineering, professional Focus, 1st year	Second semester	2

Master en ingénieur de gestion, à finalité spécialisée en intrapreneuriat, 1st year	Second semester	2

Master en ingénieur de gestion, à finalité spécialisée en Modélisation et technologie, 1st year	Second semester	2

Master in Business Engineering, professional Focus in Supply Chain Management, 1st year	Second semester	2

Master en ingénieur de gestion, à finalité spécialisée en performance management systems, 1st year	Second semester	2

Lecturer :

Ching Lin Pang

Language(s) of instruction :

English language

Course contents :

Course overview

Globalisation has forced companies to operate in a more multicultural environment, in which multinationals and companies in general have to negotiate in multicultural contexts. Negotiations will fail if companies neglect to understand cultural diversity within and outside organisations.

The introduction to intercultural studies in a business environment aims at opening students' minds to other cultures so as to understand what we have in common and accept and respect differences. The course is based on a European approach to intercultural and business communication skills and was written by Professor Paul Verluyten at Antwerp University. Through numerous short case studies the students will learn why so many mergers, alliances and negotiations fail.

The course is based on experiential learning and thus could be described as wholly interactive. Based on self-learning, discussions and business simulations the student will be able to see if the theory can be applied to realistic situations.

A BBC documentary film called "The British Empire" will demonstrate the importance of history and help the student to understand the world we live in today. In a nutshell history counts.

The Anglo-Saxon culture will be highlighted in the course not as a means of demonstrating its superiority but as a means of understanding why Anglo-Saxon culture tends to be dominant in our world today.

Failures in negotiations are, however, not only due to culture but organisational culture also plays a role as it introduces the concept of complexity in the world of business. This is a systemic approach to intercultural issues.

Contents

- Hofstede's theory and Philippe D'Iribarne 's anthropological approach

- Organisational culture based on Charles Handy's book on Organisations

- The British Empire and the consequences of past decision-making

Learning outcomes of the course :

Course objectives

C1 Knowledge and understanding of the above contents

C3 Analysis and identification of links between theory and practical case studies ( The failure of a software integrated programme)

P3 Oral and written exercises

C4 Critical analysis of a business negotiation process

Certain managerial skills will also be practised during the course so that the student is able to

· Hold and participate in a meeting,

· Use relevant business terminology,

· Take into account the different cultures by simulating a different nationality in a business context whilst applying the theoretical concepts,

· Identify the problems they come across in the case study ( critical analysis)

· Propose a solution

Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :

Requirements

An intermediate level in oral and written English. Good listening comprehension skills.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :

Organisation

1. Méthodology -experiential learning

A1 Reading:

· « Intercultural Communication in Business and Organisations »

· " Understanding the culture of collaboration" The Financial Times.

A1 A guest will give a presentation on how he negotiated a contract in India for Gemaco.

A2. Exercises -in class MCQs on cultural issues

A3 Problem-solving - case studies- individual or in groups

A3 Presentation of reading assignments

A1 Wiki - on-line - dictionary

A2 Debates on reading assignments

A4 Preparation of meeting and negotiating in groups

2. Schedule

Course begins 12/11 and finishes 17/12

Evaluation 17/12

3. Workload : 2 x 24h = 48h

Preparatory work 24h

A1 Reading assignments :10 hours

· " Intercultural Communication in Business and Organisations"

· " Understanding the culture of collaboration" The Financial Times.

· "Organisational culture" Charles Handy

A1 Wiki - on-line - dictionary 1hour

A4 Preparation for meetings (group work), 8 hours

A1 Exam preparation 5 hours

The course 24h

A1 Guest presentation2h

A2. Exercises- 4h

A3 Problem-solving- short case studies- individual or in a group 4h

A3 Présentation de synthèses d'après les lectures 2h

A2 Débats sur les lectures 4h

A2 Film « British Empire »4h

A1 Examen écrit : 4h