Study Guide

Objective

Students
-understand the impact of business culture and organization culture on multicultural business relations
-are able to take in foreign cultures
-are familiar with business in certain market areas
-are aware of the international trade organizations and their impact on world trade

Content

-The importance of business culture and organizational culture for multicultural business relationships
-Foreign cultures
-Trade in some selected market areas
-Trade policy organizations and their impact on world trade

Location and time

January 2026- April 2026

Materials

The course book: Understanding Cross-Cultural Management by Marie-Joelle Browaeys & Roger Price. PEARSON
Compulsory reading materials from the course book:
◦Chapter 1: Determinants of Culture
◦Chapter 2: Dimensions of Culture: HOFSTEDE and GLOBE
◦Chapter 3: Business Culture in the Western World
◦Chapter 4: Business Culture in Asia, Africa and the Middle East
◦Chapter 5: Cultural Dimensions and Dilemmas
◦Chapter 6: Culture and Styles of Management
◦CHAPTER 13: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION ACROSS CULTURES
◦CHAPTER 14: BARRIER TO INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Academic articles: to be informed in the classroom

Teaching methods

This course aims to provide the students with knowledge and understanding of cross cultural impact on international businesses, with a specific focus on cross cultural communication, negotiation and teamwork. Students are able to display and apply understanding of cultural differences when interacting with different nationalities as well as understand the challenges and opportunities of doing business in various cultures.

Employer connections

Company contacts and workhops

Exam schedules

Compulsory Examinations : March 4, 2026 and April 8, 2026
Compulsory workshops in cross cultural workshops: March 12, 2026 and April 22, 2026

Completion alternatives

Evaluation
Task 1 (20 % of the total grade) ACTIVITY - Individual task: reading and discussion of the chapters and articles in the classroom- Compulsory
Task 2 (60 % of the total grade). Examination: - Academic articles and the book chapters -Compulsory.

Task 3:( 20 % of the total grade) ACTIVITY- group task: compulsory attendance on guest lectures and group presentation in workshops

Late delivery of tasks is capped to grade 1 or maximum grade 2

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Knowledge about trade in some market
Have an overall picture of how different cultures and areas can be grouped based on cultural dimensions
Understand how trade organizations influence global trade
Students have the ability to retrieve information from various sources and understand the importance of the accuracy and reliability of the information.
Students can act ethically and communicate professionally.
Students are aware of issues related to sustainability and responsible action in business relationships.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good knowledge of different market areas
Have a good understanding of how different cultures and areas can be grouped based on cultural dimensions
Have a good understanding of how trade organizations influence world trade and have knowledge about some trade organizations
Students have the ability to assess the accuracy and reliability of the information.
Students can act ethically and communicate professionally.
Students can discuss about issues of sustainability and responsible action in business relationships.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

In-depth knowledge of different market areas
Have an in-depth understanding of how different cultures and areas can be grouped based on cultural dimensions and ability to apply this knowledge
Have an in-depth understanding of how trade organizations influence world trade
Students have an excellent insight into the connection between theory and practice.
Students take the initiative, act ethically and communicate professionally in different situations.
Students can discusst and use the understanding of issues of sustainability and responsible action in business relationships.

Assessment methods and criteria

GRADING: Numerical 0-5

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

0 Fail in the examination and fail in the teamwork project

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

1-2 The student expresses openness to engage in experiences to broaden understanding of one’s own culture and the culture of others. The student begins to identify own assumptions, judgments, and/or biases about self and others. The student demonstrates some understanding of social, relationships, or other dynamics important to one’s own culture and members of other cultures.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

3-4 The student seeks opportunities and knowledge to answer questions to broaden understanding of one’s own culture and the culture of others. The student articulates the influence of one’s own assumptions, judgments, and/or biases during interactions with one’s own culture and the culture of others. The student articulates an understanding of social, relationship, or other dynamics important to one’s own culture and members of other cultures.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5 The student consistently seeks, examines, compares, and contrasts one’s culture and the culture of others. The student integrates experiences that broaden understanding of one’s own culture and the culture of others. The student demonstrates an ability to assess the impact of assumptions, judgments, and/or biases related to one’s own and other cultures. The student consistently demonstrates an ability to assess the impact of incorporating multiple and diverse perspectives when working with one’s own and other cultures.

Qualifications

Business Skills