BUS 710 Managing in the Cross-Cultural Environment

Summer 2015
DESCRIPTION
This course focuses on the variety of issues and opportunities that arise when we take action
(i.e., leading, managing, being a member, following) outside our own culture. Our credibility and
effectiveness are always to some extent "culture-bound." Outside our native culture, our attitudes
and actions do not necessarily mean the same thing that they do inside our native culture.
Emphasis in this course will be on personal experiences and interpretations. However, we shall
also discuss the culture of organizations and academic disciplines. Extensive use will be made of
student experiences and discussion.

This course introduces students to issues in international business and exploration,

identification, and analysis of environment facing firms in international arena;
problems in planning, implementing, and controlling activities such as choosing
foreign associates, selecting plant location, and dealing with labor, structure, legal
constraints, and trade problems.

Students are introduced to international finance, economics, and marketing,

international organizations and regulatory bodies.
Emphasis is placed on global business strategy and international law. Emphasis will
also be given on problems of adaptation to different sociological, cultural, legal,
political and economic environment.

A varied learning and case based process to help cope when being dropped in a room full of
unknown people!
OBJECTIVES
1. To consider the nature of intercultural communication
2. To learn to think across cultural differences
3. To experiment with different ways of acting in cross-cultural situations
4. To reflect on the cultural foundations of economic systems and of organizational practices
INSTRUCTOR
Mahreen Mamoon completed her post-graduation from Queen Mary, University of London in
International Marketing and Management and graduated from the University of Dhaka majoring in
Marketing. She is bringing her six years of continuing teaching experience and five years of
multinational and International exposure to the course. She believes in creativity, knowledge from
experience and values the true balance between profession, family and ambition. She is absolutely
flexible in terms of accommodating the executives requirements to take the best from the
experience. Constructive feedback and suggestions are highly appreciated.
She can be reached through e-mail: mahreenm24@yahoo.co.uk , 01717039054 [sms only].
1

Basic Outline
Topics
1. Basic Introduction, Rules,
Icebreaking
2. Globalization and
Multinationals
3. Understanding Culture

Methods
Discussion, Activities,

Case, Discussion, PPT Lecture,

Pop quiz.
PPT Lecture, Discussion,
Example quiz, Culture Identity,
Case analysis
4. International ethical
Photography Competition, PPT
Management
Lecture, pop Quiz, Case
5. Culture shock and
Case,, Lecture, Personal
Management
Experience discussion. Final
Group form
Mid Term Examination [50 marks]
6. Global Marketing
Lectures, examples, quiz,
techniques, presentations
Communicating across
cultures
7. Market Entry Strategies
and FDI

Lectures, examples, quiz, case

study,

8. Leadership skills in global

perspective
9. Business Etiquette

Skills base, Lecture, examples,

role-play, Case Study
Lecture, Problem solving, Oral
Quiz
Lecture, Examples, Quiz
4 in a group each representing
a random country will craft and
draw handmade/print/paint
poster promoting the country to
the audience and a 15 minute
presentation on how they
should enter the Bangladesh
market with all the strategies
they have learnt in class
lectures.

10. Conflict and negotiation

11. Final Presentation

Marks Distribution
Attendance
10
Quiz best 2 of 4
20
Photography
05
Case studies [best 2] 15
Mid Term
50
Total
100
-will be converted to 40 solid
marks.

Attendance
Quiz best 2 of 4
Case Study best 1
Group Presentation
Final
Total

05
20
10
15
50
100

- will be converted to 60 solid

marks.
The grand total will be auto
-calculated using MS Excel by
adding Mid 40% and Final
60%. Bonus will be awarded
to 100% attendance
Overall class
contribution
Marked positive gapfilling from Mid to
final