Course 2025-2026 a.y.

This seminar aims at sensitizing students to the topics of effective collaboration and inclusive communication in multicultural environments. We will use different approaches, ranging from lectures to practical exercises and presentations. The seminar will offer the opportunity to “learn by doing”, testing the actual skills needed to oversee both the achievement of group goals and to effectively present the outcomes. Students will be required to collaborate in preparing a presentation (on a specific topic) and to make a speech in front of the rest of the class. The seminar is held in class and it is structured as follows:

• Understand individual differences in team-based activities.
• Identify the distinctive elements of an effective and inclusive communication in multicultural environments.
• Differentiate an effective communication from a non effective one.

• Appreciate individual differences in team-based activities.
• Experiment with the distinctive elements of an effective and inclusive communication in multicultural environments.
• Develop an effective communication.

• Lectures
• Collaborative Works / Assignments

Attendance is warmly encouraged because the aim is to sensitize students to the topics covered in the classroom through an active-learning approach. If the student is not able to attend all the sessions of the seminar, he/she will have to do the exam as not-attending student.

In order to be considered 'attending', the student should attend the 100% of the seminar (8 out 8 sessions).

Because of the active interaction and the continuous feedback (from peers and instructors), attending students are evaluated on the basis of their active and continuous contribution throughout the entire duration of the seminars (es. preparation of the presentation message, presentation design, peer feedback with other students,...).

• Final evaluation: pass/fail.

In order to be considered 'attending', the student should attend the 100% of the seminar (8 out 8 sessions).

Not-attending students are evaluated through a written exam (multiple choice) entirely based on the readings indicated in the 'teaching material' section'. The exam is aimed at evaluating students’ ability to recognize the main elements that characterize effective teamwork and influential presentations.

The not-attending exam will be entirely based on the following readings:

• Gratton, L., & Erickson, T. J. (2007). Eight ways to build collaborative teams. Harvard Business Review, 85(11), 100.
• Hughes, J., & Weiss, J. (2007). Want collaboration? Accept–and actively manage–conflict. Harvard Business Review.
• Ibarra, H., & Hansen, M. T. (2011). Are you a collaborative leader. Harvard Business Review, 89(7/8), 68-74.
• Abele, J. (2011). Bringing minds together. Harvard Business Review, 89(7-8), 86-93.
• McDermott, R., & Archibald, D. (2010). Harnessing your staff’s informal networks. Harvard Business Review, 88(3), 82-89.
• Hansen, M. T. (2009). When internal collaboration is bad for your company. Harvard Business Review, 87(4), 82-88.
• Pisano, G. P., & Verganti, R. (2008). Which kind of collaboration is right for you. Harvard Business Review, 86(12), 78-86.

Final evaluation: pass/fail.

Materials distributed in class and instructor’s slides.

The not-attending exam will be entirely based on the following readings:

• Gratton, L., & Erickson, T. J. (2007). Eight ways to build collaborative teams. Harvard Business Review, 85(11), 100.
• Hughes, J., & Weiss, J. (2007). Want collaboration? Accept–and actively manage–conflict. Harvard Business Review.
• Ibarra, H., & Hansen, M. T. (2011). Are you a collaborative leader. Harvard Business Review, 89(7/8), 68-74.
• Abele, J. (2011). Bringing minds together. Harvard Business Review, 89(7-8), 86-93.
• McDermott, R., & Archibald, D. (2010). Harnessing your staff’s informal networks. Harvard Business Review, 88(3), 82-89.
• Hansen, M. T. (2009). When internal collaboration is bad for your company. Harvard Business Review, 87(4), 82-88.
• Pisano, G. P., & Verganti, R. (2008). Which kind of collaboration is right for you. Harvard Business Review, 86(12), 78-86.