Course 2009-2010 a.y.

Course Objectives

The hyper-competitive global arena of today mandates that managers develop the skills necessary to conduct effective cross-national interactions. This requires a deep understanding of how culture affects organizations, managerial processes and behaviours. This course begins by exploring and defining the notion of culture in its many forms; we adopt a broad definition of national culture encompassing institutional as well as attitudinal aspects. The influence of culture is examined at various levels of an organization, from macro level of organizational design and Global Human Resource Management to interpersonal level of managing multicultural teams or negotiating with people from different countries. Students will understand the global leadership competencies necessary to manage cultural differences.

Students will apply the theories learned by analysing managerial processes ofmajor emerging economies in the Middle East, China and India.

Course Content Summary

The course consists of five major themes:  

1 Understanding the role of culture in international business

• Impact of culture on organizations and organizational behaviour
• Perception and Stereotypes
• Communicating and negotiating across cultures

2 Theories of analyzing cultural differences

• Cultural values dimensions
• Societal differences in organizations and management

3 Global Human Resource Management

• Diversity Management
• Expatriates and international careers
• Managing multicultural teams

4 Global Leadership competencies

• Cultural aspects of leadership
• Motivation across cultures
• Developing intercultural management competencies

5 Doing business in emerging economies

• Intercultural management in China, India and the Middle East

Detailed Description of Assessment Methods

Attending students
The final grade consists of:

• 20%Class participation (individual)
• 10%Team presentations in class (group)
• 30%Team paper (group)
• 10%Reflection paper (individual)
• 10%Mid-term exam(individual)
• 20%Final exam (individual)  

The material for the exam is based on the literature indicated in the program, teaching material used in class, cases, exercises and presentations. Cases and slides can be accesses at www.unibocconi.it/weblearning. For the required literature consult the course reserves http://lib.unibocconi.it/.

The entrance test is mandatory. Students are asked to review any undergraduate level Organizational Behavior textbook to refresh their knowledge on the following subjects:

• Foundations of individual behaviour
• Attitudes & job satisfaction
• Basic motivation concepts
• Interpersonal skills
• Basic approaches to leadership
• Groups / teams

Non Attending students
Written exam with open and focused questions (multiple choice) based on the textbook.

The entrance test is mandatory also for non-attending students (see above).

Textbooks

Attending students
(for detailed references see program)

Non Attending students

• H. DERESKY, International Management - Managing across boarders and cultures, Text and cases, Pearson Prentice Hall, sixth edition 2008