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2011/2012  KAN-CMI_CEMC  CEMS: Managing Cultures Within and Across Organisational Boundaries

English Title
CEMS: Managing Cultures Within and Across Organisational Boundaries

Course Information

Language English
Point 7,5 ECTS (225 SAT)
Type Elective
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Quarter
Course Period Third Quarter
Time Table Please see course schedule at e-Campus
Study Board
Study Board for BSc og MSc in Business, Language and Culture
Course Coordinator
  • Annette Risberg - Department of Intercultural Communication and Management
  • Dan Kärreman - Department of Intercultural Communication and Management
Main Category of the Course
  • Management
Last updated on 08 aug 2012
Learning Objectives
At the end of the course, students should be able to:

• define “culture” from conventional, alternative, and critical perspectives, and explain the differences between those perspectives
• explain the similarities and differences between national, ethnic, professional, and corporate cultures
• analyse the strengths and weaknesses of conventional approaches to cross-cultural management, and account for the widespread popularity of such techniques
• explain how individuals and organisations use culture as a strategic management tool and a symbolic resource in global business settings
• apply these concepts and perspectives to the analysis of cultural dynamics in a wide range of case studies and ethnographic accounts of business activities in global contexts.
• describe , compare and discuss management approaches to diversity
• relate approaches and perspectives to the issues of ethnicity, gender and other common diversity concepts
• analyze the advantages and problems with the notion of diversity when encountered in organizational contexts, and assess practical implications.
Prerequisite
This course is only open to CEMS students.
Written exam:
Assessment Home Assignment
Marking Scale 7-step scale
Censorship No censorship
Exam Period Spring Term and Spring Term
Aids Open Book, Written and Electronic Aid is permitted
Duration 48 Hours
Course Content
No matter where you work today, you will encounter people with a different cultural background than your own. You will meet customers, suppliers, colleagues, managers and subordinates who will bring experiences and perspectives different from your own. This may enrich your encounter but it may also cause problems, or even conflicts. In this course we aim to develop a deeper understanding of the issues in managing across and within cultures. We will do so by pointing to the importance and relevance of culture in management practice; by exploring methods for discovering culture, whether national, corporate, functional, etc.; by examining the impact of culture on strategy, structure, and human resource management and evaluate different approaches to managing cultural differences and question the role of managers and companies in a global economy. We will also discuss issues of diversity and try to contextualize cultural management in corporate practices.
 
Teaching Methods
Class time will include lectures, case discussions, small group work, and student presentations in which participants will explore theoretical perspectives and apply them to specific case studies.
Your main assignment for this course is to show up for every class ready to discuss and analyze the readings for the day in an in-depth and informed manner from a variety of practical and theoretical perspectives, and to participate in small group work that applies the materials from the course. The instructors reserve the right to "cold-call" on students at any time during class. Students should be able to answer questions about the readings from both the instructors and fellow students in a thoughtful manner that moves the discussion forward.

You should read and analyze each reading and case carefully BEFORE THE CLASS IN WHICH THEY ARE ASSIGNED, perhaps look for supplemental materials that can help you understand the readings more fully, discuss what kinds of theoretical perspectives and practical solutions can help further class discussion, and come prepared to participate actively in the classroom discussion.

Remember, this is not simply a lecture course, and the class as a whole will only benefit to the degree that every student demonstrates the willingness to PREPARE AND PARTICIPATE actively.
Further Information
This course is closed under the law of open university.
Literature
Kunda, G. Engineering culture. Temple University Press, 2006

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