TON DUC THANG UNIVERSITY SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

FACULTY OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Independence – Freedom – Happiness

Ho Chi Minh City,…………………………

COURSE SYLLABUS
CROSS-CULTURAL MANAGEMENT
SUBJECT CODE: 702052
(STANDARD PROGRAM)

1. Course information:
Number of credits: 3 (3,0)
Time allocation: Theory (hours): 45 Practice/Discussion (hours): Self-study (hours): 90
Pre-requisite: None Pre-requisite code: None
Prior-Completion: Principle of Management Prior-Completion 702051
code:
Co-requisite: None Co-requisite code: None
Program: International Business Program code: 52340120

2. Course Objectives (COs):

No. Course Objectives (COs) Expected Learning Outcomes (ELOs)

Generalize aboutglobalization,multiculturaland the impact of multicultural ELO4

1
inthe international business

2 Discovermulticultural phenomena in international business administration ELO7

3 Evaluatethe challenges and opportunities of doing business in different ELO10

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 countries.

Research and analyzethe shortcomings and challenges of multinational ELO10

4 companies in managementand the implications for management and
employment in different national contexts.

Propose the challenges of multicultural management in the future and strategies ELO11
5
appropriate to the development of multinational corporations.

3. Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs):

No Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) COs ELOs
1 Understand the importance of national culture andmulticultural management
CO1 ELO4
influencing international business.
2 Understand multicultural situations in international business administrationand the
impact of different national cultures on work and employment in different CO2 ELO7
nationalities.
3 Analyzethecultural norms,cultural values,ethnic background and institutional
differences to evaluate the challenges and opportunities of doing business in different CO3 ELO10
countries.
4 Analyzecultural and cognitive differences in multicultural phenomena in
international business administrationto develop appropriate problem-solving and CO4 ELO10
communication skills in a multicultural environment.
5 Analyzethe complexity of multiculturalism at micro and macro levels and how
organizational and national culture impacts upon them: work, motivation,
performance appraisal, leadership, cross-cultural communication and decision- CO4 ELO10
making, negotiation and trust, conflict and dispute resolution and corporate social
responsibility.
6 Assess the importance of multiculturalism in multinational managementand establish
appropriate problem-solving and communication skills in a multicultural CO5 ELO11
environment.

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4. Course main contents:
The course is designed to include the following contents:
 Part 1: Management and Culture (Chapter 1,2,3,4)
+ Chapter 1: Introduction: The Challenging Role of the Global Manager
+ Chapter 2: Describing Culture: What It Is and Where It Comes From
+ Chapter 3: Comparing Cultures: Systematically Describing Cultural Differences
+ Chapter 4: How Culture Works: Fundamentals of Cross-Cultural Interaction
 Part 2: Roles of The Global Manager (Chapter 5,6,7)
+ Chapter 5: The Manager as Decision Maker: Cross-Cultural Dimensions of Decision Making
+ Chapter 6: The Manager as Negotiator: Communicating and Negotiating Across Cultures
+ Chapter 7: The Manager as Leader: Motivation and Leadership Across Cultures
 Part 3: Global Management Challenge (Chapter 8,9,10)
+ Chapter 8: The Challenge of Multicultural Work Groups and Teams
+ Chapter 9: The Challenge of International Organizations: Structure and Culture
+ Chapter 10: The Challenge of Managing Across Cultures in the Future

5. Requirements for students:

 Attendance and Preparation:
+ Attending at least 80% course duration;
+ Reading related contents in the textbook and learning materials before the class;
+ Completing e-learning exercises of each chapter before the class (the 1st attempt).
 In-class activities participation:
+ Being active in teamwork, presentation preparing, discussion and group activities required by the lecturer;
+ Being enthusiastic and dynamic in giving ideas, answers and debates about the lessons and learning contents.
 Completing all of the assignments:
+ Being on time in completing all of the assignments;
+ Reading textbook and other learning materials as required by the lecturer to broaden knowledge;
+ Completing all of the e-learning exercises of each chapter after the class (2 nd and 3rd attempts).
 Joining in the report writing, presentation preparation, group discussion and taking the final test as regulated
6. Learning materials:

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  Textbook:
[1]. Thomas, D. C. & Peterson M., [2014], Cross-Cultural Management: Essensial Concepts, 3rd edition, NY: Sage, New York;
 Supplementary readings:
[2]. Myron W. Lustig, Jolene Koester, [2013], Intercultural competence: Interpersonal communication across cultures, 7th edition,
Pearson Education, Boston;
[3]. Bettina Gehrke, Global Leadership Practices: A Cross-Cultural Management Perspective, McGraw-Hill;
 Additional readings:
[4]. Brian J. Hurn, Barry TomalinBasingstoke, [2013], Cross - Cultural communication: Theory and practice, Hampshire: Palgrave
Macmillan;
[5]. Geert H Hofstede, Gert Jan Hofstede, Michael Minkov, [2010], Cultures and organizations: software of the mind: international
cooperation and its importance for survival, 3rd edition, New York ; London : McGraw-Hill.

7. Assessment methods:
Assessment components Weight (%) Types of assessment CLOs
Process exercises and/or Multiple choice questions (In-class
Process assessment 1 10% case studies and e-learning exercises and/or attendance CLO1; CLO2
bonuses)
Process assessment 2 20% Presentation CLO3; CLO4;
Mid-term assessment 20% Constructed-response test CLO4; CLO5
Final test 50% Constructed-response test CLO4; CLO5;CLO6

8. Course schedule:
Week Contents Teaching activities Self- CLOs Requirements Student’s tasks
(Lesson) organization study
T E P D
1 Course introduction 2 1 6 CLO1; CLO3; Preparation: Reading
+ Why study Cross-Cultural CLO4 textbook and other
Management? materials of chapter 1;

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 + Assessment methods; In-class:
+ Course regulations; Discussion;Giving ideas,
+Course requirements and deadlines. arguments and criticisms
Chapter 1: Introduction: The + After class:Reviewing
Challenging Role of the Global lesson’s contents;
Manager Answering the end-
1.1. Globalization forces chapter questions.
1.2. The environment and roles of global
managers
1.3. The pros and cons of different types
of cross-cultural research
1.4. The methods problems of cross-
cultural research
Teaching methods:
+ Lecture;
+ Discussion;
+ Debate.
2 Chapter 2: Describing Culture: What It 2 1 6 CLO2; CLO3; 702051: 3 Preparation: Reading
Is and Where It Comes From CLO4 textbook and other
materials of chapter 2;
2.1 The main features of culture
In-class:
2.2 Cultures differ and persist Discussion;Giving ideas,
2.3 Debates about what culture is and arguments and criticisms
whether it matters on assigned cases
+ After class:Reviewing
2.4 Culture affect behavior by social lesson’s contents;
groups Answering the end-
Teaching methods: chapter questions and
+ Lecture; solving the closing case of
+ Problem-solving; the chapter.
+ Debate.
3-4 Chapter 3: Comparing Cultures: 4 2 12 CLO2; CLO3; 702051: 3 Preparation: Reading
Systematically Describing Cultural CLO4 textbook and other
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 Differences materials Chapter 3;
3.1 Some examples of describing cultural Doing e-learning exercises
differences (1st attempt)
In-class:
 Kluckholn and Strodtbeck;
Discussion;Giving ideas,
 Hofstede; arguments and criticisms
 Schwartz value survey on assigned cases
 Trompenaars; + After class:Reviewing
 The GLOBE study lesson’s contents; Doing
e-learning exercises (2nd&
3.2 Cultural tightness or looseness 3rd attempts); Answering
3.3 Social axioms the end-chapter questions
3.4 Limitations and solving the closing
3.5 Culture frameworks case of the chapter.
Teaching methods:
+ Lecture;
+ Problem-solving;
+ Debate.
5 Chapter 4: How Culture Works: 4 2 12 CLO1;CLO2; 702051: 3 Preparation: Reading
Fundamentals of Cross-Cultural CLO3; CLO4 textbook and other
Interaction materials Chapter 4;)
In-class:
4.1. Social cognition Discussion;Giving ideas,
 Cultural Schemas arguments and criticisms
on assigned cases
 Cultural Identity
+ After class:Reviewing
 Cultural Script and Norms lesson’s contents;
 Selective Perception Answering the end-
chapter questions and
 Perceived Similarity and Attraction solving the closing case of
4.2. Stereotypic Expectations the chapter.
4.3. Differential Attributes
4.4. Cross cultural interaction model
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 4.5. Variations in self-concept
andMotivational implications of self-
concepts
Teaching methods:
+ Lecture;
+ Problem-solving;
+ Debate.
6 Chapter 5: The Manager as Decision 2 1 6 CLO2; CLO4; Preparation: Reading
Maker: Cross-Cultural Dimensions of CLO6 textbook and other
Decision Making materials Chapter 5;
Doing e-learning exercises
5.1 Rational decision making
(1st attempt)
5.2 Heuristics In-class:
5.3Motivational biases Discussion;Giving ideas,
 selection decisions arguments and criticisms
 reward allocation decisions on assigned cases
5.4 Ethical judgments + After class:Reviewing
5.5 The stages of moral development lesson’s contents; Doing
proposed by Kohlberg and the e-learning exercises (2nd&
implications 3rd attempts); Answering
Teaching methods: the end-chapter questions
+ Lecture; and solving the closing
+ Problem-solving; case of the chapter.
+ Debate.
Teaching methods:
+ Lecture;
+ Problem-solving;
+ Debate.
7 Chapter 6: The Manager as Negotiator: 2 1 6 CLO2; CLO4; Preparation: Reading
Communicating and Negotiating Across CLO6 textbook and other
Cultures materials Chapter 6;
Doing e-learning exercises

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 6.1 Cultural field and language (1st attempt)
6.2 Communication styles In-class:
Discussion;Giving ideas,
6.3 Other aspects of language arguments and criticisms
6.4 Language differences on assigned cases
6.5 Nonverbal communication + After class:Reviewing
lesson’s contents; Doing
6.6 Culture affect communication and e-learning exercises (2nd&
negotiation 3rd attempts); Answering
Teaching methods: the end-chapter questions
+ Lecture; and solving the closing
+ Case Studies; case of the chapter.
+ Problem-solving;
+ Debate.
Mid-term (Project presentation) 1,2,3,4,5
8-9 Chapter 7: The Manager as Leader: 2 1 6 CLO2; CLO4; Preparation: Reading
Motivation and Leadership Across CLO5; CLO6 textbook and other
Cultures materials Chapter 7;
Doing e-learning exercises
7.1 Culture affect the application of the
(1st attempt)
theories of motivation In-class:
7.2 Job design motivate and Cultural Discussion;Giving ideas,
variation arguments and criticisms
7.3 Western leadership theories on assigned cases
7.4 Non-Western leadership theories + After class:Reviewing
7.5 Integrated Cross-Cultural Model of lesson’s contents; Doing
e-learning exercises (2nd&
Leadership
3rd attempts); Answering
7.6Implications for Managersabout culture the end-chapter questions
and leadership and solving the closing
Teaching methods: case of the chapter.
+ Lecture;
+ Problem-solving;
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 + Debate.
10 - 11 Chapter 8: The Challenge of 2 1 6 CLO2; CLO4; Preparation: Reading
Multicultural Work Groups and Teams CLO5 textbook and other
materials Chapter 8;
8.1 Functioning work group
Doing e-learning exercises
8.2 Dynamics of work groups (1st attempt)
8.3 The effects of factors external to the In-class: Discussion;
work group Giving ideas, arguments
and criticisms on assigned
8.4 The Case against Regional Integration cases
8.5 Cultural composition + After class: Reviewing
8.6 Virtual teams lesson’s contents; Doing
e-learning exercises (2nd
8.7Multicultural groups best managed & 3rd attempts);
8.8 Implications for Managers Answering the end-
Teaching methods: chapter questions and
+ Lecture; solving the closing case of
+ Case Studies; the chapter.
+ Problem-solving;
+ Debate.
12 - 13 Chapter 9: The Challenge of 4 2 12 CLO2; CLO4; Preparation: Reading
International Organizations: Structure CLO5, CLO6 textbook and other
and Culture materials Chapter 9;
In-class:
9.1 The structure of organization Discussion;Giving ideas,
9.2 The five structural configurations of arguments and criticisms
organizations on assigned cases
+ After class:Reviewing
9.3 Different structures
lesson’s contents; Doing
9.4 Two mechanisms e-learning exercises (2nd&
9.5 Multinational organizations (MNOs) 3rd attempts); Answering
and organizational characteristics the end-chapter questions
and solving the closing
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 9.6 Cross-border mergers, acquisitions, case of the chapter.
and joint ventures
9.7 Culture influence relationship
9.8 Implications for Managers
Teaching methods:
+ Lecture;
+ Case Studies;
+ Problem-solving;
+ Debate.
14 Chapter 10: The Challenge of 2 1 6 CLO4; CLO5; Preparation: Reading
Managing Across Cultures in the CLO6 textbook and other
Future materials;
In-class:
10.1 Economic development Discussion;Giving ideas,
10.2 Transition economies arguments and criticisms
10.3 The implications of the rapid on assigned cases
+ After class:Reviewing
advancements in information and
lesson’s contents;
communications technology. Answering the end-
Teaching methods: chapter questions and
+ Lecture; solving the closing case of
+ Case Studies; the chapter.
+ Problem-solving;
+ Debate.
15 Chapter 10: The Challenge of 1 2 6 CLO4; CLO5; + Preparation: Written
Managing Across Cultures in the CLO6 Report, Evaluation form;
Future Individual Work
10.4 Natural environment Assessment; Questions;
10.5 Global environment Concerning issues; Ideas
10.6 The future + In-class: Discussion;
Debates; Giving ideas,
Group Report Submission arguments and criticisms.
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 Review + After class:
Teaching methods: Reviewing learning
+ Lecture; contents;
+ Problem-based learning;
+ Case studies;
+ Self-learning.
Total 45 0 0 90

9. Date of first approval:…………………………………….

Course designer Dean of the Faculty

MBA. Tran Thi Van Trang Dr. Pham Thi Minh Ly

Reviewer Head of Undergraduate Studies Department

Head of the Division President

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 Dr. Pham Thi Ngan Prof. Le Vinh Danh
10. Date and Up-to-date contents:
1st time:
Updating COs, CLOs, Requirements for students and Course schedule
Head of Undergraduate Studies Department Dean of the Faculty Instructor

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