Business Management: Cross Cultural Management assignment

Purpose of Assignment 1

This assignment is designed to prepare you for the module by getting you to think about what culture is in general and how it may be applied to understanding the business environment of a particular country / region in particular. This assignment may be done individually or by group.

The topics provide a broad context to the module and will provide students with insights into the importance of the relevant topic to the practise of Cross Cultural management. Cognitive competencies such as discussion, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation should be to the fore in anticipating and addressing the key module outcomes.

Assignment 1 Outcomes

The key outcomes of this Assignment 1 are to:

1. Begin to develop an understanding and appreciation of different international business environments with respect to cultural difference.

2. Begin to appreciate the importance of cultural intelligence as a success factor in international business.

3. Begin to develop reflective skills on other cultures and accordingly on one’s own culture

Assignment Details

Students are expected to write an individual Assignment on culture in a particular region / country / society. You are required to explain the nature of its culture; you may select any aspect of culture, such as language, religion, cultural norms in the society, or any other cultural dimension you think is important.

So, in sum Assignment 1 requires that you:

Select any country / region / society of your choice (for example, India,

Hong Kong, China, Canada, USA, France, Europe, Latin America, Middle

East, etc); Note: you must not choose a country that you are are from.

Explain the nature of its culture; you may select any aspect of culture, such as language, religion, social structure, political / economic philosophy, education, cultural norms in the society, or any other cultural dimension you think is important.

Think about your thoughts. Be objective in terms of your analysis and subjective with regard to your cognitive and reflective processes. Are you being stereotypical? What does this mean? What does it say about you?

Additional:

Be careful with your presentation style: write clearly and intelligently; and view this assignment as you would a professional report and treat it with the according respect. Various sources of information are outlined above.

In summary, the key grading criteria, as outline in table 5 below, are:

Knowledge and understanding of key concepts.

Analysis and level of argument.

Cognitive and reflective capacity

Extent of reading and references used.

Structure and presentation of the submission, writing style etc.