MGW3600 - Cross-cultural communication and negotiation

Leader: Dr Andrea Howell

Offered

Berwick First semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

The unit covers the nature of culture and the way in which cultural values are expressed in social behaviour and the communication process in different societies and in cross-cultural contexts. The relevance of culture to management practices is analysed and illustrated in several national settings: Australia, Japan, China, Malaysia and India. Problems of cross-cultural communication are examined in relation to gender and ethical issues. The impact of globalisation and of consumer cultures on the cross-cultural communication process is discussed. The subject then focuses on the negotiating process and on cross-cultural factors which affect international business negotiations.

Objectives

The learning objectives of this unit are to:

• summarise the role that communication and negotiations play in a cross cultural context;
• synthesise and integrate principles of effective cross cultural communication to intercultural and cross cultural interactions in a business context;
• explain the negotiation process, and contrast distributive and integrative negotiation;
• critically assess the links between culture, economic processes and organisations.

Assessment

Individual assignment (3000 words): 30%
Group presentation: 30%
Examination (2 hours): 40%

Contact hours

3 hours class contact

Prerequisites

Recommended prior study: MGW1100