The course is included in these curricula and study modules

Level/category

Extension studies

Teaching language

English

Type of course

Optional

Cycle/level of course

First

Recommended year of study

2

Total number of ECTS

5 cr

Competency aims

The aim of the course is to explore and define success factors in multicultural competence in the business environment. The focus is on the Nordic and Batic regions. The course is part of extension studies in "Business in the Baltic Sea Region".

Learning outcomes

After having completed the course, students should be able to

  • identify similarities and differences in cultures, economics, and societies in the BSR
  • demonstrate detailed understanding of the influences culture has on business communication
  • identify key issues in managing a multicultural workforce
  • identify success factors in the relationships between the enterprise and its various stakeholders in the Baltic Sea Region

Course contents

The course contains materials developed in the Hansa Nova network:

  1. The Cultural Landscape: History, Culture, and Languages
  2. The Social Landscape: Social and Environmental Conditions
  3. The Economic Landscape: Macroeconomics in the Baltic Sea Region
  4. The Business Culture Landscape:
    4.1. Formal vs. informal business cultures
    4.2. Time and scheduling
    4.3. Nonverbal business behaviour
    4.4. Selling across cultures
    4.5. Negotiator profiles
    4.6. Experience with authorities
  5. Comparative study of the Business Environment in selected countries in the Region

Prerequisites and co-requisites

Basic knowledge of business administration

Previous course names

N/A

Additional information

Note lectured during academic year 2014-2015. It is replaced by Intercultural communication IB-3-003(0)

Recommended or required reading

Course book:
Walker, Danielle Medina; Walker, Thomas; and Schmitz, Joerg. (1995, 2003) Doing Business Internationally: The Guide to Cross-Cultural Success. (New York: McGraw-Hill)

Other literature:
Beamer, L and Varner, I. 2000. Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace. McGraw-Hill Irwin

Browaeys, Marie-Joëlle & Price, Roger. 2008. Understanding Cross-cultural Management. Nyenrode Business University. Prentice Hall - Pearson Education Ltd..

Hofstede, Geert. 1991. Cultures and Organizations – Software of the mind. London, McGraw-Hill International

Hofstede, G., Pedersen, Hofstede G. 2002. Exploring Culture: exercises, stories, and synthetic cultures. Intercultural Press, Nicholas
Brealey Publishing Company.

Maciejewski, Witold (Ed). 2002. The Baltic Sea Region: Culture, Politics, Societies. The Baltic University Press. Uppsala

Storti, Craig. 1999. Figuring Foreigners Out: A practical guide. Intercultural Press, A Nicholas Brealey Company.

Materials created by the Hansa Nova network, see http://hansanova.arcada.fi
Reports and studies

Study activities

  • Lectures - 24 hours
  • Practical exercises - 15 hours
  • Small-group work - 15 hours
  • Project- and production work/artistic activities - 33 hours
  • Individual studies - 26 hours
  • Internet-based studies - 20 hours
  • Seminars - 0 hours

Workload

  • Total workload of the course: 133 hours
  • Of which autonomous studies: 133 hours
  • Of which scheduled studies: 0 hours

Mode of Delivery

Participation in tuition

Assessment methods

Essays, reports, productions and portfolio

Assessment requirements

Participation in and completion of group presentations. Written report.

Examiner

Källström Eija

Home page of the course

Group size

No limit

Assignments valid until

Until date 2013-10-27

The timetable of the course

see ARBS

Assessment methods

2013-10-27 - Reports and productions

Course and curriculum search