In order to be prepared for the demands of the globalized economy and for challenges of internationalizing companies, students should, by reflecting on various theoretical concepts as well as using cultural case studies (including best and worst case scenarios) in environments, the participants are mostly unfamiliar with,  be able to learn how to successfully recognize, discover cultural differences as well as how to communicate, act, manage, negotiate  across the cultures and to learn whether the national cultures are transformable and how the cross-cultural competence can be transferred. The goal is to become aware of cultural diversity, able to deal with it in a culturally sensitive way in international business environment as well as to differentiate between some country specifics. And in order to offer you even more insights and an opportunity to test the theory for its applicability in real-life situation, I am very happy to announce being able to invite Iris Lohmann from DANFOSS, who is surely one of the best experts, when it comes to managing multicultural teams, for an expert talk within of our next ExInt Cercle in January. Additionally we were able to purchase licenses for a cultural awareness tool from GlobeSmart, in order for you not only to better understand the theories provided in this course, but also to test your own cultural awareness as well as each other’s tendency to be more or less compatible with representatives of certain countries (within a range of 95 countries offered). We will also have some graduates, presenting their outstanding master theses, related to cross cultural management, who has been nominated as a best thesis and/or succeeded to publish the results of their thesis as a research/conference paper. Last but not least, you will be provided with 23 country-specific, cross-cultural business guides (published 2015) for your role-plays and group-works at the final stage.

• Building of cross-cultural (e.g., pluralistic thinking, self-criticism, etc.) and social (e.g., metacommunication, tolerance, etc.) competences
• Formation of strategic competences and cultural expertise in various business situations in foreign environments (eg correct use of problem-solving and decision-making ability worldwide, etc.).

In particular:

• Understand the principle behind most culture frameworks, know their limitations, alternatives
• Learn to differentiate between self-perception and those of others
• Being confronted with diverse country-specific content
• Becoming more cross-cultural aware and sharing this knowledge with others
• Develop an in-depth knowledge of traditional and current approaches to study differences between cultures
• Examine the effects of cross-cultural differences in a range of managerial areas
  • Hierarchies, motivation, leadership and controlling: between high power distance orientation and equality principle
  • Project- & time management between poly- and monochronic cultures
  • Negotiation worldwide: win / win versus win / lose strategies
  • Conflict management between cultures with direct / indirect or low context / high context communication cultures
• Understand methods, types and success factors of cross cultural trainings
• Being finally able to conceptualize a cross-cultural training for diverse needs of various international companies as well as to produce a research proposal on one of cross cultural main topics

There is an obligation to attend. If urgently needed and by communicating to the lecturer in advance, you may miss 1 class (apart from the first and the last session).

Giving theory input, working in groups and individually, watching videos (reflective approach) and attending role plays and simulations, taking actively part in discussions on given cases, analyzing of country-specific examples, presenting in plenary as well as supporting (moderated) exchange of cross-cultural experience, but also studying of related literature combined with expert talks, best/worst case scenarios and generating of master thesis proposals are used in varying degrees and intensity during this course and will be the main teaching methods employed. Practical solutions to cases, assignments, exercises will be sought by applying the relevant theories, concepts and approaches.


The course is in ENGLISH.

Having an active attitude and basic knowledge of the topics is essential to a successful completion of the module. Students will be evaluated on knowledge as well as skills (discussion, presentations, writing a structured paper) and both written and oral performance is important. Your final grade for this module is the weighted sum of the following items:

• 10%: pro-active approach, (involving) participation (incl. online assessment, thoughtful preparation of reading assignments and joint reflection on them during the class)

At last session you will be given a chance to reflect on how pro-active and involving your attendance was and evaluate yourself. By giving a grade, the lecturer will take your evaluation into consideration.

Name cards are obvious.

• 10%: Peer-reviewing (the reviewing criteria can be discussed in class and modified jointly)

You will evaluate yourself and your group members after the last group work. The template form for the peer-review will be available on learn@wu.ac.at 

• 40%: Group work – slip into different roles (CLIENT/ TRAINING provider etc.), learn how to satisfy various clients’ needs, shift from one perspective and/or view (i.a. country-specific) to other

Please divide/organize yourself in groups of 3-4 persons each for the sessions and inform the lecturer via e-mail. No necessity to start with preparation immediately, you will work during the sessions or it will be announced on time (at least 1 week in advance).

• 10% for drafting a scenario in order other group to provide an offer/concept of cross cultural training and its content
• 20% prepare a roleplay/group presentation due to requirements from submitted scenario for a certain international acting company and its specific needs in terms of CCM
• 10% for a discussant/reviewer role (critically review the offer recently presented - approve/ decline/ ask to modify the prepared concepts)

Finally, we will forward your CCT concepts to a company representative (DANFOSS), who is familiar with cross cultural trainings of their employees. You will get a short written feedback on whether your CCT concept is acceptable or if not, what modifications are advisable.

• 40%: Final research proposal about a cross cultural topic of your choice, prepared individually (see my presentation at learn@wu.ac.at for detailed criteria)

Please consider, that at least 60% of the total achievable points of performance are required for a positive grade.

Only for students of master program "Export and Internationalization Management" as well as for incoming students (master level). Registration for the course on time is obligatory.

 Basic knowledge of cross cultural communication and international business are prerequisite.

E-Mail: viktoriya.zipper@wu.ac.at

Further information, if appliable, will be announced in advance.