MS70123E Leading and Managing Across Cultures L7 AY26 | UEL

Table of contents

1. Module Team details
2. Module overview
3. Preparing for your Assessment
4. Summative Assessments
Summative Assessment 1    
Summative Assessment 2
5. Learning materials
6. Maintaining Academic Honesty and Integrity
7. Meeting Deadlines
8. Getting Support
9. Glossary and Acronyms

Module overview

The module provides students with a critical understanding of the cross-cultural management and leadership by providing them with practical, conceptual and critical understanding of how current enquiry and research into managing and leading across and in different cultures is discussed and practiced.

The aims of this module are to:

• Develop a critical approach to the study of cross-cultural management and leadership.
• Recognise the complexity of managing across different cultures and contexts.
• Understand contemporary perspectives on leadership, management and development.
• Understand the challenges and opportunities faced by managers while working across or within cultures.
• Understand the challenges and opportunities faced by leaders and manager whilst managing virtual teams across cultures.

Indicative Content

• Meaning of culture and its impact on management and leadership
• National culture-different models and approaches
• Organisational culture and different approaches
• The Link between national, regional, industry and organisational cultures
• Culture and organisational structure
• Culture and communication including negotiation in different cultures
• Culture and leadership
• Culture and human resource management, motivation, and exchange
• Intercultural competencies and ethical issues within cross cultural management
• Managing and leading virtual and multiple teams across cultures
• Role and functions of management and people practitioners in managing global workforce and across cultures.

The learning outcomes of this module are:

LO1: Critically review and evaluate major contemporary research and debates in the field of cross- cultural management.
LO2: Critically discuss the impact of national culture on work organisations and various types of teams including virtual/remote teams.
LO3: Critically evaluate the role of management, leaders and people practitioners and factors in managing across cultures.
LO4: Appraise the significance of communication in analysing culture including areas of business negotiation, and in managing effectively across and in different cultures
LO5: Evaluate how national culture shapes individuals’ motivation, psychological contacts, and orientation to work.
LO6: Identify desirable intercultural competencies and the link between culture, ethics, and managerial competencies

Expectations

Specific expectations students can have of tutors:

• Learning materials on BB at least one week in advance
• Formative feedback on assessments
• Online/phone appointment outside of normal class times for mutually convenient times in case it is needed

Specific expectations tutors will have of students:

• Attend all seminars and arrive at classes punctually.
• Read case studies provided prior to seminars and prepare answers to questions as per instructions given.
• Actively participate and engage in class activities.
• Communicate with tutors in a professional manner.
• Attempt all assessments by the submission deadline unless there are extenuating circumstances (please do contact your tutor and your Module Leader).
• Behave professionally in classes and not cause any disruption that may affect other students’ learning.
• Only use AI as a tool to facilitate ideas generation and concept clarification in line with amber use of AI as defined the University’s Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching

Kindly refer to the Course Handbook for a detailed outline of how this module forms part of your course

Preparing for your Assessment

A key part of your learning will be preparation for your summative assessment. You will be provided feedback on your formative assessments, and this will help you to better understand what is required of you when you submit your summative assessment. Please see below guidance on your formative assessment and how to access your feedback.

Summative Assessments

Summative Assessment 1

Submitting, feedback & grades online using Blackboard

The objective of this assessment is to foster a critical approach to the study of cross-cultural management and leadership within the context of the "Leading and Managing Across Cultures" module. Ultimately, the assessment strives to equip students with a holistic perspective on cross- cultural management and leadership, enabling them to excel in globalised professional landscapes.

Assessment 1 task:

Your group of 5-6 members is to choose a company to work on the following scenario:

A multinational organisation with offices in country Y and Z has recently restructured its organisation to form two distinct cross-cultural teams to work on a global project. The company has tasked both teams with developing a new product for an international market. Each team has its unique approach to project management and work culture.

Please note: The scenario above is a skeleton to be used as guidance that should be adapted and tailored your chosen organisation and countries selected.

From the list below chose two countries and critically analyse what are the issues and conflicts that might arise among these teams due to cultural differences.

• UK – Brazil
• USA- Japan
• Germany- China
• Australia- Chile
• Germany-India
• Japan- Brazil
• India-UK

Your presentation must apply different models and approaches that are relevant to topics of:

• Communication
• Leadership
• Negotiation

Ensure that your presentation is focused and that there is sufficient, current, and relevant data, information available from academic and credible published sources for independent critical analysis and discussion. Do not just rely on organisations’ websites for information.

Your presentation must include detailed critical analysis and discussions of the issue, making use of relevant theories and concepts to elucidate and support your analysis and arguments. Your presentation must demonstrate your extensive desk research on the chosen cultures. Your presentation must include an introduction/background, findings, critique, and conclusions. Each member must have a clear role to play.

Marking Criteria

Assignment 1 Marking Criteria

Marking scheme

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Employability Skills

This assessment covers the following employability skills, which you could demonstrate on your CV and at job interviews if you successfully pass the assessment.

• Communication
• Speaking
• Presenting
• Non-Verbal
• Problem solving
• Take initiative and self-motivating
• Critical thinking
• Can work under pressure and to deadline
• Planning and organisation skills
• Team working
• Ability to learn and adapt
• Valuing Diversity
• Negotiation Skills
• Creativity/lateral thinking
• Time management
• Influencing
• Intellectual curiosity
• Flexibility
• Leadership

Perseverance

• Confidence
• Global/cultural awareness
• Integrity and accountability
• Decision making

Summative Assessment 2

Submitting, feedback & grades online using Blackboard Main objectives of the Assessment 2

Assignment 2 is comprised of task A and task B. Task A is the participation in a debate and Task B is a written report synthesising the main outcomes of the debate. The objective of this assignment is to enhance students’ understanding of how cultural diffеrеncеs impact various aspects of business management and to develop their critical thinking, research, communication, public speaking, persuasion techniques and development of empathy by engaging with diverse viewpoints. Additionally it engages students to delve into the complexities of managing and working in diverse as well as confront biases and stеrеotypеs that may influence thеir perceptions of different cultures. This promotes sеlf-awarеnеss and a more balanced view of cultural diffеrеncеs in a globalised environment.

Assessment 2-Task A:

You will be given a scenario to debate with a group of peers in the class. This scenario could involve any part the module content you have studied during the semester.
You will be required to present arguments and counterarguments clearly and persuasively during the debate. This cultivates your ability to articulate ideas effectively and engage in constructive discussions.

You are expected to structure arguments, use persuasive language and engage the audience while demonstrating a global mind-set by exploring how business practices must adapt to different cultural contexts, as this is essential for leaders and managers who may work in international settings.

Please note that you must conduct research to gather information about cultures and management practices. This research could involve studying academic articles, case studies, real-world еxamplеs, and cultural dimensions models.

Assessment 2-Task B.

Upon the conclusion of the debate in which you participated, you are required to write a comprеhеnsivе report that synthesises the main discussions undertaken during the debate. In addition to outlining the key points raised, this report should emphasise the practical application of pertinent theories and concepts within real-world contexts.

LO1: Critically review and evaluate major contemporary research and debates in the field of cross-cultural management.

LO2: Critically discuss the impact of national culture on work organisations and various types of teams including virtual/remote teams.

LO3: Critically evaluate the role of management, leaders and people practitioners and factors in managing across cultures

LO4: Appraise the significance of communication in analysing culture including  areas of business negotiation, and in managing effectively across and in different cultures 
LO5: Evaluate how national culture shapes individuals’ motivation, psychological contacts, and orientation to work.
LO6: Identify desirable intercultural competencies and the link between culture, ethics, and managerial competencies.

Marking Criteria

Submitting, feedback & grades online using Blackboard 

Marking scheme

Employability Skills

This assessment covers the following employability skills, which you could demonstrate on your CV and at job interviews if you successfully pass the assessment.

• Communication
• Speaking
• Presenting
• Non-Verbal
• Problem solving
• Take initiative and self-motivating
• Critical thinking
• Can work under pressure and to deadline
• Planning and organisation skills
• Team working
• Ability to learn and adapt
• Valuing Diversity
• Negotiation Skills
• Creativity/lateral thinking
• Time management
• Influencing
• Intellectual curiosity
• Flexibility
• Leadership
• Perseverance
• Confidence
• Global/cultural awareness
• Integrity and accountability
• Decision making

Maintaining Academic Honesty and Integrity

Academic Integrity means avoiding plagiarism and cheating and owning your own work, the unauthorised use of essay mills and AI content is also considered academic misconduct. This is when you submit a piece of work which is not completely your own, but which you are presenting as your own without acknowledging the author or properly referencing the original source. All your work must demonstrate Academic Integrity; it must be an honest and fair submission, complying with all the requirements of the assessment. Failure to meet these standards of behaviour and practice is academic misconduct, which can result in penalties being applied under the Academic Offences Regulations.

Meeting Deadlines

You should always try your best to submit your work on time. If your circumstances mean that you are not able to submit on time or are unable to attend an in-person assessment like an exam or in- class test, then you can request Exceptional circumstances for the assessment. An extension allows you to submit coursework up to 10 calendar days late without penalty, (calendar days include all weekends and bank holidays where the University is open). Without an extension, the maximum mark you will be able to get for that work will be the pass mark. Mitigation allows you a mitigated attempt without penalty if you fail an assessment or do not submit.

You can apply for an extension or mitigation by self-certifying that you have exceptional circumstances which affected your ability to undertake the assessment. Self-certifying means that evidence does not have to be provided, although the University reserves the right to request evidence. All self-certified requests must be made before the deadline and detail the exceptional circumstances that have prevented you from submitting by the original submission deadline. You can only self-certify three assessments per academic year. If you have used all your self- certification opportunities, or requested mitigation after the deadline, you will need to provide evidence of your exceptional circumstances for your request to be granted.

The Student Union Advice Service can provide support and guide you through the extension and mitigation process; you can access further information by visiting the UWLSU webpage.