Reflection Paper

Unit description

Success in the global economy requires a broad range of knowledge and skills related to both the ‘hard' aspects of business such as raw materials, products, finance and logistics and the ‘soft' aspects such as personnel management, marketing and strategy. At the centre of these endeavours is the manager, for whom the stakes are high and the learning curve perpetual. In order to succeed in this complex environment, managers must understand how to work with organisations and other people around the world.

This unit, therefore, deals with the issues involved in managing in different cultural and institutional environments and is divided into three modules: challenges facing global managers; developing global understanding; and developing global management skills. Within those modules the course focuses on cultural, organisational and situational environments.

This unit will emphasise a mindset of lifelong learning rather than proffering a set of ‘answers' to the challenges facing global managers, in the belief that this prepares managers for the mindset that will be required of them in the dynamic world of global business.

Objectives/learning outcomes/capability development

At the completion of this course participants will be able to:

· predict the kinds of opportunities and challenges that managers are likely to face in a global environment
· recognise the relationship between managers' job roles, organisational objectives and the external environment
· evaluate local and global environments and make suitable choices amongst available alternatives
· identify the types of insights, skills and abilities managers need to develop inter-cultural competence
· evaluate a range of theoretical accounts proffered to help managers succeed within a global business environment.

In the course you will develop the following graduate capabilities:

Managing Across Cultures

Critical analysis and problem solving cultural and social awareness.

Details of learning activities

This course will be delivered via lectorials and online. It will comprise eleven core topics and three assessment tasks.

Successful participants in this unit will engage with the facilitator and other participants and undertake regular preparatory work. Independent learning and active participation are cornerstones of adult learning and will lead to success in global business as well as this unit. As a guide, independent and active participation in this course would include the following:

· reading the weekly text book chapters and journal articles
· watching or listening to recommended audio visual materials
· resolving questions brought up by the above, or raising further questions through additional independent research from appropriate resources (e.g. a combination of peer reviewed articles, practitioner journals, current affairs etc.)
· critical reflection on the above, leading to preparation for participation in discussion forums.

The assessment tasks in this unit are designed to offer participants the opportunity to expand their knowledge base through critical reading; to engage in reflection; and to consider the application of concepts and practices in the context of global business.

Prescribed text

The prescribed text for this unit is as follows:

Steers, RM, Nardon, L & Sanchez-Runde, CJ 2013, Management Across Cultures. Developing Global Competencies, 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

ISBN - 978-1-107-0312 Hardback ISBN - 978-1-107-64591-2 Paperback A Kindle edition is also available

1. Assignment one: Personal cultural reflection

Weighting

(1500 words maximum,). This is an individual assignment.

Prepare a 1500 word (max) reflection on the impact that culture has had on your life to date, both professionally and personally. Although there is a great deal of disagreement in the literature about intercultural communication, one thing that almost all the seminal authors from various disciplines agree on is that self-awareness is the starting point for intercultural competency. Therefore, the purpose of this piece if for you to understand your own cultural foundations and what you, personally, bring to global management before we delve more deeply into ‘difference'.

Questions and concepts you might consider:

There is no set structure for your writing and as a reflective piece it can be quite subjective, however it should be presented in a professional manner and include some references to readings we have done to date or your own research. You should state what YOU think and how you have reflected on a range of sources and experiences in coming to some conclusions about how culture has affected and might continue to affect your life.

Some reflective points that may assist you but which are not mandatory:

· What is your cultural background and heritage and how has it shaped the person you are?
· What exposure have you had to other cultures and sub-cultures? This could be in travel, work, daily living, etc.
· What are your reactions to the above? Why?
· What do you think about cultural divergence/convergence? In other words are ‘we all the same underneath', or ‘does difference matter'? Why?
· What are your limitations, prejudices, likes, dislikes when it comes to working with difference? (we all have them) Why?
· As a result of the above, how suited are you to global management? What sort of career path might appeal to you? Why?

The sources of information you use to support your reflections should be referenced in Harvard format.