Work in a Global Context

This module aims to develop the awareness, skills and knowledge required by managers seeking to work abroad as international executives. The module provides a key grounding in the nature of management in the global context by increasing awareness and understanding of the soft skills in international management, particularly those relating to cross-cultural management. The meaning of culture is explored by drawing on a range of national cultural and institutional models and studies and providing a broad understanding of the international context in which multinational corporations operate. How national culture influences management practice is also considered. In particular the focus will be on the influence of organizational and national cultures on the development and transfer of a wide range of HRM practices For example, in what ways do human resource management and employment practices differ across countries and why? What are the possible underlying cultural and institutional reasons for these differences? The influence of national culture on aspects of organization structure will also be examined. A range of areas in international management will be reviewed including, structure and learning networks, transfer of HRM practices in MNCs, .knowledge transfer and corporate social responsibility. Finally, we consider the emerging challenges of international management. The emphasis will be on how individuals, teams and organizations manage these cultural differences.