Intercultural Aspects of Corporate Communication

Bachelor 2020/2021

Type: Elective course (Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication)

Area of studies: Linguistics

Delivered by: School of Foreign Languages

Where: School of Foreign Languages

When: 4 year, 1, 2 module

Mode of studies: offline

Instructors: Alina Budnikova, Red Bushetara, Kamilla Chotсhaeva, Nadezhda Vradiy

Language: English

ECTS credits: 5

Contact hours: 52

Full Syllabus Ask Question

Abstract

The course is designed for fourth-year bachelor students, who major in “Intercultural Communication” and consists of two aspects: ‘Project Management in Intercultural Context’ and ‘Conflict Management and Resolution in Intercultural Business Environment’. The course is highly correlated with the courses “Intercultural Communication: Theory and Practice”, “Introduction to Organizational Communication” and “Corporate Culture and Business Communication” covered in the third year. The aspect ‘Project Management in Intercultural Context’ provides students with fundamentals of project management. Over the past 20 years, project management has proven to help modern organizations maintain a competitive edge. We consider intercultural contexts together with complex organizational communications most influential factors in project management. The aspect covers major project management concepts, which are reinforced by cases from various business spheres. Students will learn about methods and tools a successful project manager needs to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, control, and close a project. The aspect guides the student through technical, interpersonal and cultural skills necessary to manage a project efficiently. The aspect ‘Conflict Management and Resolution in Intercultural Business Environment’ provides students with fundamentals of conflict management. Since conflicts are everyday occurrences in people's lives, social groups and international relations, in all historic times, in all cultures, groups and countries, the quest for peace has been ongoing. Costs incurred because of conflicts are very high: human suffering, economic losses and moral degradation. The efforts made by humankind to live in peace give us insight to accomplish real results, transform conflicts and manage them positively. This aspect in conflictology presents empirical knowledge and insight on conflict resolution, transformation, mediation and management, for conflicts of all importance, be they interpersonal, intercultural or global, as well as helps to give future professionals knowledge and build skills in conflict management.

Learning Objectives

to acquaint students with the subject, categorical system, the key theoretical and practical problems of modern conflict resolution
to develop conflict management skills and teach students how to apply them in intercultural and international business communication practice
to identify the essential skills required to manage a project
to implement project management body of knowledge
to apply project management principles effectively
to engage and lead project management teams in intercultural context
to demonstrate a good understanding of a project life cycle

Expected Learning Outcomes

know current theories of conflictology, the nature of conflict as special characteristics of social interaction, the main forms of conflict management
be able to recognize typical conflict situations, as well as the specificity of their occurrence in the course of students’ professional activity as specialists in intercultural communication
apply skills in performing primary analysis and interpretation of culture’s actions in a conflict situation
know fundamental concepts of project management
know the definition of a project and its characteristics
understand the role of a project manager
apply the knowledge and skills they get to analyze major factors influencing project management outcomes
know Project Management Institute’s (PMI’s) project model
know project process groups
understand how to manage project cost, quality, and delivery
apply the knowledge and skills they get to use project management tools and techniques
apply the knowledge and skills they get to analyze and assess complex project management situations
apply the knowledge and skills they get to relate a project to the intercultural environment that influences it
develop technical, interpersonal and cultural skills necessary for a successful project manager
develop the ability to use project management strategies and methods to manage a project from start to finish

Course Contents

Conceptual overview of project management
1.Project management overview 2. Project definition and key characteristics 3. Project manager’s role 4. Three constraints of a project 5. Project management process
Project management process groups
1. Initiating: objects, project charter, stakeholder analysis 2. Planning: scope management, WBS, scheduling 3. Planning: cost management, procurement, quality management, communication plan 4. Planning: risk management 5. Executing: communication management 6. Monitor and Control 7. Closing
Project management knowledge and skills
1. Project teamwork: interpersonal and cultural skills 2. Project management general and specialized knowledge
The Nature of Conflict & Conflict Escalation
The section introduces students to the notion and definition of conflict, conflict’s functions and their dual character (Lewis Coser). An emphasis is placed on assessment of positive and negative effects of conflict.
Perspectives on Conflict Sources
The topic focuses on objective and subjective conflict source’s drivers and conflict’s process and dynamics. Students learn to identify conflict’s sources (“The circle of conflict” theory, Daniel Katz). Students also are made aware of conditions of conflict prevention and technology of conflict prevention.
The role of culture in conflict resolution
The topic analyzes the role culture plays in conflict resolution. Students get a deeper understanding of the genesis of intercultural conflicts (cultural dimensions theories by Edward Hall, Geert Hofstede, and Richard Lewis); analyze the dynamics of intercultural interactions, as well as frameworks and barriers present in intercultural interactions.
Conflict management strategies
The section covers theoretical foundations of conflict management and conflict handling intentions.
Conflict management forms of intervention: negotiation and mediation
Students are introduced to key forms of intervention in conflict management: negotiation and mediation. The section covers types and styles of negotiations, the influence of national, cultural and personal factors on the negotiation process. Students also get a deeper understanding of the concept of mediation, its principles, rules, and types (in particular party-directed mediation). An emphasis is placed on ethical problems of mediation.
Conflict in Cyberspace
The section deals with online disputes distinctive characteristics, such as projections, the ‘disinhibition effect’, and the ‘paradox’ of online communication. Students also look at online conflicts resolution strategies.
Conflict Management Project
The capstone project is designed to give students the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the module.

Assessment Elements

Continuous assessment M2
The overall maximum score is 30 points, which is then converted to a 10-point scale. If necessary, the obtained grade is rounded arithmetically
Final project M2
Groups will be created based on the context of interest (i.e., family, groups, organization, community, international, etc.) Groups will choose a conflict case that they believe requires instant resolution and explore how the conflict is being managed and/or how it should be managed and make an oral presentation to the class.
Exam M2
Экзамен проводится в письменной форме асинхронного прокторинга. Экзамен проводится через платформу Google Forms, прокторинг на платформе Экзамус https://hse.student.examus.net). К экзамену необходимо подключиться за 15 минут до начала. На платформе Экзамус доступно тестирование системы. Компьютер студента должен удовлетворять требованиям: https://elearning.hse.ru/data/2020/05/07/1544135594/Технические%20требования%20к%20ПК%20студента.pdf Для участия в экзамене студент обязан: заранее зайти на платформу прокторинга, провести тест системы, включить камеру, микрофон, приступить к выполнению заданий в Google forms. Во время экзамена студентам запрещено: общаться (в социальных сетях, с людьми в комнате), списывать, передавать свой вариант экзамена другим людям для его выполнения, пользоваться словарями, переводчиками или другими источниками. Во время экзамена студентам разрешено: использовать чистый лист бумаги в качестве черновика. Кратковременным нарушением связи во время экзамена считается прерывание связи до 10 минут. Долговременным нарушением связи во время экзамена считается прерывание связи 10 минут и более. При долговременном нарушении связи студент не может продолжить участие в экзамене. Процедура пересдачи аналогична процедуре сдачи.
Midterm Test M1
Final Test M1
Team Project Plan M1
Written Examination M1

Interim Assessment

Interim assessment (1 module)
0.2 * Final Test M1 + 0.2 * Midterm Test M1 + 0.3 * Team Project Plan M1 + 0.3 * Written Examination M1
Interim assessment (2 module)
0.3 * Continuous assessment M2 + 0.2 * Exam M2 + 0.1 * Final project M2 + 0.4 * Interim assessment (1 module)

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Hornickel, Jim. Negotiating Success : Tips and Tools for Building Rapport and Dissolving Conflict While Still Getting What You Want, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2013. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1562635.
How Is Global Dialogue Possible? : Foundational Research on Values, Conflicts, and Intercultural Thought, edited by Johanna Seibt, and Jesper Garsdal, De Gruyter, Inc., 2014. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1346945.
The Conflict Resolution Toolbox: Models and Maps for Analyzing, Diagnosing, and Resolving Conflict / Furlong, Gary T. – John Wiley & Sons Incorporated. Social Sciences & Humanities (General), 2009. URL: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=456084
Third Party Workplace Dispute Resolution : Third Party Workplace Dispute Resolution, edited by Richard Posthuma, and Richard A Posthuma, Emerald Publishing Limited, 2007. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=320618.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

BĂDIȚOIU, L. A., & STĂNESCU, A. (2018). A Strategic Approach to Conflict Management Systems. Review of International Comparative Management / Revista de Management Comparat International, 19(5), 487–496. https://doi.org/10.24818/RMCI.2018.5.487
Catherine H. Tinsley. (n.d.). Predicting the constellation of conflict management strategies used across cultures. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.F32BCF43
Emotion and Conflict: How Human Rights Can Dignify Emotion and Help Us Wage Good Conflict (Contemporary psychology) / Lindner, Evelin. Praeger. Social Sciences & Humanities (General), 2005. URL: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibraryebooks/detail.action?docID=492063
Eunson, Baden. Conflict Management, John Wiley & Sons Australia, Limited, 2011. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=903141.
Stephan Proksch. (2016). Conflict Management. Springer. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.b.spr.mgmtpr.978.3.319.31885.1
Virtual Teamwork : Mastering the Art and Practice of Online Learning and Corporate Collaboration, edited by Robert Ubell, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2010. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=565122.

Course Syllabus