MGMT212 - Global Comparative Management

Year

Credit points

Campus offering

Prerequisites

Incompatible

HRMG310 Global Human Resource Management and Sustainability , MGMT307 - Cross Cultural Management

Teaching organisation

150 hours over a twelve-week semester or equivalent study period

Unit rationale, description and aim

Achieving sustainable organisational outcomes in the global context requires effective management of organisations operating in a highly competitive global marketplace. If students are able to do this, they will need knowledge and understanding of the complexities of managing global organisations and cultures in this unit, students will develop their knowledge of management of a multi-cultural workforce including expatriates and operating a business in culturally distinct environments. Students will apply their knowledge in the management of global and virtual teams in order to achieve sustainable organisational outcomes.

The aim of this unit is to provide knowledge and understanding of management in a highly competitive global marketplace and to develop the understanding and skills necessary to analyse global management problems and generate responsible and practical solutions to achieve sustainable business outcomes. 

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

LO1 - Evaluate and apply the main concepts, models and theories related to managing across borders, including cross-cultural communication, negotiation and conflict resolution, management of a multi-cultural workforce including expatriates, operating a business in culturally distinct environments, in the management of global and virtual teams (GA4, GA5)

LO2 - Discuss how global organisations identify and respond to governance failure and success in order to achieve competitive advantage (GA5, GA6)

LO3 - Explain the cross-cultural issues in dealing with a global workforce, considering issues of respect and human dignity (GA1, GA5)

LO4 - Independently and collaboratively research, analyse and propose practical and responsible business solutions to real-world business problems (GA5, GA7)

LO5 - Apply effective written and oral communication skills in the management context (GA5, GA9).

Graduate attributes

GA1 - demonstrate respect for the dignity of each individual and for human diversity 

GA4 - think critically and reflectively 

GA5 - demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession 

GA6 - solve problems in a variety of settings taking local and international perspectives into account

GA7 - work both autonomously and collaboratively 

GA9 - demonstrate effective communication in oral and written English language and visual media 

Content

Topics will include: 

• introduction to comparative management 
• comparative management models 
• global corporate governance
• cross cultural management and teamwork
• international HRM
• global corporate strategy 
• risk management and responsible global practices
• comparative employment relations
• cross cultural communication in the comparative management context 
• respect for individuals and human diversity
• business analysis and decision making.
• Leadership and diversity

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This unit takes an enquiry-based learning approach to guide students in the development of knowledge associated with comparative management across borders. Students are able to explore the knowledge base underpinning global management in a series of on workshops and number of guest speaker sessions supporting natural link between theory and industry expectations. These workshops are designed to support students to actively participate in the development of this knowledge both individually and in team settings. By participating in these sessions, students will systematically develop their understanding of the critical aspects of global comparative management and how to design solutions to contentious cross border management issues. This unit takes an experiential approach to support students in developing the skills required to effectively manage global organisations by sharing stories and insights and reflecting on experiences. This approach is designed to interest students who prefer to learn within a social environment and builds in expert support for skills development.

A variety of learning materials (real-life examples, case studies from current issues relating to the theory and practice of comparative management, journal articles, videos, sessions capture and invited guest speakers) will be used. Deep learning is likely to be fully realised as students are exposed to this variety of learning tasks.

Mode of delivery: Online

1. Weeks 1-3 and Weeks 10-12 Online workshops
2. Weeks 4-9 inclusive (middle 6 weeks) asynchronous learning
3. 30 minutes/Week Facilitation/Consultation/Drop-in Sessions

Online Mode

This unit is offered in online mode to cater to the learning needs of participants, maximising effectiveness of learning for isolated and/or marginalised groups. The unit takes an active learning approach to guide students in the development of knowledge associated with global comparative management. Students will explore the knowledge using engagement submissions and graded assessment tasks. They will also take part in asynchronous discussions, offering students time to consider what they’ve read and time to generate a more composed and thoughtful response. The individual engagement activities and asynchronous learnings allow students systematic development and understanding of the challenges presented by global comparative management, to generate practical and sustainable solutions to business. Students will have the opportunity of face-to-face Zoom interactions in the form of consultation/drop-in sessions with lecturer(s), to further their achievement of the learning outcomes. The online learning platform used in this unit provide multiple forms of preparatory and practice opportunities for students to prepare and revise.

Assessment strategy and rationale

In order to pass this unit, students are required to achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50% by completing engagement submissions and submitting three graded assessment tasks. To receive the allocated marks, the engagement must be submitted on time. Marking will be in accordance with a rubric specifically designed to measure student levels of achievement of the learning outcomes for each item of assessment. Students will also be awarded a final grade which signifies their overall achievement in the Unit. The assessment strategy for this Unit allows students to sequentially develop their knowledge and skills of global comparative management culminating in students presenting their solution specific to a real-world global management issue. To develop this level of capability, students will demonstrate their knowledge by co-creation of value, and be assessed based on their ongoing collaboration and continuous engagement. Applying their analytical abilities, students will use their critical thinking skills based on concepts and models of global comparative management, submitting four individual engagement reflections. Based on three of their best discussion board submissions students will write reflective report. Considering a broad range of global factors, including respect for individual dignity and human diversity, students will draw on their critical thinking skills and identify a cross boarder issue pertaining to a chosen global organisation and effectively communicate a solution. Culmination of students’ knowledge will be represented by a team project in the form of a video presentation (including transcript). Students will identify an Australian company operating globally and an international company operating globally (both of their choice) and identify and compare two major cross-cultural HR issues that both organisations are likely to be facing in the global context. It requires students to critically discuss these issues, drawing on relevant theories and research. It also requires students to develop responsible recommendations to tackle these HR issues.

Overview of assessments

Representative texts and references

Amann, B & Jaussaud, J., 2020 Cross-cultural Challenges in International Management. Routledge ISBN: 9781003025337

Deresky, H., 2021, International Management: Managing Across Borders and Cultures, Text and Cases, 10th Edition Pearson Education USA

Isac, F., & Remes, E., 2018. The Relationship Between Culture and Strategy – A Managerial Perspective Approach. Studia Universitatis "Vasile Goldis" Arad. Seria Stiinte Economice, 28(3), pp.76-85.

Luthans, F & Doh, J 2021 International Management: Culture, Strategy, and Behavior, 11th  Edition Mcgraw Hill Education

Rings, G & Rasinger, S., 2020 The Cambridge Handbook of Intercultural Communication. Cambridge University Press. ISBN-10: 1108429696

Steers, R.M., and Osland J.S., 2019 Management across Cultures: Challenges, Strategies, and Skills (4 ed.) Cambridge University Press ISBN: 9781108717595

Szkudlarek, B. 2020 Handbook of Contemporary Cross-Cultural Management. The SAGE ISBN: 1526441322

Tricker, B., 2019. Corporate Governance: Principles, Policies, and Practices (4ed.). Oxford University Press ISBN: 9780198809869