BUS707 Managing Across Cultures Case study
Each question is potentially worth up to 25 marks, out of a possible 100.
You will apply your cultural intelligence to a problematic ‘real-life’ international situation. You will undertake an analysis of and prepare a response to this difficult international situation (the case). This response will include reflections and decisions on how to manage cross-cultural issues that have arisen in the past twelve months.
Questions
Drawing on the information and what we covered in the modules please answer ANY 4 OF THE 6 QUESTIONS. These answers will provide guidance and make recommendations to a Multinational company. Each of the questions will focus on a different aspect of successful organisational management and cross-cultural interactions.
Question 1 (10 marks)
Culture could play an important role in developing a competitive advantage. Discuss how the culture of the organisation can lead to a competitive advantage for an international organisation?
- Discuss culture in general.
- Discuss the organisational culture.
- Discuss the issues around culture and the choice of the potential partner, customer or marketplace.
Question 2 (10 marks)
Explain why staffing issues and IHRM can become more complex in a global workplace. You also need to make recommendations on how international managers could approach the cross-cultural recruitment and workforce planning for the international organisation.
Question 3 (10 marks)
Discuss the issues around an ethnocentric, polycentric and regiocentric approach to staffing. Make recommendations to a US international organisation wanting to expand operations into China. Focus on what they need to consider when choosing any one of those approaches.
Question 4 (10 marks)
Write a strategy for an international organisation on how they could potentially approach the expatriate appointment process.
- Discuss the different stages of the appointment process.
- Discuss the different stakeholders involved.
- Discuss the support needed throughout the process.
Question 5 (10 marks)
Discuss the main culture shock issues that the initial workforce might face in returning home. Make recommendations on how the international organisation could structure this process and what should be included.
Question 6 (10 marks)
A global management framework is useful to an international organisation to manage some of the challenges that global teams face.
- Explain what a global mindset is; and how this could be developed.
- Explain how having a global management framework will influence the management of ethical dilemmas.