1. Proposal for a course in
Cross Cultural Communication
Abhishek Anand
Kunal Ahuja
Binesh K
Nihit Jain
Vaibhav Kukreja
Vaibhav Sathe
Parvathi Ganesh
Section C
2. Agenda
Global village
Common cultural issues
Need for managers
Why in IIM-L?
Survey
Course structure
Outline
Pedagogy
3. Global Village
Work force diversity to meet local needs
Physical distance not a hindrance
Expanding social spheres
Unified communities
4. Testimonial
“This year we also launched a
comprehensive online cultural learning resource to help
employees learn about different cultures and how to be more
effective when working cross-culturally.”
Employees from 125 nationalities
Aspires to be the world's best international
bank
Combining global capability, deep local
knowledge
5. Common cultural issues
Perception of Time
Perception of Space
Power Distance
Non-verbal communication
6. Time and Space
Monochronic
Linear Time
North and West hemispheres
Work done one at a time segmented into small units
Polychronic
Cyclical Time
South and East hemispheres
More fluid approach in scheduling time
Space
Differences in comfortable distance between people
7. Power Distance
Identification of hierarchical structure vis-
a-vis different geography or organization
Preference either to high power distance
or low power distance e.g. Australia vs
India
Emphasis on openness, challenging
superior’s opinion or subdued acceptance
Identifying association of seniority & age
when it comes to authority e.g. Japan Vs
USA
8. Non verbal communication
Low Context Culture - less emphasis on
non verbal cues
High Context Culture - more emphasis on
non verbal cues
The importance of Body language & face-
saving across cultures
Some cultures value “face” more than
their own well-being
Other cultures do not care about face all
that much
10. Importance to Managers
To be effective internationally is crucial
for commercial and personal success
A hands-on learning experience on cross-
cultural skills
Facilitating correct interpretation of a
wide variety of situations
Laying the foundation for necessary
behavioral adaptations in diverse teams
Extension to MDP and IPMX programs
11. Why at IIM-L
Active International Student Exchange
program with 24 universities
28 incoming students, 53 outgoing students
this year
5 international profiles at summers
More than 30% of alumni are working
outside India
More than 65% of alumni are working in
MNCs in globally distributed teams
12. Survey
Targeted audience
Incoming Student Exchange Students
Outgoing Student Exchange Students
Other PGP students
Questions
Do you feel there is a need of a course on Course Culture
sensitivity ?
How should be the pedagogy of the course ?
When should we have the course ?
Given an option, would you opt for the course ?
Did you experience any difficulty at workplace while
working in a distributed team ?
13. Survey Results
Need of Course Pedagogy
Case Based
12%
4% 7
Yes Live Projects
31 12
84% No 0
Theoretical
Can't Say
Hands on
Experience
Workplace Cultural
Difficulties Course Schedule
20%
12% 40% Term 2
30% 58% Yes 24% Term 3
No
16% Term 4
Can't Say Term 5
Course Acceptability
20%
4% Yes
76% No
Can't Say
14.
15. Course Structure
Objective:
To help students develop appreciation for various
cultures and skills for effective communication
through hands-on experience
Credits: 0.5
Schedule: Term V
Sessions: 15 x 1 Hrs
Text book:
Gudykunst William B., Cross-Cultural and
Intercultural Communication, SAGE Publications
Inc, 2003
16. Course Structure
Lectures
Case discussions
Group Assignments, role plays
Professional Visits
Field visit
Evaluation criteria:
No formal examinations
Presentations
Class participation
Feedback
17. Course outline
Cross Cultural Communication Theories
Language and Verbal Communication Across
Cultures
Cultural Influences on the Expression and
Perception of Emotions
Identity and Intergroup Communication
Communication in Intercultural
Relationships
Technology enabled communication
Adapting to an Unfamiliar Culture
18. Practical Approach
Intrinsic & Extrinsic Cross culture
Awareness Programs
Field Trips
Cross Cultural art workshops
Expat gatherings
Tie up with NGOs
Village & Urban divide
Visit in term break
Leverage Student Exchange
Foreign perspective to cultural values
19. Delhi International Arts Festival
December every year, suitable for term V
Field trip for a weekend to Delhi
Participation from Exchange students
Domestic and International business
participation
Share experiences
20. Communication Technology
Email
Video Conferencing
Instant Messaging
Telephone/VOIP
SMS
Special module on technology enabled
cross cultural communication
Writing styles
Miscommunication
21. Adapting to unfamiliar cultures
Overcome culture shock
Emphasis on being open and respectful to
other cultures
Social participation in different cultural
environments
Acquiring some aspects of other culture
Role plays and field visits can help develop
broader outlook
