Diversity_&_Cross_Cultural

DIVERSITY AND CROSS-CULTURAL MANAGEMENT Assessment submission dates 3000 word academic essay Discuss and evaluate the key dimensions of national culture in a country other than your own domicile, making reference where possible to an organisation located in that country. One of the two frameworks (models) below may be used: - values/ shared meanings; political system; religion/ philosophical beliefs; economic prosperity; language; and education system (French, 2007) - OR power distance; uncertainty avoidance; individualism/ collectivism; masculinity/ femininity; long term orientation (Hofsted, 2001). Note: please adopt an academic, 3rd person style and observe the Harvard referencing system in the essay itself and in the list of references at the end of your essay. Try to include some aspects of layers of organisational cultures and perspectives on equality in the main body of your essay. You may use the references given in the module teaching. Also, you are expected to source at least 2/3 relevant journal or professional articles yourself. At least 6 sources, that is textbooks and academic or professional journal articles, are expected in your reference section. Authoritative websites can also be used. Examples of introduction section of essays Assessment According to Brewster et al. (2007; p14), ‘there are estimated to be over 200 different definitions’ of culture. Hofstede’s (2001) dimensions of national culture are recognised as one of the most widely known ways of defining national culture (Edwards and Rees, 2006). His dimensions are: power distance; uncertainty avoidance; individualism/ collectivism; masculinity/ femininity; long term orientation (Hofsted, 2001). This essay aims to discuss and evaluate the key dimensions of national culture in China [insert the country of your choice here, not your own country] in Hofsted’s terms. In the discussion, the limitations of Hofstede’s dimensions are included. Also, the discussion includes the main aspects of crosscultural management between China and the UK [state a country of your own choice here which could be your own], with reference to an international organisation based in China. The essay concludes with comments on the implications of the most significant dimensions of Chinese business culture. Assessment Guidance Information on essay writing and the Harvard referencing system is available at: http://www.gcal.ac.uk/els/index.html. An on-line referencing guide can be accessed on: http://www.gcal.ac.uk/student/coursework/referencing/index.html. Referencing is important to enhance your work and to avoid plagiarism which can result in a zero mark and, ultimately, expulsion. A guide to avoiding plagiarism can be accessed on: http://www/gcal.ac.uk/student/coursework/writing/plagiarism.html. Marking criteria for both essays Presentation - establishment of aim; overall structure of introduction, main body, conclusions; sequencing of content; academic writing and referencing style 20% Development of discussion - use of appropriate secondary sources to build a clear line of discussion or analysis beyond describing and explaining information 70% Conclusions – reasoned and reasonable extension of main discussion, relative to stated aim of the essay 10% Essay Self-check List Introduction section of essay Is the essay topic and context expressly clear' Is the aim (purpose) of the essay on the stated topic and context explicitly clear' Are key terms defined' Is the structure of the rest of the essay outlined/ explained' Main Body Is the discussion laid out in a logical order, with paragraphs of text on key points' Are academic references incorporated into the text in the Harvard referencing system' Does the discussion flow beyond replication/ description/ explanation of reference sources' Is the discussion balanced e.g. covering advantages and disadvantages' Are (some of) the secondary reference sources critiqued' Conclusions Is the conclusion section clear' Does it extend – not repeat – the main body discussion' Are the conclusions justified' Are the conclusions clearly linked back to the stated aim' Finally, is the reference list in the Harvard referencing style' Reading Please refer to the Indicative Reading section of the module descriptor and note the directed reading in individual classes. Please note that where journal articles are indicated as part of key reading they can be accessed through Emerald on the Library website. Remember, regular reading is a characteristic of successful module performance! The recommended textbook for module as a whole is: French R. (2010) 2nd edition, Cross-cultural Management in Work Organisations, London: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. French, R. (2007) "The meaning(s) of culture" chapter in Cross-cultural Management in Work Organisations, pp.15-32, London: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. - http://www.gcal.ac.uk/library/digitisation_archive/09_10/MMN620078/MMN62007 8_65692.pdf If you have not previously studied an HRM module, the following two textbooks may be useful. Foot M. and Hook C. (2008) Introducing Human Resource Management (5th edition), London: FT Prentice Hall. Torrington D., Hall L., Taylor S. and Atkinson C. (2009) Fundamentals of Human Resource Management: Managing People at Work, London: FT Prentice Hall. For the assessments, students are expected to source their own relevant secondary sources, in which current, academic journal articles should feature prominently. Assessment Criteria and Feedback The assessment criteria weightings for the essay are as follows. Presentation - establishment of aim; overall structure of introduction, main body, conclusions; sequencing of content; academic writing and referencing style 20% Development of discussion - use of appropriate secondary sources to build a clear line of discussion or analysis beyond describing and explaining information 70% Conclusions – reasoned and reasonable extension of main discussion, relative to stated aim of the essay 10% Essays are marked with reference to the marking guidelines overleaf.