International and Intercultural Communication in Business

Course purpose - to study the principles of international and intercultural communication in business to understand their role in today's world. This course provides students with a basic understanding of the communication patterns framed by language and cultural differences in values, norms, rituals as well as taboos. After the course, the students will acquire knowledge of negotiation strategies and communication styles, used internationally. This course is designed to deepen students’ perception of the issues and challenges that businesses face in international and intercultural environments.

Course aim - to familiarize students with the main theories and concepts of international and intercultural communication and to provide practical skills which are necessary for providing business in an international environment.

Principles of Marketing or Marketing

1. Concepts and the essence: international, cross-/intercultural, global communication; culture, cross-/interculturality; cross-/intercultural awareness. 2. Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and its development. 3. Theories and dimensions of cross-/intercultural communication. 4. Cross-/intercultural verbal & non-verbal communication styles [in business]. 5. Global team dynamics. Leadership in an international/cross-/intercultural team or organization. 6. International and cross-/intercultural communication at an organization. Organizational communication system. 8. Successful negotiation: concept, structure, elements. 9. Effective management of the [business] negotiation process. Negotiation ethics. 10. International & cross-/intercultural [business] negotiation. 11. Intercultural [communicative] competence, its assessment and development. 12. Reflection on individual international/intercultural communication skills.

1. The student defines and colligates the key concepts used in the course, identifies individual's need for the development of cultural intelligence and applies theories and cultural dimensions of cross-/intercultural communication to at least half of the specified criteria. 2. The student applies theoretical knowledge about the structure and elements of negotiation in specific negotiation situations, identifies elements of intercultural [communicative] competence in course activities to at least half of the specified criteria. 3. The student based on the results of the GLOBE study, identifies the leader profile, assesses organization's networking and leadership capabilities, and predicts the team performance potential, is able to overcome barriers to cross-/intercultural awareness and challenges in global cooperation at interpersonal as well as organizational levels to at least half of the specified criteria. 4. The student analyzes organizational [international and cross-/intercultural] communication strategy or assesses the effectiveness of its communication activities with the help of organizational communication survey instrument and is able to successfully prepare for and conduct a negotiation according to the Harvard negotiation principles – “The Method” to at least half of the specified criteria. 5. The student demonstrates global business competencies in adaptability, persuasiveness, decision-making, and effective communication, leads in business processes, building sustainable cross-cultural relationships and enhances international career opportunities to at least half of the specified criteria. 6. The student demonstrates the ability to strengthen interpersonal relationships, build and grow a team to at least half of the specified criteria. 7. The student demonstrates the ability to overcome interpersonal [international & cross-/intercultural] communication barriers by choosing a communication style that suits the understanding and needs of the opponent or the audience, strengthen cross-/intercultural awareness, cross-/intercultural competence as well as personal and professional growth to at least half of the specified criteria.