Module: Cross Cultural Agility

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Cross Cultural Agility
Module Code	MNA1031 (ITS: MT5175)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module advances students’ study of culture, focusing on techniques to manage people from different cultures, and the cross-cultural challenges that arise in International Business. Case studies and class discussions will be used to highlight the critical importance of being culturally aware of norms and differences across the globe - and on effective efforts used in communication. Participants on the module will gain greater understanding of different institutional, governance and business contexts across the globe. A key focus of the module will be on cross-cultural negotiation, tactics to be employed, managing conflict, and on the participation and management of global teams. Additionally, students will get an insight into institutional differences across countries/regions. Finally, the module aims to equip students with the skills to apply analytical frameworks to specific cases and to work in a multicultural team.

Learning Outcomes

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2. An ability to critically evaluate the importance of culture for international business.
4. 7,6
5. 1
6. 1E14EBB4-EB28-0001-DE22-1A391A601F77
7. An ability to utilize existing frameworks to better understand and capture sources of cultural differences and dimensions influencing those differences.
9. 22,9,10
10. 2
11. 1E14EBB5-027C-0001-D970-3800A650CC00
12. To develop a critical awareness of the problems associated with underlying assumptions in traditional approaches to study differences between cultures.
14. 20,7
15. 3
16. 1E14EBB5-0FAF-0001-1DAC-13C05030174A
17. To gain a greater understanding of how cross-cultural issues can impact upon management of business functions in an International setting.
19. 6,21,11
20. 4
21. 1E14EBB5-249C-0001-58FB-130012A0DF00
22. To develop the skills necessary to utilize evidence-based decision making across a range of international settings and scenarios.
24. 20,7,6,9,10
25. 5
26. 1E14EBB5-5CD0-0001-813E-7DB042506F60
27. To understand and appreciate the role of diversity management in an International organisations.
29. 7,6,21,11
30. 6

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Lecturers & Seminars
Independent Study	30	Assigned Readings
Group work	25	Working on group project
Independent Study	48	Study and synthesis of course materials and additional readings for individual assignment.
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10306	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Sean Dempsey	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Group project	n/a	30%	n/a
Extended Essay / Dissertation	n/a	70%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Content
Frameworks / Models of National Culture. Cross-Cultural Theories & Communication. Culture at the individual, national, industry and organizational level. Managing Diversity. Comparative International Management and Leadership Styles. Global Teams – Making them work. International Negotiations – Challenges & best practices.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Browaeys, Marie-Joelle; Price, Roger: 2019, Understanding cross-cultural management., 4th, Pearson.,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: In addition to case studies, class discussions and debates, a number of readings will also be utilized from a variety of peer reviewed academic journals, eg, Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of World Bu,