Format: MS Word document
Word count: 2000 words
Cover, Table of Contents, References and Appendix are excluded from the total word count.
Font: Arial 12,5 pts.
Text alignment: Double Justified.
The in-text References and the Bibliography must be in the Harvard citation style.
Please take into consideration the “Tips top produce a great report” commented in class.
Assignment 1: 20%
Pick any two countries. For example, if you wish your country and Spain. Compare and contrast these two countries based on Hofstede’s 6 cultural dimensions. Provide and explain 4 examples on how different situations may de similar or different in each country.
Assignment 2: 20%
List and thoroughly explain what are the six most important sources of miscommunication in cross-cultural exchanges. Recount a time when you experienced a situation of miscommunication between cultures. Explain its implications for you.
Assignment 3: 20%
What might be the causes of misunderstanding/conflict in each of the following situation? Good argumentation is required.
Petra Ben Achouba, the daughter of a mixed couple (his father was a Muslim US citizen married to a mid-west Christian mother), had been assigned to the Saudi Arabian office of her company in Riad. As an MBA graduate with a major in International Business, she was thrilled to be finally in her new position and looking forward to cause a great impression to the country CEO. Upon arriving at the new office Petra was looking forward to meeting all her new colleagues and getting to know them. While waiting for the meeting to begin she decided to initiate some conversation with another member of staff that was present, Mr Ahmed Joubairy. She introduced herself as Mrs. Ben Achouba and went on to state how happy she was to see that finally women in the country could drive their cars. Mr. Joubairy seemed distant and unapproachable. Why might this have happened?
Assignment 4: 20%
What might be the causes of misunderstanding/conflict in each of the following situation? Good argumentation is required.
Thomas Gaul had worked hard to become one of the youngest partners of one of the leading consulting firms in the US. When the company received an invitation from a Mexican firm to make a company presentation for them, Thomas was chosen to go to Mexico DF in order to try to impress and win the client, a big Mexican hotel chain. Thomas had set up an appointment to make his presentation the afternoon he arrived. Upon arrival he was met by the host firm who told him the presentation was postponed for two days in order to give Thomas a chance to rest and see the Mexico DF most interesting touristic sites and the three hotels that
the chain owned in the city. Thomas insisted he was fit and ready for the presentation and pressed to have it that afternoon. Eventually it was put back to the original slot but Thomas noticed that none of the executives at the meeting seemed to be much interested and some of them were in fact missing. At the end of the meeting one of the executives of the hotel chain suggested they all meet again in two days, so all the executives could assist. Why might Thomas have got this reaction?
Assignment 5: 20%
What might be the causes of misunderstanding/conflict in each of the following situation? Good argumentation is required.
A U.S. skiing equipment manufacturer decided to explore the possibility of entering the Russian market and capitalize the opportunity to be present in Sochi’s Winter Olympic Games. They have arranged a meeting with a major Moscow-based sports distributor in order to discuss a joint venture. Three representatives of each firm meet up in Moscow. Following the initial introductions, the men sat down at opposite sides of the table. After the initial presentations, the US representatives wanted to create a “nice and friendly” atmosphere and started to smile, make some funny jokes and to take off their jackets and roll up their sleeves as a sign of ‘let’s get down to real business’ as time was a real challenge. The meeting was totally unsuccessful, and the joint venture never took place. What cultural mistakes may the Americans have made? Explain carefully and in detail.
