GMGT 503

Intercultural Business Communication

Format

Blended (Online Async + Synchronous Virtual)

Weekly Hours

4-5 hours

Credits

3 Credits

Prerequisites

Admission to the M.S. in Global Engagement Management program or executive training

Course Description

This course examines the theoretical foundations and practical applications of intercultural communication within global business contexts. Students will develop advanced competencies in navigating cultural differences, managing cross-cultural teams, and building effective business relationships across diverse international settings. Through critical analysis of cultural frameworks, case studies, simulations, and applied projects, students will enhance their capacity to communicate strategically and ethically in multicultural organizational environments. The course integrates contemporary research on cultural dimensions, communication styles, negotiation practices, and organizational behavior across cultures.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1

Analyze and evaluate major theoretical frameworks for understanding cultural differences in business contexts, including Hofstede, Trompenaars, Hall, and GLOBE dimensions.

2

Develop and apply culturally adaptive communication strategies for diverse professional scenarios including negotiations, team leadership, conflict resolution, and stakeholder engagement.

3

Critically assess personal cultural assumptions, biases, and communication patterns through reflexive self-analysis and peer feedback.

4

Design inclusive communication practices and protocols that accommodate diverse cultural perspectives within organizational settings.

5

Evaluate ethical considerations and power dynamics inherent in cross-cultural business relationships and communication practices.

6

Synthesize intercultural communication theory and practice to create comprehensive organizational communication strategies for global engagement initiatives.

Weekly Schedule

15-week course schedule with topics, content, and assessment due dates
1

Introduction to Intercultural Business Communication

Course overview; Cultural identity reflection

2

Cultural Dimensions Theory I: Hofstede and GLOBE

Hofstede Insights Country Comparison Exercise

3

Cultural Dimensions Theory II: Hall, Trompenaars, Meyer

Trompenaars excerpts; Meyer Culture Map

Discussion Forum 1
4

High-Context and Low-Context Communication

Communication styles in business contexts

Case Study Analysis 1 Due
5

Verbal and Nonverbal Communication Across Cultures

Cultural observation journal; Saylor Academy materials

6

Building Trust and Relationships Across Cultures

Relationship-building strategies; HBR articles

Discussion Forum 2
7

Cross-Cultural Negotiation Strategies

Negotiation simulation preparation; Meyer Ch. 7

Cultural Intelligence Assessment Due
8

Midterm: Negotiation Simulation & Reflection

Live negotiation simulation exercise

Midterm Reflection Paper Due
9

Leading Multicultural Teams

Halverson & Tirmizi excerpts; Team dynamics

Case Study Analysis 2 Due
10

Conflict Management in Intercultural Contexts

Conflict style self-assessment

Discussion Forum 3
11

Digital Communication and Virtual Global Teams

WEF Future of Work Report; Meyer Ch. 8

Project Proposal Due (Milestone 1)
12

Ethics, Power, and Intercultural Communication

Critical analysis of power dynamics

Discussion Forum 4
13

Global Engagement: Stakeholder Communication

Industry case studies

Project Draft Due (Milestone 2)
14

Final Presentations

Executive presentations; Peer feedback

Final Presentations (Milestone 3)
15

Course Synthesis and Final Submissions

Course reflection and integration

Final Report Due

Assessments

Course assessments and their weight in the final grade

Final Project: Global Communication Strategy

35%

Comprehensive intercultural communication strategy for a global organization (6,000 words + 15-min presentation)

Due: Week 15

Case Study Analyses

20%

Two case study analyses examining intercultural communication challenges (1,500-2,000 words each)

Due: Weeks 4, 9

Midterm: Negotiation Simulation & Reflection

20%

Cross-cultural negotiation simulation (10%) and reflection paper analyzing performance (10%)

Due: Week 8

Participation & Discussion Forums

15%

Four structured discussion forums with substantive posts (300+ words) and peer responses (150+ words each)

Due: Ongoing

Cultural Intelligence Self-Assessment

10%

Validated CQ assessment with reflective analysis and personal development plan (1,000-1,200 words)

Due: Week 7

Course Resources

Required readings and open educational resources

Required Texts

Communicating Across Cultures

Ting-Toomey, S., & Dorjee, T. (2019) - Guilford Press

ISBN: 978-1462536474

The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business

Meyer, E. (2014) - PublicAffairs

ISBN: 978-1610392501

Open Educational Resources

Saylor Academy: Intercultural Communication Open Textbook
University of Minnesota: Communication in the Real World
Hofstede Insights Country Comparison Tool
GLOBE Project Research Resources
MIT OpenCourseWare: Cross-Cultural Management
Cultural Atlas
OECD iLibrary: International Business Publications