A cultural artefact 'show-and-tell': a paedagogical tool for teaching cross-cultural management. (16th October 2006)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Ken I.
• Editors: Foulds, L.R.; West, M.
• Is Part Of: International journal of business innovation and research. Volume 1:Number 1/2(2006)
• Page Start: 144
• Page End: 148
• Publication Date: 2006-10-16
• Subjects: county culture -- cultural artefacts -- culture -- cross-cultural management -- international management -- paedagogical tool -- business research -- MBA -- higher education; Management science -- Research -- Periodicals; Industrial management -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Industrial management -- Research -- Periodicals; 658.0072
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-0252

Abstract

This paedagogical tool was developed for an international management course of which the concept of country culture was a prominent element. Each team (or each individual, if teams are not utilised) identifies and brings to class a cultural artefact that represents the culture of the team's assigned country in significant and meaningful ways. It then makes a short presentation to the class on – (a) what the artefact is, (b) what beliefs and values it portrays, and finally, (c) what underlying assumptions are associated with it. This project is a small 'teaser' project in that it 'teases' students into a bigger main project for the course. Students often postpone 'getting their feet wet' for the main project, because they are overwhelmed by the project's open-ended nature and by the substantial reading and research needed. This project is a very useful little tool in that it helps the students to rather painlessly get started earlier on the main project in the academic term than they otherwise would.