Unit rationale, description and aim

Achieving sustainable organisational outcomes in today’s global context requires effective management in a highly competitive and culturally diverse marketplace. To succeed, students must develop a strong understanding of the complexities involved in managing global organisations and leading multicultural workforces. In this unit, students will build knowledge of managing culturally diverse teams, including expatriates, and operating businesses in culturally distinct environments. They will apply this understanding by analysing and evaluating the challenges of managing global and virtual teams to achieve sustainable outcomes.

The aim of this unit is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to analyse and evaluate global management problems and to generate responsible, practical solutions that support sustainable business success. The unit builds on foundational concepts from earlier management and international business units and prepares students for further study in strategic and cross-cultural management. Aligned with the University’s commitment to Catholic Social Thought, the unit promotes ethical, inclusive, and socially responsible decision-making in global contexts. It also recognises and respects the value of First Peoples' perspectives and encourages community engagement that fosters culturally aware, respectful, and socially responsive management practices. Through this, students will develop a global mindset grounded in ethical leadership and community impact.

2026 10

Campus offering

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  • Term Mode
  • Semester 1Campus Attendance
  • Term Mode
  • Semester 1Campus Attendance
  • Term Mode
  • Semester 1Campus Attendance

Prerequisites

Nil

Incompatible

HRMG310 Global Human Resource Management and Sustainability , MGMT307 Cross Cultural Management

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Apply key theories and models of cross-border mana...

Learning Outcome 01

Apply key theories and models of cross-border management, with emphasis on leading culturally diverse teams and navigating communication and conflict in managing international business environments.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC3

Analyse how global organisations identify and resp...

Learning Outcome 02

Analyse how global organisations identify and respond to governance failure and success in order to achieve competitive advantage
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC8

Evaluate the cross-cultural issues in dealing with...

Learning Outcome 03

Evaluate the cross-cultural issues in dealing with a global workforce, considering issues of respect and human dignity
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC6, GC7

Propose practical and responsible business solutio...

Learning Outcome 04

Propose practical and responsible business solutions to real-world business problems
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC4, GC7

Apply effective written and oral communication ski...

Learning Outcome 05

Apply effective written and oral communication skills in the management context
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC8

Content

Topics will include: 

  • introduction to comparative management 
  • comparative management models 
  • global corporate governance
  • cross cultural management and teamwork
  • international HRM
  • global corporate strategy 
  • risk management and responsible global practices
  • comparative employment relations
  • cross cultural communication in the comparative management context 
  • respect for individuals and human diversity
  • business analysis and decision making
  • leadership and diversity

Assessment strategy and rationale

 In order to pass this unit, students are required to achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50% by completing engagement submissions and submitting three graded assessment tasks. To receive the allocated marks, engagement must be submitted on time. Marking will be in accordance with a rubric specifically designed to measure student achievement of the learning outcomes for each item of assessment. Students will also be awarded a final grade that reflects their overall achievement in the unit.

The assessment strategy for this unit allows students to sequentially develop their knowledge and skills in global comparative management, culminating in the presentation of a solution to a real-world global management issue. To develop this capability, students will demonstrate their knowledge through co-creation of value and be assessed on ongoing collaboration and continuous engagement. Applying analytical and critical thinking skills, students will submit four individual engagement reflections and, based on their best three, complete a reflective report.

Students’ learning will be represented by a team video presentation (with transcript) comparing cross-cultural HR issues in Australian and international companies. Peer Evaluation tool will be used to support fairness in group contribution.

Overview of assessments

Assessment Task 1: Analytical report This assess...

Assessment Task 1: Analytical report

This assessment task consists of writing a 1200-word reflective report. Students are expected to draw on their effective communication and critical thinking skills to critically analyse and evaluate governance frameworks, synthesising their preferred option.

 Submission Type: Individual

Assessment Method: Analytical Report

Artefact: Written Report

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO3, LO4
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC3, GC4, GC6, GC7

Assessment Task 2: Video Presentation plus Writte...

Assessment Task 2: Video Presentation plus Written Transcript - Assessment Classification: Oral/Written/Experiential

This assessment task consists of an 8-10 minute team video presentation plus a 500-word transcript. This task requires students to work collaboratively as a team, demonstrating their critical thinking skills and presenting their findings on cross-cultural HR issues of an international and Australian global company (of their choice). Students will be required to select two major cross-cultural HR issues that their organisation is likely to be facing in the global context. It requires students to critically discuss these issues, drawing on relevant theories and research. It also requires students to autonomously develop recommendations to deal with these HR issues. Individual team members are to complete the Peer Evaluation Tool.

Submission Type: Group

Assessment Method: Presentation/Script

Artefact: Video Presentation, and Script Document

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO3, LO4, LO5
Graduate Capabilities GC3, GC4, GC7, GC8

Assessment Task 3: Individual Case Study Analysi...

Assessment Task 3: Individual Case Study Analysis -

Assessment Classification: Written

This assessment task consists of writing a 1500-word report identifying a cross boarder issue of a chosen global organisation for consolidated global managerial practices. Students will use their critical thinking skills and apply the concepts, models, and theories and effectively communicate a solution. Students are to consider a broad range of global factors, including respect for individual dignity and human diversity.

 Submission Type: Individual

Assessment Method: Case Study Report

Artefact: Report

Weighting

40%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO5
Graduate Capabilities GC2, GC3, GC8

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This unit adopts an enquiry-based and experiential learning approach to support the development of knowledge and skills in global comparative management. Learning is scaffolded through a combination of interactive workshops, real-world case studies, and expert guest speaker sessions that connect theory with industry expectations. Students engage individually and in teams to explore the complexities of managing across borders, with a focus on cross-cultural communication, leadership, and problem-solving in international contexts.

Workshops are designed to build knowledge progressively, encouraging students to critically examine global management challenges and design practical, responsible solutions. Experiential learning is embedded through reflection, peer interaction, and exposure to real-world insights shared by guest speakers. This approach supports students who thrive in social, collaborative environments and helps them develop the confidence and capability to manage global organisations.

A variety of learning resources, including current case studies, journal articles, multimedia content, session recordings, and guest presentations, enhance engagement and promote deep learning.

Mode of Delivery

This unit is offered in 'Attendance' and 'Online' mode to accommodate diverse learning needs and preferences. Learning is supported by the online LMS platform, which provides preparatory and revision resources to reinforce key concepts and assessment preparation.


Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Amann, B & Jaussaud, J., 2020 Cross-cultural Challenges in International Management. Routledge ISBN: 9781003025337

Deresky, H., 2021, International Management: Managing Across Borders and Cultures, Text and Cases, 10th Edition Pearson Education USA

Isac, F., & Remes, E., 2018. The Relationship Between Culture and Strategy – A Managerial Perspective Approach. Studia Universitatis "Vasile Goldis" Arad. Seria Stiinte Economice, 28(3), pp.76-85.

Luthans, F & Doh, J 2021. International Management: Culture, Strategy, and Behavior, 11th Edition Mcgraw Hill Education

Rings, G & Rasinger, S., 2020. The Cambridge Handbook of Intercultural Communication. Cambridge University Press. ISBN-10: 1108429696

Steers, R.M., and Osland J.S., 2019. Management across Cultures: Challenges, Strategies, and Skills (4 ed.) Cambridge University Press ISBN: 9781108717595

Szkudlarek, B. 2020. Handbook of Contemporary Cross-Cultural Management. The SAGE ISBN: 1526441322

Tricker, B., 2019. Corporate Governance: Principles, Policies, and Practices (4ed.). Oxford University Press ISBN: 9780198809869

Steers, R. M., Nardon, L., Sanchez-Runde, C. J., Samaratunge, R., Ananthram, S., Fan, D., & Lu, Y., 2017. Management across cultures: Australasian edition. Cambridge University Press

Groutsis, D., Ng, E. S., & Ozturk, M. B., 2019. In M. Özbilgin, D. Groutsis, & W. S. Harvey (Eds.), International Human Resource Management (pp. 23–46). Cambridge University Press.

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