Subject description IBS2202

This course provides the students with an attractive and highly demanded competence in international business communication, with particular emphasis on developing oral and written communication skills and critical thinking. The students acquire attractive knowledge and practical skills in cross-cultural business communication, international negotiations, business ethics, storytelling, making effective oral and written business messages and presentation techniques. General principles for business communication are applied to how factors such as national culture, values and organisational culture influence communication and decisions. They will experience cross-cultural challenges in various situations through cases, role plays and simulations, where theory is applied to practical problem solving in relevant cross-cultural business situations. A particular emphasis is also placed on acquiring oral presentation skills through practice and feedback.

This course opens up opportunities for building relationships across cultures, and is particularly relevant for students who wish to work in businesses with international contacts, as well as for international exchange students.

The course contains 5 central topics of study:

1. Cross-cultural business communication:

- Communication, norms and values

- Politeness strategies across cultures

- Leadership, hierarchy and power across cultures

- Decision making across cultures

- Perceptions of time and context

- Perceptions of trust building

2. International business ethics

- Culture, corruption and bribery

- Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility in international business

- Business ethics, ethical theory and ethical dilemmas

3. International negotiations

- Negotiation strategies and techniques in an international context

- Different communication styles in international negotations

- How to prepare, conduct and analyse an international negotiation

4. Storytelling in business communication

- Storytelling as a strategic branding concept for international brands

- Storytelling as a management communication tool and a tool for promoting change in organisations

- Storytelling as a tool for promoting experiences and cultural attractions to an international audience

5. Communication strategies and skills

- Written, oral and digital business communication

- Form, message and medium: writing positive, negative and persuasive messages

- Writing professional emails, business reports, CVs and job applications, and academic essays in English

- Developing and giving oral presentations

Knowledge

The student...

• has knowledge of characteristics of Norwegian business culture, and can compare and contrast different business cultures
• has knowledge of different negotiation and bargaining tactics and how cultural differences influence negotiations across cultures
• has knowledge of ethical challenges in international business, and how different ethical viewpoints may be applied in analysis of ethical dilemmas and decision making in specific cases
• has knowledge of how storytelling may be used as a communication tool for marketing of products, services and experiences, and as a management tool in organisations
• has knowledge of how message, tone and style should be adapted to different situations, communication channels, contexts and cultures

Skills

The student...

• can communicate about, analyse and solve challenges in cross-cultural business communication
• can communicate about, discuss and solve ethical challenges in business
• can prepare and conduct international negotiations
• can employ storytelling as a marketing and sales tool in communication with customers and business partners, and as a management tool in an organisation
• can create effective business messages, such as informative, negative and persuasive messages
• can write professional business letters, emails and reports
• can communicate with partners and customers through social and digital media
• can give oral presentations, communicate in teams and face-to-face

General competence

The student...

• can communicate in English with customers and partners in international business situations
• can employ effective communication strategies in both written and oral situations relevant for work in international businesses
• has relevant knowledge of cultural differences which influence communication in general, with particular emphasis on ethical decision making, negotiations and marketing of products and services.

Bachelor in Applied Psychology

Bachelor in Health- and Sport Management

Bachelor in Creative Marketing Communications

Bachelor in Digital Marketing

Bachelor in Digital Marketing and Sales Management

Bachelor in Hotel Management

Bachelor in Management and Service Strategy

Bachelor in Marketing and Brand Management

Bachelor in Tourism Management and Experience Development

Bachelor in HR and Personnel Management

Bachelor in HR, Organisational Psychology and Management

Bachelor in HR, Technology and Digitalisation Management

Bachelor in PR and Strategic Communication

Bachelor in Marketing and Business Development

Bachelor in Sustainability and Business Development

Bachelor in Digital Business

Bachelor in Economics and Management

Bachelor in Economics, Technology and Innovation

Bachelor in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Bachelor in Innovation and Business Development

Bachelor in Entrepreneurship

The course is taught in English. In class, students are expected to participate actively in case discussions, simulations and other written and oral exercises, as well as planned excursions and guest lectures. Students are expected to prepare the required reading before class. The students' continuous learning will be facilitated through obligatory activities which require attendance and a written portfolio group exam which the students work with during the whole semester. Relevant excursions, company visits and guest lectures are also part of the course. For spring 2024, we plan for a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) directed by Erasmus, which equals 3 ECTS credits and is included as part of the course. In a BIP students and lecturers from three European Institutions of Higher Education arrange a 5-7 day academic programme which includes both physical and virtual activities. In 2023 we did a BIP in Dublin with participants from Brussels, Dublin and Oslo. In spring 2024 we plan for a BIP in Oslo, with visitors from Brussels and Dublin (may be subject to changes). The students in IBS2202 will be partly responsible for the planning and organizing of company visits and excursions, and participation in the programme will be part of the coursework requirements. A continued agreement between Kristiania, Odisee and Griffith College is a condition for the completion of a BIP in spring 2024.

Participation in classes and tuition - 150 hours

Independent study before and after classes - 250 hours

Independent work with the group portfolio exam - 200 hours

Preparation for coursework requirements - 80 hours

Preparation for individual oral exam - 120 hours

Recomended use of time in total: 800 hours

Guest lectures, excursions and company visits are organized in connection with central topics of the course. In addition, a series of real-life and fictional case studies and simulations will be used for practice in class. We plan for a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) arranged in collaboration with the students and two European Institutions of Higher Education, which inspires the development of international networking and putting theory into practice.

Non-verifiable coursework requirements: one or more assignments that must be collectively approved

Individual qualification: G/IG (approved/not approved)

Execution: in group

Verifiable (right of appeal): no

Coursework requirements are to be handed in or conducted in accordance with information given by the lecturer and carried out within the duration of the course, as well as registered as approved/not approved at least two weeks before the exam/exam period.

Approved coursework requirements grant students permission to take exams. Unapproved coursework requirements result in the student’s withdrawal from the exam.

Exam part 1: Portfolio assessment in group

Duration: Semester

Grading scale: The Norwegian grading system uses the graded scale A - F, where A is the best grade, E is the lowest pass grade and F is fail

Weighting: 40 % of the overall grade

Support materials: All support materials are allowed

Exam part 2: Individual oral examination (presentation and questioning of the syllabus)

Duration: 20-25 minutes

Preparation time: 1-2 weeks

Grading scale: The Norwegian grading system uses the graded scale A - F, where A is the best grade, E is the lowest pass grade and F is fail

Weighting: 60 % of the overall grade

Support materials: Presentation tools (example PowerPoint, notes)

Re-sit coursework requirements: submit one or more assignments

Re-sit exam type 1: 1 week individual written home examination with a new assignment

Re-sit exam type 2: 20-25 minutes individual oral examination with a new assignment, preparation 1-2 weeks