Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this block seminar, students are expected to:

  • Understand the specific challenges of language-sensitive management
  • Be familiar with management practices employed in multilingual organizations
  • Understand the implications of the strategies used for managing multilingualism
  • Develop individualized strategies for successful management of a multilingual workforce

Credits: 3

Schedule: 06.09.2021 - 10.09.2021

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Rebecca Piekkari, Henrietta Sykäri

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Many business students will soon be leaving the world of academia for a managerial job or expert position in a global company. Operating internationally often means crossing language boundaries. However, while English is a widely shared language among corporate elites at the apex of the organisation, local languages tend to rule lower down in organisational hierarchies as well as in subsidiaries of multinational corporations and in external customer-supplier relationships. In this regard, contemporary organisations are multilingual communities where employees need to interact to reach joint outcomes. Language presents itself in many different forms such as national, corporate, technical or digital. It defines hierarchies and power structures, facilitates integration and redirects career paths. It affects the ability of global companies to operate as single entities in pursuit of their overall strategy. Understanding this complex interplay between multiple facets of language and day-to-day operations of global companies is becoming increasingly important to business effectiveness. Therefore, it is fundamental for business students to understand and appreciate this management challenge.


    This block seminar will introduce students to language-sensitive management, which is rarely covered yet in management programmes at business schools. It offers an innovative approach to managing a global workforce. Through their participation in this block seminar, these future managers will become more attentive to the complexity and the subtleties of multilingual business realities, which will help them to become truly global and responsible leaders.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    100% assignments.

DETAILS

Study Material
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    set of readings provided by the lecturers

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    10 Reduced Inequality

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    This course is open to CEMS students exclusively. 100% attendance is required.


    Teaching Period:

    2020-2021 Autumn I

    2021-2022 Autumn I


    Course Homepage: https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/search.php?search=42E00400


    Registration for Courses: Through the central CEMS registration system in May.