About this Module

1. Introduction

Virtual project teams are heavily using computer mediated communication and have only limited face-to-face interaction when collaborating, innovating, and completing their tasks. Communication effectiveness has been identified as playing a critical role in the success of multicultural virtual projects.  A shared understanding of activities to be performed is achieved through appropriate and regular communication and interaction. Effective communication facilitates coordination of teamwork, individual socialization, and group integration. 

When working in multicultural teams, everyone should be aware about possible differences within national and professional cultures. However, in many task-related projects attention and focus should be put on similarities instead of differences.

Intercultural communication and team building discussed above are closely intertwined. Team members face challenges in the process but if they are openly addressed, everyone learns to understand each other’s behaviour better.

1.1. About the Module

Module 1 focuses on on the communicative core skills the students should achieve in order to communicate effectively in the virtual and multicultural working environment; improve / gain intercultural competences that are very important for working in international teams; learn how to communicate online appropriately in synchronous as well as asynchronous learning/working environments and learn how to work effectively in virtual teams. 

Learning objectives related to virtual communication and teamwork, intercultural communication are integrated in the team project work. During the teamwork the teams will reflect their progress within the team and report it as part of the team progress report. In addition, all team members would reflect individually on teamwork and their own development in a learning diary.

1.2. Module topics

• Intercultural Competences for Working in International Teams
• Effective Communication in Multicultural Virtual Teams

2. Module Aims

Students can:

• recognize the need and importance of learning and exploring intercultural communication in the context of the MUPIC project (international teams, dynamics within teams, dealing with companies, orientation week abroad)

• become aware of their own cultural identities and build an appreciation for others (personal, social and cultural identities)

• understand and formulate ways how culture affects communications (Edward T. Hall’s High-Low Context dimension, perceptions of space, approaches to time)

• identify specifics of online intercultural communication

• understand the meaning and applications of the Individualism vs. Collectivism concept as the most widely-used terms in comparing cultures; recognize the constraints of the concept

• build an overall comprehension of the major cultural values underlying different behaviors and understand leading values dimensions (Hofstede’s Values Orientation Model, brief overview of other models ?); using the acquired knowledge, formulate their experience from working in the international group 

• come up with tips for effective cross-cultural communications: how to become adaptable in intercultural interactions (include  experience from the course and suggest practical solutions)·  

• share data, information and digital content with others through appropriate digital communication technologies.

• understand the differences between face-to-face and virtual communication and apply appropriate code of conduct 

• adapt behavioral norms and netiquette of the employer while using digital technologies and interacting in digital environments.

• understand how to build and lead an effective virtual team