Сross-Cultural Communication

Bachelor 2026/2027

ID 1258207

Type: Elective course (Business Administration)

Delivered by: Department of Strategic and International Management

Where: HSE Graduate School of Business

When: 4 year, 3 module

Open to: students of one campus

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 30

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Abstract

The aim of the course is to equip students with the essential knowledge and intercultural competencies required to navigate managerial challenges in an increasingly interconnected and culturally diverse global environment—while fostering mutual understanding, ethical engagement, and long-term value creation across borders. The course “Cross-Cultural Communication in Asia” provides a systematic exploration of how cultural intelligence enables effective collaboration with partners from key Asian regions, including East Asia (China, Japan), South Asia (India), Southeast Asia (Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam), Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan) and the Middle East. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how cultural dimensions—such as those articulated by Hofstede, Hall, Lewis, and Meyer—shape communication styles, negotiation strategies, decision-making processes, and business etiquette across Asia. The course examines core themes including high-context vs. low-context communication, the role of hierarchy and collectivism, the concept of “face”, gift-giving norms, religious and historical influences. Special attention is given to overcoming common barriers to intercultural interaction—such as stereotypes, ethnocentrism, anxiety, and misinterpretation of nonverbal cues. By the end of the course, students will be able to confidently and respectfully engage with Asian counterparts, anticipate cultural nuances in professional interactions, and apply culturally sensitive strategies that enhance cooperation, mitigate conflict, and support sustainable international business relationships—moving beyond transactional exchanges toward meaningful, values-driven global partnerships.

Learning Objectives

To foster in students a deep understanding of the cultural characteristics of Asian countries and to develop skills in effective intercultural communication essential for successful international business.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Learn to overcome culture shock and adapt to the international community.
Analyze and adequately respond to various cross-cultural situations that arise in the process of interaction with representatives of Asian countries.
Improve negotiation skills with representatives of ASEAN and China and Japan.
Master the business etiquette standards adopted in Asia.
Students can conceptualize cultural dimensions and apply them in intercultural and cross-cultural communication.
Identify potential barriers to effective cross-cultural communication (e.g., anxiety, ethnocentrism, prejudice, and different communication codes) and develop strategies to overcome them.
Able to choose consciously interpersonal interaction strategies with representatives of Asian countries and cultural bearers

Course Contents

1-2. Cross-cultural negotiations
3. Japanese communication culture
4-5. Managing business in China: negotiating with Chinese partners
6. Socio-economic development of India: peculiarities of the negotiation style
7. The Middle East as a Cross-Cultural Business Region
8. Central Asia
9. Southeast Asia: Negotiation Specifics in Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam

Assessment Elements

Final Test
Seminar in-class assignment
In class mini-tests
Class attendance

Interim Assessment

2026/2027 3rd module
0.5 * Final Test + 0.2 * In class mini-tests + 0.1 * Class attendance + 0.2 * Seminar in-class assignment

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Eren Tasar. (2017). Soviet and Muslim : The Institutionalization of Islam in Central Asia. Oxford University Press.
Japanese capitalism and entrepreneurship : a history of business from the Tokugawa era to the pre..., Donzé, P.-Y., 2024
Pantucci, R. V. (DE-588)1070915394, (DE-627)824805275, (DE-576)409410934, aut. (2019). China in Central Asia the first strand of the Silk Road economic belt Raffaello Pantucci. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.1679238949
Saudi, Inc. : история о том, как Саудовская Аравия стала одним из самых влиятельных государств на геополитической карте мира, Уолд, Э. Р., 2023
The rise of China's economy : past, present, and future, Löchel, H., 2025
Азиатская модель управления : удачи и провалы самого динамичного региона в мире, Стадвелл, Дж., 2022
Карта культурных различий : как люди думают, руководят и добиваются целей в международной среде, Мейер, Э., 2019
Путеводитель по японскому этикету : полезная информация для иностранцев о правилах поведения в Японии, Арешидзе, Л. Г., 2022

Recommended Additional Bibliography

History of innovative entrepreneurs in Japan, Kikkawa, T., 2019
The Oxford history of modern China, , 2022
Азиатская модель управления : удачи и провалы самого динамичного региона в мире, Стадвелл, Дж., 2017
Индийский этикет. Речевой и невербальный аспекты : учебник, Челнокова, А. В., 2019

Authors

Veselova Liudmila Sergeevna

Course Syllabus