CRC Press Cross-Cultural Exposure and Connections: Intercultural Learning for Global Citizenship (21st Century Business Management)

This new book explores the recent issue of cross-cultural management from both theoretical and research perspectives. It considers the impact of knowledge, experience, and exposure of cross-cultural differences in developing a global viewpoint and citizenship in the corporate workplace. The volume throws light on the emerging concepts of building global citizens who are willing to think beyond boundaries of place, identity, and category, and to recognize all human beings as their equals while respecting humanity’s inherent diversity. The effective use of cross-cultural teams can provide a source of experience and innovative thinking to enhance the competitive position of organizations. However, cultural differences can interfere with the successful completion of goals in today’s multicultural global business community. To achieve project goals and avoid cultural misunderstandings, managers should be culturally sensitive and promote creativity and motivation through flexible leadership. The chapter authors in this volume look at these challenges by reviewing and conducting empirical studies, roundtables, and focus discussions. The volume tackles a variety of issues, including enterprise resource planning (ERP), talent management, differences in individual work performances, differences in leadership styles, virtual work relationships, and much more. It looks at the challenges in establishing crosscultural workplaces, such as the overcoming significant barriers in multi-cultural project communications and motivating project team members. Review “It is a brave new world for international business. A world of global networks and supply chains powered by digital devices, smart machines, robots, and artificial intelligence. Preparing our students for success in this new environment requires a paradigm shift in business education. In addition to teaching technical skills, we must focus on imparting human skills such as contextual understanding, perspective-taking, and intercultural empathy and awareness. In short, we need to educate a new cadre of global citizens. This book, with its focus on cross-cultural communication, talent management, and team building is an invaluable contribution to that effort. Highly recommended!”  ― David Wernick, PhD, Dept. of International Business, Florida International University, Miami “Over a period of more than twenty years of international travel, I have been privileged to work with people in a wide array of cultural settings, and so I know that the world is alive with many fascinating approaches to and expressions of learning. I gleaned much from reading this new book as it blends conceptual and literature-based chapters with detailed, research-based contributions. In so doing, it stimulates thinking about the value of intercultural learning and provides insights on useful frameworks and research methods that explore facets of cultural identity. Indigenous culture is precious, and the concept of global citizenship must respect this―otherwise traditional knowledge, practices, and ways of thinking and living are at risk of being eroded. This book makes a significant and positive contribution to a broad and rich field of study, and it will be of value to anyone seeking to better understand the impact and implications of cross-cultural exposure on intercultural learning for global citizenship.” ―Richard Teare, PhD, Co-founder and President, Global University for Lifelong Learning (GULL) (GULL is a non-profit network movement that works with other organizations to facilitate self-help in low income and subsistence communities and among the low paid in the workplace. http://www.gullonline.org/) About the Author Arvind K. Birdie, PhD, is Assistant Director of International Affairs at Amity University, Gurgaon, India. She has vast experience in higher education. In the past she was Program Director of Postgraduate Studies and Postgraduate Diploma in Management, IIMT Sch