SM9532 Strategic Frameworks and Cultural Contexts in International Management Lecture 6 Assignment Brief 2025-26 | NUN
| Academic Year | 2025-26 |
|---|
SM9532 Lecture 6 Assignment Brief
Part A – Academic essay (2000 words) 50% of overall mark
“Simply putting people in a room together does not ensure success in culturally diverse teams.”
Critically evaluate the statement above, using a range of relevant literature (both academic and professional sources)
You must include the following in your essay:
- Describe what cultural differences are by relating to the concepts of culture discussed in the module.
- Evaluate potential challenges and benefits of intercultural teams.
- Explain how to cope with the challenges related to cultural differences and how to leverage the potential benefits by relating to the module content
- Conclude the extent to which you agree or disagree with the above statement.
- Identify the top 5 academic sources you have used to write this essay and explain how you located these and why they are important to your critical evaluation.
Part B – Self-Reflection and Development Plan (1500 words) 40% of overall mark
Reflecting on own experiences (1300 words; 30% of overall mark)
Provide an overview of the importance of self-reflection in leadership development, particularly in the context of intercultural teams.
Share specific instances where you have worked within or led intercultural teams. Highlight the cultural diversity within these teams.
Reflect on how you felt in these intercultural settings.
- Describe the challenges you encountered and how you coped with them.
- Discuss the benefits you experienced.
Evaluate your cultural intelligence by applying the assessment tool provided on BB. Summarise the findings and critically reflect on them.
Outline how you want to enhance your cultural intelligence (200 words; 10% of overall mark)
To propose a personal development plan, select the dimension (metacognition, cognition, motivation, behaviour) with the lowest score in your test and apply the SMART framework.
Guidance on the SMART framework in the next seminar
Professional Presentation of Your Essay: 10% of Overall Mark
- You must present all parts in one document.
- You must present your work to the academic standard commensurate with Level 7, and you must use APA referencing throughout.
- You must submit your cultural intelligence test as an appendix.
Format & Deadline
- 3,500 words +/- 10%;
- Formatted to an academic standard, including page numbers and a formal writing style, no table of contents is required or appropriate; and
- Correctly referenced
- Submission deadline: 13th of May 2026 at 12:00 midday
- This assessment should be submitted electronically, online via Turnitin by 13th of May at midday. You will find a Turnitin link to submit your assessment on the module eLP Blackboard site. It is your responsibility to ensure that your assessment is submitted by the submission deadline stated. Penalties apply for late submissions
| Criteria | 0-39% Standard Not Met 1 | 40-49% Standard Not Met 2 | 50-59% Meets Standard 1 | 60-69% Meets Standard 2 | 70-79% Exceeds Standard 1 | 80-89% Exceeds Standard 2 | 90-100% Exceeds Standard 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A (50%) Critical evaluation of a statement related to intercultural teams | Completely Insufficient: Essay not submitted OR work giving evidence of serious academic misconduct (subject to regulations in ARNA Appendix 1) OR work showing no evidence of the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to level 7. | Evidence of knowledge and understanding of cultural differences in teams and the antecedents of successful teamwork by relating to cultural intelligence, leadership, and intercultural communication, is insufficient. Very limited evidence of research (e.g., you provide few references and there is limited discussion of your top 5 sources). Insufficient critical evaluation of the statement. Large sections are irrelevant to the essay topic. Essay structure requires significant improvement. | Adequate evidence of knowledge and understanding of cultural differences in teams and the antecedents of successful teamwork by relating to cultural intelligence, leadership, and intercultural communication. There is adequate critical evaluation of the statement and some relevant discussion on your top 5 sources. However, large sections of your essay are descriptive, and additional supporting academic sources are required in parts. | Good evidence of knowledge and understanding of cultural differences in teams and the antecedents of successful teamwork by relating to cultural intelligence, leadership, and intercultural communication. Your choice of top 5 sources of information are defended well and your critical evaluation of the statement is good. References are used to good effect to strengthen your argument. | Very good evidence of knowledge and understanding of cultural differences in teams and the antecedents of successful teamwork by relating to cultural intelligence, leadership, and intercultural communication. There is a very good attempt to critically evaluate this literature. The discussion on your top 5 sources is in-depth and well argued. Your critical discussion of statement is well defended with wide reading to support. Insightful discussion is provided overall. | Excellent evidence of knowledge and understanding of cultural differences in teams and the antecedents of successful teamwork by relating to cultural intelligence, leadership, and intercultural communication. Your critical appreciation of academic and professional sources and how you use them to support your argument is excellent. Excellent in-depth discussion of how you found your 5 sources insightful to answer the question and an excellent critical evaluation of the statement. You demonstrate extensive insight into leadership and management development. | Outstanding evidence of knowledge and understanding of cultural differences in teams and the antecedents of successful teamwork by relating to cultural intelligence, leadership, and intercultural communication. Your critical appreciation of academic and professional sources and how you use them to support your argument is outstanding. A wide range of sources have been utilised critically and creatively to provide an in-depth and academically rigorous discussion. Your evaluation of the statement is exemplary. Your discussion on your choice of 5 sources in-depth yet incisive. Exemplary work. |
| Part B (40%) Reflection of an intercultural team experience and your cultural intelligence (30%) Goal 1.1.2 Critically review and develop your inter-personal and intra-personal skills | Completely Insufficient: You do not provide a reflection of your intercultural team experience. You have not reflected on the results of your cultural intelligence test by providing evidence of the results. | Reflective statement is insufficient. There is little insight into your intercultural team experience and your cultural intelligence. Your statement is lacking in detail on the benefits and challenges of intercultural teams. Large parts of reflective statement are unclear/irrelevant | Adequate reflective statement, demonstrating adequate discussion of your intercultural team experience and your cultural intelligence. However, some parts tend to be descriptive rather than reflective. | Good reflective statement, demonstrating good discussion of patterns of your intercultural team experience and your cultural intelligence. However, some parts tend to be descriptive rather than reflective. | Very good reflective statement: You have provided a very good presentation of your intercultural experiences, your self-analysis, and your personal development plan. There is little description but very good use of evidence and understanding of key issues you face to prepare for your global career. | Excellent reflective statement: You have provided an excellent presentation of your intercultural experiences and your self-analysis. This is an incisive reflection with excellent use of evidence and in-depth understanding of the key issues you face to prepare for your global career. | Outstanding reflective statement. presentation of your intercultural experiences, and your self-analysis, This reflection demonstrates outstanding levels of critical evaluation and use of evidence to demonstrate understanding of the key issues you face to prepare for a global career. |
| Crafting a personal development plant (10%) Goal 1.1.1 Demonstrate awareness of your personal strengths and weaknesses and the ability to engage in continuing self-development. | You have not applied the SMART framework to develop a personal development plan. Work giving evidence of serious academic misconduct (subject to regulations in ARNA Appendix 1) OR work showing no evidence of the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to level 7. | You have not applied the SMART framework appropriately to develop a personal development plan. The personal development plan is incomplete. | Insufficient linkage between your self-analysis and your personal development plan. As a result, implications for your personal development plan could be stronger. | A good application of the SMART framework but the linkages between the self-analysis and your personal development plan could be stronger. | You have provided a very good presentation of your personal development plan. There is little description but very good use of evidence and understanding of key issues you face to prepare for your global career. | You have provided an excellent presentation of your personal development plan. Detailed application of the SMART framework |
