Problem-based learning in an intercultural business communication course: communication challenges in intercultural relationships in internationalizing small-or medium-sized enterprises
Author(s)
Date
2008Source Title
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Print ISSN
1050-6519
Electronic ISSN
1552-4574
Publisher
Sage Publications, Inc.
Volume
22
Issue
2
Pages
237 - 260
Language
English
Type
ArticleItem Usage Stats
130
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313
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Abstract
Teachers of intercultural business communication may want to consider using problem-based learning (PBL), an instructional approach that places learners in problem-solving situations, that is, students are presented with messy and complex real-life problems that provide a context for learning concepts and developing skills. This article describes how ill-structured communication problems that emerge in intercultural business relationships in internationalizing small- or medium-sized enterprises are used to provide a context for learning. It explains how these problems are tackled by learners through the implementation of PBL in four stages: problem identification, information acquisition, information analysis, and problem resolution. Finally, it discusses the reactions of the students, external participants, and instructors to the PBL approach.
Keywords
Course designIntercultural business relationships
Medium-sized enterprises
Problem solving
Problem-based learning
Small-sized enterprises