Experience-based learning as a method for a better understanding of intercultural concepts

Essay aus dem Jahr 2013 im Fachbereich BWL - Sonstiges Note: 17 Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (International Management) Veranstaltung: Advanced Intercultural Communication and Negotiation Skills Sprache: Deutsch Abstract: The special role of China in the globalization process as a trading partner for the western world can be best observed in the increasing number of business trips from foreign business persons to China. It reached the total amount of more than 6.3 million trips in 2011 (National Bureau of Statistics of China 2012). All these employees need to be prepared to be able to deal with the characteristics of Chinese business which result from different concepts of thinking in the Chinese and western culture. Crucial incidents can happen if the preparation process is not taken seriously. In order to avoid unpleasant situations business people mostly get prepared with the use of intercultural trainings to learn about the common concepts that influence thinking and actions in foreign cultures. One of the most important concepts coming from the Chinese culture is called Mianzi (??) and means to give and lose face. In order to increase the understanding for this concept experience-based learning methods can be used. The Mianzi Simulation is supposed to be one representative of these methods and was developed by students in a master course at the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg. The aim of this paper is to investigate on the success of the Mianzi Simulation as well as its suitability into the experience-based learning approach. Furthermore its possible practical relevance for the future in intercultural trainings is examined. Therefore the following research question will be discussed during this paper: Does the Mianzi Simulation facilitate the understanding of the concept of face for participants of intercultural trainings?To answer this research question first the most important terms concerning experience-based lea