Vienna Fall 2008

Cross-cultural Industrial/ Organizational Psychology in Vienna

Vienna is the perfect place to study industrial/organizational psychology from a cross-cultural viewpoint.  Vienna is at the crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe--close to Munich, Salzburg, Prague, Budapest, Zurich, Bratislava.  It is a spectacular former imperial city and a modern business center.  It is a cosmopolitan city rife with multinational corporations and bursting with art, music, and other cultural activities and events.  And it provides a quality of life unparalleled by most European capitals, with unprecedented scenic beauty and outdoor activities both in and near the metropolitan area.  No wonder so many international organizations and multi-national corporations locate in Vienna.  This course proposes to take advantage of Vienna's charm and dynamism. 

If you have ever dreamed of studying abroad, this is your chance. Becoming a global citizen and developing intercultural competence is not only challenging and self-fulfilling, it is also an important advantage in today’s globalized job market. You don’t need to speak the language, you will get instruction on site. Your encounters with the Austrian culture will expand your world view dramatically. Students returning from study abroad typically say “This experience changed my life.” It’s an exciting time both inside the classroom and out.

Course Description.

Organizations are moving from domestic to multinational and beyond to trans-national or global strategies.  Thus they must account for cultural differences such as underlying values toward work, orientation toward gender relations, emphasis on groups versus individuals, ideas about personal development, leadership, and family. Ignoring culture can lead to misunderstandings and conflict. Industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology applies psychological findings to work in organizations (usually business, education, government and non-profits). Organizations in all countries share the need to enhance productivity and to foster innovation and commitment from their employees. This course will illustrate how culture affects basic organizational functions.

Below are several choices of class materials and class activities. Please click on the ones you want to examine.

Dr. Savicki's phone number is (503) 364-6523. To mail a message directly to Dr. Savicki, click on the e-mail address below
(Remember to fill in the Subject line of the message)
E-mail address: savickiv@wou.edu
 
 


Western Oregon University