Literature is the most endurable and extensive embodiment of a nation’s culture. By reading a nation’s literature, we not only acquire knowledge about the culture, we gain a firsthand experience of the nation’s culture. Literature reflects the norms and values of a society, the ethos of a culture, the social forces of a nation, and the fads and fashions of a society. Further, literary texts offer insights into mentality, psychology and attitudes which cannot be gleaned from social sciences. This paper explores how literature can be used to supplement conventional tools for cross-cultural training and increase cross-cultural understanding and awareness.

It was feared that forces of globalization would obliterate cultural differences and set in the process of cultural homogenization. The emergence of the pedagogy of cross-cultural training in management and business studies shows globalization has made cultural differences even more relevant. The business models of some sectors like information technology, business process outsourcing and pharmaceuticals are heavily dependent on foreign markets. Cross-border mergers and acquisitions have become frequent in the globalized scenario and have increased the need for professionals who can work in a foreign cultural setting and can work with colleagues from different cultures. Cultural incompetence more often than not does jeopardize business transactions even when, in terms of business, they are mutually viable and beneficial. Consequently, professionals and managers have to be equipped with cross-cultural skills to fit into a social structure of multicultural business organization, or a multicultural project team. Business organizations across the globe have realized that these skills are indispensable for success in business in the globalized scenario and are making enormous investments in HRD activities which are designed to foster cross-cultural skills in their professionals.

Soft Skills Journal, Literature, Cross-Cultural Training, Cross-Cultural Skills, Pedagogy of Management, Literature to Teach Culture, Literary Texts, Cultural Training, Literary Texts.