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Karen Leary Case Essay

Decent Essays

1. What is your evaluation of Chung's performance?
Chung has been operating under what he feels are the established norms for his culture. Ted's relationship with the Taiwanese client exhibits the Chinese management principles of paternalism, particularism, and insecurity. The patron-client relationship is based in a sense of mutual obligation, where the client is expected to defer to Ted's expertise and Ted is expected to trade the account responsibly. (Moorhouse, 2005) Ted also used social networking to establish himself in the community which is expected in the Chinese culture. By attending events Ted increases his “visibility and prestige” which contributes to the face that is needed to be considered a trustworthy business partner …show more content…

If you look at the above traits the problems Karen is having with Ted can be directly tied to the differences in their cultures. Although Ted is doing business in what he perceives as his cultural norm this doesn’t mean he has done everything correctly either. Ted should also be aware that cultural differences exist and if he would have been willing to communicate those differences to Karen things may not have escalated to the point they did in the case. It is a must in all forms of business today if you are to succeed that you make yourself and your organization aware of cultural differences and have some sort of program set up to address these differences to allow multi-cultures to work together as a single unit.
2. If you were Leary, how would you respond to Chung's request for a private office?
It is unfortunate that we are now at a point that an ultimatum has been given to Karen. Karen has now been backed into a corner and the best she could do at this point is to negotiate over the private office. If Karen’s goal to develop the Taiwanese market is to happen she must find a solution to bridge their cultural differences. Ted may be willing to negotiate with Karen as long as it does not appear that he is losing face. If they can agree on a set of goals or terms of service once met that will give Ted his private office then it

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