Key Cultural Differences Paper

Hofstede uses the words masculinity and femininity to refer to the degree to which masculine or feminine traits are valued or revealed (Samovar, Porter and McDaniel). The United States rates as a moderately masculine. Countries that favor masculinity stress equity, competition, and performance(Yates). They also strive for material success and expected to respect whatever is big, strong, and fast. France values femininity and stress equality, solidarity, and quality of work life (Yates). A feminine worldview maintains that men can assume nurturing roles while promoting sexual equality. One major difference in masculine/feminine cultures is the role of the woman in the workplace and at home. Feminine societies expect women to work and often provide the necessary social support systems. Although the United States is more masculine than France both countries treat females as equals.

The cultural behaviors of the “American” or “Japanese” in the video do not accurately reflect business behaviors in these countries so please do not generalize based on the video. The video is meant as a classroom exercise to analyze a specific cultural encounter. Total 20 points.

The fundamentals of Japanese and American social hierarchy are different. In Japan the social structure is based off of a hierarchy, and older people are treated with more respect than younger people. On the other hand, in the USA social status is derived from multiple factors; age not being one of them. In addition to the way social status is decided in Japan, the way people treat each other is also vastly different than in the USA. In Japan people treat each other with much more respect and curtsy than in the USA. furthermore the hierarchal nature of Japanese society even extends into the business world. An excerpt from the textbook, Global Business Language, shows this: “ They want to know who has the higher social status and where they themselves need to fit in among the people involved in the

There are cultural differences within all the communities that make up the world, we are constantly surrounded and reminded of these other cultures. In this paper cultural differences will be discussed from the film “Why Did I Get Married?” which is an African-American movie about the hardships one goes through in marriage, friendships, and trust. This paper is going to give specific examples of Hall’s perspective of culture on the screen and Hofstede’s five dimensions that are reflected in a particular pattern. Examples of both verbal and non verbal intercultural communication and how they relate to particular intercultural

Nevertheless, according to the Hofstede five cultural dimensions, the masculine element in two cultures are both success oriented and driven. For example,

There are significant cultural differences between Japan and the United Kingdom that need to be taken into account when doing international business. There are also a number of methods and systems by which these differences have been described. These include the Geert Hofstede cultural dimensions, Trompenaars seven dimensions of culture and the Globe Project's cultural dimensions. This paper will discuss these differences and similarities, and shed light as to the best approach to international business in these countries.

Although, the Japanese business culture involves a more democratic and participative approach to the decision making process by seeking consensus based on who’s allowed at the table. There is a strong seniority system, stresses in rank, and the upper level management is tasked with looking after employees, which influence relationships dynamics. Moreover, the person with the highest status usually speaks first and has more influence. (Deresky, 2014) While in Mexico, the authoritative hierarchical decision making process where lower level employees are not involved and it would be seen as inappropriate. Moreover, the employees have confidence in the credibility of the manager and therefore their decisions. (Commisceo Global, 2017)

If I were ever in a position where I would need to interact with a different culture, I think the two most difficult aspects of communicating would be adjusting to an overall slower-paced lifestyle of the Japanese people and their decision-making process techniques. My objective would be to successfully secure

This paper provided an opportunity to take a deeper look into the country of Japan by conducting a Global Cultural Analysis. Throughout this paper the following four research areas were explored: 1.What is the major elements and dimensions of culture in Japan? 2. How are these elements and dimensions integrated by locals conducting business in Japan? 3. How does U.S. culture and business compare with the elements and dimensions of culture integrated by the locals conducting business in Japan? 4. What are the implications for U.S. businesses that wish to conduct business with Japan?

While many of the world’s economic powers seem similar, there is no doubt there are some very key differences. Many of these differences can be attributed to cultural differences within each of the countries. While many of these countries work together in global business efforts, cultural differences would certainly have a significant impact on management style, leadership and even work ethic of the employees. The United States and Japan are both strong economic powers that hold to a capitalistic economic system. Their management styles, however, are very different. This can often be explained through the differences in culture and management or leadership styles. Over the years, the two

According to the author, most of the foreign visitors who came to America believe in gender bias that woman are not capable of holding a position of authority and responsibility in an organization. While In American culture, Americans are train to believe in gender equality, most people from different culture have been trained to believe that women are inferior to hold a certain position a business organization. The author further explains some points as also being misconceptions opinion that most foreigners believe. He noted that in American culture, while American believe that people of any position are capable of making decision, most visitors from different cultures have the view that people holding high positions, like the boss, the supervisory or the chief executive, have the power to make decision in an organization, subordinates only just follow instructions authority. These visitors prefer to deal directly with the higher-ups than the subordinates. Another point is whereas in American culture there are rules for people in organization to follow, most of the foreign visitors have the opinion that as it is in their culture they can negotiate with organization leaders, so they believe the same thing goes on in America culture. In addition, American business or organization give employment to people who are capable of doing the job but not on basis of personal connections as it is believe in most culture. Aside the above points of misconception believes is that in

One of the most important facets for a successful business in the twenty-first century is how it communicates with their customers, partners, suppliers and governments from different countries and cultures from around the world. For a business to operate with any modicum of success in Japan, you must possess a basic understand of how their society functions. As a result of learning about the geography, climate, history, religion, cultural rituals, politics, education system, and the role of the family; it will allow a business or business person the insight needed to understand how society functions and the method in which business is conducted.

The culture of a place is an integral part of its society whether that place is a remote Indian village in Brazil or a highly industrialized city in Western Europe. The culture of Japan fascinates people in the United States because, at first glance, it seems so different. Everything that characterizes the United States--newness, racial heterogeneity, vast territory, informality, and an ethic of individualism-- is absent in Japan. There, one finds an ancient and homogeneous society, an ethic that emphasizes the importance of groups, and a tradition of formal behavior governing every aspect of daily living, from drinking tea to saying hello. On the surface at least, U.S. and Japanese

Manners represent an individual by the way they dress, behave, communicate, and their etiquette, while customs refer to the traditional way that a culture is practice individually, or by a group of people. Workers are expected to bow to their seniors when they greet them, and to use only formal language to their seniors, as it is rude to speak informally to someone of higher rank. In Korean businesses, meetings are often held in evenings at a restaurant or bar. Drinking is part of the Korean culture, as Koreans believe that drinking helps to bond colleagues in the company, and an offered drink must never be refused as it is considered to be rude. Along with drinking, Karaoke is a popular activity after meetings. People who attend the meeting are usually expected to sing a solo song.

It is not surprising that he is shocked when every time he tries to complete a deal, he fails. He does not know why he is not having any success; he has studied the language, what went wrong? Well, if this student had proper intercultural training before he left, he would have known that he was making some big mistakes, the biggest one was thinking that every business setting worked like America’s business setting. The Multicultural Manners book would have provided answers to his question. For example, he may have tried to greet the Japanese business partners with a hug and eye contact. However, under the “Body Language” section of Multicultural Manners, it specifies that when around the Japanese keep eyes downward and avoid body contact (Dresser 15-16). In the “Miscellany” section, it says to accept a card from a business Japanese partner with both hands and a slight bow. Then read the card a little, shake hands and bow again. Afterwards, the card should go into the front pocket of a jacket or card case, never in the back pocket. If the American business student wishes to give the Japanese business collaborates a card, he should have English on one side and Japanese on the other (Dresser 155-156). Lastly, under the same section it mentions that when during business practices, avoid getting straight to business. Establish a friendship with your business