Introduction
Doing business across continents requires cultural awareness. Cultural awareness involves understanding, appreciating and learning about different cultures where one does business (Ogasawara, 2010). This blog focuses on doing business in Japan, with the aim of outlining the uniqueness of Japanese culture. The areas of focus are greetings and communication style, the concept of time, and personal space and/or eye contact. People often mistake Japanese culture as difficult to understand and an obstacle in doing international business. However, below is an understanding of this culture when it comes to international business.
Communication Style & Greetings
Japanese culture is characterized by communication difficulties. There is always a difference between what one says and what one publicly states. This may as well be different from what one thinks. In their language, this means that there is a difference between the expressed tatemae and the felt hone (Ogwasara, 2010 & Khan, 2010). Sometimes they contradict. Once Japanese feels comfortable to reveal the honne, the business will progress positively.
Therefore, a successful businessperson in Japan must learn to unravel the underlying truth behind the spoken rhetoric (Ogwasara, 2010 & Khan, 2010). This is because a non-Japanese cannot easily navigate through the confusing paradoxes. In ability to speak Japanese also hinders business development between two parties. This is much profound because the levels of
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.
It is initially hard to distinguish which of these tangible or intangible factors are more important. Based on the cultural dimensions and values identified further in the report, it is clear that each has its own importance and merit. Understanding the cultural norms and expectations at play in the case study are critical to resolving the conflict at hand. Whilst Kelly believed she had adequate prior knowledge of the Japanese culture, it is clear that she is not as well versed as she thinks.
In Japan, for all its business and technological skills, social values take priority over purely economic ones. Reid's interesting description of a new-employee ceremony at a large Japanese corporation, in this case the electronic giant NEC, highlights his celebration of how Confucian ritual dignifies life in the Japanese workplace.
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?
Since Japan’s exit from isolation and entrance into global, cross cultural exchange, many aspects of the Japanese culture have been shaped and changed from their original traditionalism. Despite Western influence, however, Japan has been able to maintain a sense of cultural identity through unique practices that are rooted in the original culture. A prime example of this autonomy can be found when observing Japanese business culture and ethics, especially when the United States is used as a cornerstone of comparison. In observing the modern business practices of both nations one is immediately drawn to the manner in which business is both discussed and
Ashleigh Nghiem, in his passage What is happening with Japan Inc? which was posted on 13 October 2017uses a ambivalent tone to claimed that the Japanese industry is undergoing a transition period, the original Japanese industry is known for its trustworthy and excellent quality. But for now a series of fraud and rubbish engineering let the credibility of Japanese industrial enterprises have been questioned. And it is going to invoking people’s attention on these kind of
country and business values. Even the research emphasis on the cultural values, issues related to business that can affect business relations. It also tells about the business styles of Japanese. As compared with Canada it is found that Japanese are collectivists and poly-chronic in nature. Moving on there is no problem related to language as most of the Japanese speak their own native language. In this report it is recommended that Jell-O should do the promotions keeping in mind the family system of Japan. The other main point to be kept in mind before doing business
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.
In the first part of the movie, the main character Hunt Stevenson, made a trip to Tokyo, in effort to pursue a Japanese investment in his hometown’s auto factory. This was the only way for the local auto manufacturer to keep its door open, prevent large unemployment, and save families. At the first corporate meeting in Tokyo, we saw how the main character came across to be unprepared and ignorant to Japanese culture. Rather than getting familiar with at least some of the nation’s customs to try to impress the potential investor, he barged in with the cheap, portable projector into the multi-million, high tech conference room, begging for pity for his hometown. Desperate for help, the U.S. union’s HR/management department did not study nor follow the matching model – “the organization and the individual attempt to match the needs, interests, and values that they offer each other” (Daft pg.
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.
Our way of conducting business in the United States works for us, but when doing business in other countries it may not. I decided to look at the way business is done in Japan and how it differs from United States. When doing business in different countries, we would need to do our homework and research Japan. Japan is a country with a rich history and culture. The lack of knowledge about their culture can make doing business very different. We will look at the Japanese culture and how it differs from U.S. culture and the proper way to communicate in a business meeting in Japan.
Both societies, moreover, have developed the art of business and commerce, of buying and selling, of advertising and mass producing, to the highest levels. Few sights are more reassuring to people from the United States than the tens of thousands of busy stores in Japan,
This essay aims to provide more information in regards to the differences between the Australian and Japanese cultures, as well as fundamental insights into Japanese business etiquette and highlight important steps for effective communication when making business in a foreign country. As the Australian entrepreneur and owner of ‘The Aromatic Condiment Shop’ Emily is looking to expand her business deals in Japan it is paramount to make a favourable first impression and understand key points to better navigate cultural differences and grow her business.
Kelly’s company put her in an unrealistic situation of requiring an answer within two days of extending her the position abroad. Kelly’s company should not have assumed because she had great success in business relationships in London and Germany, which have similar cultures to the United States, it would have implied she would have been just as successful in Japan. The company lacked in preparing her in the customs and cultural ways of the Japanese, instead only considering the financial compensation as enough motivating factor. The company should have provided training of Japanese for the family, assisted in Joe’s networking in Tokyo to locate a job and should have been readily available for Kelly’s family with any questions and provide timely follow-up. Kelly lacked in doing her due diligence into the Japanese culture and fully understand what it would take to move her family abroad. A little research on her part into Japanese culture, customs and etiquette would have provided her with forethought on how to handle herself in Japanese
This report has been prepared for Fonterra which recommends the most appropriate entry mode, international strategy and human resources approach to enter the Japanese market, with an assessment of ethical issues they should be aware of.