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America is a low-context culture, which values someone who is plain-spoken. 'What you see is what you get' is a compliment in America: according to one interview subject, Mr. B, who had done extensive travel back and forth from America to Japan on business, such an ideal is antithetical to Japan. "Japan is a much smaller nation, geographically. Respect for one another, rather than respect for the individual is emphasized in its highly interconnected, bureaucratic government and economy, and simply because people have to get along with one another -- there are few places one can get away and be alone!" He remarked that succeeding in encouraging his Japanese clients to innovate or to take a risk in business was rare, given that until recently there was a strong sense of the value of routine and social welfare, not just in government, but even in private enterprise.
A friend of mine who was brought up in America, but who has a Japanese mother, remarks how it is difficult for her mother to understand that is unlikely that the girl will work for the same firm, in the same occupation from cradle to crave. Until Japan's economy began to soften, it was normal for most...
Japan's uncertainty avoidance is far lower than the United States on a personal as well as an institutional level. It also places far greater emphasis on such 'feminine' values as cooperation, versus standing up to one's superiors and striking a new path in a stereotypically 'masculine' fashion. The caution of Japanese society and its relatively long-term orientation about new projects can be an asset, as manifest in Toyota's obsession with error-free production methods and its research and development in new hybrid technology, but can also act as a barrier to innovation and individualistic expression.
Works Cited
Geert Hofstede: Cultural dimensions -- Japan. Geert Hofstede.
October 20, 2009 at http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_japan.shtml
Hall, Edward Twitchell & Mildred Reed Hall. Understanding Cultural Differences: Germans,
French, and Americans, Intercultural Press, 1990.
Interview: Mr. B. (family friend). October 15, 2009.
Interview: Susan O (friend). October 12, 2009.
Works Cited
Geert Hofstede: Cultural dimensions -- Japan. Geert Hofstede.
October 20, 2009 at http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_japan.shtml
Hall, Edward Twitchell & Mildred Reed Hall. Understanding Cultural Differences: Germans,
French, and Americans, Intercultural Press, 1990.
As these examples convey, it is highly important that anyone who will be engaged in cross cultural communication be familiar with the nuances in behavior or even the lack of behavior of other nationalities as dictated by their cultures. In American business culture, communication tends to be more dynamic compared to the Japanese (Lee, 2). Most Americans expect a lively discussion when they are involved in negotiations. In American business
Email was found to be a key culprit in the development of cultural misunderstandings among a diverse group of online users (Rainey, 2000). Stereotypes were found to interfere with online communication, and enhance the potential for cultural misunderstandings (Leidner, 1999). Navigation design, visual design, and information design had an effect on trust that varied among different cultures viewing a website (Cyr, 2008). This research suggests a need for culturally relevant
Finally, it should be noted that anxiety and language can hamper communication between people of the identical culture if the context is not mutually understood. Anecdotally, this author once requested a copy of a Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess from an elderly man behind a counter in a small-town used bookstore who appeared to be the husband of the full-time owner, who was away. The kindly man squirmed a bit,
Cross-Cultural Management Although it is a cliche of the business world, it is nonetheless also true that no business that neglects - or abuses - its workers can prosper for long. Badly trained, badly prepared, or badly treated workers do not do their best - and indeed, why should they? The best way to get the most out of a worker is to ensure that that worker feels appreciated and respected,
Typically, difference in expectations between Japanese and American is manifested because of the cultural variables. American believes that it is acceptable to express emotions openly. On the other hand, Japanese culture does not believe in overt expression. Japanese considers the overt expression as unacceptable, and in most cases, Japanese considers the American overt expression as a sign of aggressiveness. Japanese considers endurance and harmony to be important. Japanese believes that
This disconnect from a cultural standpoint needs more empirical research to further understand and capitalize on from a change management strategy perspective as well. Implications for Individuals Working Multinationally with the Japanese The work completed by Masumoto has major implications not only for expatriates working in Japan yet for anyone going to work for a Japanese company anywhere in a westernized nation. The vast differences in how space is allocated are