INTRODUCTION
Japan and the United States are both well-recognized nations in the business world. And both have been trade partners for several decades. However, there are many differences in business and social practices between these countries. Both countries do focus on excellence and competition in business. And social status and education also have a strong affect on probable success in the work world. But, there are a few differences in philosophy, cultural actions, and business practices.
DISCUSSION
General Society
Japan and the U.S. both have a structure in society. Japan has an order based on the principles of Confucius, an ancient Chinese philosopher (Anderson School UCLA, http, 1999). These principles give the Japanese resolute
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Only the team leader is allowed to speak during a business meeting. Also, it is polite to only have one speaker at a time in negotiations with the Japanese. All concerns of existence are usually put second to an employee obligating themselves to an occupation (Anderson School UCLA, http, 1999). And one of the largest rewards for employee loyalty is a lifetime job. Japanese employers attempt to keep their employees for a lifetime, knowing that stability breeds devotion. Lastly, the Japanese take a while to get acquainted with employees or business partners before actually working. They think of this bonding as essential to a good functional relationship. Japanese usually only consider business with someone if the formalities of friendship and the family information are given beforehand. And it gives them more ease in dealing with …show more content…
business. During a meeting with U.S. business people, it is allowable for any in attendance to speak. This contrasts with the Japanese way. An employee puts their own interests above that of the company. Also, employees are much more likely to change jobs several times throughout life. Which leads to lower loyalty and employers not putting as much into employee retention as Japan. And in the U. S. there is no bonding, just straight business. The U.S. organizations will make the negotiations and trades. Next, if they have time they will possibly get to know colleagues on a deeper level. This is to promote future business dealings. The reason for this attitude is quotes Hinch and Madnick the common phrase time is money (Hinch and Madnick, http,
Jeffrey Kingston. Japan in Transformation, 1952 – 2000. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited, 2001. 230 pp.
For years, people have always felt that the Japanese school system was superior or more effective than that of the United States. Although some feel this way, others feel that the Japanese system is too strict and not flexible enough for those who may need extra help along the way. Through researching two different case studies, and also reading other materials, I have found many similarities along with many differences between the two, including teaching methods, overall emphases, and student involvement. Both countries have developed very effective and intricate systems of teaching, which compliment, and clash against one another. The Japanese system is not in all ways superior to that of the United States; however, there are a few different reasons why people may feel that the Japanese are in fact “smarter” than us. To begin with though, one must have an understanding of both systems and a basic knowledge of how they work.
Another difference is that teachers in Japan write down important things on a blackboard, but teachers in the U.S. seldom write everything; they just explain orally. Japanese students are very quiet during classes, and all they do is listen to teachers and copy what teachers write on blackboards. They seldom ask questions during classes but ask friends or teac...
Japan is part of our world that not many people know, for the few that do, they know that Japan is filled with an extraordinary history. Some of the history starts with little traditions like, the tradition of kimono’s, to big ones such as their well known Japanese festivals. Ancient Japan was a series of islands and many cultural expansions which included religion, armies, art, classic traditions, and their type of clothing. Ancient Japanese is still alive today, from basic works of art, to then a following of certain religions such as Shinto and Buddhism. Many Americans don’t the cultural aspects that were attributed by many across the world, they don’t know that many of those aspects made what Japan is today in society.
...ty for one that better suited its capitalistic tendency. That opportunity came in1868 when the Meiji imperial rule was able to overthrow the Tokugawa regime, setting off a political, economic, social and cultural change that transformed Japan. As Japan embraced modernity with full force, some began to realize the negative impact of modernization on the rural life, social structure and most importantly on its culture, blaming it on the western influence on its modernization. Thus as Japan neared World War II, it embraced a new sense of modernization, one that was separate from westernization, creating a nationalistic and fascist government policy. Japanese society is characteristic of plurality and opposing value systems coexisting. As new ideals and institutions arise, Japan sees itself transforming and changing at the hands of internal and external forces.
Confucian ideals had a prominently drastic impact and influence in Japanese society. The Confucian ethical system stressed the utopian idea of a society in which a hierarchal structure is maintained. The hierarchal structure’s foundation is based upon the subservient and submissive idea of subordinates’ obedience to superiors and male dominance over women and children (Yoko and Katsurada, 2002).... ... middle of paper ...
Since my cultural experience was on the Japanese culture, I decided I would continue on with that interest and write my paper about the Japanese culture therefor giving me a chance to do more research about the culture. The Japanese culture is really rich and diverse, there is a particular hierarchy or structure to the Japanese culture, Denison (2002) stated that “Japanese culture is structured around black and white norms for acceptable group behavior. People who do not function by there norms are viewed as outsiders who lack legitimate status. Black and white expectations of behavior produce equally clear cut conformity, resulting in high harmony and certainly of outcome, trust is early through continuous conformity”.This is a huge and really important aspect of their culture because it governs their social standing, interacting with others and the way they are seen, and when it comes to your social standing in the culture, the way you are seen and respected by those around you is very important.
In conclusion, I tried to explain what experienced in Japan during the first years of rapid economic growth in terms of its social consequences. According to my argument, I tried to show imbalances which occurred with economic development in post- war Japan. In other words, economic development cannot appear as linear social development. Post- war Japan has witnessed positive and negative social consequences after implementing economic recovery. Therefore, we can say that society cannot always embrace economic development positively. Economic transformation brings its own waves and thus society fluctuates regarding its embracement. Japanese society received its share with this economic recovery during post- war period.
In the Japanese society, the individual is seen as a member of a group. Harmony and “groupism” that is very prominent in Japan’s modern society (Haitani, 1990), the spirit of cooperation still remains. In the education system children are taught to fit into their group whereas children who don’t follow the flow of the group and seem unhappy are considered strange (Hendry, 2013, 47). This does not encourage individuality and it may results in bullying. In Hendry’s Understanding Japanese Society, she argues Japanese societies are based on cooperation and hierarchy.
In recent decades, the world economy has undergone an unprecedented level of integration. Previously, I have provided a list of knowledge management tools that can be utilized to analyze many questions and trends, as well as the reason why these tools are important in the global economy. These tools are essential of international relations as being able to examine global problems beyond the headlines. This paper further demonstrates how these tools could be applied to solve the problem or to bring the business opportunity to fruition in today's Japanese business environment.
Stockwin, J. A. Chapter 7: Who Runs Japan? In Governing Japan: Divided Politics in a Resurgent Economy (4th ed., pp. 46-72). London, The United Kingdom: Blackwell.
Culture of an organization is a crucial factor in that organizations achieved success. A strong culture that everyone can fit into and feel welcomed enough to believe in the organization’s mission should be upper management’s primary goal. After all, it is essentially the bottom of the barrel employees who help hold together the glue that holds a company together. Without these employees, there would be no one there to keep the basics in order and of course, without someone above them, leading them along, these employees would not know the fundamentals of the organization. Two author’s Pascale and Athose proposed an idea that America had focused on the hierarchical approach of organizational structure, while Japan (America’s leading competitor) had focused more on the “shared values” approach of its structure. This paper will talk about the benefits of “shared values” within an organization and its effect on the employees and how a great culture can help enhance these
Japan is a very homogenous society made up of about 98% ethnic Japanese. They tend to put a lot of emphasis on family and communities, and value the group more than the individual (Aliasis, 2013). The social hierarchy important and members of the society are expected to conform. One way is showing respect for one’s elders, for example the oldest member of a group is served first and their drinks are poured for them (AngloINFO, 2014). This mentality is common in the business world as well. Promotions are usually based on seniority and people often work at one company their entire lives. This way of life brings satisfaction and pride to the people (Aliasis, 2013). When greeting others it is customary to bow, although the Japanese are familiar with our ways and would expect us to want to shake hands rather than bow (Bazzel, 2013; Angloinfo, 2014). Also, being too direct about what one is really thinking is not socially acceptable. The Japanese use subtle language and rely heavily on non-verbal forms of communication (Aliasis, 2013).
“Red is a positive color in Denmark, but represents witchcraft and death in many African countries,” (Understand and heed, 1991, p.1). Simple understandings, such as this one, can make the difference in a business’ success or failure in a foreign country. Various countries have different customs and beliefs that need to be accustomed to when business are to be successful. American businesses especially have difficulties with this concept. “At times in the past, Americans have not had a good track record of being sensitive to cultural distinctions,” (Understand and heed, 1991, p.3). Perhaps this is because America is made up of so many different cultures that American people have become so used to easily adjusting to each other’s differences that they forget that other cultures are not as flexible. Today, more American’s are becoming more sensitive to the differences of other cultures. This sensitivity and understanding has come with a price, after a long string of business failures. It is not until a business fails miserably in another country that they see the adjustments that should have been made in order for their success to be a possibility. With an understanding and sensitivity to the customs and beliefs of other cultures, it is possible for successful businesses that have originated in western cultures to also be successful in foreign countries as well.
Based on Richard R. Gesteland book, deal-focus vs. relationship focus is one of four patterns in the cross-cultural business behavior. More than a few divergences between deal-focus and relationship-focus make both of them will be grumble while working together. Deal-focus people will go straight to the work part. Deal-focus people can be assumed as aggressive, bad-mannered, and assertive. On the contrary, relationship-focus people will concentrate in build strong relationship before jump to the work part. In addition, relationship-focus people are calmer and more flexible in doing business. The examples of countries with deal-focus culture are Australia, New Zealand, Northern Europe and North America. At the side of relationship-focus, Korea, Japan, Chine, and Taiwan are the examples. Furthermore, there will be several explanations, analysis, and recommendations related with case “Exporting to Taiwan: Guanxi in Action”.