...Chapter 3 Managing Global and Workforce Diversity Culture Shock Warren Oats was a highly successful executive for American Auto Suppliers, a Chicago-based company that makes original-equipment specialty parts for Ford, GM, and Chrysler. Rather than retreat before the onslaught of Japanese automakers, AAS decided to counterattack and use its reputation for quality and dependability to win over customers in Japan. Oats had started in the company as an engineer and worked his way up to become one of a handful of senior managers who had a shot at the next open vice-presidential position. He knew he needed to distinguish himself somehow, so when he was given a chance to lead the AAS attack on the Japanese market, he jumped at it. Oats knew he did not have time to learn Japanese, but he had heard that many Japanese executives speak English, and the company would hire a translator anyway. The toughest part about leaving the United States was persuading his wife, Carol, to take an eighteen-month leave from her career as an attorney with a prestigious Chicago law firm. Carol finally persuaded herself that she did not want to miss an opportunity to learn a new culture. So, armed with all the information they could gather about Japan from their local library, the Oats headed for Tokyo. Known as an energetic, aggressive salesperson back home, Warren Oats wasted little time getting started. As soon as his office had a telephone—and well before all his files had arrived from...
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...(1998). The impact of culture on management: A comparison of Japanese versus United States management. Advances in competitiveness Research , 6 (1), 39-57. Faramarz Damanpour is a Professor of Finance and International Business at James Madison University. He is an author of several business articles and has been featured in many business journals. His main purpose of this article is to get the reader to understand the differences between the cultures, decision-making, and employment strategies of Japan and the United States. This topic is suitable for my research paper because it helps me answer the first research question, which deals with the elements and dimensions of culture of Japan. Fukuda, J. (1992). The internationalization of Japanese business: different approaches, similar problems. The International Executive , 34 (1), 27-41. John Fukuda is a professor in the department of the International Business at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has written peer reviewed articles for the International Executive. His main purpose for this article is to get the reader to understand the Japanese's approach to business versus the other countries. This article is suitable for my research paper because it helps me to answer question numbers 1 and 2 of the Business cultural analysis. Fukukawa, K., & Teramoto, Y. (2008). Understanding Japanese CSR: the reflections of managers in the field of global operations. Journal of Business Ethics , 85 (1)...
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...murals are a therapeutic distraction technique in pain management in a healthcare setting. The artwork installation on entrance doors and in elevators lobbies also welcomes patients. Globalization Splashes of Hope is blossoming and growing into an international organization. They receive requests for custom artwork and prints to be installed from facilities throughout the United States and the world. Splashes of Hope is doing research to find a country to expand their business and manufacturing process. Expansion in a country high in creativity and manufacturing skills is the next stage. The human resources department views Japan as a leading country of choice for the globalization of Splashes of Hope therapeutic art division. Japan has a long history of adopting of imported ideas (Japan painting, 1994). They established a copying process ranging from emulation to synthesis (Japan painting, 1994). The majority of the labor force would consist of routine intensive labor. Evaluation and understanding of communication practices and cultural differences between the United States and Japan will insure success in expanding the business in Japan. Language and Communication Differences The official language of Japan is Japanese. Despite of the importance Japan culture within the global economy, comparatively few Americans speak the language. The Japanese language has no true ties to any other linguistic family. In addition, Japanese writing is significantly more complex than the writing...
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...Case Study 1 Paolo De Cesare will need to consider various factors before making a decision to take the proposal to the beauty care global business unit to expand. One significant factor that needs to be considered is the fact that the consumers in the market outside Japan have totally different cultures than those consumers in Japan. In order for SK-II to be successful in the international market, P&G and De Cesare must first analyze the current situation in those markets to be able to identify the strategic opportunities and threats. In order to make the best possible decision regarding product expansion to Mainland China and Europe, it is important to analyze those international markets based on the SWOT analysis. One of the biggest opportunities in China is that consumers there have similar skin types than consumers in Japan. One of the biggest threats is that most Chinese residence has relatively low average incomes, which could affect their purchasing behaviors especially towards high priced products like SK-II, which cost about $100 a bottle. Europe’s market is quite different from China’s. European women have skin types unlike that of Chinese and Japanese women. The biggest threats are the difference in skin types among European women, the cultural gap between Europe and Asia, and the overcrowded skincare and beauty market in Europe. Thus, the big challenge for P&G would be to successfully introduce a new brand into an already crowded market. One of the biggest...
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...SEMINAR IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ( DRS 3283 ) Name : Norsyafinaz Binti Shah Rizal Thomas ID No : 012011110183 Lecturer name : Sir Anuar Sulaiman A research paradigm for international business communication On this journal that can sumarize with this conceptual paper aims to present a research paradigm for international business communication research, with special reference to the problems of Japanese corporations and to develop a paradigm, the obstacles Japanese corporations face in international business as methods used to deal with obstacles and foster bettel global mangement and interculture comunication. International business prescribes the “arena” for international business communication and is shaped by international business transactions and international management. The reason for this is found in the special characteristics of international business transactions. The beginnings of international business transactions were nothing other than trading between cultures and peoples with different commercial practices. On the second point arena of international business communication and illustrates the following situations although we are speaking of international business communication or Intercultural business communication, it does not necessarily mean that this Communication occurs between countries, cultures, or businesses. the agents of international business communication...
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...Since young, I have always been intrigued by the Japanese culture. As I grew up watching “Japan Hour” on TV, I remembered admiring their serene way of life, picking salmons in their back yard and cooking it fresh, always to the delight of the guests squealing “Oishi!” at the first bite. Nothing beats the scenery of their natural environment, and having seen the vast size and beauty of Japan in television, I told myself that one day, I would like to explore as many cities as I can over there. Looking into my household, I remembered how Japan made products are always favoured by my father as compared to China or even some US made products because of the attention to quality found in the Japanese workmanship. Growing up, I used to find their conservativeness & strict attitude highly admirable, and now at this stage of life, I’ve come to learn that beyond their personal life, their distinctive cultural characteristics also encompasses the way they lead their businesses and nation. Cultural analysis of Japan The Japanese population of 128 million people in Japan are mostly found in the coastal areas and urban regions due to the mountainous nature of the country. There are three main metropolitan areas – Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, with Tokyo having a population of 30 million. Tokyo is the largest city in the world. Every country has its own unique culture. There is no sense in saying that one country is more unique than the other. Except when it comes to Japan. In many ways...
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...approaches. (G. Hofstede, 2001) The assignment contributes in developing a broad, detailed and rational study of Japanese HRM practices mainly recruitment and selection and also training and development. It tells us about what is the basic essence that makes them quintessentially Japanese. It tells how it is advancing towards a continuous evolutionary change. This assignment also tells the reader about the impact of culture, traditions, socio-economic and politico-legal angles that affect the very basis of Japanese HRM structure. Finally it tells the reader about the different changes in HRM practices due to the current scenario and ultimately leading the way and telling about the implications for Japanese HRM practitioners. Japan is kind of very well designed society there is plans and structure for everything (Doole and Lowe 2000). Japanese management puts stress to secure survival, long term growth of company to benefit all incorporating the organization. It focuses on soft S of Mckinsey 7S concept i.e. staff style, skill and subordinate goal. Overall significance of HRM on management is high. There is a high importance of HR with stress on its strategic meaning. Management in Japan since end of Second World War can be segmented into different stages shuffling between uniqueness and universal practices. Japanese culture strongly influenced by confusion culture saw close social relation as an inevitable attribute between family etc and it could be said that became the basis...
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...INTRODUCTION The case introduces us to Ken Morikawa and John Sinclair, two employees of a Japanese manufacturing plant under construction in Georgia. John Sinclair, the Personnel Manager, is keen to hire a Japanese professor to “translate their corporate philosophy”. The real question is – Can a corporate philosophy simply be translated? Will it be understood in its depth and entirety when simply converted from Japanese to English? The case does not merely deal with language. It deals with the crux of a company’s philosophy – its culture. In trying to understand how to marry Japanese and American culture in business, both Ken Morikawa and John Sinclair visit Chiba International, a success story in this arena. Before we entail to analyze the methodology used by Chiba International and put forth our recommendations, we will first explain the generic differences between the cultures of Japan and America. CULTURAL ANALYSIS We can analyze the differences between Japanese and American cultures using Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions: Japan Score: 54 A borderline hierarchical society. Business decisions are slow and must be confirmed by each hierarchical layer and then by Top management. Individualism Score: 46 Harmony of group is generally placed above expression of individual opinions. They are considered collectivist by Western standards and individualistic by Asian standards. Masculinity Score: 95 Japan is one of the most masculine societies in the world. There is a strong drive...
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...Critical review a well managed organization with culture of learning and innovation in international markets…………………………………………………………………….3 2.1 Literature review of a well managed organization with culture of learning and innovation in international markets………………………………..……………………………3 2.2 Examining Wal-Mart’s characteristics to the extent of learning culture and innovation …………………………………………………………………………………………………….4 3. Critical review internationalization theories and the case of Wal-Mart from 1994 onwards……………………………………………………………………………………………………….7 3.1 Theories of internationalization…………………..……………………….……………………...7 3.2 Wal-Mart’s internationalization strategies from 1994 onwards……………..……9 4. Wal-Mart entry Brazilian and Japanese market……………………………………………….10 4.1 Considerable issues of the company………………………………………………………… 11 4.2 Opportunity in those markets……………………………………………………………………13 5. Wal-Mart’s entry modes in international markets - Examining with Brazilian and Japanese markets…………………………………….…………………………………………… ….13 5.1 Mode of entry to Brazil ………………….…..……………………………………………………..13 5.2 Mode of entry to Japan……………………………………………………………………………….14 6. Summary……………………………………………………………………………………………………………15 7. References………………………………………………………………………………………………………….15 8. Appendices…………………………………………………………………………………………………………16 1. 12C framework with Brazilian and Japanese markets………………………………………16 2. Factor effecting...
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...Human Resource Management: Module 2 Reaction Paper Global Human Resource Management in contrast to Hofstede’s five dimensions Changes in technology, social and economics have led to many organizations expanding their business into international markets. Business exchanges between various countries have become a common thing today. However, expanding their enterprise globally will bring new legal and ethical challenges due to differences in cultural view. HR professionals must increase their knowledge and skills in the international environment to keep their organizations competitive in this challenging global marketplace. It means that HR related problems different countries solve in different ways. Hofstede suggests that culture influences business related practices. Many HR representatives working in an international business a global business world face the same difficulties, but also face other new challenges that relate to cultural convergence in business practices. There are many characteristics to identify a countries culture. When dealing with HR issues, culture plays a major role in how an organization handles personnel issues. We can best understand this if culture is defined. Culture is the common ideas, beliefs and values shared by the members of a group of individuals (Hofstede 1984). Each group is defined by specific family traditions, common languages, ethnic diets, notions, and dress. It is best stated by “culture is everything that people have...
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...of Doing Business in America and Japan A manager or company has many factors to consider when deciding to conduct business internationally. Besides being sensitive and respectful to the foreign country’s culture, one must also be cognizant of how the culture influences the cost of doing business. To illustrate this point, consider the following scenario of countries A and B: Both countries [A and B] are characterized by low labor costs and good access to world markets. Both countries are of roughly the same size (in terms of population) and both are at a similar stage of economic development. In country A, the education system is undeveloped, the society is characterized by a marked stratification between the upper and lower classes, the dominant religion stresses the importance of reincarnation, and there are three major linguistic groups. In country B, the education system is well developed, there is a lack of social stratification, group identification is valued by the culture, the dominant religion stresses the virtue of hard work, and there is only one linguistic group. Which country makes the best investment site? Country B does. The culture of country B is supportive of the capitalist mode of production and social harmony, whereas the culture of country A is not. In country A, conflict between management and labor, and between different language groups, can be expected to lead to social and industrial disruption, thereby raising the costs of doing business. The lack...
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...CASE SUMMARY As for Higgins, he was born in a small Midwestern town and was able to attend the Army Language School for intensive training in Japanese because he shown an interest in languages. In Tokyo, he was assigned as an interpreter and translator. Higgins returned to college then graduating his college, work in management and joined Weaver. After a year in the company training program, he was assigned to Japan. Higgins's tasks included troubleshooting with major Japanese customers, attending trade meetings, negotiating with government officials, conducting marketing research, and helping with day-to-day administration. But, then Prescott felt that Higgins lost the U.S. point of view and substantial loss of administrative effectiveness due to the syndrome of “Going Native”, means to take on some of the culture traits of the people around you, often said of people who go to foreign. Through extensive culture and language studies he emerges as one of the strongest assistants that Prescott ever had. Higgins quite literally falls in love with the Japanese culture and tradition and over a period of time adopts all of their cultural and professional traits in his personal and professional behaviour. This works well for both the Japanese who being to trust him as well as the Americans who use him for negotiations and deals until the time that Higgins becomes emotionally connected to all the people around him and begins rallying for their cause against his own boss. This puts...
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...Internationalization of IKEA in the Japanese market and Chinese markets Abstract Date Level Authors June 4, 2008 Master Thesis EFO705, 10 points (15 credits) Wannapa Chaletanone (05-11-1982, Thailand) Wanee Cheancharadpong (03-09-1983, Thailand) Internationalization of IKEA in the Japanese and Chinese markets Leif Linnskog Why did IKEA internationalize into Japanese and Chinese markets? And what factors did influence IKEA’s success in Chinese market but failure in the Japanese market of the first round? The aim of thesis is to understand the internationalization of IKEA in Asia by comparing between Japanese and Chinese markets. This master thesis based on qualitative approach in order to investigate the internationalization of IKEA in Asian markets as a case study since it is beneficial in understanding the observation and explanation of behavior in the certain cases. IKEA is considered as retailer internationalization who expands into Japanese market as a result of deregulation and asset-based advantage while internationalize into Chinese market because of supporting environments such as political, social and economic conditions as well as transaction advantage. To success and failure, psychic distance and learning, strategic decision making process, degree of adaptation of retail offer, entry strategy, characteristics of organization and management characteristics are the influencing factors on internationalization of IKEA in the Japanese and Chinese markets. Internationalization...
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...Location: Toyko, Japan Prepared by: Jarrod Lucas Date: 3/26/2014 SUMMARY Organizes, schedules, directs employee function in the work place while conducting inspection of products while keeping inventories at a profiting level through supervision of employees and delegating duties. RELATIONSHIPS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES includes but not limited to the following: Creating a work environment to represent and up hold the Ben’s Chophouse and Grill’s values and products. Creating and exceeding sales goals and profit margins. Creates market plans for growth and capital to customers in and out of store area. Delegate employees’ duties and services accordingly following company guidelines. Develop customer relationships for return business. Research area demographics for pre-approved deals and specials that apply to the surrounding customers AUTHORITY OF INCUMBENT Serves the company with the ability to hire, terminate, and punish employees in association with the guidelines set by company regulations. Reports directly to owners holding an open communication line on activities throughout the workplace. More duties may be assigned. STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE Following guidelines set by company policy performance has direct correlation to potential earnings Extensive bonus programs allows for majority of earning from compensation of performance. Using related software and potential increase in profits compensation bonus will stem from obtainable goals while minimal performance...
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...Internationalization at Toyota: A Case Study Examining the internationalization of the Toyota Motor Corporation, this essay argues that the firm’s strategy of localism, pertaining to both design and production, has lain at the core of the firm’s international successes. In this regard, it notes that Toyota learned from early failures, pertaining to export vehicles, and adjusted its strategy in longitude so as to make the most of export opportunities across the international economy. Noting that the pooling of research & development (R&D) resources which exists in Japan is highly relevant to success in this regard, the essay proposes that Toyota’s all-encompassing strategy of localism is responsible for its international success. Concluding, the essay does note that two areas of weakness, pertaining to quality control and emergent market penetration, still plague Toyota’s internationalization ventures. Thus, while the firm is highly successful in this regard, potent internal difficulties problematize its continued success. Toyota’s First Attempts at Internationalization To begin, understanding Toyota’s significant contemporary global posture requires an understanding of the firm’s humble roots. Indeed, in the pre-World War II era, Toyota was a very small automobile manufacturing firm with middling success in the country’s domestic market. Indeed, it is only through the American War Department’s industrial training program that Toyota ultimately succeeded, in the...
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