Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Executive summery
Expatriates work in overseas are quite common in current years.
This paper mainly discuss and analyze
Contents
Executive summery
Introduction
Power distance
Uncertainty Avoidance
10
Languages
10
10
12
Cross-cultural Communication
13
Verbal Communication
13
Non-verbal Communication
14
15
Business Etiquette
16
Conclusions
18
References
19
Introduction
In
order
to
remain
competitive
or
improve
trade
with
This
paper
mainly
discuss
and
analyze
two
which
are
power
distance,
individualism
and
nonverbal
communication
discussions
between
two
Power distance
According to Hofstede, power distance is the extent to that less
powerful individuals in a group or organization accept and
expect unequal power distribution. A hierarchical organizational
structure is embraced by high power distance cultures. There is
an obvious delineation of responsibilities and roles among
members of a team. However, low power distance culture
expect flexible structures of organization and frequent changes
of them. In addition, people from low power distance culture
always expect initiative from conductors and prefer delegation
of responsibility.
Japan is at a medial score of 54 which is not as hierarchical as
other Asian countries, such as China and Korea (Abramson N R,
Lane H W, Nagai H & Takagi H, 1993). Japanese are always
consider and act hierarchical position in any situation, especially
in workplace. Some expatriates working in Japan experience
strong hierarchical due to there working experience of slow
employees
for
their
expertise.
Besides,
both
In
addition,
notorious
Japanese
workaholism
is
establish
negotiations
and
relationships
reasonable
by
building
compromise
consensus
during
via
business
interaction.
Uncertainty Avoidance
Uncertainty avoidance dimension is the extent to that a culture
tolerates non-traditional behavior, ambiguity and uncertainty. It
also
indicate
to
what
level
people
feel
comfortable
or
avoiding
cultures.
Ambiguous
behaviors
and
detailed
requirements
of
Japanese
managers.
secondary
language
when
dealing
with
international
companies.
America does not has an official language, however, English is
spoken by majority people account for 82% of whole population
and is considered as a native language. American English is
known in U.S. because the variety of English spoken. In addition,
Spanish is the secondary common language in America, spoken
by around 12% of whole population.
The expatriates would meet languages in Japan and America if
they
could
not
speak
local
languages.
It
may
cause
are
subordinated
to
their
country.
Japanese
or
appointing
with
others
to
show
respect.
of
culture,
expressing
on
many
areas,
such
as
without
any
titles.
Americans
are
always
motivated
by
Cross-cultural Communication
Communication is quite important during business. Both verbal
and nor-verbal communication are used when people sharing
information, negotiating or expressing opinions. Spoken words
may have multiple meanings in a high-context culture. However,
non-verbal communication is considered to be a good way to
express when speaking is interrupted. Both Japanese and
American would be compared and discussed below. The key
cross-cultural communication issues expatriates faced would be
expressed as well.
Verbal Communication
According to Hoffman and Shipper (2012) Japanese culture is
considered be to a high-context culture. The Japanese verbal
communication style is using words by artful speaking indirectly
and always hinting at issues. The meaning of what has been
said could be changed by the smallest expression. Besides, the
Japanese may take a long time silence to response others. Also,
they are not expect foreigners could speak English when doing
business. They always speaking not fluent English with people
from other countries and feel embarrass.
Contrasting with Japan, the Americans prefer direct verbal
communication than nonverbal communication (Gudykunst W B,
Matsumoto Y, Ting S, Nishida T, Kim K & Heyman S, 1996).
Exactly, the American value linear and logic communication. It is
Non-verbal Communication
Nonverbal communication is more important in Japan than
verbal communication (Hooker J, 2012). No matter consciously
or subconsciously, nonverbal information is the key. The
Japanese rely more on hand movement, posture and facial
expressions to understand or express messages to others. For
example, it is not respect to a person who is manager or have
high status when staring their eyes. Moreover, frowning means
disagreement when others are speaking instead of interrupting
directly. Besides, the Japanese prefer using silence to give
others
more
time
to
thinking
and
understanding
during
speaking.
Americans use less nonverbal communications than Japanese
during business. There are a lot of gestures used in America,
while they could be considered to be rude in many other
cultures. For example, Americans may use fingers or hand to
indicate please come to here (Martin J N & Hammer M R, 1989).
However, this is very offensive in Japan or other cultures. In
America, eye contact is considered as a respect and attentive
way when other people speaking. Lack of eye contact is
on
nonverbal
communications
to
avoid
the
agreement
during
business
deal.
American
Business Etiquette
Good
manners,
sincerity
and
politeness
are
important
Conclusions
References
UK Essays. November 2013. Global Businesses Cultural Analysis
In
Japan
Cultural
Studies
Essay.
Available
from:
http://www.ukessays.com/essays/cultural-studies/globalbusinesses-cultural-analysis-in-japan-cultural-studies-essay.php?
cref=1 [Accessed 28 June 2014].
Zhang, D., & Kuroda, K. 1989, Beware of Japanese negotiation style: how to
negotiate with Japanese companies, Northwestern Journal of International
Law & Business, vol. 10, pp. 195-202.