Preparing Western Managers for Business in Japan. An Analysis of the Japanese Culture

Bachelor Thesis , 2014 , 59 Pages , Grade: 1,0

Communications - Intercultural Communication

This thesis deals with the adequate preparation when planning business endeavours with Japanese Companies. As Japan is the second largest market in Asia and one of the strongest markets worldwide, it is an important trading partner for Western countries. Many companies, when attempting to move into the Japanese market, run into difficulties that derive from wrong expectations and misunderstandings. These difficulties can be managed with decent preparation. Therefore, the objective of this thesis is the elaboration of a training program based on an analysis of the Japanese business culture.

To achieve this goal, we combined a profound categorization of the Japanese culture with interviews we conducted with people who have gained experience with the Japanese business culture in order to identify possible obstacles on the one hand and determine best practice preparations and to derive an exemplary training program on the other.

The results of the different parts of the thesis provide the foundation of an exemplary training program designed to simplify the transition for businesses intending to expand in the Japanese market. This training program combines extensive general culture and language orientation that help easing the transition with a focus on Japanese idiosyncrasies in business. The key elements include the unique characteristics of communication in Japanese business. This training program will improve cross-cultural communication and thus mutual business relations.

Contents

Executive Summary

List of Abbreviations

List of Figures

1 Introduction

2 Japan and its Economy
2.1 Geography and Demographics
2.2 The Japanese Economy
2.2.1 The Economic Development after WWII
2.2.2 The Economy in Crisis (1990-2011)
2.2.3 “Abenomics” (since 2012)
2.3 Importance of the Japanese Market for Western Economies
2.4 Trade Barriers between Japan and Western Countries

3 Understanding the Role of Culture in Business
3.1 Definition of Culture
3.2 Elements and Manifestations of Culture
3.3 Influences of Culture on Management Functions

4 Analysis of the Japanese Culture
4.1 Hofstede’s Dimensions
4.1.1 Power Distance (PDI)
4.1.2 Individualism (IDV)
4.1.3 Masculinity (MAS)
4.1.4 Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI)
4.1.5 Long-Term Orientation (LTO)
4.1.6 Indulgence vs. Constraint (IND)
4.2 Hall’s Dimensions
4.2.1 High-Context versus Low-Context Communication
4.2.2 Time Orientation
4.3 Lewis Model of Cultural Types

5 Japanese Culture in Business
5.1 Communication
5.2 Business Relations and Loyalty
5.2.1 Establishing contact
5.2.2 Meetings
5.2.3 Negotiations
5.2.4 Decision Making
5.2.5 After Hours
5.3 Women in Japanese business
5.4 Western business women in Japan
5.5 Lifetime Employment
5.6 Business Ethics
5.7 Japanese Business Etiquette
5.7.1 Business Cards
5.7.2 Addressing the Business Partner
5.7.3 Dress Code
5.7.4 Gift Giving
5.7.5 Personal Habits

6 Interviews
6.1 Preparation of Western Contacts for Japanese Business
6.1.1 Necessity of Preparation
6.1.2 Failures in Preparation
6.1.3 The Language Barrier
6.1.4 Assistance by the Japanese partners
6.2 Behaviour at the Workplace
6.2.1 Communication
6.2.2 Meetings and Decision Making

7 Training
7.1 Benefits of Preparation
7.2 Steps of Training

8 Conclusion

9 References

10 Appendix

Appendix A: Table Hofstede Analysis

Appendix B: Table Women in Business

• College: University of Applied Sciences Dortmund (Wirtschaft)
• Grade: 1,0
• Author: Hannah Christina Glock (Author)
• Publication Year: 2014
• Pages: 59
• Catalog Number: V339717
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668288973
• ISBN (Book): 9783668288980
• Language: English
• Tags: Cultural Differences, Hofstede, Japan, Abenomics, Lewis, Hall, Hofstede Dimensions, Business Culture, Business Etiquette, Workplace Behaviour, Training in Business, Women in Business, Business Ethics, Relations, Loyalty, Culture