A difference is
a source of creation
- How cultural difference creates
business potential -
Hokkai-Gakuen University
Hideyuki Sugawara
Smiling cheerfully !
“The Customer is God.”
Iratshai-mase ! (welcome)
Opposite driving directions
drives on right drives on left
Business Card
Company first
Individual first
How to write an address.
Zip code ⇒State/Region ⇒City/Town ⇒Street Address
062-8605, Sapporo, Toyohira-ku, Asahi-machi, 4 - 1 - 40
Macro ⇒ Micro
Micro ⇒ Macro
Street Address ⇒City/Town ⇒State/Region ⇒Zip code
4 - 1 - 40, Asahi-machi, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, 062-8605
Opposite directions in a toilet
Wall Wall
National Culture Influencing Business
company
Business Environment
National Culture
1. Individualism / collectivism behavior towards the group
2. Uncertainty avoidance the need for structure
3. Masculinity/femininity behavior according to gender
4. Power distance how a society handles inequalities
5. Long Term Orientation virtue: thrift and perseverance
NOTE: These are relative not absolute !
Five Dimensions of National Culture
1. Individualism / collectivism
Salaryman
Sources of JapaneseCompetitiveness
Business Card
Individual first
Individualism
Company first
Collectivism
Japanese Ringi system
Ringi Document
Many Seals
Hofstede Scores: Five Dimensions
femininity
Hofstede Scores: VS
femininity
1. Individualism / collectivism behavior towards the group
2. Uncertainty avoidance the need for structure
3. Masculinity/femininity behavior according to gender
4. Power distance how a society handles inequalities
5. Long Term Orientation virtue: thrift and perseverance
NOTE: These are relative not absolute !
Five Dimensions of National Culture
1. Individualism / collectivism behavior towards the group
2. Uncertainty avoidance the need for structure
3. Masculinity/femininity behavior according to gender
4. Power distance how a society handles inequalities
5. Long Term Orientation virtue: thrift and perseverance
NOTE: These are relative not absolute !
Five Dimensions of National Culture
1. Individualism / collectivism behavior towards the group
2. Uncertainty avoidance the need for structure
3. Masculinity/femininity behavior according to gender
4. Power distance how a society handles inequalities
5. Long Term Orientation virtue: thrift and perseverance
NOTE: These are relative not absolute !
Five Dimensions of National Culture
1. Individualism / collectivism behavior towards the group
2. Uncertainty avoidance the need for structure
3. Masculinity/femininity behavior according to gender
4. Power distance how a society handles inequalities
5. Long Term Orientation virtue: thrift and perseverance
NOTE: These are relative not absolute !
Five Dimensions of National Culture
Comparing National Cultures
Communication Styles
1. High context: Shared
understanding
Importance of socialising to build trust
Avoid direct criticism: Loss of face2. Low context: Explicit information
Separation of business and personal life
Open expressions and criticisms
Origin: Geography and climate
1. When you are in Rome, do as the Romans do.
2. Your common sense is not always other’s one.
3. Put yourself in another’s place.
Three Key Massages :Importance of Flexibility & Adaptability
1. Show Respect and Humility.
2. Recognize the Positive.
3. Be Patient.
4. Embrace Ambiguity.
5. Suspend Disbelief
Five Keys to Success in Japan
Session 2
Evaluate Yourself name:
Please mark only one response per question.
Individualism versus Collectivism5 (Strongly agree), 4 (Agree), 3 (Undecided), 2 (Disagree), 1 (Strongly Disagree)
Uncertainty avoidance5 (Strongly Weak), 4 (Weak), 3 (Undecided), 2 (Strong), 1 (Strongly Strong)
Masculinity versus Femininity5 (Strongly agree), 4 (Agree), 3 (Undecided), 2 (Disagree), 1 (Strongly Disagree)
Power distance 5 (Strongly strong), 4 (strong), 3 (Undecided), 2 (weak), 1 (Strongly weak)
Short-Term versus Long-Term5 (Strongly Short), 4 (Short), 3 (Undecided), 2 (Long), 1 (Strongly Long)
Make Your Pentagon name:
MasculinityMasculinity
Make Your Pentagon name: Hideyuki
MasculinityMasculinity
Session 3
Let’s Enjoy
Discussion