Download - IB Small Group Project
J A PA N
C r o s s - C u l t u r a l M a n a g e m e n t S m a l l G r o u p P r o j e c t 1
A G E N D A
• CULTURE AND GLOBALIZATION
• COMPANY PROFILE OF AFLAC
• COUNTRY PROFILE OF JAPAN
• JAPANESE VS. AMERICAN VIEWS OF RISK
• OVERCOMING CULTURAL RISKS
• CULTURAL EXAMPLE
CULTUREAND
GLOBALIZATIONA N D R E W M U L L I N S
CULTURE &GLOBALIZATION
Culture: The combination of signs, beliefs, artifacts, social institutions and customs conceived by mankind.
*Paraphrased from Don Adams and Arlene Goldbard. (2002). “Community, Culture, and Globalization”.
Globalization: The evolution that led to the world getting smaller through the removal of numerous barriers and the new abilities to overcome long distances in a condensed period of time. Furthermore, this process has led to the interconnectedness of people across the entire world through the sharing of communication, culture, technology, transportation, etc.
*Paraphrased from Thomas Larsson. (2001). The Race to the Top: The Real Story of Globalization
CULTUREGLOBALIZATION
The process of cultures sharing more similarities and common experiences as a result of diminishing international barriers and the exportation of various beliefs, practices, customs, etc. *Paraphrased from James L. Watson, Encyclopedia Britannica
Influences:• Wireless Communication• Electronic Commerce• Popular Culture• International Travel
Globalization proliferates the number of similarities shared between cultures:• Fashion• Food• EntertainmentCulture-defining barriers (geographic distance, different languages, etc.) are curtailed, leading to accelerated rates of:• Exportation of Culture• WesternizationWhile certain idiosyncrasies between cultures may be dwindling, major differences still persist and must be carefully taken into consideration.
STANDARDIZATION OF CULTURES
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CULTURALCONSIDERATION
• Cultural barriers have the potential to create
misunderstandings that stunt international profit growth• Hofstede’ Cultural Dimensions Theory
• Power Distance, Masculinity vs. Femininity, Long-term
vs. Short-term, Individualism vs. Collectivism,
Uncertainty Avoidance• For international companies, culture must be strategically
applied every part of the organization• Idiosyncrasies in culture can lead to differences in consumer
preferences• International companies should depend on research instead of
making assumptions
http://vandijktrack.com/hofstedes-cultural-dimensions/
COMPANYPROFILE
OF AFLACJ O S E P H R O B E R T S
9 out of 10People know the Aflac brand. Aflac is the No. 1 life insurance company in terms of the number of individual insurance policies in force in Japan.
AFLACJAPAN
AFLAC COMPANYPROFILE• “Incorporated since 1973• Columbus, GA, USA based holding company that
offers supplemental health and life insurance plans• CEO: Daniel Amos• Two different business entities: AFLAC Japan, Aflac
US• Plans sold include: accident/disability, ICU, short-
term and long-term care disability, dental, vision, and life
• End of 2014 there were 70k+ licensed sales agents and brokers
• Revenues of $22,728M during the financial year ending in December 2014
Niche market in supplemental and
indemnity plans, relationships with banks
and local markets, strong financial performance
STRENGTHS
Market penetration in Japan increases risks, losses on
perpetual debentures likely to continue
WEAKNESSES
New products, new initiatives, Japan’s insurance market
OPPORTUNITIES
Competition, natural disasters
THREATS
COUNTRYPROFILE
OF JAPANQ U I N C Y N U N N A L Y
JAPANESE CULTURE
JAPANESECULTURE
The culture of japan is unique in many ways but there are three very important features that must not be overlooked
• Tradition• Fads or Trends• Religion
TRADITION
Japanese culture has one of the deepest cultures on the world
What is respected most of all is Family• Ex. Your best effort at work or school is for the family
• Ex. You must try you best in extracurricular for the family• What is meant is how the family is portrayed based on your
performance
Also, multiple religions and people exist within Japan
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“EVER-CHANGING”Trends can last a year, month, week, or day. They key here is that trends within Japan tend to change more rapidly than other countries.
One of the more notable trends worldwide is the how popular Anime :• Anime conventions• Anime specific Twitter Account• Anime specific YouTube Accounts
FADSOR TRENDS
Religion in Japan is different from religion in the west more than anywhere else.
It’s a mix between Shinto and Buddhism
Religion is rarely preached because it’s how a person lives (Moral Code)
JAPANESERELIGION
JAPANESECULTURE
• “The Cherry Blossom is the most revered flower in Japan”
• There are parties every year during the two weeks or less that they bloom called “ 花見 (Hanami)”
• “Japanese people are more relaxed during this time of year”
• Viewing of the blossoms are usually parks, gardens or castle grounds
• The blossoms in ancient Japan announced the rice-planting season
桜
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COMBININGKNOWLEDGEWITH AFLAC
• Since there is a difference from east in west in terms of religion, fads, and culture; there is a different customer approach as well to each market.
• In the U.S. the AFLAC duck is not really notice whereas in Japan the actors talk and interact with the duck as a means and visual of the Japanese culture :To help and protect one’s family, you become family.
• In the U.S. the duck has always been a duck and nothing more whereas in Japan it has been portrayed as an “ 招き猫 (Maneki neko) duck”
JAPANESE VS.AMERICAN
VIEWS OF RISKD Y L A N L I N D H O R S T
RISK BETWEEN AMERICAN &
JAPANESE CULTURE
AMERICANRISK
More likely to do things without preparation
Positive reinforcement is commonin child rearing
If something goes wrong, keep movingforward and try not to let it happen again
OVERALL CULTURE
JAPANESERISK
Take time to plan and discuss before making a decision
High use of negative reinforcement in raising children
If something goes wrong, take a step back and analyze situation and make sure to not
make same mistake
AMERICANRISK
Americans are typically rewarded by career advancement or higher pay for
taking risks that pay off.
For negative outcomes, Americans are usually given second chances and can
move past failures.
BUSINESS CULTURE
JAPANESERISK
Will not typically advance in career due to a successful event, but instead
advances with time.
Negative outcomes are viewed as failures and can be the end of
a persons career.
AMERICANRISK
Low Risks
Stable Economy
104.5% debt-GDP
POLITICAL RISKS
JAPANESERISK
Low Risks
Stable Economy
250% debt-GDP
OVERCOMINGCULTURAL
RISKSR I C H A R D N A V R A T I L
CULTURAL ISSUES:CHALLENGES &
MITIGATION
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BUSINESS CULTURE
• Appear “colder”• Last names + titles used• Keep a distance• No small talk, no physical
contact
EXTREMELY POLITE
• Patriotic, love their culture
and history• Not politically inclined
NATIONALISTIC,NOT POLITICAL
PUNCTUALITY
PROMBLEMS & CHALLENGES
• Use last names and get titles
down correctly• Keep a personal “bubble”• No touching past a firm
handshake
REMAIN POLITE
• Do appreciate the history and
habits
AVOID POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS & OPINIONS
NEVER BE LATE
SOLUTIONS & SUGGESTIONS
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OVERALLCULTURE
• America vs Japan – “melting pot” vs a “united nation”
ETHNICITY
• Common in Asian countries,
“extreme” in Japan• Business• Apologizing• Thanking
• Handshakes are OK
BOWING
PROMBLEMS & CHALLENGES
• Understand the “United Nation”
ETHNICITY
• Bowing where necessary or expected
BOWING
SOLUTIONS & SUGGESTIONS
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BUSINESS CULTURE
• Strict, few female
politicians/CEOs• Rank 101st, first place Iceland
GENDER ROLES
• Very important• Senior vs junior
SOCIAL HIERARCHY
COLLECTIVE CULTURE
PROMBLEMS & CHALLENGES
• Company Loyalty• Group accomplishments
• Respect the roles, expect
dealing with men mostly
GENDER ROLES
• Respect everyone, especially Elders/seniors in a company
SOCIAL HIERARCHY
COLLECTIVE CULTURE
SOLUTIONS & SUGGESTIONS
• Understand company loyalty, treat people as a part of a group
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OVERALLCULTURE
PROMBLEMS & CHALLENGES
• Can insultTIPPING CULTURE
• Island size of California
SPACE RARE & APPRECIATED
SUBTELTY • Directness• Eye Contact
SOLUTIONS & SUGGESTIONS
• Do not tip – seen as
rude/attackon waiter’s salary
TIPPING CULTURE
• Appreciate space (even if
there is a lack thereof)
SPACE RARE & APPRECIATED
SUBTELTY • Be less direct, avoid
prolonged eye contact
CULTURALEXAMPLES
A S H L E Y W I L L I A M S
CULTURALEXAMPLES
AFLACCOMMERCIAL
EXAMPLES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u2sxqHlUdg
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AFLACCOMMERCIAL
EXAMPLES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOJDvLt21U8
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QUEST IONS &ANSWERS
THANK YOUSMALL GROUP PROJECT TEAM 1