Importance of Cross-Cultural Communication in Business

Running head: CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
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PSYCHOLOGY
In today's global world, working with individuals belonging to different cultures is a
common occurrence in a business setting. While the combination of talent promotes innovation
and creativity, it can pose challenges in successful business expansion. Thus, importance of
cross-cultural understanding in business is paramount (Bird and Mendenhall 2016). For example,
Japanese style business management known as Nihon Tekikeieidraws significant variance from
Australian based business management (Raina and Roebuck 2016). The following essay aims to
shed light on the importance and role of cross-cultural communication while intending to expand
business overseas. The paper will evaluate a situation involving an entrepreneur Mary who hails
from Dubbo, Australia and her desire to expand her small business of condiments to
Japan.Additionally, the essay will argue on the importance of cross-cultural communication for
Mary to obtain ideas about Japanese business etiquettes while meeting Mr. Moro, engaged in a
managerial role in a renowned store in Tokyo. Furthermore, it will explain cross-cultural
dynamics between both the countries by applying Hofstede's cultural dimensions theoretical
framework. Lastly, the essay will provide relevant suggestions through, which Mary can
increase, the success of the meeting with Mr. Moro and future business arrangements.
Among the Japanese protocol, rules and etiquettes serve decisive role in the process of
conducting business. According to Padhi (2016), Japanese exhibit and approachablenature
towards foreigners for individuals belonging to other cultural background who show similar
poise and inclination to comprehend the cultural patterns of Japan. Raina and Roebuck (2016)
have highlighted the importance Japanese entrepreneurs hold regarding an individual's approach.
Japanese show great interest towards international entrepreneurs whoseattitude exhibit utmost
management conservation. The underlying principle behind such an approach relies on the fact
that any individual who show in competence to show conservative attitude towards Japanese

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business cultural patterns are considered to be less thoughtful and incompetent to be viewed as a
proficient business ally. Taras, Steel and Kirkman (2016) have noted that Japanesebusinessmen
because of their high level of holistic nature and detailed oriented approach towards business
have led to enhance the level of business negotiation with global entrepreneurs. For Japanese, the
culture related to the exchange of business cards or meishi koukan is the most important business
etiquette followed by the Japanese for entrepreneurs across the world. For the Japanese
entrepreneurs it is regarded as a formalself-introduction with the purpose of remembering the
other individuals name and role to the business for future correspondence. According to Vitell et
al. (2016), such a form of business etiquette is a comprehensive practice, whichshould not be
disregarded and demands high attention to the procedure in comparison to other Western
countries. During the first time business meeting with any Japanese entrepreneur, it is highly
imperative for overseas business individuals to take into account certain customary approaches
of greeting. However considering these conventional attitudes of Japanese culture will aid
entrepreneurs from cultural different background to accomplish their business goals and establish
a successful business association with Japanese businesspersons. Comprehensive studies of
Chien et al. (2016) have mentioned that Japanese tends to prefer a systematic procedure of
business deals and efficiently emphasize on strategizing potential activities prior to the
implementation. At this point of discussion Bird and Mendenhall (2016) have highlighted the
zero defect policy which is one of the vital business patterns of the Japanese. According to
Caprar et al. (2015), zero defect policy reflects the preference of supreme perfection of the
Japanese in all business dealings, negotiations and assignments. In addition to this, the zero
defect policy mentions that any business assignment, which fail to accomplish the desired
objectives and terms, are marked as unsuccessful or failure. Meanwhile Raina and Roebuck

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(2016) have emphasizedon the importance of seating arrangement while conducting any business
deal between the Japanese. Research conducted by Cheng and Wong (2017) have mentioned that
the Japanese business seating arrangement highlights the vitality of the individual engaged in the
supreme position should be placedat the head of the table and the extreme distance from the exit
and must be the first one to be provided with the business card.
De Mooij (2015) has noted that different cultures comprise of diverse members who
obtain several imbedded theoretical aspects, which age them to proceed efficiently with their
behavioural patterns towards individuals belonging to culturally diverse backgrounds.Renowned
researchers such as Geert Hofstede have evaluated specific dimensions, whichare applied in
order to establish divergences as well as similarities between the implicit theoretical frameworks
cited among different cultural patterns (Hofstede Insights 2019). Through the lens of Hofstede
six dimensional model, individuals can get and insightful overview of the decisive drivers of
Japanese and Australian culture. The first and foremost dimension which Hofstede has
mentioned in his theoretical framework is power distance which reveals the extent to which the
less powerful associates of institutions and organisations within a nation anticipate and accept
that power is unequally distributed. Kim (2017) has noted that inequality and power or
influenceare regarded as essential determinants in any society.
The second dimension deals with uncertainty avoidance, which primarily deals with the
fact that future constitutes of several unexpected factors and events. Such an ambiguity
according to authors gives rise to severe apprehension andanxiety, which diverse cultural
patterns eventually learn to deal with through various approaches.