MAR015-2 Intercultural Management in Business: Detailed Case Study

This case study examines intercultural management challenges in a joint venture between American and Japanese organizations. It identifies missteps by the American representatives due to cultural misunderstandings and proposes solutions based on intercultural theories, particularly Hofstede's cultural dimensions. The analysis compares cultural differences between the US and Japan across power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation, and indulgence. The study advises American representatives to research and respect Japanese culture, improve listening skills, and maintain formal etiquette to foster better cross-cultural communication and successful business relationships. Desklib offers a variety of resources, including similar assignments and past papers, to aid students in their studies.

Intercultural
Management in
Business

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK...............................................................................................................................................3
Where did the American representatives go wrong?..................................................................3
How could you help the American representatives better comprehend this cross-cultural
problem?......................................................................................................................................4
Intercultural theories to support the discussion...........................................................................5
What would be the advice to the American representatives?......................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
Books and Journals:....................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Culture refers as the religion, language, music, food, what a person wear, how they wear
it, and much more is different around the globe. Culture represents an understanding not only of
differences in languages, but also differences in beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, perceptions,
behaviours and attitudes (Dermol and et.al., 2021). In a workplace setting, it defines a proper
manner of behaving in the business. There is a requirement of having positive culture so that the
workers are able to work in a proper way. Inter-cultural management is needed by a company
when it expands their business cross-borders. It is essential to manage and overlook the cultural
differences represent in a particular country where a business is operated. The following report is
based upon a joint venture among a US based organisation as well as Japanese organisation. The
issues are being found, together with cross-cultural difficulties are identified in this report.
TASK
Where did the American representatives go wrong?
Joint venture can be used as an expansion method in which two or more parties mutually
join together to work while sharing profits and losses. Parties are ready to share the uncertainties
and risks involved with joint venture and are able to evolve market share together. It is observed
that when they come together for the meeting purpose, they should respect each other. Effective
communication should be taken in place so they are able to have a deep understanding about
each other. Also, the terms and conditions of work must be explained so that the work can be
done effectively. The Americans made a wrong impression as well as rolled their sleeves to
express their sincerity (Fitzpatrick, 2019). Moreover, they took off their jackets and they were
ready to have a talk on the activity. This had developed a wrong impression on the members of
Japanese firm. Hence, Americans created the mistake associated with inter-cultural management.
The rolling of sleeves puts a negative impression and demonstrates disrespectful and aggressive
behaviour. The aforesaid actions can be taken by people of diverse cultures can have diverse
meaning in other cultures. The first impression of American members was not positive. This is
one of the major hindrance that is being discovered by members of Japanese firm. They will
never think to establish an enterprise with the people that demonstrate aggressive behaviour in
the very first.

How could you help the American representatives better comprehend this cross-cultural
problem?
To comprehend the inter-cultural management, there is a requirement of understanding
the culture of other country. The exploitation of good research connected to the culture of a
particular country, one is able to understand the actions that they necessarily take. There are few
aspects that will support American members to better acknowledge the inter-cultural issues and
resolve them in an effective way.
 Conduct research: The Americans must do a proper research associated to the Japanese
culture. This step can be done by those persons who assist them to know about the value
and norms followed at the place. To establish a business with Japanese team members, it
is essential to know about the culture being followed by them. The chances of successful
agreement on joint venture can be improved when Americans know about the norms of
culture of other parties (Miike, 2019). It develops a positive impression of the people and
they are able to carry on the business in a proper way.
 Understand the person and keep it simple: It is essential to understand about the
people from diverse culture. It supports in interacting properly while discussing all the
important aspects in the meeting. For the official meeting they must keep it easy. This
easiness and simplicity supports in better understand of each other. Also, this helps in
carrying out business activities effectively.
 There is need of effective listing skills: It is one of the best skills that needs by people to
comprehend the wants and needs of other party. It will also help in making effective
communication to work collaboratively and mutually. In case of Americans, they should
have a good listening skill to understand the Japanese team members and to discuss the
deal of business to attain success (Yang, 2020). This supports to know about the essential
information and handle the work efficaciously.
All the above aspects must be considered by the US based organisation. Inter-cultural
management defines the study of societal culture by the administrators that assist them to indulge
positive work culture to the organisational employees. There are differences in culture identified
in people that belongs to diverse workplace and countries. For this purpose, all such aspects must
be considered.

Intercultural theories to support the discussion.
Hofstede cultural dimensions theory:
This is the model utilised to understand the differences in culture across different places
and to make out the ways that an organisation is done across diverse cultures. It helps in effective
inter-cultural communication. It is important to know the diverse dimensions that can influence
the business at the time of dealing in different countries (Paradis and Maffini, 2021). In respect
of case study, at the time of establishing business in different country, it is essential to
understand and know the culture of that place. The comparison of culture used in Japan and
America is as follows:
Power Distance: It is the fact that all countries have different cultures and norms which
must be identified by the company. The level of power is also uneven in diverse places. In
respect of Japan, it is at intermediate rating which expresses that people are aware about the
hierarchical place as well as take actions accordingly. The decision-making also gets impacted
by the power that one person shows on other people. Moreover, Japan is one of the meritocratic
societies and the education level demonstrates that every one is equal (Petrovskaya and
Shaposhnikov, 2020).
Individualism: This shows the class of interdependence that community uphold among
other people. It can be seen with the image of people they have perception about “I” and “We”.
This also shows the way of working in the particular nation. In collectivist community,

individuals work as a group and are allegiant that supports them to carry out the work. In US,
there is a justice and liberty for all. The employers believes in the capacity and skills of their
employees and work is facilitated to them. The masses are able to work efficaciously. On the
second side, there are more family based enterprises. The workers are loyal and attached to the
organisation and carry out business activities effectively. It is essential to comprehend that
collectivist are fully involved by Western standards.
Masculinity: The high level in masculinity expresses stiff competition. High competition
in marketplace supports the enterprise to utilise advanced efforts and carry out the work
efficaciously. The low level expresses feminism in which norms and values in community are
connected to caring for each person (Švač and Cagáňová, 2020). In case of Japan, it has high
score in which they business companies faces stiff competition. It supports in building
profitability in the business. To win the competitive benefits, the organisation take smart
decisions and work in an effective way. Along with, employees are inspired and work properly
to realise the targets over others. In US, people communicate freely and have transparent
objectives. The targets are established for the people and they work accordingly. There is justice
and liberty at the same time.
Uncertainty avoidance: This aspect deals with the future uncertainties. It becomes
essential to understand that the US score is low in this facet. The people are ready to understand
the new concepts and ideas and work accordingly. Hence, an acceptance is being given to the
new ideas (Vieluf and Göbel, 2019). They are willing to exploit innovative methods for the
success of the business. On the other side, in Japan, the score is high in context to uncertainty
avoidance. There are many disasters and situations are being observed in Japanese country. That
is the cause, they are ready to face any kind of uncertainty. The workers are more creative and
innovative to meet challenges. The companies are ready to accept challenges and take risks for
the better opportunity.
Long term orientation: It determines that the community has to uphold the connections
with own past to meet challenges risen in present and future. It is important to remember the
traditions that have been used in former times so that advanced culture can be followed. In
respect of Japan, the level is high as people are motivated by old traditions and willing to take
new initiatives at the same time (Tang and Schmidt, 2021). The country also made high work
culture is R&D activities makes the country successful. In relation with US, the score is low.

This clearly shows that the individuals are highly attached to the traditions. They are not ready to
accept new norms and work as per their old norms and traditions to be successful in their way.
Indulgence: The human beings refers as social animals and they necessitate indulgence
with each other to live with comfort. Japan has low score in this regard. The people thinks that
they must not invest their time in leisure (Tuleja, 2021). It is essential to work for self and
improve their image by performing business activities in a proper way. While, in US, it has high
score which demonstrates that people have a range of perceptions. They desire more socialism
and willing to work by their own.
What would be the advice to the American representatives?
The American representatives must comprehend the fact that people have diverse
thoughts and norms and these are raised by the society in which they live in. So, they must take
care of their actions as it may hurt the emotions of others and shows disrespect at the same time.
From the case study, American representatives' behaviours could shown some disrespect and
aggressiveness to the Japanese team members. There were official meeting being held in Japan.
People were expecting some professional behaviours from Americans. In forthcoming times,
they determine the culture of other party in order to impress them. The actions taken by them
must be delivered positive impact on Japanese people. Also, they should understand that keeping
things concise and simple can be more beneficial than unintentionally or intentionally doing
wrong attempts. The words and languages utilised also influenced the party so that must
acknowledge all those aspects. The American members must demonstrate some kind of
etiquettes while asking their name which helps in placing effective communication. Also, the
deal should be done formally. Therefore, it is significant to show respect of other country's
people.
CONCLUSION
The conclusion is that acknowledgement of culture of diverse country is essential to deal
and establish a business. Cross-cultural management is the process of showing respect of other
culture. In this report, there was a discussion on a case study of Americans and Japanese
dealings. It was identified that due to some wrongful attempts, the Japanese feel disrespect from
the American representatives. It is important to have the knowledge of culture use in a specific

country so that right actions can be taken which helps in creating positive impact. Hofstede
model is used to know the intercultural differences in US and Japan.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Dermol, V. and et.al., 2021. Teachers’ competencies for working in an intercultural
environment. Human Systems Management, (Preprint), pp.1-11.
Fitzpatrick, F., 2019. Understanding intercultural interaction: An analysis of key concepts.
Emerald Group Publishing.
Miike, Y., 2019. Intercultural communication ethics: an Asiacentric perspective. The Journal of
International Communication, 25(2), pp.159-192.
Paradis, G. and Maffini, C.S., 2021. Navigating Intercultural Relational Dynamics: The Roles of
Attachment and Cultural Values. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and
Development, 49(4), pp.199-213.
Petrovskaya, I. and Shaposhnikov, S., 2020. Enhancing intercultural effectiveness in
international virtual student teams: an exploratory study. Educational Research for
Policy and Practice, 19(3), pp.345-361.
Švač, V. and Cagáňová, D., 2020. Managerial skills for innovation support. Mobile Networks
and Applications, 25(3), pp.925-931.
Tang, M. and Schmidt, J.T., 2021. Fostering creativity in interdisciplinary and intercultural
teams: the importance of team building and team management. In Creative Success in
Teams (pp. 55-79). Academic Press.
Tuleja, E.A., 2021. Intercultural Communication for Global Business: How leaders
communicate for success. Routledge.
Vieluf, S. and Göbel, K., 2019. Making intercultural learning in EFL lessons interesting–The
role of teaching processes and individual learning prerequisites and their
interactions. Teaching and Teacher Education, 79, pp.1-16.
Yang, P., 2020. Intercultural communication between East and West: Implications for students
on study abroad programs to China. In Multicultural Instructional Design: Concepts,
Methodologies, Tools, and Applications (pp. 840-862). IGI Global.