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