CROSS CULTURAL TRAININGIM CONSULTANTS

Cross-Cultural Profiles: Japan & UKCross-Cultural Profiles: Japan & UK

1

2

3

4

5Polychronic

Future

Hierarchy

Collectivism

Public

Competitive

High-context

Doing

japan

UK

Source: Browaeys & Price, Understanding Cross-cultural Management ,1st Edition. Pearson education 2009

Source: Browaeys & Price, 2009 Source: Hofstede, 2001 Source: Greet Hofstede Cultural Dimensions, Available from: http://www.geert-hofstede.com Source: Hall’s cultural factors adopted from: http://changingminds.org/explanations/culture/hall_culture.htm

Time focus Japan:Japan: polychronic culture (however, Japanese use of time exhibits both monochronic and polychronic traits); flexible approach to time; building a long-term relationship is a priority of most Japanese businessesUK:UK: monochronic culture; time is tangible and inflexible, activities are structured and scheduled in a linear fashion; control systems involving strict timetabling/deadlines

Power Japan:Japan: high power distance; organisational structure is strict & hierarchical; everyone has a distinct place in the hierarchy in a social or business situation; practice of lifetime employment

UK:UK: flatter and less bureaucratic approach; less adherence to hierarchy with more impact to get work done effectively and efficiently; ideas of ‘jobs for life’ largely overtaken by change in work patterns and prospects

Cross-Cultural Profiles: Japan & UKCross-Cultural Profiles: Japan & UK

1

2

3

4

5

Polychronic

Future

Hierarchy

Collectivism

Public

Competitive

High-context

Doing

japan

UK

Source: Browaeys & Price, Understanding Cross-cultural Management ,1st Edition. Pearson education 2009

Source: Browaeys & Price, 2009 Source: Hofstede, 2001 Source: Greet Hofstede Cultural Dimensions, Available from: http://www.geert-hofstede.com Source: Hall’s cultural factors adopted from: http://changingminds.org/explanations/culture/hall_culture.htm

Time OrientationJapan:Japan: past and long-time future oriented; business engagements require long-term commitment and focus on long-term benefitsUK:UK: present and short-time future oriented; determined to achieve short-term goals and objectives rather than developing objectives in the long-term context or through long time cooperation

StructureJapan:Japan: Collectivistic culture-interests of the group prevails over individual; strong sense of belonging to a groupUKUK: High Individualistic culture- ‘I’ predominates over ‘We’; promotes individual goals, initiative and achievement

Communication Japan:Japan: high context culture; tendency to use many indirect and implicit messages; nonverbal communication-usually in the form of subtle gestures/hintsUK:UK: low context culture; value direct, simple and clear messages; communicators tend to be straightforward, concise and efficient

CCkTitleCC Tasks & Challenges Facing the Buying manager

Training & Development -Gender is an issue

Buying Manager

Compensate(performance management)

-seniority based pay

-Trade unions

Negotiate-focus on long term

relationship

Lead -leadership style

(theory Z)-High power

distance

Recruit -emphasis on team building (collectivist culture)

Title

Title

Title