Intercultural and Business Organization - Essay Example

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Case Study 1 What Happened in Case Study 2 Malaysia’s Culture 2 Business Etiquette in Malaysia 3 Case Study 2 5 Japan’s Culture 5 Business Etiquette in Japan 6 Conclusion 8 Intercultural and Business Organization Introduction This report encompasses two case studies. One of the case studies involves a business meeting between businesspeople from the United States and businesspeople from Malaysia. The other case study involves a business meeting between businesspeople from the United States and businesspeople from Japan. In both cases, business etiquette regarding cultural norms were violated, and the object of this study is to determine what and to explain how to avoid it. Case Study 1: Malaysia What Happened in the Case Study There are several cultural mishaps in the first case involving Malaysia. First of all, Peter was not receptive to the offerings of the people in the office that would establish him as ‘the boss’, so they tended to look down on him or avoid him altogether. Malaysia’s Culture There are several cultures that thrive in Malaysia today, and they have been gathering there for more than fifteen hundred years ago. People came from China, India, Arabians, and Portugal. They brought with them gold, silks, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. “Malaysias cultural mosaic is marked by many different cultures, but several in particular have had especially lasting influence on the country. Chief among these is the ancient Malay culture, and the cultures of Malaysias two most prominent trading partners throughout history--the Chinese, and the Indians. These three groups are joined by a dizzying array of indigenous tribes, many of which live in the forests and coastal areas of Borneo. Although each of these cultures has vigorously maintained its traditions and community structures, they have also blended together to create contemporary Malaysias uniquely diverse heritage” (Geographia, 2009, pg. 1). Business Etiquette in Malaysia It is important to know that many shops are closed on Fridays in Malaysia, because most of the people there are Muslim. Otherwise, regular store hours are much like the ones seen in the United States. The point is that Friday scheduling for meetings should be avoided. They expect you to be punctual to meetings, but they may be more relaxed than you in that department (Associated Content, 2005). People have the tendency to carry umbrellas with them daily in Malaysia because the weather is so humid and it tends to rain a lot. The weather is hot and humid, with showers arriving at a moment’s notice. Lightweight suits and shirts should be worn for comfort. Do not wear yellow as only royalty in Malaysia wears yellow (Associated Content, 2005). “Begin by dressing for the office: jacket, slacks, shirt and tie, but if you see that others are going without their jacket and tie you may remove them discreetly. Women should choose knee-length skirts and long-sleeved blouses but avoid pantsuits since these might be inappropriate in some offices. Although it is acceptable to wear jeans, in public, shorts are simply not worn by adults. In some cultures you would never dare ask someone how much they weigh and other personal questions. Not so in Malaysia. Be prepared to be subjected to very personal questions concerning marital status or even income. Graciously avoid the questions if you don’t want to answer. Acting upset or annoyed will cause the person to be embarrassed, or to lose face. Losing face is a very serious matter in Malaysia” (Associated Content, 2005). The following should also be avoided in business meetings involving those from Malaysia, according to Associated Content (2005): *Do not criticize the laws or culture in Malaysia. *Do not embarrass, argue with, insult the intelligence of, suggest they misunderstood you, point out physical imperfections, or upset your Malaysian counterpart or they will lose face and this will result in no more business dealings. Once face is lost, it cannot be regained with these people. *Do not address others by anything other than their title and surname. *Do not give gifts unless both groups are already friends. *Do not give anything containing alcohol or pork. *Do not give an odd number of flowers to someone. *Do not give gifts that are white, black, or blue or sharp objects. *”Business cards should be printed and embossed in English on one side. Chinese on the other, in gold ink which is impressive to the Chinese. Present business cards with both hands and never with just the left hand.” (Associated Content, 1995, pg. 1) Make a display of receiving any card that is given to you instead of merely looking away and shoving it somewhere. *Never raise your voice and avoid confrontations. *Long periods of silence are not awkward in Malaysia, but are instead embraced. *Do not respond to invitations with computer-generated notes. *Be 30 minutes late to social gatherings Case Study 2: Japan Japan’s Culture “Japan is a modern, thriving democracy, yet it retained a long and esteemed imperial tradition. The Japanese take great pride in being "unique," yet much of Japanese civilization is composed of selective borrowings, from the Chinese written language in the sixth century A.D. to United States semiconductors in the latter half of the twentieth century. Although Japan lacks almost all raw materials, it is a highly urbanized and industrialized economic power supplying vast export markets. Yet farming interests still exert a strong influence on the political process and on party trade policies. Japan is a rich country, ranking first among major industrial nations in per capita gross national product, but many of its people are crowded into inadequate housing lacking such basic amenities as indoor plumbing. Although the bushido (way of the warrior) legacy of the feudal era still exerts a definite influence on modern society, the ultra nationalism that it had spawned has been repudiated, and the military machine that earlier in the twentieth century had conquered much of the Asia-Pacific region had been replaced by the streamlined Self-Defense Forces (SDF), well trained but under equipped and barely able to defend the home islands” (Japan 101, pg. 1). Just like in Malaysia, saving face is crucial to the Japanese. Therefore, many of the activities businesspeople in the United States would avoid with businesspeople in Japan would be the same. It applies no matter where the host country is for the meeting. To be a good businessperson, it takes being respectful to the person you are doing business with whether you are in their country or your very own. There are also other key things in Japan that they take very seriously, and they are as follows: *The key value in Japan is harmony *The Japanese rely on nonverbal communication to tell them what others are thinking or feeling. *Age and status are very important to Japanese culture, and this applies to business matters as well. The following represent etiquette when meeting someone in Japan: . Greetings in Japan are very formal and ritualized. . It is important to show the correct amount of respect and deference to someone based upon their status relative to your own. . If at all possible, wait to be introduced. . It can be seen as impolite to introduce yourself, even in a large gathering. . While foreigners are expected to shake hands, the traditional form of greeting is the bow. How far you bow depends upon your relationship to the other person as well as the situation. The deeper you bow, the more respect you show. . A foreign visitor (gaijin) may bow the head slightly, since no one expects foreigners to generally understand the subtle nuances of bowing.  (Japan 101, 2009, pg. 1) The Japanese are also big on dining etiquette, watching their table manners, understanding foreign ways, having solid relationships and good communication. Business meeting etiquette is something they hold in high regard and should be followed by both parties at all times. Business Etiquette in Japan The following represents Japanese business meeting etiquette: . Appointments are required and, whenever possible, should be made several weeks in advance. . It is best to telephone for an appointment rather than send a letter, fax or email.  . Punctuality is important. Arrive on time for meetings and expect your Japanese colleagues will do the same. . Since this is a group society, even if you think you will be meeting one person, be prepared for a group meeting. . The most senior Japanese person will be seated furthest from the door, with the rest of the people in descending rank until the most junior person is seated closest to the door. .  It may take several meetings for your Japanese counterparts to become comfortable with you and be able to conduct business with you. . This initial getting to know you time is crucial to laying the foundation for a successful relationship. . You may be awarded a small amount of business as a trial to see if you meet your commitments. . If you respond quickly and with excellent service, you prove your ability and trustworthiness. . Never refuse a request, no matter how difficult or non- profitable it may appear. The Japanese are looking for a long-term relationship. . Always provide a package of literature about your company including articles and client testimonials. . Always give a small gift, as a token of your esteem, and present it to the most senior person at the end of the meeting. Your Japanese contact can advise you on where to find something appropriate. Conclusion In these case studies, we saw several examples of cultural clashes taking place in business scenarios. Had the parties been informed of what was expected before they attended the meeting, they could have avoided the entire situation. In both situations, we found out that saving face was the most important for both foreign groups. Business Etiquette and Protocol in Japan . References Allen, C 2008 and R Bunting, A global standard for professional ethics: Cross-border concerns. Journal of Accountancy, Vol. 205. Business card: If in doubt, pass it out 2006. Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL). 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