Engaging with Japan - Case Study Example

Name Course Lecturer Date Engaging with Japan Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 1.0 Strategic Fit 2 2.0 Culture Mapping 4 3.0 Engaging Strategies 7 3.1 Rationale 7 3.2 Strategic consideration 7 4.0 Action Plan 8 4.1Short term and middle term goals 8 4.2 Long term plan and inspiration 9 5.0 Conclusion 9 Work Cited; 11 Appendix 12 Executive Summary In recent years, agriculture in Japan has been characterized with a growing interest in improving the agricultural sector. However, the country is still one of the largest importers of agricultural products in the world. Indeed, this has resulted to food security being a major policy objective. One way that the government is enhancing effective food security is through protecting local production by introducing restriction on certain products and signing stable agreements with other countries that will ensure a stable food distribution. The latter way of enhancing food security involves trading activities with other interested countries such as Australia. Australia has become a major exporter of agricultural products to Japan despite different cultural background. In respect to this, there is a need to ensure success in the global market that partially relies on understanding different cultures presented by different parties. Indeed, it has been noted that literature on cultural values in relation to business and marketing has been on the rise globally. With the above understanding, the report seeks to draw up a master plan that will assist in engaging with Japan in relation to its agriculture industry and the current career portfolio. As such, the report will primarily analyze strategic fit; that is the career portfolio and strategic audit. In addition, it will carry out cultural novelty using Hosftede theory. It will also lay out strategy and plan that are expected to be obtained and followed in the engagement. 1.0 Strategic Fit In the last decade, agriculture industry has become a major concern in Japan; given that advanced in technology has called for an upgrading in the agriculture activities. However, of most important to note is the fact that in recent year, Japan has continued to rely on importing agriculture goods and foods to feed its population. In 2012 for example, the country’s agricultural imports were over $60 billion making the third largest importer country after the European Union and the United States (Sen, p. 20). Some of the countries that Japan import from includes Australia as shown in figure 1. Indeed, it has been perceived that Australia has continued to enhance trade with Asian countries in relation to agriculture goods. This has been seen through the country trade ties with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that oversees the improvement of export and import of agriculture products (Dawe and Timmer, p. 15). In addition to this, Australia has signed Free Trade Agreements with Japan in order to assist in marketing agricultural goods in the country with little or no restrictions. This increased trade ties on agriculture products have been possible by the fact that Australian produces large amount of agricultural products while Japan has a high consumption rate but with a low ability to produce products (Dawe and Timmer, p. 13). However, in relation to the above, it is important to note that there are some government restrictions that have been put into place in Japan in regard to some agriculture products such as sugar products, dairy, wheat and rice. This indeed encourages the processing of food made from the products aforementioned. Nevertheless, despite the fact that the country restrict imports of the above products, the important thing to note is that the country major imports are agricultural products from other developed countries (Martin and Mitra, p. 105). Strategically, the country needs to continue enhancing business operation targeting agricultural products. This includes producers establishing partnership or collaboration with trading companies that will not only engage the producers in the marketing activities but will also assist in producing new products. As noted by many critiques, there is a great need for business operators between Japan and other countries including Japan to avoid some higher labor costs and various restrictions that may be a hindrance to the growth of Japanese agriculture industry (Economist, p.10). In relation to this, it is therefore, important to utilize a business model that will enhance the operations. At this point, my career portfolio fits in. This is attributed to the fact that a major in Marketing does not only contributes a lot in such business operations but it also exposures one to international business. Indeed, a major in Marketing equips one with basic knowledge that is required in interpreting various marketing strategies and outcomes which are quite relevant in the presented case. For instance, while analyzing the impact of trade barriers on some agriculture imports, one is expected to have background knowledge on the significant of the restrictions and various ways of introducing these restrictions. Consequently, it is of important to note that in such trade dealings language barriers has been a hindrance to effective business activities (Timmer, p.11). Therefore, enrolling in for Japanese classes boosts the degree attained in Marketing major. 2.0 Culture Mapping In the recent years there has been an increased interest on the impact of culture not only in advertising but also in global marketing. Hosftede model has been adapted in most business literature while considering business operations or activities being carried out in a different cultural background. This is mainly attributed to the fact that in order to be successful in global marketing, it is important to have an excellent cultural understanding with the country one is doing business with. In the recent times, there are some signs that the Australian culture is being influenced by other cultures. This includes an increase prevalence groups in various organization. On the other hand, the Japanese culture which has been viewed as collectivist, masculine and long term oriented has become more feminist, short term oriented and individualistic due to the increased interaction with other developed countries. However, it is important to analyze the convergence and novelty of the two different cultures. According to Hofstede’s argument, Japan is arguably average in terms of distance power. However, in the current trend most commentators have noted that they have started to frequent question the authority. Despite the fact that this has been more visible in the political arena, it highly influences business activities within and outside the country. This is a reflective of the Australian culture which less tolerant power distance. As such, one may safely assume that cultural values associated with power distance of both countries are becoming more similar. As argued form various literatures, historically, Japanese has been characterized with collectivism in their economic dealings (Minkov, p. 56). For instance, in their employment strategies, the government has tried to provide full employment to the citizens; increasing the relationship between the employees and the employer. On the other hand, the Australian culture is characterized by more of individualistic society. People adore individual success and entrepreneurial efforts. Notably, there are some signs which indicate that some Japanese especially in the workplace are slowly adapting individualism. Still, on the other hand, there is a shift from individualism to communalism among some Australians. This has been evident in students’ group work and social welfare and security. However, of most important to note is the fact that both culture seems to be heading to a central point in relation to individualism and collectivism. Japan is one of the leading countries in masculinity as argued by Hofstede (House et al., 6). However, this has been on the decline with the removal of some barriers that legally hindered women in the workplace. Australian culture depicts a less masculine culture where women are not prohibited from carrying out tasks that may be categorized under masculine jobs. The drastic change to femininity in the Japanese culture may result to a convergence in both cultures. Australia is a risk seeking society (Hofstede, p. 121); however, recent trends in the global business and political fields have slowed this culture. This includes declines in the stock market, domestic and international financial instability and global recession has indeed caused most investors to seek safe and secure returns for their investments. On the other hand, the Japanese have a tendency to avoid uncertainty. In spite of this, as a result of the current working environment, this culture is being affected (Taras et al., p. 415). One of the changes that has resulted to decrease of uncertainty avoidance is the fact that some manufacturers are winding up their production in Japan creating limited jobs opportunities in the country. In relation to this, the Japanese society is adapting the one shot society where students are expected to find employment upon graduating otherwise they are likely to be thrown out of the market. With this understanding; that is, the Japanese lowering their uncertainty avoidance level while the Australians are in higher level, it is likely that the culture values in relation to uncertainty avoidance may become more similar. Japan has been a long term oriented society; however, with the increase of the aging society, there is a highly likelihood that it will shift to a more short term one (Hofstede and Minkov, p. 501). It is has been established that a high population of elderly citizens is likely to affect the few working people in years to come. As such, young individual may try to focus on the short term while the long term continues to be less striking. On the other hand, the Australian society is becoming more oriental in terms of long term orientation given that increased business activities requires more time to think on some decisions. As such, there is an increased convergence in both cultures as they adapt different values to tailor their growing needs. 3.0 Engaging Strategies 3.1 Rationale Understanding the current agriculture industry in Japan is indeed a significant issue to deliberate on while one is engaging with the country. Of important to note is the fact that while one is engaging with a particular country, it is important to lay down strategies that will not only assist in establishing a model that will allow flow of information but will also consider basic factors that are expected to be addressed such government involvement and financial impact. In addition to this, strategic considerations will indeed assist in mapping out the direction that one need to follow. 3.2 Strategic consideration Culture and structure play a significant role when one is engaging with a foreign country. This is attributed to the fact that there are changing conditions that will need to be adapted so that any business activities intended, thrives. It is also important to consider strengths and weakness of one’s workforce while making the strategic plans. This is attributed to the fact that there are differences when unskilled and skilled workforces respond to a change in a particular scenario. Still, company politics do play a huge role while a workforce is adapting to some changes. Competitive advantage is another thing to consider while drawing up a strategic plan. Indeed, it is expected that in every business opportunity any individual or company outdo the rest in the market. This includes in areas such as technology, key partnership processes and locations. Financial consideration is also a basic factor to consider when crafting strategies. It is obvious that in every organization it has to have effective financial stability in order to be sustainable. Therefore, it is important to consider one’s financial capacity before engaging with the intended activities. The goals and objectives are therefore, expected to be with a given budget. 4.0 Action Plan 4.1Short term and middle term goals It is essential for any individual who need to engage in a foreign country to understand the economic, customs and culture of the country to be involved. As such, this becomes a short term plan that will assist to generate the needed information before committing into the country. To be able to obtain the information, research is expected to be done; and this would call for a more and efficient ways- online research. In relation to this, a plan should be prepared in order to spell out the target country and the opportunities that are likely to be encountered. 4.2 Long term plan and inspiration Establishing a legacy is one of the long term plans. It is obvious that every individual may work towards something in order to create a lasting legacy. Indeed, starting an activity in Japan may result to a huge investment that may lead to an altruistic goal. Another plan is taking the activity public despite the fact that it may take years to do so. Indeed, it is argued out that for any activity to go public it must have had a strong financial performance to attract future investors. In relation to this, expanding into new opportunities is also of the ultimate goal 5.0 Conclusion Indeed, before engaging with a particular country there are basic issues that one is expected to consider as discussed in the report. This assist in ensuring that one has not only an easy way to relate but also ensures that one is well prepared academically to handle the expected. Work Cited; Dawe, D. and Timmer, C. Managing food price instability in Asia: A macro food security perspective, Asian Economic Journal 2007: 21(1): 1-18. Economist. Into the unknown . A special report on Japan. Tokyo: Economist, 2010. Hofstede, G and M Minkov. "Long versus short term orientation: new perspectives." Asia PAcific Business Review (2010): 16, 493-504. Hofstede, G. Culture's consequences; comparing values, behaviors, institutions and organization across the nations. CA: Sage Publications, 2001. House, R, et al. "Understanding cultures and implicit leadership theories across the globe: An introduction to project GLOBE." Journal of World Business (2002): 37, 3-10. Martin, W. and D. Mitra. “Productivity Growth and Convergence in Agriculture and Manufacturing”. Economic Development and Cultural Change 2001: 49(2): 403–422 Minkov, M. What makes us different and similar; a new interpretation of the world values survey and other cross cultural data? Sofia: Klasika i Stil, 2007. Sen, A. “A Decade of Human Development. Journal of Human Development”. 2000: 1(1): 17-23. Taras, V, B Kirkman and P Steel. "Examining the impact of culture's consequences: A three decade, multilevel, meta-analytical review of Hosfede's cultural value dimensions." Journal of Applied Psychology (2010): 95, 405-439. Timmer, C. 2009. “Reflections of Food Crises Past.” Food Policy, 2009: 35(10):1-11. Appendix Read More