Are there Cultural differences in Chinese and American Negotiations - Essay Example

These cultural differences make negotiations between nations extremely complex. Negotiations between two nations with different cultural views need a specific agreement which suits both parties. For instance, negotiations between America and Chinese may prove to be difficult since the two countries have completely different cultural views. These cultural differences include the take on freedom of expression, collectivism and individualism, social structure, moral and values and business relations.

Since the two nations are among the trade super powers in the world, they must find a way to carry out these negotiations. This paper will highlight the cultural differences between the two nations and ways in which they incorporate their differences to carry out successful negotiations. The paper will also give a clear perspective on whether the negotiations are made out of will or out of circumstances. In an attempt to get a clear perspective of the entire theme, the following questions will be highlighted; how can Chinese corporate people respond or behave in a different way from American corporate people in international trade negotiations?

Are the experiences and outcomes of tension in negotiations similar for Chinese and American business personalities? Do Chinese and American representatives feel diverse levels of anxiety in international business discussions? Do Chinese and American representatives respond to anxiety differently? Firstly, the American negotiating culture is guided by the lawyers. Americans believe negotiation to be an activity in international relations while Asians believe it to be a provision of the paternalistic company heads to create lasting relations.

All American negotiators are bound with contracts or legal solutions, whereas customary Asian negotiators believe that relationships are the solution to a business and that contract are just written records of accord between people. Americans put these papers into perspective more than finding lasting relationships with individuals. With this difference the two nations may find it difficult to be bound by a legal document (Pervez, 2003).The Chinese also believe and want a relationship without the consent of legal documents while America on the other hand, insists on the legal approach of negotiations.

The American negotiation culture is the only culture that believes that liability can be allocated in advance through a written agreement. This is one of the numerous features of international negotiation that has grown to be normal, but it still hits traditional Asian negotiators as foolish- that Americans believe contracts binding even as the sales environment changes. Generally, Asian negotiators and Chinese to be specific believe that as the external position change, so must a corporate relationship.

Scores of Chinese partners have been puzzled and disappointed when their American counterparts begin waving a piece of paper in their face instead of taking action fairly and wisely to new market realism. This difference hinders many Chinese developers to negotiate with the Americans. The Chinese at most times feel that they are been treated unfairly and that their relationship is not trusted. On another angle, the Americans believe in the completion of negotiations while the Chinese consider negotiations as an eternal pact to business dealings.

Chinese believe that once one has