Cross-Cultural Differences Michael Gregson Manfred Hlina Matt Holt Georg Klampfer Randi Roberts

Marino

JAPAN Name: Marino Toyokura Name: Marino Toyokura Language: Japanese Language: Japanese Role of women in the workforce: Role of women in the workforce: Payment is almost equal because of a lawPayment is almost equal because of a law Still discriminationStill discrimination Hiring: sometimes they don’t even ask women when they are applying for a job Hiring: sometimes they don’t even ask women when they are applying for a job Strong discrimination in government and the police  not many female police officers and politicians Strong discrimination in government and the police  not many female police officers and politicians

JAPAN In small villages thinking is very traditional, that seems like discrimination; “women has to bring the tea to the men”In small villages thinking is very traditional, that seems like discrimination; “women has to bring the tea to the men” Pregnancy:Pregnancy: 1 to 3 month period of rest (it depends on the company) 1 to 3 month period of rest (it depends on the company) Usually just 1 month Usually just 1 month In higher positions there are still more male managers, just a few womenIn higher positions there are still more male managers, just a few women But it’s changing now; there will be more and more female high positionsBut it’s changing now; there will be more and more female high positions

JAPAN Benefits provided to employees: Benefits provided to employees: VacationsVacations One week a year plus every month one day extra One week a year plus every month one day extra Working hours:Working hours: Usually from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. during the week Usually from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. during the week On Saturdays only from 8 a.m. – 12. p.m. On Saturdays only from 8 a.m. – 12. p.m.

Japan How managers treat their employees: How managers treat their employees: Treatment is still traditional Japanese: still one boss who decides everything; insured workers sit beside their working station, even if they are not able to work

Japan General management practices: General management practices: Distance/respect between younger and older people is very high

JAPAN What were your greatest difficulties in adapting to this (US) culture? First of all the languageFirst of all the language Bathing culture in Japan is different than in USA (first washing, than bathing for relaxing)Bathing culture in Japan is different than in USA (first washing, than bathing for relaxing) There is no public transportation in the U.S.; In Japan public transportation is everywhere (fast and cheap)There is no public transportation in the U.S.; In Japan public transportation is everywhere (fast and cheap)

JAPAN It’s hard to get liquor here und you have to show your ID; in Japan you are allowed to drink alcohol starting when you’re 20 years oldIt’s hard to get liquor here und you have to show your ID; in Japan you are allowed to drink alcohol starting when you’re 20 years old AC is too much here; in Japan there are intelligent ventilation systemsAC is too much here; in Japan there are intelligent ventilation systems

JAPAN Marketing Management Advice: Marketing Management Advice: Very important to know the culture (it’s very important to exchange the business cards: you give them with both hands and take them with both hands)Very important to know the culture (it’s very important to exchange the business cards: you give them with both hands and take them with both hands) More distance; they don’t like to touch each other; more privacyMore distance; they don’t like to touch each other; more privacy Friendship between workers is very importantFriendship between workers is very important Younger generations love western culture and style (celebrating the wedding in a church (usually there are Zen-Buddhists))Younger generations love western culture and style (celebrating the wedding in a church (usually there are Zen-Buddhists))

JAPAN Japanese are not very proud of their culture; they are ignorant (because of the island) Japanese are not very proud of their culture; they are ignorant (because of the island) Japanese think that western states have more and better technology Japanese think that western states have more and better technology But there are things that would never work: Wal-Mart and Ikea (because of the sizes) But there are things that would never work: Wal-Mart and Ikea (because of the sizes)

JAPAN Education: Education: Public universities are cheaper than herePublic universities are cheaper than here But it’s very difficult to get in these universities But it’s very difficult to get in these universities It’s easier to get in private universities, but they are more expensive than here in the USIt’s easier to get in private universities, but they are more expensive than here in the US At least $ 10,000,- a year At least $ 10,000,- a year You also have to pay for High SchoolYou also have to pay for High School About $ 300- For one semester About $ 300- For one semester Private Schools are more expensive Private Schools are more expensive

JAPAN Not many scholarships for universitiesNot many scholarships for universities But most people go thereBut most people go there Parents have to pay for everythingParents have to pay for everything When you apply for a private School you have to pay $ 2000, otherwise you are not allowed to take the application test; also when you failWhen you apply for a private School you have to pay $ 2000, otherwise you are not allowed to take the application test; also when you fail

Jean-Philippe Jean-Philippe is single:

FRANCE Name: Jean-Philippe Ravart Name: Jean-Philippe Ravart Language: French Language: French Role of women in the workforce: Role of women in the workforce: More and more women with key positionsMore and more women with key positions Still most of these positions are taken by men; e.g. CEOs Still most of these positions are taken by men; e.g. CEOs French government: 3 female and 20 male politicians French government: 3 female and 20 male politicians

FRANCE Benefits provided to employees: Benefits provided to employees: There are a lot of benefits:There are a lot of benefits: 5 weeks of holidays 5 weeks of holidays 35 hours / week 35 hours / week Lots of help: Christmas, Travelling, and Weddings Lots of help: Christmas, Travelling, and Weddings

FRANCE How managers treat their employees: How managers treat their employees: Very high power-distance between managers and employees (on the top of Hofstede’s list of distances between managers and employees)Very high power-distance between managers and employees (on the top of Hofstede’s list of distances between managers and employees) Also in a university you don’t talk to your professors like here Also in a university you don’t talk to your professors like here

FRANCE General management practices: General management practices: Management is more vertical than horizontal; there are more levels of management for decisionsManagement is more vertical than horizontal; there are more levels of management for decisions Everything you do will be controlled by a manager above youEverything you do will be controlled by a manager above you French are kind of arrogant: “we like the power”French are kind of arrogant: “we like the power” Not often teamwork, when there is teamwork, they try to eliminate the team membersNot often teamwork, when there is teamwork, they try to eliminate the team members French do not like to be proud, but they areFrench do not like to be proud, but they are

FRANCE What were your greatest difficulties in adapting to this (US) culture? What were your greatest difficulties in adapting to this (US) culture? LanguageLanguage In France everything is more formalIn France everything is more formal You have to wear perfect suites in business You have to wear perfect suites in business Everybody looks at you and judges you Everybody looks at you and judges you Food is much better in variety and tasteFood is much better in variety and taste

FRANCE Marketing Management Advice: Marketing Management Advice: Image of the brand is very importantImage of the brand is very important Image is power for the product’s ownerImage is power for the product’s owner The brand is more important than the product itselfThe brand is more important than the product itself People always complain about productsPeople always complain about products Customer service is much more difficult Customer service is much more difficult Take care what you advertise, because they will judge it when they see it Take care what you advertise, because they will judge it when they see it It’s hard to do research because there are so many different customer groupsIt’s hard to do research because there are so many different customer groups But when you have divided the groups it’s easy to target But when you have divided the groups it’s easy to target

FRANCE Education: Education: Everything is freeEverything is free No student limits on universityNo student limits on university Poor students get between $ every month for living when they are studyingPoor students get between $ every month for living when they are studying

ARGENTINA Name: Mariano Balcarce Name: Mariano Balcarce Language: Lunfardo (mix Italian and Spanish) Language: Lunfardo (mix Italian and Spanish)

ARGENTINA Culture of the workforce: Culture of the workforce: Argentina is a very European country. Their working laws are similar to those of Italy (35% of Argentina’s population), Spain (20% of population), German (20% of population), and French laws.Argentina is a very European country. Their working laws are similar to those of Italy (35% of Argentina’s population), Spain (20% of population), German (20% of population), and French laws.

ARGENTINA General management practices: General management practices: Unions are very strong, so once you’ve hired someone, it is very hard to fire that person. If you hire someone and they pass the 3-month period, you must keep that person for 2 years or pay double compensation.Unions are very strong, so once you’ve hired someone, it is very hard to fire that person. If you hire someone and they pass the 3-month period, you must keep that person for 2 years or pay double compensation.

ARGENTINA What were your greatest difficulties in adapting to this (US) culture? What were your greatest difficulties in adapting to this (US) culture? None in the Northern U.S.None in the Northern U.S.

ARGENTINA Marketing Management Advice: Marketing Management Advice: Do business with an open minded perspectiveDo business with an open minded perspective

ARGENTINA Education: Education: Education in Argentina is free, however every degree is seven years which is equivalent to a bachelors and masters in the United States.Education in Argentina is free, however every degree is seven years which is equivalent to a bachelors and masters in the United States.

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