Team 83: Japan

1. Joris Eeland Matt Pruente Regina Schraick Haiyan (Helen) Yao Team 83: Japan

2. JorisEeland Dutch Student at MIM Program at ESADE, Spain Education: MSc of international Management at ESADE, Spain international BA at Holland Work: Internship at Links International Hobbies: Tennis Part I: Team 83 HAIYAN (HELEN) YAO Chinese Student at Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration, Finland Education: MSc of International Management, Finland Bachelor of Business, Finland Bachelor of Chinese literature and education, China Work: AREA travel, Finnair group Hobbies: Travelling, Horseback riding, Portrait painting Regina Schraick Austrian Exchange Student at UC Irvine Education: Business Administration and Business Education at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration Work: part time at Palace of Schönbrunn Hobbies: Travelling, Movies Matthew Pruente Michigan Student at MSU, Michigan Education: MSc of Accounting BA of Accounting at MSU Work: last Summer – Royal Dutch Shell after Graduation: Pricewaterhouse- coopers Chicago Hobbies: Golf, Raquetball

3. Dominant Values • Source of Values • Confucianism • Masculinity dominate • Shinto, Buddhism, and Taoism • Japanese Business Values • Wa (Harmony) • Indirect expressions of ‘No’ • Kao (Preservation of Face) • Omoiyari (Empathy and Loyalty) • Respect for Elders

4. EXPECTATION–for Foreign Business people • Gaijin (The Japanese View of Foreigner) • Networking for Profit • Deal with Japanese on the First Meeting • Sending Delegations • Arranging the Meeting • Meeting the Company • Patience

5. BUSINESS PRACTICES • Rituals for Relationship Building • After-work drinks • Karaoke bars • Business cards • Process more important than outcome • Consensus Decision Making • Harmony • Confucian aspect of ´Face´ • Reputation • Hierarchy • Bowing • Seniority • Respective Roles • Commitment • Market Dominance • Long-term Strategic Planning

6. Behavior • Eye contact • Considered Impolite and Disrespectful • Personal Space • Highly Valued • Prefer Distance Between One Another • Strong Work Ethic • Strong Collectivistic Values • Karoshi • Death by Overwork • Communication style • Verbal: • Indirect Speech • No Direct Disagreement • Silence • Non-Verbal: • Minimalist and Impassive • Importance of Understanding True Meaning • Avoid pointing

7. Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions

8. Countries of Origin Vs. Japan Values Austria Lower power distance China Share the same root Tolerance is essential Netherlands Dutch society is more feminine United States Greater importance on individualism and equality More informality Business Practices Austria Similar Levels of Masculinity Unlike behavioral priorities China Mostly Similar Respect “face” and patience Create “guanxi” Netherlands More Equality Race, gender, origin, etc. United States Utilization of Resources Less Long-term Planning

9. Countries of Origin Vs. Japan Behaviours Austria Eye contact Increased closeness China Similar Indirect speech Implicit actions Netherlands Directness of speech United States Directness Privacy and space Expectations Austria Similar long-term relations Formal etiquette China State-owned companies Hierarchy and Long Term Chinese private sector Similar to Western Business Culture Netherlands Dutch do not alter signed deals United States Privacy, Liberty, and Timeliness

10. Verifying of Information • Business Practices • Progress is very important • Western greeting standards (handshake) • Behavior • Foreigners must read between lines • High commitment to company by employees • Dominant Values • Handling of religion leads to open-mindness • New influences through Western countries • Expectations • Long-term view essential • Establish relationships • Foreigners expected to try to understand culture

11. Training guide for AN EXPATRIATE in Japan Don’ts • Do not rush things • Take things slowly in the beginning • Understanding the real causes of problems • Joke if Unsure of Reaction • Stare at Someone • Assume Understanding • Bow or Say "san" After Name • Western standards are common • Be Afraid of Silences Do’s • Try to understand the Japanese Culture • Be Natural • Do not adjust too much • Listen Carefully • Read between the lines • Establish Relationships Before Negotiations • Maintain Harmony • Be decent and care about others • Be Prepared for Meetings

12. Team PROCESS • Overall a very smooth process • All team members were actively involved • Even with seemingly low commitment obligations due to the distance • Good teamwork • Able to trust one another’s research and have an informed discussion of the findings • Team members delivered as promised • Accomplishing the Task • Part II was the point of breakthrough for increased productivity • Able to exchange content and ideas and put topics in their respective locations within the presentation • Parts done in succession • Built upon one another, which strengthened previous slides

13. Team PROCESS • Points of Difficulties • Time differences • Establishing a meeting time • Internet difficulties • Establishing a common understanding • Means of resolving communication problems • Team members were flexibly • Constant e-mail communication • Discussed major points and not just findings • Ensured a common understanding before any delegation of research • Discussed each topic in length