Gung Ho

1. Gung Ho Using Feature Films to Better Understand Cross-cultural Management Perspectives

2. Gung Ho Summary • A small-town leader convinces a Japanese auto manufacturer to take over his town’s bankrupt auto plant. After the inevitable culture clashes, particularly over Japanese imposed work rules, the workers undertake a month-long “contest” to show that their individualistic American methods can surpass the best efforts of an auto plant in Japan. They succeed only after they embrace the communal approach of the Japanese.

3. Hofstede: Japan vs. USA Dimensions

4. Ethnocentrism: assumption made by all cultures of their inherent cultural superiority Examples: • Chopstick incidents, communal bathing, softball game, group exercises, Union meeting- “who is better than USA… nobody” • American car comment, views on American work attitudes, family responsibilities

5. Individualism/ Collectivism • Most prominent of the cultural dimensions • Japanese Collectivist • Rite of Shame (Kazahiro need for group cohesion as essential to avoid failure – Idiocentric predisposition) • Exercises imposed on workers at start of each day – including verbal reinforcements of unity • Need for Job rotation – each person learns all jobs to work effectively as a team • Working as a team or unit is the only way to achieve a goal or success • Collectivist bathing ritual in stream. • Softball uniforms and pre-game warm-up. • Harmony and collective bonds important for team success

6. Individualism/ Collectivism • US Individualism – Through Hunt Stevenson • No understanding of the Rite of Shame • Decision to go to Japan alone “ to save town” • Labor meetings (Dinner) • Emphasis on his ability to make things work (save his job) • Baseball stories (individual succces for win,not team) • Ideals revolve around standing out, competing- values achievmnet, stimulation, hedonism – benefit themselves • Union workers • Show up to get paycheque to support family, not to better the company • Quality considerations secondary – “for the dealer to worry about”

7. Masculinity Femininity • Japan – Masculinity • Culture strictly enforces seperation between family and business • Denial of American workers request for children hospital visit • Dinner party and request for business discussion – Girlfriend’s lack of recognition • Kaz’s episode with son’s present/ wife • Upper management complete disregard for implicit request for employee to attend birth

8. Masculinity Femininity • US Femininity • Frequent reference regarding not spending sufficient time with children while attempting to produce 15 000 • View of equal rights for men and women – women not simply to follow domestic chores • Hunt suggest girlfriend leave dinner meeting – chauvinism (cultural perspective)

9. Power Distance • USA lower Power Distance • Implies assertiveness is acceptable • Union meeting- challenge to hierarchy of the local union • Constant direct challenges to both Japanese and American leadership • Hunt’s visit to Japan and the send off given to him by the fellow workers

10. Power Distance • Japanese High Power Distance • Management training program • Men are being yelled at, criticized and physically abused yet they kneel in silence, heads bowed assuming their inferiority • Extremely harsh criticism by top managers to boss – phone call at home

11. Trompenaars • Achievement/ Ascription: • Hunt’s discussion with Kaz regarding the problems with the GM nephew • Neutral (J) vs. Affective (emotional): • Hunt’s initial meeting with the board in Japan • Baseball game • “I like you. You make me laugh” • Specific (US)/ Diffuse: • Work/late at home for Japanese workers