Cross-Cultural Business (Research Paper Sample)

Cross-cultural Business
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1.
We have distinct cultural differences between the business culture and etiquette associated with the Japanese and the British culture. They include:
Getting straight to business
Unlike the British culture, the Japanese prefer to get straight into the business talk. They want the business talk to start and most times even greetings are a 'luxury to them. The British prefer 'small talk' before you start to lay business plans and this may last for a few minutes which is considered a waste of time for the Japanese.
Keen emphasis on an astute professional understanding
The Japanese can go for hours trying to understand your professional background before you pitch your idea as mentioned by Carraher (2014, pp.9). To them, this gives you an upper hand in case you are professionally qualified with many years of experience in whatever you are trying to put across to them.
Preference of word of mouth overwritten
The British will try to convince you into signing a binding written agreement. They consider this very important and they usually introduce it at the beginning of any business conversation. The Japanese consider the word of mouth sufficient enough to kick start a business partnership.
Preference to deal with people of the same rank
For any business talk to be successful in Japan, your company needs to send people of the same rank to whoever you will be negotiating with. The Japanese take this as a very important aspect and feel demeaned when you send a person of a lower rank. Negotiation breakdown occurs in such a situation and it may take a while before they accept anything to happen between the two companies.
Elaborate how the product enhances the standing and success of the person
In Japan, they look at how the product to be introduced or offered will impact their standing among their peers ensuring their success. This is unlike the British who put their company ahead of their reputation. However, in terms of how they present themselves in the 'Meishi' a name for business cards, they put the company name ahead of their name and this is important in presenting your business card during your negotiations Rugman et al. 2006, pp.7).
2.
The Scottish engineer undermined the ranks of the managers in a way that he got on their bad side. The Japanese emphasize on ranks and the act of offering the 'Meishi' in order of rank may seem an insignificant but important one.
3.
The Scottish firm should have:
Learned about the Japanese business culture
The Japanese consider their business culture very important and are never prepared to compromise on it. The Scottish firm should have gone into detail on how the culture is in Japan making sure to exhaust everything and adhere to it.
Prepare the engineer accordingly
They should have taken hours and hours prepa