Int 220 Module Two Assignment Template Complete This 898656

Int 220 Module Two Assignment Template Complete this template by replacing the bracketed text with the relevant information. Part One: Common Information for Each Country

United States

Country Selected for Course Project: United States

Government Type: Democratic Republic

Commonly Spoken Languages: English, Japanese

Commonly Practiced Religions: Christianity, Shinto

How to Greet Men and Women: Hello, Hi, Good morning, good afternoon; Handshake, smile, bowing

General Negotiating Styles: Forceful, explicit, legalistic, urgent and results-oriented; Impersonal and unemotional; Direct and to the point

Accept Business Attire: Suit and tie for men; Pantsuit or a professional dress/skirt for women (Formal); Dark colors are preferred, especially black or dark blue for both genders

Three Tips for Doing Business in Japan:

  1. Embrace the art of bowing—body contact is generally avoided when greeting.
  2. Take plenty of business cards—exchanging cards is vital for networking.
  3. Remove shoes easily—it's customary to take off shoes in homes and public settings.

Part Two: Hofstede Model of National Culture

For each of the six cultural dimensions, compare the scores for the United States and Japan, then analyze the differences:

  • Power Distance Index (PDI): U.S.: 40, Japan: 54 — Japan has a higher acceptance of hierarchical order.
  • Individualism Versus Collectivism (IDV): U.S.: 91, Japan: 46 — The U.S. is highly individualistic; Japan leans towards collectivism.
  • Masculinity Versus Femininity (MAS): U.S.: 62, Japan: 95 — Japan is more masculine, emphasizing competitiveness and achievement.
  • Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI): U.S.: 46, Japan: 92 — Japan exhibits a high need for rules and stability to manage uncertainty.
  • Long-Term Orientation Versus Short-Term Normative Orientation (LTO): U.S.: 26, Japan: 88 — Japan values long-term planning and perseverance, whereas the U.S. favors short-term results.
  • Indulgence Versus Restraint (IVR): U.S.: 68, Japan: 42 — Americans are more indulgent and permissive than Japanese, who tend toward restraint.

Part Three: Conclusions

Significant differences, such as individualism and long-term orientation, influence how business is conducted. The U.S., with its high individualism, promotes independent decision-making, faster results, and a results-oriented culture, whereas Japan’s emphasis on collectivism supports group consensus, long-term commitments, and hierarchical respect. This affects negotiations, leadership styles, and communication approaches.

The high power distance in Japan indicates a more formal hierarchical environment, requiring respect for authority and seniority. The stark contrast in long-term orientation suggests that Japanese businesses plan with sustainability and future generations in mind, instead of short-term profits typical in U.S. companies.

These cultural disparities imply that business expansion into Japan requires sensitivity to formality, indirect communication, patience in negotiations, and a focus on long-term relationships. Conversely, American companies may need to adapt to a more collective, hierarchical structure and emphasize trust-building and patience when entering the Japanese market.

References

  • Hofstede Insights. (n.d.). Country comparison. https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/
  • Hall, E. T. (1976). Beyond culture. Anchor Books.
  • Fletcher, R. (2008). Cross-cultural management: Essential concepts. Routledge.
  • Minkov, M., & Hofstede, G. (2011). The evolution of Hofstede’s doctrine. Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal, 18(1), 10-20.
  • Hampden-Turner, C., & Trompenaars, F. (1993). The seven cultures of capitalism. Currency Doubleday.
  • Trompenaars, F., & Hampden-Turner, C. (2012). Riding the waves of culture: Understanding diversity in global business. Nicholas Brealey Publishing.
  • Livermore, D. A. (2015). Cultural intelligence: Surviving and thriving in the global village. St. Martin’s Publishing Group.
  • Robertson, C. J. (2015). A practical guide to intercultural communication and cross-cultural competence. Routledge.
  • Gray, M. (2018). Negotiating effectively across cultures. Routledge.
  • Steger, M. B. (2017). Globalization: A very short introduction. Oxford University Press.

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