Cultural Aspects of Moving to Japan Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Kellys Assignment in Japan - Case Study ExampleBased on the information given in the case domain there could be identified several clashes in cultural customs and expectations. The branch clash in cultural customs and expectations has occurred when Kelly and her family arrived in Tokyo and saying their new apartment. Despite a high rent price, their new apartment was very tiny that they could hardly move fit in their personal belongings. This was the first big disappointment for the whole family. The second clash in culture customs has occurred when Kelly exchanged the handshake greetings with Japanese colleagues. In Japan bowing and presenting calling cards are absolutely subdue and expected forms of greeting. Moreover, the formalized exchange of business cards is the whole ritual in Japan, called the meishi (Gesteland, 2005). A handshake is appropriate for Europeans and Americans, but not for Japanese (Reisinger, 2009). The Japanese bow is an important aspect of non-verbal com munication, which represents respect, personal humility and social harmony (Nixon & West, 1995).The fact that the new boss was a foreigner, and more importantly a woman was another serious clash in cultural customs, as in such culture as in Japan with high masculinity index, woman-boss and foreigner is a foremost difference (Solomon & Schell, 2009 Yoshida, Yashiro, and Suzuki, 2013). Another clash has occurred when Kelly asked the teams to prepare presentations. The Japanese were reluctant to preparing it as they perceived that theme commitment was required for it. This behavior can be explained by differences in context orientation, as Americans have individualistic orientation, while Japanese group orientation (Reisinger, 2009).