Inter Cultural management- Unit VI Case Study Analysis Questions- Culture Shock Case Study Analysis
Explain the clashes in culture, customs, and expectations that occurred in this situation.
The clashes in the culture include the language barrier. In fact language was one of the cultural items that made them to start having issues about their relocation to Japan. Language barrier makes the children to be uncomfortable while at school because although it is said that in the school, there are bilingual classes, unfortunately the children are unable to speak Japanese language. Kelly also clashed with her Japanese staff because she did not understand that it is the nature of the Japanese people to work in the groups rather than individual presentations and assignments (Deresky, 2017).
Language barrier was such a big problem to them because even her husband was frustrated that he could not read the label on the food package and he was unable to prepare the food. There is also lack of understanding Japanese way of doing things. Because of this, she did not understand why the Japanese staff took a long time to complete their assignments but for the Japanese they were waiting for all their group members to fully agree on the mode of operation before they present their work to Kelly (Deresky, 2017). Kelly also did not understand the facial gestures and how one would handle himself or herself in business situations. For instance, she did not know that there are some topics in which the Japanese are uncomfortable about and they would never speak about these topics while they are in the public spaces. She did not know that the Japanese culture is strictly patriarchal and they consider and regard men more than the women.
Other customs that she forgot to remember was how one was supposed to handle themselves in the business dealings especially when someone hands you their business card. She assumed that not much importance is attached to the business card and because of these assumptions; she paid a hefty price on the same as she lost her contract. On the expectations, she thought that the apartment in which she was relocating to was a big one but unfortunately it turned out to be a small house that was uncomfortable to them as it had all of them crammed in one space.
What stage of culture shock is Kelly’s family experiencing?
Since Kelly’s family has just moved in to Japan and they had stayed there for the three to four initial months, it is safe to state that the cultural shock that Kelly is involved is the
Honeymoon stage (Deresky, 2017). The honeymoon stage maybe positive for some people because they are experiencing a new culture and they all want to see and tour the new places in the new country, but for Kelly, this stage of transition is proving to be harder than she had ever thought. It is clear that she had not prepared herself fully for this assignment (Deresky, 2017).
Honey moon stage is often accompanied with wonderful experiences and the employee will think that moving to another country probably was the best decision that they could ever have made. A honey moon stage is where the reality of moving in to another country has still not sunk in (Participate Learning, 2016). However, a further analysis of this case study shows that probably Kelly was not only in the honey moon but her inadequate to fully prepare for this assignment has led her to be confined to another stage of cultural shock. So within the first two months, Kelly is experiencing the honey moon and the frustration stage. It is true that the expectation that comes with being in the new country has already thinned off. At the start of the case study, it seems that she is about to make a decision on whether to remain and fight out the culture shock in Japan and get used to it or, it would make more sense if she would just return to the United States. However, the prospects of returning to the United States are not that friendly either (Participate Learning, 2016).
Turn back the clock to when Kelly was offered the position in Tokyo. What, if anything, should have been done differently, and by whom?
The powers that be and the bosses at her organization (The internet startup company) over-estimated her ability to quickly adapt into the new culture and get acquainted to the new job as fast as possible. It was a mistake that just because Kelly had excelled on the assignments in Germany and England, she would do the same in Japan. The company could have known that the situation in Japan is completely different and given her time to understand the culture.
More importantly, the company could have sponsored her to enroll in a Japan language class so that she gets to know the language and at least some aspects of the professional etiquette. Yes, the company gave her an apartment and even is willing to pay her a huge salary; however, they ignored an important part language training and cultural orientation. Kelly also seems as if she did not take enough time to research, at least on the Internet on different aspects of Japanese culture. The husband should also have been given more time not only to prepare but also get a new job in Japan. He entered Japan with a lot uncertainty. He should have taken time to evaluate his options and weigh them fully before accepting to move.
You are Kelly. What should you do now?
I will not give up and go back to the United States. Although, the United States is my home, the prospects of a better job there are slim. I will get through this and even enroll in Japanese language class. I can even befriend the local people and attempt to learn the culture from them. I will attempt to attend even some of the Japanese cultural festivities.
References
Deresky, H. (2017). International management : managing across borders and cultures; text and
cases. Pearson.
Participate Learning. (2016, February 19). The 4 Stages of Culture Shock. Medium; Global Perspectives. https://medium.com/global-perspectives/the-4-stages-of-culture-shocka79957726164
.png)