The German marketing manager of a major car producer was finding it increasingly difficult to work in Japan. In meetings, the Japanese colleagues hardly ever said anything. When they were asked if they agreed to his suggestions, they always said ‘Yes’’, but they didn’t do anything to follow up the ideas. The only time they opened up was in a bar in the evening, but that was getting stressful, as they seemed to expect him to go out with them on a regular basis. Please the following questions: 1. What is the main intercultural problem in this mini-case? 2. Please justify behaviour of the German and Japanese colleagues using main theories/models of intercultural management and communication that you’ve learned in this course. 3. How would you handle this situation if you would be in a position of the German marketing manager?
The German marketing manager of a major car producer was finding it increasingly difficult to work in Japan. In meetings, the Japanese colleagues hardly ever said anything. When they were asked if they agreed to his suggestions, they always said ‘Yes’’, but they didn’t do anything to follow up the ideas. The only time they opened up was in a bar in the evening, but that was getting stressful, as they seemed to expect him to go out with them on a regular basis.
Please the following questions:
1. What is the main intercultural problem in this mini-case?
2. Please justify behaviour of the German and Japanese colleagues using main theories/models of intercultural management and communication that you’ve learned in this course.
3. How would you handle this situation if you would be in a position of the German marketing manager?
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