Group I-BA504

Cultural Dimensions

Cultural Dimensions of Group members:

Japan
1.Individuallism-Collectivism.

Japan is a more collectivism

culture that avoids risks and
shows little value for personal
freedom. These Japanese
individuals seek to identify
themselves by association with a
particular social group.
Japan has recently shown a rise
in the level of individualistic
values and an accompanying
decrease in 'traditional' group-oriented ones. The evidence suggests that the
Japanese have not remained impervious to factors such as rising levels of
environmental complexity that increase individualistic values, orientations and
behaviors.
Table 1 : Individualism Ranking of Score
Rank Country Score
1 USA 91
2 Australia 90
3 GBR 89
4 Canada 80
22 Japan 46

2.Power Distance.
Score at 54,Power Distance Index is relatively high in Japan. People living in Japan
who are less powerful depend on the powerful people insights of what is right or
wrong. Furthermore, the citizens feel that the decisions of their employers are
correct because of the power an individual encompass. In the workplace those
with less power are too afraid to express their idea or disagreements with their
bosses. Japan citizens view role and status hierarchy as normal. They do not wish
for the participation from their employees. Not only is power distance is affects
the individuals attitudes in the work place, but at home and school as well.
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Cultural Dimensions

3.Uncertainty Avoidance
These countries have very high score at Uncertainty Avoidance (92). Countries
high in uncertainty avoidance display such traits as strict laws, security measures,
discomfort in unstructured situations, a tendency to shun ambiguity, and high
emotional expression. They prefer rules,plans and routine. In Japan, people are
less willing to take risks and security is a powerful motivator. The Japanese are
also very detail-oriented, another example of uncertainty avoidance.
As indicated by their high score in collectivism, the Japanese are seekers of
harmony. This peaceful orientation is emphasized by their tendency to avoid
ambiguity. For example, in decision-making, the most direct, simple solution is
often sought. To avoid unstructured situations occurring, there is more pressure
to conform to group norms in order to maintain maximum cohesiveness.One
study revealed that Japanese students consider answering a question in class a
highly uncertain situation, and accordingly avoid doing so unless they are certain
of the answer or there is clear group consensus.

4. Masculinity-Ferminity

Japan ranked highest in the world, with a 95 Masculinity (MAS) score. In high
mascuminity (MAS) countries, we fnd small families in wealthy countries;
segregation of the sexes in higher education; and lower percentages of women in
professional and technical jobs. High MAS societies pay women less, even though
a large percent of women may work. In a chart on workplace differences, lists
as the first trait of low MAS countries that people “work in order to live,” whereas
in high MAS countries, people “live in order to work.”
The Japanese’s masculinity index proves to the rest of the world that even though
they are a small country (land wise), with these traits, they have very efficient
productivity due to their strict rules of the business culture to achieve their goals
and make their mark in the business world

5.High context-low context

Japan and most Asian countries are classified as high-context cultures. This
means that people in these cultures emphasize interpersonal relationships. And
people in these cultures are less governed by reason than by intuition or feelings.
Words are not so important as context, which might include the speaker’s tone of
voice, facial expression, gestures, posture—and even the person’s family history
Group I-BA504
Cultural Dimensions

and status. A Japanese manager explained his culture’s communication style to

an American: “We are a homogeneous people and don’t have to speak as much
as you do here. When we say one word, we understand ten, but here you have to
say ten to understand one.” High-context communication tends to be more
indirect and more formal. Flowery language, humility, and elaborate apologies
are typical.

6.Monochronic-Polychronic

Because punctuality also reflects other values, such as concern for the other
person and humility before someone else's efforts, the Japanese are more or less
very punctual; certainly, you should be. Nevertheless, in the big picture, it is
difficult to say that the Japanese are monochronic (subordinate to time), because
in Japan, as with all traditional Asian cultures, time has historically stood in the
background to immediate personal relationships; even in modern-day Japan, this
is certainly still the case. Things will take the time they need to take, and the clock
is not the ultimate arbiter of what occurs and when.
Polychronic time use is more dominant in Japanese.