Culture and Doing Business in Japan

Résumé du document

Usually when companies' think of having a good market share in their home market they try to develop the company in a foreign market. This process of internationalization is important for the company to develop its potential market for several reasons (market is saturated, develop new product and new market, be more profitable, politic of expansion and take value of foreign labour cost). This policy of internationalization of their operations develops cross cultural negotiations. In fact, there are a lot of different factors which have an influence in doing business in foreign countries (culture, language, norm and values). For example, the importance of religion is a specific factor which influences how to do business in some countries (Islamism in Arabian country). That is why we have to know how culture can affect international business.

Extraits

[...] Manage the time Doing business quickly in Japan is not very appreciated for the development of the future activities. For a European company, the main difficulty of the Japanese market is not to penetrate there, but to stay there. In western companies, the horizon time is situated rarely beyond five years. Japanese's Companies register its action in the long term: 10 years years which is the same for negotiation. Thus, to work well in Japan, it is necessary to show patience and perseverance. [...]

[...] All the countries have also a particular politic system. These systems have a high influence on decision making to work or know with the system. We can identify two systems, democratic and totalitarian. The democratic system can be defined by a Political system in which the citizens exercise their sovereignty that represents the major party of the world political system. The second one is the authoritarian system is a political system established and maintained by the political power concentrated in the hands of only one group. [...]

[...] For example in Japan we need to explain the smile that can have two different meaning, happy and unhappy. In the world most of the ethical systems are driven by the religion. There are more than 1.000 religions in the world. But four religions are dominant, Christianity with billion adherents, Islam 1 billion, Hinduism 750 millions and Buddhism 350 millions adherents. Furthermore there are much other religion like Judaism. That is why, the companies need to be adaptable for each religion. [...]

[...] As a conclusion the cultural factor for making business is very important. Understanding rituals and behaviours is essential to doing business in foreign countries especially in Japan. All the comportments are driving by culture. It is essential to understand that culture is specific for all regions or countries. Japan culture is very special, so there are some important factors to respect in order to have good relation. In Japan you need to do an indirect approach for insuring security. Secondly you need to be aware that relation is the most important before to make business. [...]

[...] In Japan exchanging business card is important for the first meeting. It would be appreciate having to face, one in home language and other one in Japanese. It is important to give and receive these cards with the both hand. Study your interlocutor's card during few second will be very appreciated and respectful. For example to ask witch name is the family name. In order to build a long relation, it is current to give some present typical of your region. [...]