From: k3amichi@student.business.uwo.ca (Kentaro Nakamichi)
Subject: Re: Where are the Japanese
Organization: University of Western Ontario
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 19:33:05 GMT

I would expect that the ratio of Japanese to non-Japanese posters to this 
network would not be the same as the number of Japanese to non-Japanese 
paying attention to this network, simply becuase the Japanese are not as 
vocal (as a group, not trying to stereotype) than Westerners.  

Now that we are on this topic of cultural differences, let's get some 
discussion going.  I'm taking a course in International Management 
Behavior and we have an interesting framework to identify relevant 
differences in various cultures.  Various national cultures are explained 
on 4 dimensions: Power Distance, Uncertainty Avoidance, 
Individualism-Collectivism, and Masculinity-Femininity.

Power Distance indicates the extent to which a society accepts the fact 
that power is distributed unequally.  Small power distance cultures think 
that inequality should be minimized and that a hierarchy is simply an 
inequality of roles, as opposed to high and low status.

Uncertainty avoidance is the extent to which a culture feels threatened 
by uncertain and ambiguous situations.

Individualism implies a loosely knit society where people are supposed to 
take care of themselves (or their immediate families) whereas 
collectivism is characterized by a tight social framework where people 
distinguish between in-groups and out-groups.

The final dimension is masculinity-femininity, and represents something 
of a misnomer.  Masculine societies are those whose values are 
assertiveness, the acquisition of money, and not caring for others, 
whereas a feminine society emphasizes people and the ruality of life.

So where do countries fit in?

Power Distance: USA a bit lower than average
                Japan a bit higher than average
        This is fairly easy to understand.  Japan is a bit more 
        hierarchical in its culture.

Uncertainty Avoidance: USA somewhat weak uncertainty avoidance
                       Japan fairly strong uncertainty avoidance
        This is also easy to understand, especially looking at labor 
        practices, where Americans tend to change jobs and the Japanese   
        work under the lifetime employment system.  Apparently, a strong 
        uncertainty avoidance culture is also characterized by a strong   
        inner urge to work hard.

Individualism-Collectivism: USA the most indiviualist nation (out of 40)
                            Japan somewhat collectivist
        America's indivualism comes as no surprise.  What is intersting 
        is that Japan is not really all that high on the collectivist 
        scale.  Most South American and South-East Asian nations rank 
        much higher on the scale.  I think this may have to do with the 
        fact that South American nations and South-East Asian nations 
        often face a much more hostile environment which forces people  
        to stick together.

Masculinity-Femininity: USA somewhat masculine
                        Japan most masculine nation (out of 40)

        This one comes as a pretty big surprise.  There is competition 
        and aggressiveness in Japan but it is not extremely overt in my
        opinion.

Perhaps the fact that America and Japan differ on these scales have a lot 
to do with friction between the two countries.  Especially difficult tio 
grasp would be America's extreme individualism and Japan's extreme 
masculinity.  What's also interesting is that most cultures that are 
geographically close tend to exhibit similar tendencies which endure over 
all 4 scales, except for Japan, who found itself among South American and 
East European nations at times.

Any comments, feedback?  Do you think it's a decent framework to analyze 
cultures or is it all academic with little practical relevance?

Ken Nakamichi

k3amichi@student.business.uwo.ca (Kentaro Nakamichi)
Western Business School  --  London, Ontario