Cultural Differences Between China and America

The comment of mcgjcn mentioned a name R. R. Gesteland. I research the name in Google and found some interesting resources on cultural differences (like this, and this). In all the works, Norihiko Shimizu’s paper “Today’s Taboos may be gone tomorrow”, Tokyo Business, February 1995, p.51. is a very frequently quoted materials in all MBA courses on International Marketing, and Cross-culture business. It was comparasion between Japan and American. I found many of the points also applies to China.

**Cultural Difference between Japanese and American Individual

Lifestyles**

American

A Culture of self-expressionJapanese

A Culture of Self restrainClear expression of Joy and sorrowAmbiguous of joy and sorrowUnequivocal expression of “Yes/No”.Equivocal expression of “Yes/No”.

Strong PersonalityWeak PersonalityPriority of self-interestPriority of harmony with others

*Source: Norihiko Shimizu’s paper “Today’s Taboos may be gone tomorrow”, Tokyo Business, February 1995, p.51. *

Cultural Differences between Japanese and American Business

American BusinessJapanese BusinessGame concept: Business is a game in pursuit of profits under the rules of laws and contractsMutual trust-oriented business: business is based on trusting relationship among people rather than the rules of gameEfficiency-oriented and approximate accuracy simplicity, clarity, and quicknessHighly precision-oriented and perfectionism-high dependency on human awarenessEasy layoffs, dismissals of employees, and selling of businessesJob securityLow mutual dependence between employers and employeesHigh mutual dependence between employers and employeesHeavy dependence on machinery and technology, vs. Light dependence on human resourcesHeavy dependence on human resources

This comparision answered many of my questions on effeciency v.s. diversity, why the way of doing business is so different cross the two continents.

P.S. Isaac shared Flickr photos with tag Einstein with Idea Factory China. It is so interesting - I am amazed more that how people follows the rule so well.