Download Unit 6 Case StudyColumbia Southern University Intercultural and more Lecture notes Accounting in PDF only on Docsity! Unit 6 Case Study Columbia Southern University Intercultural Management Unit 6 Case Study In the case study where Kelly travels to Japan for work, there are many things that seem to go wrong. There are many instances where cultures, customs, and expectations are misunderstood and turn into offense. Right off the bat, Kelly was put in a strained position because upon meeting her team, they were all shocked that she was a female. It is not customary for women to be in charge in that culture. When she met her team, her first interaction with the Japanese team members was very awkward. Then, she had asked all of her team to make presentations and the Japanese natives did not do so because they are not custom to making one on one presentations so quickly. They also were offended when Kelly tried making small talk with them by asking them about their families. Kelly then was put into an uncomfortable situation when meeting with a client who was Japanese native. The client gave her a business card and she did not look at it or return one to him, so he was offended immediately. She then was loudly asking him his name, and touching him on the back, trying to make light of the situation, which just ended up making thing more uncomfortable. Lastly, she gave her presentation, but when she asked for feedback all he said was it was good, which confused her when she did not hear from the client for weeks. Also, there was a continuous lack of acknowledgment for her. Most of her interactions with the Japanese men resulted in them directing their attention, eyes, and questions to her male assistant Peter, which made her feel unwelcome and uncomfortable. Kelly’s family is currently going through the irritability and hostility stage of culture shock. This stage comes after the honeymoon stage. This is where the reality of the situation begins to take its toll on the people involved. For example, Kelly’s kids have been complaining a lot about how they were unable to get any of their usual television programs to come up on their TV and could not understand the Japanese shows. Also, they were very unhappy at their new school since most everyone spoke only Japanese. On a different day, they were also complaining and fighting with each other because they were unhappy that they could not just go outside and play in the yard. Also, they were always complaining about how they had nothing to do since they were limited with space and items to play with. Kelly’s husband, Joe, was also struggling with the move since he was unable to find any contacts to help him find a job. He was also having a hard time when he has trouble finding his way to the supermarket, getting directions, talking to anyone, etc. Kelly went home one day and Joe was especially upset about not having enough room to cook comfortably in their kitchen, he could not understand the packing for what he was trying to cook. He was continuously concerned about how they would be able to stay living in the expensive city on only one salary. First and foremost, I think Kelly should have asked more specific questions about what all was going to be happening. For example, what the size of the apartment would be, what schools would be the best options for her children, etc. I feel as if Kelly did not ask enough, if any, questions about what all was included in this move. She should have been very curious about what kind of support she would have from the home team, if she were to need help with the adjustment. Also, she should have had a more in-depth conversation with her husband about what he would be doing and how he would be getting a job. I think she should have thought a little more about those important issues. She noted that her boss did not seem to be concerned about Joe finding a job, but she should have been. She should have assured that her salary would have been enough if he found himself unable to find a job. Another important thing that could have been done differently, is instead of having the company buy her house in the states, they should have left Joe and the children until she was able to secure the proper schooling and what
