Gung Ho Using Feature Films to Better Understand Cross-cultural Management Perspectives

Gung Ho Summary A small-town leader convinces a Japanese auto manufacturer to take over his town’s bankrupt auto plant. After the inevitable culture clashes, particularly over Japanese imposed work rules, the workers undertake a month-long “contest” to show that their individualistic American methods can surpass the best efforts of an auto plant in Japan. They succeed only after they embrace the communal approach of the Japanese. A small-town leader convinces a Japanese auto manufacturer to take over his town’s bankrupt auto plant. After the inevitable culture clashes, particularly over Japanese imposed work rules, the workers undertake a month-long “contest” to show that their individualistic American methods can surpass the best efforts of an auto plant in Japan. They succeed only after they embrace the communal approach of the Japanese.

Hofstede: Japan vs. USA Dimensions

Ethnocentrism: assumption made by all cultures of their inherent cultural superiority Ethnocentrism: assumption made by all cultures of their inherent cultural superiorityExamples: Chopstick incidents, communal bathing, softball game, group exercises, Union meeting- “who is better than USA… nobody”Chopstick incidents, communal bathing, softball game, group exercises, Union meeting- “who is better than USA… nobody” American car comment, views on American work attitudes, family responsibilitiesAmerican car comment, views on American work attitudes, family responsibilities

Individualism/ Collectivism Most prominent of the cultural dimensions Most prominent of the cultural dimensions Japanese Collectivist Japanese Collectivist Rite of Shame (Kazahiro need for group cohesion as essential to avoid failure – Idiocentric predisposition)Rite of Shame (Kazahiro need for group cohesion as essential to avoid failure – Idiocentric predisposition) Exercises imposed on workers at start of each day – including verbal reinforcements of unity Exercises imposed on workers at start of each day – including verbal reinforcements of unity Need for Job rotation – each person learns all jobs to work effectively as a team Need for Job rotation – each person learns all jobs to work effectively as a team Working as a team or unit is the only way to achieve a goal or success Working as a team or unit is the only way to achieve a goal or success Collectivist bathing ritual in stream. Collectivist bathing ritual in stream. Softball uniforms and pre-game warm-up. Softball uniforms and pre-game warm-up. Harmony and collective bonds important for team success Harmony and collective bonds important for team success

Individualism/ Collectivism US Individualism – Through Hunt Stevenson US Individualism – Through Hunt Stevenson No understanding of the Rite of ShameNo understanding of the Rite of Shame Decision to go to Japan alone “ to save town” Decision to go to Japan alone “ to save town” Labor meetings (Dinner) Labor meetings (Dinner) Emphasis on his ability to make things work (save his job)Emphasis on his ability to make things work (save his job) Baseball stories (individual succces for win,not team)Baseball stories (individual succces for win,not team) Ideals revolve around standing out, competing- values achievmnet, stimulation, hedonism – benefit themselvesIdeals revolve around standing out, competing- values achievmnet, stimulation, hedonism – benefit themselves Union workers Union workers Show up to get paycheque to support family, not to better the companyShow up to get paycheque to support family, not to better the company Quality considerations secondary – “for the dealer to worry about”Quality considerations secondary – “for the dealer to worry about”

Masculinity Femininity Japan – Masculinity Japan – Masculinity Culture strictly enforces seperation between family and business Culture strictly enforces seperation between family and business Denial of American workers request for children hospital visitDenial of American workers request for children hospital visit Dinner party and request for business discussion – Girlfriend’s lack of recognitionDinner party and request for business discussion – Girlfriend’s lack of recognition Kaz’s episode with son’s present/ wifeKaz’s episode with son’s present/ wife Upper management complete disregard for implicit request for employee to attend birthUpper management complete disregard for implicit request for employee to attend birth

Masculinity Femininity US Femininity US Femininity Frequent reference regarding not spending sufficient time with children while attempting to produce Frequent reference regarding not spending sufficient time with children while attempting to produce View of equal rights for men and women – women not simply to follow domestic chores View of equal rights for men and women – women not simply to follow domestic chores Hunt suggest girlfriend leave dinner meeting – chauvinism (cultural perspective) Hunt suggest girlfriend leave dinner meeting – chauvinism (cultural perspective)

Power Distance USA lower Power Distance USA lower Power Distance Implies assertiveness is acceptableImplies assertiveness is acceptable Union meeting- challenge to hierarchy of the local union Union meeting- challenge to hierarchy of the local union Constant direct challenges to both Japanese and American leadership Constant direct challenges to both Japanese and American leadership Hunt’s visit to Japan and the send off given to him by the fellow workersHunt’s visit to Japan and the send off given to him by the fellow workers

Power Distance Japanese High Power Distance Japanese High Power Distance Management training programManagement training program Men are being yelled at, criticized and physically abused yet they kneel in silence, heads bowed assuming their inferiority Men are being yelled at, criticized and physically abused yet they kneel in silence, heads bowed assuming their inferiority Extremely harsh criticism by top managers to boss – phone call at home Extremely harsh criticism by top managers to boss – phone call at home

Trompenaars Achievement/ Ascription: Achievement/ Ascription: Hunt’s discussion with Kaz regarding the problems with the GM nephewHunt’s discussion with Kaz regarding the problems with the GM nephew Neutral (J) vs. Affective (emotional): Neutral (J) vs. Affective (emotional): Hunt’s initial meeting with the board in JapanHunt’s initial meeting with the board in Japan Baseball gameBaseball game “I like you. You make me laugh”“I like you. You make me laugh” Specific (US)/ Diffuse: Specific (US)/ Diffuse: Work/late at home for Japanese workersWork/late at home for Japanese workers