1. Danika Dreslin, Daniel Lee, Koo Lee, Joe Tyson
Gung Ho 共和 Gr. 4
Work Together? Yes, we did
Danika Dreslin,
Daniel Lee,
Koo Lee,
Joe Tyson

2. Contents 1. Synopsis– by Danika 2. Cultural Dimensions
◆ Power Distance – by Daniel
◆ Neutral vs. emotional – by Daniel
◆ Individual vs. Collectivism - by Koo
◆ Career success vs. Quality of life - by Koo, Joe
3. Paradox & Closing – by Joe

3. Synopsis
A Japanese automaker buys American factory

4. Synopsis
American manager, Hunter Stevenson, plays the “diplomat” between the car plant’s line workers and the Japanese new management

5. Synopsis
American workers become disgruntled with the management style of Japanese culture

6. Synopsis
Two cultures find the way to meet the other’s needs in order to work for the greater good of everyone involved

7. Power Distance
Hofstede’s cultural Dimensions on Power Distance: The extent to which people accept unequal distribution of power in a society
Japanese is a high power distance country – accepting of an unequal distribution of power in society
Japanese training program:
middle managers kneel facing their superiors who stands on a platform
[Movie clip]

8. Neutral vs. emotional
Trompenarrr’s framework – people from neutral cultures communicates subtly, are hard to read, and avoid strong gesturing or facial expression
Hunter Stevenson makes his way to the conference room where he is to make his presentation to the executives at Assan
Japanese management wears poker face; silent when Hunter opens up the table for questions
[Movie clip]

9. Individualism vs. Collectivism
Collectivism: “Every man learns every job, then we are a team. No man is special”
Individualism: “Americans really like to feel special”
[Movie Clip]
Hi everyone, This is Koo. Another featuring cultural dimension in this movie is well known collectivism vs. individualism.
When the factory is running on the first day, two different cultures start to conflict.
Let’s see what is happening.
A Japanese manager pointed out nervously about the underbody painting of a worker. An American worker is already frustrated by the Japanese management style and asking what is different. Japanese manager replied that “Every~.”
That’s the very essence of collectivism which dominates most Asian countries.
This idea is also related to strong work ethic which represents Confucian Dynamism. Loyalty to the work and the company.
But Hunter takes aside Japanese manager from the worker and says, ”Americans~.” Everybody is different and special in America.
This is the essence of individualism. Everyone is respected by his/her own personality/characteristics.
Which one is better matched to mass-production, auto-industry?
Score:
Japan:
US:

10. Carrier Success vs. Quality of Life
An American worker wants to leave work early because his son is in the hospital having his tonsil out
[Movie Clip]
A Japanese manager stays in the factory while his wife is giving birth to a baby in the hospital
As we feel and learned, Japanese people emphasizes career success over quality of life more than Americans.
Let’s see two different scenes how Japanese manager and American worker responds to home affairs.
American worker wants to leave early due to his boy’s light surgery. He argues why he takes disadvantage of job evaluation because of this.
How about Japanese?
My Japanese classmates, can you help us to understand what’s happening?
Yes, He says he wants to stay on his job although his wife is giving birth to a baby.
To Americans, It may look workaholic but many Asian countries has attained superior economic growth
based on strong devotions to work. According to Hofstede’s research and my experiences, Americans are also diligent and strongly concentrated on their jobs.
However, if something happens in the family, that will be the first priority. In the movie, Mr. Kazuhiro learns that way.
That is also one of my attitude change while living here in America. I respect the American’s attitude to the family.
Let’s look into this dimension more with Joe.
Score:
Japan:
US:

11. Carrier Success vs. Quality of Life Masculinity/Feminity
Japanese women leave the dinner table when their husbands start to talk about the business
[Movie Clip]

12. Cultural Paradox
Mr. Sakamoto, Japanese president, accepts that the plant is six cars short, that the workers had come together as a team in working towards the goal
[Movie Clip]