“Leading in Japan and Europe”
“Leading in Japan and Europe”: For this topic, a self-selected case study of a Japanese company in Germany or a German company in Japan can be chosen. The case can be either be researched for within the academic and business educational literatureorbased on information on the company’s website. At least one theoretical concept of the course should be used to analyse and describe the case.
The project work is to be completed by individual assignment; no groups are allowed. The project thesis should have a length of approx. 12.5 DIN A4 text pages.
One recommended possible content structure is as follows: 1. Introduction; 2. Theoretical Foundations & State of Research; 3. Methodology or Case Description; 4. Results; 5. Conclusion & Limitations. Please also consult your previous course “Academic Writing” for more information on how to write an academic paper generally.
Sample Solution
An effective example of successful cross-cultural management can be found in the case study of Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., a Japanese electronics company that has been operating in Germany since 1969 (Sanyo, 2021). While this change in business strategy was seen as risky due to cultural differences between Japan and Germany, Sanyo’s thorough understanding of both markets allowed them to successfully implement their new venture.
By utilizing Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory (Hofstede, 2011), Sanyo was able to identify key differences between the two cultures, such as their collectivist vs. individualistic mindset and their high power distance scores. With this knowledge they were then able to adjust their strategies accordingly which included allowing German employees more autonomy in decision making processes while providing additional resources for collaboration between teams & departments. Additionally they invested heavily into training programs which allowed staff members from both countries to better understand each other’s cultural preferences thus facilitating smoother communication & operations.
Ultimately, thanks to these measures –along with strong leadership and an open mindedness towards learning new ways of working– Sanyo is now one of the leading suppliers of energy efficient technology products throughout Europe (Sanyo, 2021). This case serves as an excellent example how taking extra effort into understanding different cultures before entering foreign markets can lead to long-term success.
