Culture in Japan – Meeting potential business partners

Description Scenario: a multinational hotel chain wants to look into investing in Japan. They have asked you to write a brief for the team that will travel there for the first time to meet potential partners. Using theory and your critical analysis of the country and its people, present that country’s cultural profile, explain what determines certain behaviours, their beliefs, cultural norms and taboos, and any additional factors that might impact the first meeting with the local partners. Explain what the risks and advantages are of investing in that country. Assessment criteria for the assignment: • Varied sources (theory) for both the socio-cultural and economic aspects related to the country, critically analysed; • Structured and targeted advice for the in-coming team; • Clear, logical structure and flow of arguments, good writing and within the word limit. – Use a variety of sources for cultural theory and specific information on that country (in terms of behaviour, working relations, attitudes, beliefs). – You may want to consider for instance how the economy impacts on people’s behaviour – ask how that then will have consequences for the hotel chain (i.e. consumer behaviour, HR practices, management in general). Do not limit your knowledge to what you find in books/ articles – show how your experiences reinforce or disprove some of the literature. Make sure that your advice for the visiting team is targeted and clear. – This isn’t a simple SWOT / PESTL analysis of the economy of the country – it should be advice that the team needs to know before engaging in business with the locals, so highlight the most important points that could influence the future business deals;