CULTURE CLASH

Culture Clash

Culture Clash

Introduction

This article presents examples of culture clashes in global joint ventures and shows how to overcome them. As organizations expand their business globally, they are faced with cultural differences in individual, organizational, and national cultures (Elashmawi, 1998). Typical daily clashes are highlighted among American, Japanese, Asian, and European managers during routine business activities such as business meetings, presentations, and technology transfers. The uniqueness of each culture is compared and contrasted during such processes.

Discussion

Martin McDonald, American president of an Indonesian telecommunications joint venture, stares in dismay at a letter of dismissal sent to him by the board ...