Cultural Differences in Thailand, Japan, and Philippines Essays

Cultural Differences in Thailand, Japan, and Philippines Essays Cultural Differences in Thailand, Japan, and Philippines Essay Cultural Differences in Thailand, Japan, and Philippines Essay Thailand: This is a country that has a lot of aspects that could be considered great as a supervisor, but other aspects that might make it challenging for them also. There is a large number of high power distance in this society, which is part of how this culture views as normal because they accept that if you’re at a below and not above position then you can’t expect to be listened too. What Power Distance explains is that a particular society is willing to accept a certain inequality in power, this allows for the fact that there will be some who lead, others who follow. As a supervisor in this country we believe you probably wouldn’t be challenged much or ask for anyone’s opinion that was below you, but in fact just make sure they do their work or fire them, which might not inspire great work, but in the fashion of being in this country we believe adapting this way would be more effective then to be seen as a manager who asks advice because of it not being the norm there. When it comes to either being a â€Å"I† or â€Å"We† society, Thailand tends to be more of an collectivist in the sense that the culture values work and family relationships a lot and wants to get the job done together by working on it together until it is done. This society also values trust and loyalty a lot, which shows that lying and being dishonest is frowned a pond big time. Being a supervisor with knowing this would be great to know that the job probably will get done and effectively too, but in the flip side might be hard to decide who to fire because it a group worked so closely you might not know who to point the finger at. The future orientation of this culture is long term, which is said to be thrift and perseverance as big factors in how the society will continue to be in the future. These two keys words help as a supervisor to show that you have workers that will get thru their work and will make sure it gets done and then start on another job right after that one is done. Some random taboos in Thailand are touching of the head and pointing with your feet, because the head is viewed as the most sacred and feet the most dirtiest in this culture. Coming to be a supervisor to this country knowing the taboos and religions are a big way in understanding the culture because they play big roles resulting in values and customs. Japan: This is a country that is probably the most modern and also the most like the United States as far as wealth and technology goes. This is another country with a high level of power distance and they people here are programmed to be told what to do without saying a word after. This society doesn’t believe that women should have any power over a man and that most upper level business jobs women are secretaries or desk worker and not much above that. Workers feel that their managers or supervisors’ decisions are always right based on solely because of the power of their position. When it comes to eye contact is it very disrespectful to look someone above you in the eye in the idea that you aren’t listening to them or don’t care. As a supervisor in this country it probably would be similar to Thailand in the idea that your workers aren’t going to argue with you and will do pretty much anything you tell them to do without any hesitation. This could be a good or bad thing because it you value their opinions they won’t give them to you and if you like that then you will see results in their work because they don’t want to get fired. When it comes to outside work with families the kids are to honor and respect their parents without any question especially their elders and that the schoolteachers there are the ones with the last word and main ideas without input from students. Japan is considered a collectivism culture and the saying there is, â€Å"everyone gains when each member seeks to make the group more efficient†. This type of attitude shows greatly in the work and results that workers show in the work force. Overall, Japan is known to be one if not the top Asian country in respects to money, resources, and technology. Employees are in a way forced to share the same beliefs and attitudes to get the job done and not get fired. Similar to Thailand again in that Japan’s supervisors will see that what they ask to be done will get done with the help of people working together to get it done, but not because they agree with each other with the final draft, but as to not get fired. Recent generations have shown more individualism qualities then collectivism because of better economic times then generations past and many elders view newer generations as rude and disrespectful for having opinions or expressing one’s self out loud. Future orientation is viewed similar to Thailand in that between short or long term, this society is long term also. Japan workers like to get the job done with pace and then move on to another project to be viewed as a good worker. Overall, this culture is filled with new ideas and the old ways of viewing beliefs and values are rapidly changing with each generation and beyond. Malaysia: This is a country that probably is probably the worst out of the three to work at for the fact of how high the power distance is. Malaysia tops the power index at a 104, which means it has huge, huge gaps of inequalities. This is a country that is ruled with a lot of laws and rules that must be obeyed or punishment is most likely over being fired until you understand. When power is this high of difference there is usually a king or leader that tells the people how to be or what to do. Being a supervisor can be bad in the sense that if the workers that you look after don’t do their job you can be responsible and get punished for it. Punishment is looked at as a way to get a job done right and being fired as the worst being so many people are poor or jobless. Malaysia is a highly collectivist society and are raised at a young age to respect and not under mind authoritative figures or elders. Some rules to follow with working is that to not try to talk to someone above you without saying â€Å"Mr. † with their last name and also always address questions to supervisors or managers only and not someone in your same position. Showing frustration or emotion is looking down on and you need to never raise your voice if you have no above position. Shaking hands before meeting or after is usually fine in most countries, but here it is looked as rude and the best way is to have both hands open with a business card and study the card and then put it in your pocket. Again, being a supervisor here can be good in workers getting the job done, but if you’re a supervisor not knowing the culture then you probably will be looked as dumb and get fired from someone above you for being disrespectful and rude. The future for this society is still of probably being ruled with a leader and obeying and doing whatever someone with power tells them to do. The fact that this country has the highest power distance shows that they need better leadership and more equality among large areas. If you were a supervisor and came here from the united states the culture shock would be far more great then the other two countries mentioned earlier for the fact that the huge gaps of power would make you feel like you’re a Hitler type of supervisor because their power is great.