Discuss power distance, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity- femininity, and long- versus short term orientation dimensions of culture, and how these affect intercultural communication.
Response .
United State and Japan are two giant powerful economies in the pacific region (Cooper, 2010). Although both countries have similar economic status, each country has developed their own unique cultural values. In order to understand the similarities and differences across culture between these two countries, Hofstede's cultural dimensions which consist of power distance, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity-femininity, and long- versus short term orientation can be used to compare the leadership and management of the both countries.
Although United States and Japan have had freedoms aware of intercultural interaction since World War II, there still exist communication problems between the two cultures.
Firstly, this essay will explain the Hofstede's cultural dimensions between Japan and United States. Secondly, this essay will focus on how these two countries affect the intercultural communication in cooperating. Lastly, it will focus on how the Hofstede's dimension can be applied to intercultural communication in Japan and U.S society.
Intercultural communication can be applied by Hofstede's cultural dimensions for both Japan and United States. Power distance is a way to explain how the culture deals with inequalities in society (Jandt, FE 2007). Japan is regarded as a country with high power distance tend to believe that power and authority are facts of life (Geert-hofstede.com, 2014). The culture teaches their people that they are not equal in this world. The people with no authority tend to have respect, or fear of the people who are stronger or older. There is a word called "honne and tatemae " to avoid confrontation, caused by rejection, or criticism. "Tatemae " is social lies and verbal sound that is not meant to convey information, but to maintain good feelings through the avoidance of pressure.