Discussion 2 Mgmt

Read chapter 8, then read the following case and answer the questions followed

Background

As a homogeneous island people, Japanese culture is more cohesive and developed than most others. They share a language, a history, racial similarity, and cultural patterns that make it difficult for foreigners to understand or be part of their society. In yet other situations, Japanese and Americans are creating new cultural and social forms, cutting and pasting pieces to suit their own local contexts. 

The Case

American and Japanese college students were on a summer volunteer mission in Indonesia helping villagers replant foliage on mountainsides after a forest fire. After spending long, hot days replanting, they were also responsible for cleaning the camp van every evening. Their Japanese supervisors were senior students who insisted that the van be washed, vacuumed, and polished until it shone inside and out. It was tedious work, especially after a rough day laboring on the mountain.

One day because of the intense heat, all students were allowed to stay at the camp and didnt work with the villagers on the mountainsides. At 6:00 PM, the senior male Japanese students broke out beer and cards and told the Japanese women to go cook and all of the groups to go do their chores. The Americans in the group grinned and said, Lucky us, no chores! We didnt use the van today. Then the head senior male Japanese student got up in a fury and shouted at them not to be irresponsible, to go do their job. The angry Americans begrudgingly finished their beverages and went outside where they found the lone Japanese woman student in their group silently cleaning the van all by herself.

Questions for Discussion

1. Describe what is going on in the case.

2. How did the Americans probably interpret the situation?

3. How did the Japanese senior male students probably interpret the situation?

4. How did the Japanese woman student probably interpret the situation?

5. What can be done to bring about a common perception of what to do in this type of situation?

Pictures of Chapter 8 are attached.
please answer as: 1. …… 2. ……. 3. …….

Please don’t use any outside sources.
Pictures of chapter 8 are included.