Professional Documents
Culture Documents
What obvious cultural differences between Nomura and Lehman do you see in this situation ?
First and foremost, the reorganization of Lehman by Namura has led to several consequences
of the policy of the company. Lehman’s employees have to adjust their working environment
policy to the Namura’s working environment policy which could prove to be constraining.
We can also observe that there are numerous occasions where there are issues that resulted in
the workers feeling extremely uncomfortable as a result of being pressurized deeply at work.
This could include the dressing code for the women whom have to adjust from the dressing
code in Lehman where their attire choices are based on climate or 4 different seasons to the
company that is captured by Nomura which demanded them to not go to the office with attire
that seems disrespectful to the people around them. As a result, an unconducive and hostile
working environment that is bound to make the women workers feeling uncomfortable in the
long haul. Furthermore, we can observe that there is a gender discrimination that took place
in those two companies. There are no specific rules for men during work but for women the
rules are very inhumane that they never take their attire choices for consideration and have to
adhere to a specific set of rules. In other cases, we can also observe that the issues faced are
handled differently between those two companies. It is understood that the quality of work in
Lehman falls from time to time till the progress remain stagnant while the workers are often
fired by Namura for profitability. Lastly, Namura is accentuated more towards being
relationship-oriented especially with the colleagues.
What global attitude do you think characterizes Nomura ? Be specific in your description. Do
you see any evidence of that changing ?
As we can see from the beginning, Namura initially practises ethnocentric attitude where they
believe that their own home ground workers are able to understand the whole system needed
in the working environment which could include career background, skills, ability to run
business well and knowledge to solve impending dilemmas. After some time, their businesses
evolved to geocentric attitude where the focus is towards the worldwide ideas and strategy.
The Japan-based company Namura expanded their businesses to Europe and Asia and even
sent the head of global investment banking to London and global of equities to New York.
Do some cultural research on Japan and the United States. Compare those cultural
characteristics. What similarities and differences exist ? How might these cultural differences
be affecting the situation at Namura ?
1. Japan focuses collectivism whereas the United States is heading more towards
individualism.
Appreciation of work, loyalty and dedication during work are widely practised among
the Japanese workers whereas the Americans are more towards self-achievement
oriented and that there is a possibility of hoping from one job to another for their
advance career and their personal spiritual growth.
The value of discipline is highly regarded among the Japanese where following the
schedule and rules are concerned.
2. Japanese are known to be more formal as compared to the Americans.
During the conversations with the others, the Japanese converse to one another in a
formal tone at the same time maintaining some distance to signify respect towards the
person
For Americans, they speak in a friendly manner and could continue for lengthy gossip
with the others as long as something intrigue them.
3. In terms of self-image, the Japanese are more upfront about them compared to the
Americans.
The Japanese are never ashamed about the mistakes they have committed and learn
from them quickly whereas the Americans tend to supress all their pitfalls to
themselves, leaving everything unexpressed.
When things go wrong, the Japanese would make the first move of acknowledge them
whereas the Americans tend to the blame from one to another continuously before an
ideal solution is found.
4. In terms of getting things done, the Japanese focus on consistency whereas the
American focus on getting things done as quick as possible.
The managers as well as subordinates of the United States generally possess
information and decision quicker but tend to make mistakes in the process due to
hastiness.
The Japanese are very systematic and consistent where solving specific issues are
concerned.
6. The Japanese are homogeneous culture oriented whereas the Americans are highly
dedicated towards the heterogeneous culture.
For Americans, they emphasize ideas with different kind of different background that
could come in so many forms since the American companies consist of various of
different nationalities.
Japanese workers have the ability to understand and communicate with the others
through non-verbal communication, in other words, by body language itself.
7. In terms of lifestyle, Americans appreciate personal life whereas Japanese are
dedicated towards their professional life.
Americans strongly place work-life balance and family time as priority.
Japanese see their careers as god and see their professional life as the centre of their
spiritual and innovation development.
8. Skill training for the Japanese is more progressive as compared to the Americans.
Job rotation is necessary for the Japanese in order to produce competitive workforce
in the society.
The Americans generally rely other programs for training, though the training is
stagnant and not demanding.
10. American workers are straightforward when it comes to expressing point of view,
criticisms, praise, anger and dissatisfaction whereas the Japanese workers are very
subtle and that leave the workers wonder if they are receiving praise or criticism in
doing a specific task.
Americans are generally more outspoken with their body language, and usually their
eye contact towards the another when speaking with someone which is a complete
opposite to the Japanese who see such act as ill-mannered and inhumane.
Japanese are generally more prudent with their words when talking to someone
whereas the Americans just speak out regardless of what the others think which could
hurt someone harshly in the process without them knowing about it.
11. Working style among the Americans are more flexible and lenient whereas for the
Japanese they are more organized and structured.
Working hours for the Americans can be adjusted over time subject to the workers’
flexibility of schedule.
They generally obey office hours rule which requires them to work from day to night,
including the weekends. They placed the working hours as their significant
importance in their work.
What could Nomura managers do to support, promote and encourage cultural awareness
among employees? Explain.
1. Celebrate different festive seasons.
This is one of the best ways to acknowledge their presence in the workplace at the
same time appreciating their contribution to the company. Other races could join with
the specific races during the holiday break to celebrate with full of joy. Deeper
understanding of cultures and background could be as a result.
What do you think the statement “When your business is global, management needs to be
global” is saying ? In your opinion, is Nomura doing this ? Explain.
In order to expand the businesses well without many hindrances, we must be able to have an
open-minded mindset by learning to see through the perspectives of the others. Parochialism
is the attitude that must be demolished at all cost if the businesses are to be global as such
behaviour is egocentric and only thinking that own ideas are always better than the others or
thinking that others could not do a better job than you do. In order to be moving towards the
world-oriented view, a geocentric attitude must be mastered by the colleagues of the
company that allows open ideas and corporation with different parties worldwide at the same
time deciding if the decision made is the best for everyone or otherwise. Nomura has adopted
this attitude well until some colleagues were sent to London and New York.