TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC THƯƠNG MẠIKHOA TIẾNG ANH ----ĐỀ TÀI THẢO LUẬN HỌC PHẦN: TIẾNG ANH THƯƠNG MẠI 1.1 TOPIC: WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WESTERN AND EASTERN CORPORATE CULTURE?. Nội dung c
Trang 1TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC THƯƠNG MẠI
KHOA TIẾNG ANH
ĐỀ TÀI THẢO LUẬN
HỌC PHẦN: TIẾNG ANH THƯƠNG MẠI 1.1
TOPIC: WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WESTERN AND EASTERN CORPORATE CULTURE? WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREPARE BEFORE JOINING IN ONE OF THESE TYPES OF
COMPANY?
Giảng viên hướng dẫn: Phạm Thị Xuân Hà
Hà Nội, tháng 09 năm 2024
Trang 2LỜI CẢM ƠN
Trong quá trình thực hiện đề tài, nhóm chân thành cảm ơn tất cả mọi người
đã tạo điều kiện để có thể báo cáo một cách hoàn chỉnh nhất
Chúng em xin chân thành cảm ơn cô Phạm Thị Xuân Hà đã tạo điều kiện và hướng dẫn tận tình về bài báo cáo cũng như cách thực hiện dự án của nhóm Chúng em hiểu rằng, do hạn chế về kiến thức và thời gian, bài báo cáo của chúng em có thể còn thiếu sót và chưa đạt đến yêu cầu cao nhất Vì vậy, chúng
em rất mong nhận được sự góp ý chi tiết từ cô để chúng em hiểu rõ hơn về những điểm cần cải thiện và điều chỉnh
Chúng em cam kết sẽ nỗ lực hết mình để hoàn thiện một cách hoàn chỉnh và chất lượng nhất Một lần nữa, chúng em xin chân thành cảm ơn sự hỗ trợ và chỉ dẫn của cô Phạm Thị Xuân Hà !
Hà Nội, ngày 01 tháng 10 năm 2024
Trang 3CỘNG HÒA XÃ HỘI CHỦ NGHĨA VIỆT NAM
Độc lập - Tự do - Hạnh phúc
Hà Nội, ngày 26 tháng 09 năm 2024
BIÊN BẢN HỌP NHÓM THẢO LUẬN
I. Thời gian, địa điểm, thành phần tham dự
1.Thời gian: 22h, ngày 09 tháng 09 năm 2024
2.Địa điểm: Phòng họp trực tuyến Google Meet
II. Thành phần tham dự: 5 / 5 thành viên nhóm 5
III. Nội dung cuộc họp
Sau khi nhận được đề tài thảo luận: What are the differences between
western and eastern corporate culture? What can you do to prepare before joining in one of these types of company?, nhóm tiến hành tìm hiểu các nội dung cần thực hiện
Tiếp theo, nhóm thực hiện việc phân công nhiệm vụ như sau
11 Nguyễn Thị Hiền (Nhómtrưởng) 23D170074
- Làm nội dung phần
“ Communication style’’ và ‘’
Indiavidualism and Collectivism’’
- Thuyết trình
- Chỉnh sửa word
- Làm powerpoint
12 Phạm Thu Hiền 23D170131
-Nhóm trưởng
- Làm nội dung “ Introduction và Social Hiearchy’’
- Thuyết trình
- Chỉnh sửa word
- Làm powerpoint
Trang 413 Phạm Vũ Ngân Hà 23D170072
- Làm nội dung Cultural Research ; Understanding the Management Style’’
- Thuyết trình
- Làm powerpoint
14 Lê Thanh Hải 23D170236
- Làm nội dung
“Work-Life Balance and Work Ethic; Employee Loyalty and Motivation’’
- Thuyết trình
- Làm powerpoint
15 Khổng Thị Minh Hồng 23D1701888
- Làm nội dung
“Communication preparation; Work-Life Balance’’
- Thuyết trình
- Làm powerpoint
IV. Kết luận
- Đạt được sự đồng thuận của tất cả thành viên trong nhóm
- Nhóm trưởng nhắc nhở 1 số lưu ý về yêu cầu của đề cương thảo luận, tài liệu tham khảo, cách thức đánh giá điểm và deadline của các phần
- Cuộc họp kết thúc vào lúc 23h30 cùng ngày
Nhóm trưởng,
(Ký và ghi rõ họ tên)
Hiền Nguyễn Thị Hiền
Trang 5MỤC LỤC
LỜI CẢM ƠN 1
BIÊN BẢN HỌP 2
MỤC LỤC 4
I Introduction Overview of Corporate Culture 6
1 Definition 6
2 Influence of National Culture on Corporate Culture ……… 6
II Differences Between Western and Eastern Corporate Culture 1 Social hierarchic……….7
2 Communication style 7
3 Individualism and Collectivism 8
4 Work-Life Balance and Work Ethic 5 Employee Loyalty and Motivation III How to Prepare Before Joining a Western or Eastern Company 1 Cultural Research 2 Understanding the Management Style 3 Communication preparation 4 Work-Life Balance 9
IV CONCLUSION 10
I Introduction: Overview of Corporate Culture
1 Definition of Corporate Culture
Corporate culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, and practices that shape how employees and management interact within an organization It encompasses the company’s ethos, work environment, and the way business is conducted Corporate culture can be seen as the personality of an organization, reflecting its unique character and values
Trang 62 Influence of National Culture on Corporate Culture
National culture plays a significant role in shaping corporate culture Different regions and countries have distinct cultural values and norms that influence how organizations operate While there are many factors that contribute to corporate culture, national culture is a particularly influential one
Western cultures, such as those found in the United States, Europe, and Canada, often emphasize individualism, competition, and direct communication
Organizations in these cultures may prioritize individual achievements, reward competition, and value open and honest communication
On the other hand, in Western cultures, such as those found in China, Japan, and Korea, tend to emphasize collectivism, harmony, and indirect communication Organizations in these cultures may prioritize group achievements, value harmony and consensus-building, and favor more subtle and indirect forms of
communication
Additionally, globalization and intercultural exchange have led to increasing cross-cultural interactions, which can influence the development of corporate cultures
II Differences Between Western and Eastern Corporate Culture
1 Social hierarchy
In Western corporate culture, organizations often adopt flat hierarchies that emphasize individualism and view leaders as facilitators who support and empower their teams This approach encourages open communication and innovation, allowing employees to take initiative and contribute ideas freely Leaders in such environments are seen more as coaches or mentors, guiding their teams rather than dictating orders This structure fosters a sense of equality and collaboration, where each team member’s contributions are valued and recognized Conversely, Eastern corporate culture typically features more hierarchical structures, where collectivism is highly valued, and leaders are seen as
authoritative figures who provide clear direction and maintain order In these environments, there is a strong emphasis on loyalty, respect, and adherence to established protocols Decisions are often made at higher levels and communicated down the chain of command, ensuring consistency and alignment with the organization’s goals This approach can create a stable and disciplined work
Trang 7environment, where employees work together harmoniously towards common objectives.
2 COMMUNICATION STYLE
Communication style is another area where Western and Eastern cultures differ significantly In Western cultures, people tend to value direct, explicit
communication, emphasizing individual opinions and assertiveness Messages are spelled out clearly, with little reliance on unspoken cues or context And
employees are more likely to express their opinions openly and honestly This type of company places more emphasis on clarity, transparency, and open dialogue The spoken word is seen as the primary means of conveying meaning
In contrast, Eastern cultures often favor indirect communication, relying on non-verbal cues, context, and subtleties to convey meaning , maintain harmony and avoid conflict These styles can often be more significant than the spoken words Negative feedback or criticism might be delivered more subtly or through intermediaries While Western cultures often considered low-context cultures, the other culture can be seen as high-context cultures Messages can be more indirect, and understanding requires knowledge of the broader cultural context This distinction can lead to potential misunderstandings between individuals from different cultural backgrounds, highlighting the significance of cross-cultural communication skills in our increasingly globalized world
3 INDIVIDUALISM VS COLLECTIVISM:
One of the fundamental disparities between Eastern and Western cultures lies in their orientation towards individualism and collectivism Western cultures, particularly those influenced by European traditions, tend to emphasize individual freedom, autonomy, and personal achievement
In the West, People tend to prefer formal meetings in which to engage in business activities While you’re at work, you’re working, and it’s fairly common for employees to avoid building close relationships with each other That said, the occasional office get-together provides the opportunity to bond through any mutual embarrassment that may ensue
Trang 8In contrast, Eastern cultures, such as those found in Asia, instead of keeping relationships strictly professional, personal sharing and the development of closer long-term bonds are favoured and encouraged There is a desire to form
relationships with colleagues Efforts to develop these relationships are
commonplace In Japan, for example, activities such as karaoke are a perfect example of after-work engagement between colleagues
As a result, Western societies tend to be more fast-paced and individualistic, while Eastern societies are more relaxed and family-oriented
4 Work-Life Balance and Work Ethic
4.1 Western countries
- Western corporations, particularly in Europe and North America, often place
a higher emphasis on individualism and personal fulfillment in their approach to work ethic
- In countries like the United States, the concept of the "Protestant work ethic" has historically shaped a culture of hard work, ambition, and success However, this ethic is often tempered by a growing recognition of the need for personal time and self-care, especially among younger generations
- Work-life balance is a more established priority in many Western countries, particularly in Europe (Countries like Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands have policies such as paid parental leave, mandatory vacation days, and shorter workweeks to promote a healthy balance between work and personal life)
- The concept of "flexible working" has gained traction in recent years, especially with the rise of remote work and digital technologies, allowing employees to integrate their professional and personal lives more seamlessly
4.2 Eastern Countries
- The principle of hard work and respect for hierarchy plays a dominant role Employees are often expected to prioritize the organization's needs over their personal lives, working extra hours or sacrificing personal time to meet business goals
Trang 9- "996 culture" (working from 9 a.m to 9 p.m., six days a week) is an example of this dedication in certain sectors like tech, despite ongoing debates about its sustainability and impact on employees' health
- Traditionally, work-life balance in Eastern corporations have been less prioritized, with employees expected to dedicate the majority of their time and energy to work
(This is largely due to societal values like collectivism, respect for authority, and a deep sense of duty toward one’s employer )
5 Employee Loyalty and Motivation
5.1 Western countries
- Western corporate environments emphasize individual achievement as a core motivator Employees are driven by personal goals, recognition, and a sense
of accomplishment
- Employees tend to prioritize professional growth and personal development over long-term loyalty to a single employer
- Companies often foster a results-oriented culture, where high performance leads to upward mobility and financial gains, thus creating a cycle of motivation through personal success
- As a result, job-hopping—the practice of changing employers frequently for better opportunities—is generally accepted and even encouraged in some industries
5.2 Eastern countries
Eastern corporate cultures, especially in Japan, South Korea, and China, place a high value on loyalty to the company This loyalty is often influenced by collectivist values, where employees see their success as intertwined with the success of the organization
- Staying with a single employer for the long term is seen as an honorable and desirable trait in many Eastern cultures Employees value stability and are
Trang 10motivated by the long-term security that comes with being part of an established organization
- Employees are motivated by the success of the team or organization, rather than individual achievements This collective motivation aligns with the broader societal values of harmony and teamwork
- Team-based rewards, company-wide bonuses, and group recognition play a significant role in employee motivation
III How to Prepare Before Joining a Western or Eastern Company
1 Cultural Research
- Study the Corporate Culture: Before joining a company, it's essential to research its corporate culture, especially if it’s based in a different country This will help you understand workplace dynamics and avoid cultural
misunderstandings For instance, Western companies focus on individual contributions and direct communication, whereas Eastern companies prioritize teamwork, indirect communication and respect for hierarchy
- Understand Social Norms, Values, and Etiquette: Different countries have their own sets of business etiquette For example, in Japan, bowing when you meet someone is a sign of respect, while in the U.S., a simple handshake is common Recognizing these social norms will help you adapt more easily
- Tips: Watch movies, documentaries, or read business books that reflect the corporate environment of the country This can give you a more natural sense of the culture in a relaxed way For example, watching movies like “The Social Network” can provide insights into American corporate culture, while
documentaries on companies like Toyota can offer a glimpse into Japanese corporate norms
2 Understanding the Management Style
- For Western Companies:
+ Develop Leadership and Independence: Western companies often encourage employees to take initiative and be self-reliant Success is often measured by how
Trang 11well you can manage projects on your own Show confidence and take
responsibility for your tasks without waiting for constant direction from your boss + Mentorship and Freedom in Problem-Solving: Managers typically mentor their team but allow them freedom in problem-solving Employees are expected to solve problems independently and use their creativity to find solutions
- For Eastern Companies:
+ Respect the Hierarchy: Eastern companies often have more formal hierarchical structures You need to understand your position within the company anh show respect for seniority and authority Pay attention to how your superiors communicate with you, and always address them with the appropriate level of respect
+ Traditional Protocols in Decision-Making: In Eastern workplaces, following protocols when making decisions is key It is important to get approval from higher-ups before proceeding with major decisions, and communication is usually more indirect For example, in Japan, it's normal to wait for approval from senior leaders before making a major decision This is quite different from Western companies, where decisions are often made more quickly and collaborative
- Tips:
+ To better understand workplace dynamics, consider creating a personal flowchart of the hierarchy and decision-making process This can serve as a roadmap for who to approach in different situations
+ Engage in cultural activities, such as participating in corporate events or team-building exercises This helps you integrate into the company culture faster and build strong relationships with your colleagues
3 Communication Preparation
3.1 Western Companies
- Practice Direct Communication: It’s important to feel comfortable expressing your thoughts and ideas clearly Practice stating your opinions and suggestions in straightforward language Role-playing scenarios can be helpful; for