A Comparative Study Of American And Japanese Corporate Cultures In The View Of Chinese Employees

Purpose－The paper, based on Fons Trompennars and Charles Hampden-Turner'sclassification of corporate culture, aims to understand the similarities and differencesbetween American and Japanese corporate cultures. Because American and Japanesecorporate cultures are typical representatives in the world with quitedistinctively-featured corporate cultures originated and developed from differentsocial cultures. Analysing and comparing the two ones would benefit greatly inconstructing Chinese-style corporate culture.Methodology－This paper is incorporated with the combined research method ofinterviews (qualitative research), together with documents study. Interviews weredivided into two categories. Category1 consists of 15 Chinese staff from 3Japanese-funded companies, while category 2 consists of 15 Chinese staff from 3American-funded companies. Through the interviews, the latest first-hand materialscan be obtained and we can generalize the differences and similarities betweenAmerican and Japanese corporate cultures. The reason why I adopt this researchmethod is because interview can furnish live and vivid cases for documentaryresearch and close to reality. While documentary study provides mighty and forcefultheoretical foundation for interview.Findings－Through analysing and comparing American and Japanese corporatecultures, this study found that corporate culture is closely related with social culture.That is to say, corporate culture emerges and develops from corresponding wide socialculture. Therefore, when constructing corporate cultures, Chinese corporations shouldkeep in mind that their own social culture really are the root and ,based on this,properly absorb the essence of other corporate cultures.Research limitation－Findings from the 15 American companies' interviewees and15 Japanese companies' interviewees are believed to be representative of allemployees working in American and Japanese enterprises. However, the interviewees'cases are not enough, to have a complete portrait of the two corporate cultures. And moreover, the 30 interviewees are all from large famous enterprises. Undoubtedly,these companies have their voices to some extent, but not all.Practical implications－This paper trys to expound that a corporate culture emergesand develops from corresponding social culture, which is very helpful for China toestablish corporate culture with Chinese characteristics. Future work with a largerAmerican and Japanese sample will be helpful present a more comprehensive pictureof the two corporate cultures. On the other hand, further work with a large sample ofminor enterprises will be good to observe corporate culture on many levels.Originality/value－The combined research method of interviews, together withdocuments study, is very unique. By understanding the relationship of social cultureand corporate culture, it is possible to help Chinese corporations to establish their ownsuitable corporate culture.