Cultural Differences influencing Communication Problems between Taiwanese Employees and Japanese Expatriates

Abstract

ABSTRACT While much attention in recent years has been focused on the communication problems between Japanese expatriates and local staffs in many countries, little research has been conducted on the communication problems between Japanese and Taiwanese employees. In this study, the communication problems of Japanese expatriates in Taiwan were examined. Twenty cultural differences between Japanese and local staffs derived from literature reviews were used to examine cultural differences influence on communication problems between Japanese and Taiwanese. To identify which cultural difference cause communication problems among these 20 differences in more details, an interview survey to Japanese expatriates in Taiwan was conducted. As the result of the interview survey, it was revealed that Japanese tend to feel communication problems with the cultural difference of job implementation, such as, the way of report, the way of suggestion, the way of looking for the cause of the troubles, the way of taking responsibilities, and the way of excuse. On the contrary, Japanese do not tend to feel communication problems with the difference of language, such as, polite expression, term of respect, and tone, do not influence on the cultural differences. This study is important practically in that it identifies cultural differences that may improve expatriates performance. Furthermore, the research findings are relevant to Taiwanese and Japanese multinational employees who seek to sustain a competitive advantage through successful expatriate program.

ABSTRACT While much attention in recent years has been focused on the communication problems between Japanese expatriates and local staffs in many countries, little research has been conducted on the communication problems between Japanese and Taiwanese employees. In this study, the communication problems of Japanese expatriates in Taiwan were examined. Twenty cultural differences between Japanese and local staffs derived from literature reviews were used to examine cultural differences influence on communication problems between Japanese and Taiwanese. To identify which cultural difference cause communication problems among these 20 differences in more details, an interview survey to Japanese expatriates in Taiwan was conducted. As the result of the interview survey, it was revealed that Japanese tend to feel communication problems with the cultural difference of job implementation, such as, the way of report, the way of suggestion, the way of looking for the cause of the troubles, the way of taking responsibilities, and the way of excuse. On the contrary, Japanese do not tend to feel communication problems with the difference of language, such as, polite expression, term of respect, and tone, do not influence on the cultural differences. This study is important practically in that it identifies cultural differences that may improve expatriates performance. Furthermore, the research findings are relevant to Taiwanese and Japanese multinational employees who seek to sustain a competitive advantage through successful expatriate program.

Keywords: communication problem, Japanese expatriates