Unit 6 Case Study
Columbia Southern University
Intercultural Management
Unit 6 Case Study
In the case study where Kelly travels to Japan for work, there are many things that seem
to go wrong. There are many instances where cultures, customs, and expectations are
misunderstood and turn into offense. Right off the bat, Kelly was put in a strained position
because upon meeting her team, they were all shocked that she was a female. It is not customary
for women to be in charge in that culture. When she met her team, her first interaction with the
Japanese team members was very awkward. Then, she had asked all of her team to make
presentations and the Japanese natives did not do so because they are not custom to making one
on one presentations so quickly. They also were offended when Kelly tried making small talk
with them by asking them about their families. Kelly then was put into an uncomfortable
situation when meeting with a client who was Japanese native. The client gave her a business
card and she did not look at it or return one to him, so he was offended immediately. She then
was loudly asking him his name, and touching him on the back, trying to make light of the
situation, which just ended up making thing more uncomfortable. Lastly, she gave her
presentation, but when she asked for feedback all he said was it was good, which confused her
when she did not hear from the client for weeks. Also, there was a continuous lack of
acknowledgment for her. Most of her interactions with the Japanese men resulted in them
directing their attention, eyes, and questions to her male assistant Peter, which made her feel
unwelcome and uncomfortable.
Kelly’s family is currently going through the irritability and hostility stage of culture
shock. This stage comes after the honeymoon stage. This is where the reality of the situation
Columbia Southern University
Intercultural Management
Unit 6 Case Study
In the case study where Kelly travels to Japan for work, there are many things that seem
to go wrong. There are many instances where cultures, customs, and expectations are
misunderstood and turn into offense. Right off the bat, Kelly was put in a strained position
because upon meeting her team, they were all shocked that she was a female. It is not customary
for women to be in charge in that culture. When she met her team, her first interaction with the
Japanese team members was very awkward. Then, she had asked all of her team to make
presentations and the Japanese natives did not do so because they are not custom to making one
on one presentations so quickly. They also were offended when Kelly tried making small talk
with them by asking them about their families. Kelly then was put into an uncomfortable
situation when meeting with a client who was Japanese native. The client gave her a business
card and she did not look at it or return one to him, so he was offended immediately. She then
was loudly asking him his name, and touching him on the back, trying to make light of the
situation, which just ended up making thing more uncomfortable. Lastly, she gave her
presentation, but when she asked for feedback all he said was it was good, which confused her
when she did not hear from the client for weeks. Also, there was a continuous lack of
acknowledgment for her. Most of her interactions with the Japanese men resulted in them
directing their attention, eyes, and questions to her male assistant Peter, which made her feel
unwelcome and uncomfortable.
Kelly’s family is currently going through the irritability and hostility stage of culture
shock. This stage comes after the honeymoon stage. This is where the reality of the situation
