Task Environment

Culture is the influence on the individual’s personality that happens from the surroundings like nature, religion, region, etc. Culture influence’s individuals so they behave in certain ways that fits their life, therefore people interact with each other; they have phases that coordinate their way of networking. In order to connect, communicate and get along with other cultures there must be an understanding between the two. However, when Assan Motors Company expanded and opened a new plant in the USA they did not have cultural understanding of the USA. For that in Gung Ho, there were several consequences that happened like, the different communication styles, low context vs. high context, dedication to the factory, different working habits/quality of work and collective vs. individualistic.

Americans use a low context form of communication style in comparison to the high context style of the Japanese. Low context involves a more direct communication approach, while high context involves a more indirect style. An example of the Americans using a low context approach is when Hunt goes to the Japan to sell the Assan managers on the idea of coming to Hadleyville. He starts with a presentation and then cuts to the deal and says, “Here’s the deal” and begins explaining himself bluntly. The Japanese are silent, not speaking at all. Silence is generally considered offensive to low-context cultures. The Japanese show a high context style at the softball game, Buster knocks down Matsumura to win the game. Rather than fighting the incident, the Japanese accept the loss. In the movie, high-context culture is seen though the perspective of the Japanese. Another example of high context communication in the movie is shown when they show the differences in communication styles between the Americans and the Japanese. The Japanese greet each other by bowing forward, or making other non-verbal gestures, to show their consideration or even their agreement with the presenter. While in America we shake hands and while exchanging words, we look each other in the eye. In the Japanese culture it is seen as offensive to look someone directly in the eyes. For example, in the scene where the Japanese get off the plane and are welcomed by a red carpet and lots of happy Americans, they seem very confused as how to proceed.

In Gung Ho it was shown that the Japanese showed more dedication to the factory, whereas Americans wanted the opposite. Willie’s son needed to get his tonsils taken out, but the “rice-o-roni patrol” would not allow him to leave work. Another example is the Japanese would stay after hours to finish their work with no overtime, and the Americans clock out as soon as their shift is over. Also in the movie, Kenji’s wife asked him to assemble a bicycle as a birthday gift for his son. However, he refused because he said it was busy work. His wife became extremely upset and she shouted “Why American man can have time for their children?”

Towards the end Kazihiro begins adapting to the American culture. He wants to recognize his employee’s priorities. An example is when he tries to give Ito time off, because his wife is in labor. When Sakamoto asks Ito, “Do you want time off?” Ito is too intimidated to say yes. Japanese value work over family and friends, however Americans make their families their top priority.

The two cultures have different perspectives when it comes to working habits and the quality of work. The Americans like to have a lively work environment, listening to music, smoking and talking. Japanese on the other hand concentrate solely on the task. Mr. Kazihiro quoted “I’m sorry no music, no cigar, only work!”

The Americans allow minor defects on the vehicles, and the Japanese only accepted the highest quality. When the Japanese were looking at the car model and the tire fell off they said humorously, “It’s an American car.” Also, before Mr. Kazihiro came to the United States, he was not working to the Japanese standards. For this he received many shame tags and was publically humiliated.

In American culture they tend to work better individually, although Japanese work more productively as teams. Matsumura said, “Every man learn every job, then we are a team. No man is special.” When the Americans played against the Japanese in the softball game, it clearly shows how Japanese are collective and the Americans are individualistic. The Japanese showed up together as a united team wearing matching uniforms. The Americans came at different times wearing street clothes. Another example from the movie is when Kazihiro is speaking to his men. He explains how they all need to work together as a team to achieve one common goal. “We must build spirit, we must be a team. One, with one purpose only, everyone thinking only of the company.”

Before work the Japanese would join together and do quick exercises as a team. When Kazihiro tried to get the Americans to join they were refusing. Japanese believe in building a strong bond between coworkers to help them work better as a team. This quote spoken by Sakamoto describes the different work ethics between the two cultures and also shows the dedication of the Japanese workers to the company. "Everyone (in America) wants to be special. No one wants to be part of a team. Everyone is selfish which makes them weak...In Japan, workers work above and beyond...they don't work for pay, they work for the good of a company."

In conclusion, there are many examples of cultural differences in the move Gung Ho. Some of the problems faced in the movie included different communication styles, low context vs. high context, dedication to the factory, different working habits/quality of work and collective vs. individualistic. While the movie Gung Ho focuses on cultural differences between the Japanese and American cultures; it also shows how the two were able to cross cultural barriers and create a successful business together. Success is all about attitude, energy, balance and connecting with each other. Both cultures had to work through difficult times and many misunderstandings. However, in the end they put their differences aside and were able to work together as a team to achieve a common goal.