Exploring cultural disfluencies and negotiation strategies adopted by minority-group members in Japanese work settings

Bibliographic Data

ID6446980
AuthorsAashlesha Arun Marathe (0000-0001-8520-4173, University of Tsukuba , Tsukuba), Soyhan Egitim (0000-0001-8980-4563, Toyo University Department of Global and Regional Development Studies, , Bunkyo)
Year2025
Volume20
Issue1
Pages8-27
Publication date2025-01-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueQualitative Research in Organizations and Management An International Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1746-5648 • E-ISSN: 1746-5656
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/qrom-01-2024-2666
OpenAlexW4406310834
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited39

Purpose The present qualitative study explores minority-group members’ experiences working with majority-group members in Japanese work environments. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were performed with 18 minority-group workers, who regularly engage in intercultural contact with Japanese workers. The interview questions sought to understand the challenges minority-group members experienced during their interactions with their Japanese colleagues, the ways they perceived Japanese culture, and their negotiation strategies to deal with perceived cultural differences. Findings The findings indicated that the participants experienced certain challenges during their adaptation to their workplace environment. These challenges included rigid workplace norms, a hierarchical yet ambiguous communication style, the language barrier, and a gender gap, which appeared to make it more challenging to communicate and build relationships with their colleagues. Furthermore, the findings revealed that minority-group members resorted to negotiation strategies to cope with these challenges, such as direct communication and questioning, searching for opportunities to develop personal connections with Japanese people and engaging in cultural exchange. Practical implications We propose that cross-cultural training should emphasize adaptive strategies towards the integration process rather than educating minority group members about the host culture’s characteristics. Originality/value This research stands out by focusing on negotiation strategies and their significance, shifting the emphasis away from the commonly highlighted challenges experienced by minority group members in their host culture

Group (periodic table · Group work · Negotiation · Pedagogy · Social science · Sociology · Work (physics · Cultural Differences and Values · Engineering · Gender Diversity and Inequality · Gender Studies · International Student and Expatriate Challenges

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Open DOI