Gung Ho: Business Culture

In class, culture was defined as the values and norms that distinguish one group from another in society. Business culture varies across the globe and can cause friction to almost all aspects of running business. Gung Ho demonstrated the complications associated when companies from different countries try and collaborate. There are several, while displayed with comic exaggeration, differences displayed between the two business cultures. Management styles, individuality versus collectivism, communication styles, self view pertaining to role in the company, and the way work is viewed are a few differences depicted in the movie. The opening scene shows Oishi at a training camp for failing executives covered in ribbons of shame. The audience is not quite sure what he did to constitute as a failure, but it is assumed to be something of great importance because the rehabilitation process for failing executives is a strenuous and extensive process. Managers and executives in the Japanese business culture are the leaders and if their team fails, they are constituted as a failure as well. Success starts with a well equipped …show more content…
Both groups learned from the other and when the best aspects of each side were combined, it was an almost unstoppable force. These cultural differences allow for differing groups to learn new ideas and ways to improve their way of business. It is also important to familiarize one’s self with the cultural differences as to not disrespect or misinterpret the way things are conducted. Through comic exaggeration, director Ron Howard is able to shed light on the issue that differing cultures can combine and achieve success, but not without an equal respect and understanding for the differences and a willingness to learn and adapt to new procedures and