Confucian Cluster

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Let's take a closer look. I also included some extra information at the end, which is referred to in this response.

RESPONSE:

1. How would you recommend that someone prepare for doing business with leaders from this culture?

The Confucian Asia' cluster included:China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan. (http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:13666)

You would likely recommend that the person research the culture, which is essential to understanding how these leaders from these countries do business. What leadership style do they prefer? What leadership qualities are valued? This knowledge will help in the communication and business dealings. Each country must learn to respect the others framework, and still work together towards common goals, while embracing diversity.

Based on Hofstede's cultural analysis (see full analysis by country at http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_dimensions.php), for example, there are differences between American and Confucian countries, but also differences between some of the Confusion countries as well, that need to be considered when dealing with a certain country within this cluster.

According to Hofstede's cultural analysis, the countries are rated along five dimensions:

1. Power Distance Index PDI

2. Individualism IDV

3. Masculinity MAS

4. Uncertainty Avoidance Index UAI

5. Long-Term Orientation LTO (see full description of each index at the end of this response in the extra section)

For example, on Hofstede's five cultural measures respectively, notice the differences between the American and the Confucian countries in the cluster:

American:

United States (see full analysis at http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_united_states.shtml)
40
91
62
46
29

Confucian cluster:

Taiwan (see full analysis at http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_taiwan.shtml)
58
17
45
69
87

China * (see full analysis at http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_china.shtml)
80
20
66
30
118

Hong Kong (see full analysis at http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_hong_kong.shtml)
68
25
57
29
96

Japan (see full analysis at http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_japan.shtml)
54
46
95
92
80

South Korea (see full analysis at http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_south_korea.shtml)
60
18
39
85
75

Singapore (see full analysis at http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_singapore.shtml)
74
20
48
8
48

See http://www.geert-hofstede.com/.

2. What recommendations would you have for the leaders in the cluster you selected? That is, how could they improve the way they lead?

This is probably not the way to go to get the respect of other leaders. It is more about learning how you can work together, not about changing the other. This is doen through learning about the other leadership styles and cultural mores about business, and then work within that framework.

3. What parts of the leadership style of the cluster you selected do you believe should be emulated by American leaders?

The reality of putting common strategies between two diverse countries regarding leadership presents considerable challenges. For example, participatory leadership is not seen as necessary in the 'Confucian Asia' cluster (China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan), whereas for the Anglo cluster, participative leadership is seen as much more effective, and sometimes necessary in today's business world.

This was investigated by Ashkanasy (2002): "based on the results of the Global Leadership and Organizational Behavior Effectiveness (GLOBE) 61-nation study of culture and leadership'" and the findings were related to three ...