50328:Cross-Cultural Management Research (BA) - Promoting the DJW in Japan by intercultural co-leadership

At the Learning Studio C272 at Ritsumeikan University OIC international students presented their results from the interview with the managing director Ms. Anne Pomsel and the representative in Japan, Mr. Kazuya Yoshida, about their successful collaboration for the the DJW German-Japanese Business Association 日独産業協会. The DJW strives to create an interculturality that builds bridges between Germany and Japan for all members.

Prof. Dr. Rolf D. Schlunze prepared international and domestic students for this event teaching the seven cultural dimensions proposed by Fons Trompenaars. These dimensions are not only used to distinguish cultural differences but are facilitated by THT consulting to prepare international managers for their intercultural workplace. The concept helped to evaluate the co-leadership case and contrast it with the case of an innovation manager holding out in Japan on his own. More than fourty students submitted an individual interview report showing what they learnt from the interviews with the guest speakers.

 Four focus groups were formed. They prepared to discuss a) Cultural Differences in Workplaces, b) Work-life Balance, c) Balancing Achievement and Collaboration and d) Flexibility & Relationships. The diverse group of international students from Europe, Asia and America was guided by Professor Schlunze to write-up a group report based on their interview results. Students presented their findings at an e-poster session held on December 12, 2024. Basically, they answered questions about how co-leaders were reconciling cultural dilemmas managing the association with cross-cultural competence.

The best e-poster presented communicated the insight to respect needs and interests of co-workers in intercultural settings. The qualitative method applied produced a cultural profile showing that both leaders help each other to behave formally correct in each other’s society. Yoshida-san achieved high status through out his professional life as a banker, meanwhile Anne is on the achieving side but recognizing seniority and other characteristics of Japanese culture.

During my Cross-Cultural Management Research course students demonstrated a strong ability to apply theoretical models to practical research. They worked on a project analyzing the cultural profiles of co-leaders in the German-Japanese Business Association, skillfully employing the Trompenaars-Hampden-Turner model. I guided student teams creating research tools such as semi-structured questionnaires, build a setting in the learning studio to conduct simultaniously interviews, and encouraged them collaborating effectively in a multicultural team. Those contributions were critical to their team success. Their findings earned them an invitation to present at the ManGeo Research Group pre-conference which will be a testament to their academic rigor and my educational efforts.

Personal Statement of international student AKSOY [Jacks] Yagiz (nr1668sp) on the 2024 CCMR course

Reflecting on my experience in Professor Schlunze’s Cross-Cultural Management Research lectures, I can confidently say it was one of the most engaging and thought-provoking classes I have taken during my exchange semester at Ritsumeikan University. Coming from an International Relations background, I found the course’s focus on the intersection of culture particularly compelling. Culture, as we explored, acts as a red thread that weaves through politics, history, and countless other dimensions of society. This perspective offered me a fresh lens through which to view global interactions.

What stood out most was the course’s ability to delve into aspects of culture and society that we often overlook, especially in environments like business or policy. It pushed me to reflect on dimensions I might not have otherwise considered, all underpinned by rigorous academic research. This combination of depth and structure made the experience not only intellectually stimulating but also practically relevant.

Yet, the real highlight of the course was Professor Schlunze himself. His enthusiasm and passion for the subject are unparalleled, even after over three decades of teaching. His energy and dedication to the topic brought the course to life and made every lecture engaging. It is rare to encounter someone so deeply invested in their field, and his spark truly made the experience unforgettable.

Overall, this course has become a personal favorite from my time as an exchange student in Japan. It not only broadened my academic horizons but also deepened my appreciation for the role of culture in shaping our world.