Cross-Cultural Management Research lecture was completed with an e-poster session.

Maik Heinelt, a Nagoya-based German entrepreneur and CEO of Servgate Corporation, gave a presentation about starting up his IT company and his online trade business in Japan. Applying the Trompenaars Hampden-Turner (THT) research framework students conducted an interview investigating about his cultural orientation. His acculturation profile was described by the students as follows:

Universalism (Score: 7): indicates a preference for clear guidelines and consistency over flexibility in specific situations.

Individualism (Score: 5): suggests a balance between valuing individual achievements and recognizing the importance of group dynamics,

Neutral (Score: 6): indicating controlled emotional expression,

Specific (Score: 8): entrepreneur is comfortable with separating personal and work life,

Achievement (Score: 9): significant importance on performance and expertise as the basis for respect and authority,

Sequential (Score: 4): less rigid about time schedules,

Internal Control (Score: 7): believes in controlling outcomes through personal effort.

After the interview on 20. November 2023, students conducted a brainstorming session. Students found that learning about Japanese culture and language is necessary for Mr. Heinelt to succeed with his businesses in Japan. Further, his knowledge about trust building and interpersonal relations ensures his long-term success. Using the option of cultural accommodation, he shows his understanding and respect for the Japanese culture. Students perceived him as an example of entrepreneurial success in Japan. They concluded that his awareness about cultural differences and how to reconcile them was very important to his business success in Japan.

Students were supervised how to create e-posters advertising the research process and their findings. Two teams presented their e-posters on 18. December 2023 at Ritsumeikan OIC to a wider audience. Former and recent senior seminar students of Dr. Schlunze joined the intercultural exchange event. Former Professor Fons Trompenaars (Free Univ. of Amsterdam / CEO at THT Consulting) was invited to comment via Zoom on the two e-posters presented. He praised the research work and discussed with our international students the emotional aspect of adjusting to Japanese cultural values.

The e-poster above was titled IT startup in Japan - An expat entrepreneur’s reconciliations, and another Navigating Trompenaars' Cultural Dimensions - Perspective of a German Expat. Students found that balancing cultural opposites is most important. Their findings suggest that reconciliations concerning a more neutral approach and to organize work with flexibility can be seen as important. Students emphasized that when balancing competition and cooperation skillfully the IT entrepreneur was able to keep harmony building trust and loyal relations in Japan. The founder of the Transcultural Society (TNS) in Japan, Professor Emiko Magoshi, joined the session online. She recognized the academic effort made by our students in the interdisciplinary field of Cross-cultural management.