40. Differences Between American and Chinese Culture and Approach to the Negotiation Process Contrast of Basic Cultural Values American Task and information oriented Egalitarian Analytical Sequential, monochronic Seeks the complete truth Individualist Confrontative, argumentative Chinese Relationship oriented Hierarchical Holistic Circular, polychronic Seeks the harmonious way Collectivist Haggling, bargaining
41. Differences Between American and Chinese Culture and Approach to the Negotiation Process(cont.) Approach to the Negotiation Process American Quick meetings Informal Make cold calls Full authority Direct Proposals first Aggressive Impatient A “good deal” Chinese Long courting process Formal Draw on intermediaries Limited authority Indirect Explanations first Questioning Patient A long-term relationship nontask sounding information exchange means of persuasion terms of agreement
42. Comparison of Cultural Approaches to Negotiation American Negotiator Indian Negotiator Arab Negotiator Accepts compromise when deadlock occurs Has firm initial and final stands Sets up principles but lets subordinates do detail work Has a maximum of options Respects other parties Is fully briefed Keeps position hidden as long as possible Relies on truth Trusts instincts Seeks compromises Is ready to alter position at any point Trusts opponent Respects other parties Learns from opponent Avoids use of secrets Protects “face” of other parties Avoids confrontation Uses a referent person to try to change others, e.g. “Do it for your father” Seeks creative alternatives to satisfy all parties Mediates through conferences Can keep secrets
43. Comparison of Cultural Approaches to Negotiation Swedish Negotiator Italian Negotiator Gets straight to the point of the discussion Avoids confrontation Time conscious Overly cautious Informal Flexible Reacts slowly to new propositions Quiet and thoughtful Dramatic Emotional Able to read context well Suspicious Intrigues Uses flattery Concerned about creating a good impression Indefinite
44. Nature of Conflict Between Members of Low and High Context Culture Key Questions Low-Context Conflict High-Context Conflict Why Analytic, linear logic; instrumental oriented; dichotomy between conflict and conflict parties Synthetic, spiral logic; expressive oriented; integration of conflict and conflict parties When Individualistic oriented; low collective normative expectations; violations of individual expectations create conflict potentials Group oriented; high collective normative expectations; violations of collective expectations create conflict potentials What Revealment; direct, confrontational attitude; action and solution oriented Concealment; indirect, nonconfrontational attitude; “face” and relationship oriented How Explicit communication codes; line-logic style: rational-factual rhetoric; open, direct strategies Implicit communication codes; point-logic style: intuitive-effective rhetoric; ambiguous, indirect strategies
The Chinese are among the toughest negotiators in the world. American managers must anticipate various tactics, such as their delaying techniques and their avoidance of direct, specific answers: Both ploys are used to exploit the known impatience of Americans. The Chinese frequently try to put pressure on Americans by “shaming” them, thereby implying that the Americans are trying to renege on the friendship—the basis of the implicit contract. Whereas Westerners come to negotiations with specific and segmented goals and find it easy to compromise, the Chinese are reluctant to negotiate details. They find it difficult to compromise and trade because they have entered negotiations with a broader vision of achieving development goals for China, and they are offended when Westerners don’t internalize those goals.