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Publication: Forest Products Journal
Authors: Oblander Patrick|Daniels Steven E
Reference ID: 47(3):38-44
Publish Year: 1997
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Title: Intercultural communication and the U.S.-Japan lumber trade: an exploratory study
Description:
This paper asks whether aspects of intercultural communication create difficulties in lumber trade between the United States and Japan. Aside from the commonly heard complaints about this trade flow (escalating tariffs, subsidies to industry, and differing product specifications), problems in communication may also restrict the level of trade between the two countries. The authors cite readings that inventory the common communication problems in intercultural business situations. This literature review led to semi-structured interviews asking American (n = 17) and Japanese (n = 14) lumber traders to comment on these problems in their own experience. The specific interview questions were pretested/refined through a written survey. The interview responses were analyzed to assess how, if at all, intercultural communication hindered U.S.-Japan lumber trade. Most of the problems reported fall into four major categories: 1) the role of personal relationships; 2) culturally different time frames; 3) culturally based preferences that have led to different product standards; and 4) the flow of information. The long distribution channels characteristic of the trade may hinder the flow of information and thus prevent better communication, but these channels appear to be shortening. Furthermore, the Japanese importers and American exporters in this study have learned to adapt to each other's style to varying degrees.
This paper asks whether aspects of intercultural communication create difficulties in lumber trade between the United States and Japan. Aside from the commonly heard complaints about this trade flow (escalating tariffs, subsidies to industry, and differing product specifications), problems in communication may also restrict the level of trade between the two countries. The authors cite readings that inventory the common communication problems in intercultural business situations. This literature review led to semi-structured interviews asking American (n = 17) and Japanese (n = 14) lumber traders to comment on these problems in their own experience. The specific interview questions were pretested/refined through a written survey. The interview responses were analyzed to assess how, if at all, intercultural communication hindered U.S.-Japan lumber trade. Most of the problems reported fall into four major categories: 1) the role of personal relationships; 2) culturally different time frames; 3) culturally based preferences that have led to different product standards; and 4) the flow of information. The long distribution channels characteristic of the trade may hinder the flow of information and thus prevent better communication, but these channels appear to be shortening. Furthermore, the Japanese importers and American exporters in this study have learned to adapt to each other's style to varying degrees.
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