Japan and Venezuela Economic Comparison

Group Members

Name	Index Number	Contribution for the Assignment
Amarasinghe A A Danuska L ( Group Leader)	BSC-PLY-MGT-13.2-150	Business practices Buying behaviour of consumers Future economic development
Jayamali N A Mahesha	BSC-PLY-MGT-13.2-156	Design cover page Culture comparing Future economic development
Perera A A D Sudarshan K J	BSC-PLY-MGT-13.2-165	Executive summery Introduction Buying behaviour of consumers

Summary

Culture is different all-round the world. So in this report has Japan and Venezuela cultures. So Japan is one of the biggest developed country in the world. And Venezuela is developing country in the world. So Japan has lot of powers than Venezuela. Therefore for Japan has biggest economy side in the world. But Venezuela is increasing their economy and they try to be a developed country in the world. Therefore you can identify how to different between cultures of these two countries. And there including business practices of these countries, buying behaviour of these countries and future economic development of these countries.

Introduction

Different world cultures and customs are considered in cultural globalization. In the 1870s the anthropologist Edward Tylor defined culture as “that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom and other capabilities acquired by man as a member of society.” (Hill, 2003)

So culture is different by country to country. Therefore culture is factor of the country’s economy and international business. Therefore it causes people’s behaviour, responses, shopping, work and etc. So we compare Japan and Venezuela. Because these countries have many differences in the culture. So following you can get introduction about Japan and Venezuela.

Japan is a one of biggest developed country in the world. It located by East-Asia is Pacific Ocean. Their culture is rich and diverse more than other countries. It has over 3000 island. The capital of Japan is Tokyo. Japan population about 128 million (2013-world bank). Japanese Yen is a currency of Japan. The language of Japan is Japanese. Japan has Emperor and they have Prime Minister. Now their Emperor is Akihito and Prime Minister is Shinzo Abe.

And Venezuela is developing country in the world. It located by the Northern Coast of South Africa. It is officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Venezuela population is 28868486. Its covers around 916445 square kilometres. The capital of Venezuela is Caracas. Its currency is Venezuelan Bolivar. The language of Venezuela is Spanish. There president is Nicolas Maduro. So this is the explanation about Japan and Venezuela. In following including about comparing cultures of these two countries. (Anon., n.d.)

Compare of Japan and Venezuela cultures

• Geographic: – Japan is situated next to the East coast of Asia. It is four main islands which are Kyushu, Shikoku, Honshu and Hokkaido. Japan is land of great natural beauty. Mountains and hills cover about 70% of the country. Forest cover about 68% of the country’s land. And Venezuela is located on the Northern (Caribbean) coast of South Africa. Venezuela landscape includes towering mountains, tropical jungles, broad river plains & arid coastal plains, all of which provide a diversity of natural habitats and a range of challenges to social integration and economic development.

• Religion: – Religion obviously paly a large role in all countries. Traditional Japan religion includes Shinto, Buddhism, Confucianism and Christians. Buddhism and Shinto are also a polytheistic religions. These two of the most influential religions co-existed in Japanese culture. And Venezuela main religion is Roman Catholic (96%). Also they have Protestant (2%) and others (2%).

• Language: – The Japanese language is essentially spoken only in Japan. The Venezuela official language is Spanish. English and a variety of American dialects are spoken by Venezuelans.

• Climate: – Japan has four main seasons. These are spring, summer, autumn and winter. There is not much fluctuation in the annual temperatures in Venezuela, but humidity makes some difference to it. The climate in Venezuela is separated in to four temperate zones. (26⁰C-28⁰C, 12⁰C-25⁰C, 9⁰C-11⁰C, below 8⁰C)

• Agriculture: – Japan main agricultural product is rice. And sugar beets, vegetables, fruit, pork, poultry, dairy products are other agricultural products in Japan. Venezuela main products are rice and corn. And sorghum, sugarcane, bananas, vegetables, milk, coffee are other agricultural products in there.

• Family: – In the traditional Japanese family the male was the head of household. But in Venezuela society the family, the female (mother) is the head of household. Venezuelans and Japanese value family ties. The bonds between the extended family are very important. These two countries family, usually three or four generations lived together.

• Education: – Education is important to the success of any country. Japanese people place great value on education. Japan has leading literacy rate at over 99% of its population having the ability to read and write. Japanese children begin kindergarten at age four and elementary school. Formal schooling begins in Venezuela at age of six and it is compulsory for the first six years. The four-year high school program. Venezuela literacy rate is 95% of its population.

• Clothing: – In these two countries have different clothing styles. The Kimono is traditional form of clothing worn by Japanese women and men. Venezuela traditional clothing is the Spanish fittings. Most Japanese and Venezuelan’s wear Western-style clothing for daily use.

• Festivals: – Japanese and Venezuelans people enjoy their festivals. Japanese main festivals are Shogasu, Setsubum, Hanami, Golden week and etc. And Venezuela main festivals are La paradura Del Nino, Drumming Feast of St. John, May cross celebrations and etc.

• Music and Dance: – All countries enjoy their music’s and dances. So Japan music’s are Taiko, Min’yo folk music, Okinawan folk music and etc. And their dances are Kabuki, Noh Mai, Bon Odori and etc. In Venezuela Gaita is one of the important traditional music and Folk music is another important music. And Joropo is national dance and Salsa is most popular dance in Venezuela. (Anon., n.d.)

• Foods: – Japanese eat a wide range of foods. Japanese people eat much seafood and rice. Most western food can be found in Japan. Hamburgers and Pizza are popular western foods in Japan. The national beverage is Green tea of Japan. Black tea, Coffee, Soda and beer are other popular beverages in Japan. Venezuela people eat coconut, plantains, seafood and Italian pasta dishes and other different foods.

• Major Industries: – Manufacturing is one of Japan’s strengths. But the country has few natural resources petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, bio industries, ship-building, aerospace, textiles and etc. Japan main exports goods are cars, electronic device and computers. Venezuela has quit a diversified industrial sector and they are the one of major oil and gas exporters in the world.

So this is the cultures comparing of Venezuela and Japan. In following including about business practices, buying behaviour consumer and future economies of these two countries. (Anon., n.d.)

Business practices of Japan and Venezuela

Business practice is a method, procedure, process or rule employed or following by a company in the purist of its objectives. Business practice may also refer to these collectively. (Anon., n.d.) So Japan and Venezuela has different business practice. In Japanese business practices, there are five dimensions overview of how aspects of Japanese culture influence on business.

1. Power distance: – at a score of 54, Japan is a mildly hierarchical society.
2. Individualism: – at a score of 46 on the individualism.
3. Masculinity: – at 95, one of the most masculine society in the world.
4. Long term orientation: – at 80, Japan scores as one of the long term orientation.
5. Uncertainty avoidance: – at 92, It is one of the most uncertainty avoidance country in the world. (Anon., n.d.)

In this case Japanese business practices are very good. So Japanese business culture is quite conservative. Therefore Japan is more appropriate conservative business dress. So their decisions are very conservative. And they respect meeting each other face to face. It is very important to them for conducting business relationships. In Japan priority is on the work life. It is given work is the centre of life. And most Japanese companies work regular office hours and they don’t permit working at home. Also if the Japanese feel that it’s possible to achieve most likely 100%, they don’t say “Yes”. Their agreement is careful because they want to be accurate. They make sure it is exactly 100%. And when businessman meet each other business begins with the exchange of business cards. It is common practice to stand up and give their business cards with two hands rather than with one hands, while at the same time bowing slightly. This is the way of Japanese business practice.

In Venezuela business practice there also have five dimensions which you can get understand about how aspects of Venezuelans culture influence on business.

1. Power distance: – at 81, Venezuela in the higher score of power distance.
2. Individualism: – at a score of 12 on the individualism.
3. Masculinity: – at 73, Venezuela is a masculine society.
4. Pragmatism: – at 16, it is low score.
5. Uncertainty avoidance: – at 76, it is higher score on uncertainty avoidance. (Anon., n.d.)

In this case Venezuela has good business practices. So in Venezuela there are two generations doing business. There are older generation and younger generation. Older generation will want to get information about businessman’s personality first, rather than their company or firm. But young generation will want to get information about businessman’s dealings, rather than their personalities. Venezuelans do their business meetings using English language. Because there participate foreign businessmen and Venezuela respect them. After the meetings they must all documents translated in to Spanish. And normally there is a firm handshake between men and that is the standard while women shake hands softly. This is the way of business practices of Venezuela.

Buying behaviour of consumers in Japan and Venezuela

Buying behaviour of consumers have five steps. These are,

(Anon., n.d.)

In this steps Japan and Venezuela buying behaviour of consumers are not same. It is different. So Japan consumers demand high quality good products. They always focusing on clothing, furniture, imported brands, personal electronics and fast foods. Japanese consumers are thinking about not only what they buy but also how they buy it. And they also focus buying products by online. Because they are working 16 hours per day. Therefore they haven’t time to go and buy products in the shops. So they use internet and search information about they wants products. After they purchase it by online. This is the way of Japanese consumer buying behaviour.

And Venezuela consumers pays attention to the brand and products they are buying. Venezuelans consume a lot of beer, cigarettes, fast foods and etc. And Venezuela women go to beauty centres and buying large qualities of beauty products, accessories and clothes. So they always know prices of products they will buy. Venezuela consumers check the differences between national and foreign products. Lot of consumers prefer to sacrifice quality for a lower price. So they are want to buy good and cheaper products. Venezuela consumers always buy products at shops. They have enough time to it. So there online buying consumers are lesser than Japan. This is the way of Venezuela consumers buying behaviour. (Anon., n.d.)

The future economic development of Japan and Venezuela

Japan and Venezuela has different economies. So Japan has third largest economy in the world. It behind only the China and American economy. Their economy success by exporting items. They are exporting cars, computers and lot of electronic items to the western and eastern countries. So economic depend on various things. There are GDP, Inflation, Unemployment, Employment and etc. So in future japan can be a rank number one economy in the world. Following compare in Japan 2014(this year) and 2015(next year) economic indicators.

GDP (US Billions) GDP Growth

2014 $17416.25 0.89% (Anon., n.d.)

2015 $541857 1.054% (Anon., n.d.)

Inflation (End of year change)

2014 3.6% (Anon., n.d.)

2015 2.723% (Anon., n.d.)

Employment

2014 62634 Million (Anon., n.d.)

2015 63670 Million (Anon., n.d.)

Unemployment Rate

2014 4.097% (Anon., n.d.)

2015 4.061% (Anon., n.d.)

In this case Japan GDP growth rate will increase future. And inflation will decrease future. Japan employment rate will increase and unemployment rate will decrease. So it is good for the future economic of japan. In Japan their always found lot of new technologies. Therefore they exporting their items all round the world. So Japan items have good market in the world. In this case Japanese currency an increase. Therefore Japan balance of payment, investment and other economic indicators are always change.

So above those things you can identify Japan future economy very well. It is increase fast and Japan will come rank one of world economy in the future.

In Venezuela economy success by exporting oils and gases. And they exporting rice, corn and etc. Venezuela is a one of major oil exporter. So Venezuela has middle economy in the world. Therefore Venezuela future economy is not better. In following compare Venezuela 2014(this year) and 2015(next year) economic indicators.

GDP (US Billions) GDP Growth

2014 $329.504 2.251% (Anon., n.d.)

2015 $341.835 2.283% (Anon., n.d.)

Inflation (End of year change)

2014 27.3% (Anon., n.d.)

2015 23.7% (Anon., n.d.)

Employment

2014 13.3 Million

2015 13.3 Million

(Anon., n.d.)

Unemployment Rate

2014 7.833% (Anon., n.d.)

2015 7.333% (Anon., n.d.)

In this case their future economy is increase. Because in above tables you can see their GDP growth rate will increase and inflation will decrease. President of Venezuela said that “their 2015 budget will be based on target oil price of $60 dollars per barrel.” (Anon., n.d.) Therefore we can thinking about Venezuela future economy increase well. And future Venezuela can be a developed country in the world.

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