Doing Business Abroad

Periodically one reads about a businessman from this country who has been exposed as offering bribes to government officials or private parties in other countries in order to smooth business operations in that country. In some countries this is expected, but it is also illegal in this country. Business owners are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act which makes it illegal to bribe people for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or influencing a discretionary decision. Business owners may make legal payments to facilitate government action, but not influence discretionary decisions. Business owners who are concerned about the legality of specific actions are able to request the opinion of the Department of Justice regarding any proposed business conduct.

Besides being subject to the laws of the United States, a business owner is subject to the laws of the country to which the business has

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losophical concerns of Japanese society, including Japanese business, is harmony. This concept, the concept of wa, emphasizes the importance of the group above the importance of the individual and the importance of the stability of society (Feiler, 1992). This does not fit well with some American concepts of competitiveness and individual accomplishment. In order to negotiate Japanese business successfully, the U.S. businessperson must be able to subdue those attitudes and behaviors in favor of more harmonious and peaceful ones. Also important in Japan is the concept of face, which is similar to the North American idea of pride and fear of humiliation. For the Japanese, however, face is at the center of the culture. There is considerable pressure to maintain face at all times and the successful foreign business operator must help to ensure this for his or her Japanese peers (Morrison, 1994). These cultural factors, along with many others relating to business etiquette and social relations make the difference between successful operation in Japan and lack of success. Ignorance of appropriate behaviors, and attitudes, can delay negotiations and create frustrating conditions for both Japanese and North Americans attempting to w
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Broad Cavanaugh, Department Justice, Commerce Navigation, United Japan, North American, British Chinese, Abroad Introduction, Practices Act, Cultural Factors, Hong Kong's, middle class, et al 1994, hong kong, et al, al 1994, cultural factors, emerging nations, business owners, broad cavanaugh, cavanaugh 1995, economic factors, broad cavanaugh 1995, gilley sherry 1997, hinkelman series editor, eg hinkelman series,
Approximate Word count = 1662
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)

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