GUNHO MOVIE KEY NOTE Friday, January 1, 2021 ICF Dimension 10:44 AM Description of the Scene Ability to Influence U.S ability to influence is demonstrated at a union meeting when the membership vocalizes their belief they are the better workers (in comparison with Japanese workers) The CEO of Assan Motors pays a visit to the General Manager’s home in Hadleyville It is clear that the GM has little opportunity to influence him When the Assan Motors CEO arrives from Japan he is very disturbed to discover the U.S workers are planning independently of management at a union meeting The factory employees recognize they can impact the shop floor if they voice their concerns Hunt meets with GM who explains to Hunt that in Japan one does not question the boss When Assan Motors CEO visits the factory, the Japanese managers not express their wishes if it appears to go against the desires of the CEO (e.g One Japanese manager’s wife is in labor, but he does not ask to leave the factory early.) Comfort with Ambiguity Hunt meets with Japanese managers and was surprised that the Japanese had policies regarding how tasks are to be carried out Hunt asks, “Why can’t we run the plant they way we always have?” This comment demonstrates low Japanese comfort with ambiguity (CWA) and moderate to high U.S CWA In the Hadleyville factory the Japanese implemented rules, such as the one concerning the reading of newspapers in the bathroom, which were not acceptable to U.S workers Allowing a factory worker to leave the job to attend to a sick child or spouse is acceptable to Americans, but the Japanese believe that work comes above family After an injury to one of the U.S factory workers, the Japanese manager tells employees to go back to work because,“that’s the rule.” Achievement Orientation U.S union meeting demonstrates high assertiveness of American union members Before the softball game, the comments about pissing for distance vs accuracy demonstrate U.S assertiveness versus Japanese achievement orientation The Japanese also show high achievement orientation through clear, measurable goals and an emphasis on the elimination of defects on factory floor U.S workers are less inclined to focus on either Softball game suggests both teams are motivated to win, but U.S workers focus more on strength (collision on base path) vs finesse for the Japanese (bunting) High achievement orientation demonstrated by General Manager when he ignores his wife’s request to assemble his son’s bicycle and continues working on factory matters at his home The Japanese women leave the dinner table when business is announced but the American woman chooses to stay Japanese mangers state that U.S workers put themselves above the company as opposed to Japanese workers • • • • Individualism/Collectivism Japanese collectivism is illustrated by: warming up for the softball game as a team wearing the same uniform valuing group exercise before beginning work encouraging cross-training and teamwork U.S individualism is illustrated by: • wearing different uniforms and warming up individually at the softball game • perceiving morning exercises as humorous • acknowledging Hunt as an individual hero for his high school basketball exploits Time Orientation U.S workers tend to be very present oriented—they focus on today both in work and play (One exception—Hunt is sent to Japan to encourage the Japanese to reopen the plant in Hadleyville in order to assure the future of the community.) Japanese demonstrate a present and future orientation through focus on high achievement, meeting monthly goals and building a successful venture for future growth Space Orientation Japanese managers work in open space and in the film they are usually depicted working together in one space U.S factory workers express a desire for privacy, especially when the Japanese install video cameras to monitor their work CCM Page U.S factory workers express a desire for privacy, especially when the Japanese install video cameras to monitor their work Teaching Ambiguity and Paradox Although often accused of being a medium that encourages stereotypes, film can also demonstrate the ambiguity and paradox that permeates most cultures Some examples of these ambiguities and paradoxes evident in Gung Ho are:  While generally individualist, U.S workers are solidly collectivist in their union affiliation  Both groups (Americans and Japanese) show some variation of assertiveness, but Americans are more assertive in conversation/advocacy, while Japanese demonstrate their assertiveness through a stronger achievement orientation  Women from both societies play a minor role in organizational decisions although this is more so in Japanese culture and their subordinate role is less socially acceptable for Americans  The Japanese general manager demonstrates an untypical style for a manager from his culture The scene at the bowling alley,for instance, shows his sensitivity to others, his concern about the lack of worker satisfaction, and his recognition that most Japanese men work too much  The GM stands up to his boss (not typical) and says, “We’re killing ourselves.” These contradictions can provide a rich source of discussion, especially if the class has students from or with significant experience in the culture being analyzed Even inaccuracies and misrepresentation can be used to discuss subtlety and the dangers of stereotyping What film does particularly well is provide complex descriptions with subtle shadings that will help students to better understand cultural differences and so in an entertaining and memorable way CCM Page ... with subtle shadings that will help students to better understand cultural differences and so in an entertaining and memorable way CCM Page ... satisfaction, and his recognition that most Japanese men work too much  The GM stands up to his boss (not typical) and says, “We’re killing ourselves.” These contradictions can provide a rich source... generally individualist, U.S workers are solidly collectivist in their union affiliation  Both groups (Americans and Japanese) show some variation of assertiveness, but Americans are more assertive