Question: Case study: Culture Clash. PLEASE ANSWER IN 200-300 words Patrick ODonnell, chairman of Oz Hotels sat back in his hotel chair exhausted. He had flown
Case study: Culture Clash.
PLEASE ANSWER IN 200-300 words
Patrick ODonnell, chairman of Oz Hotels sat back in his hotel chair exhausted. He had flown
in from Sydney via Tokyo. ODonnells stay in Japan had been frustrating and had tested his
patience everyone was very polite but not one Japanese manager seemed to want to talk
business. ODonnell wondered how the Japanese could be so successful when they had
absolutely no appreciation that time is money. Bangkok would be different. Already he could
feel the hustle and excitement just like Sydney. ODonnell, however, was soon surprised.
Suthep Tanthamosarn, the managing director of Oz Hotels in Thailand had just told him that
his meeting with Virasak Loothong, chairman of the Golden Elephant Group (one of the largest
and most powerful business houses in Thailand) had been cancelled. ODonnell was angry and
disappointed. Loothongs approval was essential for a multi-million dollar hotel development
planned between Oz Hotels and Glorious Construction Ltd (the property development and
construction arm of Golden Elephant). Whats the reason? demanded ODonnell. Suthep
evaded the question, commenting that Loothong could meet ODonnell in two days time.
ODonnell exploded. What? he shouted red faced. I havent come all the way from Sydney
to be messed around like this doesnt he understand that my time is valuable?
How can he agree to an appointment and then not keep it? Suthep shifted nervously. Actually
Mr Loothong is very keen to meet with you but tomorrow is not a good day. What do you
mean not a good day? snapped Patrick. To be frank, replied Suthep, Mr Loothong is a very
superstitious man. His fortune teller has told him that tomorrow is an unlucky day for doing
business with foreigners. The day after tomorrow, however, is a particularly good day so he
would like to meet you then. You mean, screamed ODonnell, that you are asking me to do
business with some superstitious fool? Suthep, what are you doing to me? How can I go back
to Sydney and ask the board to put up $250 million to form a joint venture with some crazy
guy who believes in fortune tellers?
Question 1: What cultural differences are highlighted?
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