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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