Read the following case study and answer the questions. There is only one correct answer.

In $2024,$ GlobalTech Solutions, an American software company, embarked on a venture to expand its operations into East Asia, with a particular focus on Japan and South Korea.

This strategic move required intricate negotiations with potential local partners to establish a joint venture that would facilitate entry into these technologically advanced

markets.

The negotiation team was led by Susan Ramirez, an experienced negotiator known for her culturally sensitive approach. The team also included a cultural consultant, Dr$.$ Hiro

Tanaka, who provided insights into Japanese business etiquette and negotiation norms. The primary challenge was to reconcile the American style of direct communication and

quick decision$-$making with the East Asian preference for a slower, relationship$-$building approach that involved numerous formal meetings and social gatherings.

During the negotiations, GlobalTech proposed an aggressive timeline for technology integration and rollout. However, their Japanese counterparts were more interested in

understanding the long$-$term commitment of GlobalTech to local business practices and community engagement. This divergence in priorities led to several misunderstandings,

which Dr$.$ Tanaka helped to clarify by facilitating deeper dialogues about each party's core values and long$-$term visions.

A breakthrough occurred when Susan invited the Japanese team to a series of informal dinners, allowing both teams to build trust and share personal stories about their

professional experiences and family lives. These gatherings proved crucial, as they shifted the negotiations from a purely transactional focus to a more relational one, aligning

more closely with Japanese cultural expectations.

Ultimately, a deal was structured that included clauses for technology sharing that were contingent on ongoing partnership reviews, which satisfied the Japanese partners' need

for reassurance about GlobalTech's commitment. The agreement also included plans for joint community projects and cultural exchange programs to cement the partnership.

QF$1.$ What was GlobalTech Solutions' primary objective in these negotiations?

A$.$ To form a joint venture

B$.$ To purchase a local competitor

C$.$ To outsource their operations

D$.$ To sell their technology