Gung Ho Discussion Questions

Gung Ho Discussion Questions

1. What does the title of the film “gung- ho” mean?

“Gung” means “Work” and “Ho” means “Together” which portrays the Eastern “teamwork” ethic shown in the movie.[pic 1]

1. Who are the characters in the movie?

1. Hunt Stevenson (Michael Keaton)[pic 2]
2. Oishi Kazihiro (Gedde Watanabe)

1. What is the basic plot of the movie?

The movie depicts the differences in culture and work ethic of Americans and Japanese. It shows how each group handles conflicts and leadership differences between the two cultures. The main characters are faced with dilemma about how to resolve these conflicts and work together as a team so as to keep the plant running smoothly and efficiently.[pic 3]

1. Hunt makes two assumptions that turn out to be false: a) he believes he failed in his presentation to the Japanese; b) he believes the Japanese visit to the plant assures the plant will open. Later on, Audrey assumes that it’s okay for her to stay with the men after dinner. What aspects of their culture led them to make these assumptions?

Japanese follows high context culture while Americans follow low context culture. Americans perceive silence as an awkward void and believe in expressing emotions while Japanese usually remain silent. Hunt believes that lack of questions from the Japanese shows lack of interest. [pic 4]

Americans also have a short term orientation while Japanese people have a long term orientation. Hunt believes that if Japanese visits the plants, hires workers and starts production then the company will surely be committed to stay in the business. Japanese have long term orientation and believe the company must do well in the trial run before even considering to open the company for a long run.

In Japan it is the men who work and make decisions while in America both men and women have equal rights and are included in decision making. So, Audrey assumes it is okay for her to stay with men after dinner.

1. What etiquette issues arise in the movie?

1. Hunt wearing a light khaki outfit rather than a conservative outfit[pic 5]
2. The manner in which receives the business cards
3. Americans generally use informal communication while the Japanese are very formal
4. Americans make fun of calisthenics and use of chopsticks which Japanese find very important
5. Japanese want workers to work without any distractions like music, smoking etc.
6. Japanese believe in team work rather than on individual goals
7. Japanese don’t question the decision of their superiors while Americans question decision of their superiors if they have to  

1. Were there ways in which doing advance home work could have led to better preparation for Hunt’s cross-cultural encounter in Japan?

1. Hunt gets lost in a paddy field[pic 6]
2. He bring a projector and heavy screen from America
3. His presentation is filled with jokes and images
4. He is dressed in light khaki outfit which is contrast with the conservative dark outfit worn by the Japanese

1. What incidents show difference in Japanese and American attitudes towards authority (power distance) and leadership dynamics?

[pic 7]

1. What cultural value(s) are reflected in the Japanese zealous commitment to quality (0% defects) and the rigorous procedures to achieve it?

 [pic 8]

1. How do Japanese and Americans differ in their approach to resolving conflicts?

Americans consider conflicts as inevitable and try to work on it so as to resolve them.[pic 9]

Japanese consider conflicts as something dangerous and avoid it at any cost possible.

1. How do the Japanese and the Americans in the movie differ in terms of high and low context styles?

Japanese follows high context culture while Americans follow low context culture. Americans perceive silence as an awkward void and believe in expressing emotions while Japanese usually remain silent. Hunt believes that lack of questions from the Japanese shows lack of interest[pic 10]