Recently, I have noticed a few differences in the ways the Eastern and Western world do business. But before that, we should understand how these differences arise.
Right from young, in India or China or any traditional society, we are told to study hard for the sciences and maths. We often view law, arts, humanities and other languages condescendingly - or at least that is the case for the majority. It is not that we don't appreciate those subjects, but rather because jobs available in those fields are significantly fewer. For the burgeoning middle class, it makes most sense for them to pursue a career in engineering rather than say geology. Such careers are often left out for the upper class, whose sons and daughters are aware of the applications of such an education. As such, its only the upper classes in traditional society that become lawyers and artists and take up quirky jobs. As for the American education, all subjects are valued equally (I guess their egalitarian views extend to even this space). It is less uncommon to come across students willing to do humanities. This can even be reflected in the American education system where much emphasis is placed on an all-round liberal arts education in contrast to a pure engineering study.
With this, right from the start when the graduates enter the real working world, there already exists a stark difference in viewpoints. Westerners(Europeans included) tend to focus on design while Asians are more concerned with functionality. I can give you countless examples where this is true. Apple versus Creative, BMW versus Toyota/Lexus, Nokia/Blackberry/Apple versus Sony/Samsung/NTT Docomo. The comparisons are never ending. Almost the whole fashion industry exists exclusively in Europe although recently many Asian counterparts have come along. Seriously, there is no Asian city that is viewed equally with Paris or Venice. It is going to take a few more generations for people to even accept that Asian people can do design well(in fact many Western designs are influenced by Asian cultures).
Asians are not unfazed though. Even though the Western world and culture appears cool, Asians are catching up quickly. Globalization has really brought about wonders. Sadly 'cool' doesn't run an economy. Functionality is a necessity while design is more of a value-added factor. (*Coughs* Compares American versus Indian/Chinese economy forecasts) America has realized its opportunity cost for giving lesser priority to maths and sciences. Americans also want to learn from Asians; many universities are setting up overseas campuses in Asian societies. I believe that one day, due to the immense rate of information exchange between Asian and Western communities, our world will homogenize. I guess Indian and Chinese parents will no longer ask their sons to become an engineers or doctors from young. The American education will increase their coursework for maths and science modules. The only thing that differentiates us then is our skin color and our history. After all, we were all born with less than 0.01% of difference in our DNAs. It is the fate of all humans to converge. Another 2000 years and we will also be laughing at our own selves on how we differentiated each other purely based on skin tones. There will no longer be Indians or Chinese but only Homo-sapiens. With this, I realize that I have steered slightly off topic here.
So what are your comments about the Eastern versus Western ways of doing business?
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