| Abstract [eng] |
The paper “Professional Experiences of Japanese Entrepreneurs and Managers in Lithuania: Bureaucratic and Intercultural Challenges” examines the intercultural interaction challenges that emerge in the narratives of Japanese entrepreneurs and managers about their professional and everyday experiences in Lithuania. The research problem is related to how the interaction of different cultural, institutional, and communication systems affects the professional activities of Japanese individuals and their adaptation within the Lithuanian business environment. The aim of the study is to investigate what kinds of intercultural challenges are revealed in the accounts of Japanese entrepreneurs and managers regarding their professional experiences in Lithuania. To conduct the research, qualitative semi-structured interviews and their qualitative analysis were employed. The theoretical framework of the study is based on approaches from business, economic, and applied anthropology, as well as social network theory of migration. The study revealed that the motivations behind Japanese citizens’ migration to Lithuania are multifaceted, encompassing professional, personal, and cultural aspects. Lithuania often gradually becomes a place for the development of long-term social and professional ties. In the paper it was established that business activities and professional relationships form transnational social networks that facilitate adaptation in the local environment. The analysis of bureaucratic, administrative, and legal aspects showed that one of the main areas of tension lies in the relationship with the Lithuanian institutional system, particularly in processes related to employee registration, labor regulation, and licensing. Language analysis demonstrated that the Lithuanian language becomes an important condition for professional integration, while English serves as a means of international communication, and Japanese remains a component of cultural identity. The study also highlighted significant differences in communication and work organization between Japanese and Lithuanian business cultures, related to communication styles, hierarchy, distribution of responsibility, and the formation of professional relationships. |
