{"id":2007,"date":"2008-11-17T09:11:16","date_gmt":"2008-11-17T00:11:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.debito.org\/?p=2007"},"modified":"2008-11-17T09:11:16","modified_gmt":"2008-11-17T00:11:16","slug":"negative-survey-of-nj-employers-by-j-headhunting-company-careercross-to-make-employers-see-their-own-bias","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/?p=2007","title":{"rendered":"Negative survey of NJ employers by J headhunting company “Careercross” to make “employers see their own bias”"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Handbook<\/a>\"\\\"<\/a>\"Foreign<\/a>\"\\\"<\/a>\"\u300c\u30b8\u30e3\u30d1\u30cb\u30fc\u30ba\u30fb\u30aa\u30f3\u30ea\u30fc\u3000\u5c0f\u6a3d\u5165\u6d74\u62d2\u5426\u554f\u984c\u3068\u4eba\u7a2e\u5dee\u5225\u300d\uff08\u660e\u77f3\u66f8\u5e97\uff09\"<\/a>\"JAPANESE<\/a><\/p>\n

Turning the keyboard over to member of The Community<\/a>, about an issue recently uncovered:<\/p>\n

===================================<\/p>\n

Date: November 6, 2008 12:35:18 AM JST
\nFrom BCD at The Community<\/strong><\/p>\n

Community,<\/em><\/p>\n

Below is a survey I just saw on Careercross.com, which, if you don’t know it, is a job placement site.<\/em><\/p>\n

CareerCross provides information on bilingual employment in Japan for bilingual Japanese and English speakers, plus an invaluable resource for non-Japanese Living and Working in Japan.<\/em><\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.careercross.com\/
\n<\/a>
\n Maybe I’m just being overly sensitive or something, but something about\u00a0these questions, targeted at foreign employers of Japanese seems wrong.<\/em><\/p>\n

I can only imagine that if a similar survey were asked in any other\u00a0country, where any racial group as asked to rate and compare another\u00a0racial group, it would cause a hell of a fuss. Pick any two racial\u00a0groups… the kinds of questions asked here seem to be in really poor\u00a0judgment.<\/em><\/p>\n

What do you guys think? Is there an unsavoury form of cultural insensitivity being displayed here or am I seeing something that isn’t\u00a0there?<\/em><\/p>\n

The questions are as follows:<\/em><\/p>\n

1. How comfortable are you working with Japanese subordinates?
\nComfortable
\nSomewhat comfortable
\nNeither comfortable, nor uncomfortable
\nSomewhat uncomfortable
\nUncomfortable<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 2. Can you rely on Japanese subordinates?
\nI can rely on them
\nI can rely on them somewhat
\nI can not rely on them so much
\nI can not rely on them<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 3. Do you have occasions where you are not able to understand what
\nJapanese subordinates really think?
\nFrequently
\nSometimes
\nRarely
\nNever<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 4. Please compare Japanese subordinates with those of your
\nnationality. Please choose 1 answer from each of the following questions.
\n* 4a. Work Speed
\nFaster
\nSomewhat faster
\nNeither faster, nor slower
\nSomewhat slower
\nSlower<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 4b. Quality of work
\nMore careful
\nSomewhat more careful
\nNeither more careful, nor more careless
\nSomewhat more careless
\nMore careless<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 4c. Creativity
\nMore creative
\nSomewhat more creative
\nNeither more, nor less creative
\nSomewhat less creative
\nLess creative<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 4d. Logicality
\nLogical
\nSomewhat logical
\nNeither more, nor less logical
\nSomewhat less logical
\nLess logical<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 4e. Risk taking
\nAccepts challenges
\nSomewhat accepts challenges
\nNeither accepts, nor avoids challenges
\nSomewhat avoids challenges
\nAvoids challenges<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 4f. Attitude in discussions
\nUnafraid of conflict
\nSomewhat unafraid of conflict
\nNeither unafraid, nor afraid of conflict
\nSomewhat afraid of conflict
\nAfraid of conflict<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 4g. Negotiation skills
\nBetter at negotiating
\nSomewhat better at negotiating
\nNeither better, nor worse at negotiating
\nSomewhat worse at negotiating
\nWorse at negotiating<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 4h. Problem solving skills
\nBetter at problem solving
\nSomewhat better at problem solving
\nNeither better, nor worse at problem solving
\nSomewhat worse at problem solving
\nWorse at problem solving<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 4i. Leadership skills
\nMore willing to take leadership
\nSomewhat more willing to take leadership
\nNeither more, nor less willing to take leadership
\nSomewhat less willing to take leadership
\nLess willing to take leadership<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 4j. Effectiveness
\nMore effective
\nSomewhat more effective
\nNeither more, nor less effective
\nSomewhat less effective
\nLess effective<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 4k. Cooperativeness
\nMore cooperative
\nSomewhat more cooperative
\nNeither more, nor less cooperative
\nSomewhat less cooperative
\nLess cooperative<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 4l. Adapts to change
\nMore flexible
\nSomewhat more flexible
\nNeither more, nor less flexible
\nSomewhat less flexible
\nLess flexible<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 4m. Assertiveness
\nMore assertive
\nSomewhat more assertive
\nNeither more, nor less assertive
\nSomewhat less assertive
\nLess assertive<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 4n. Communication skills
\nBetter communication skills
\nSomewhat better communication skills
\nNeither better, nor worse communication skills
\nSomewhat worse communication skills
\nWorse communication skills<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 5. What do you find difficult in working with Japanese subordinates?
\nPlease choose as many as you like. If you have other examples please
\nwrite them below.
\nSlow work
\nCareless work
\nLack of creativity
\nLack of logic
\nAvoids challenges
\nAfraid of conflict in discussions
\nPoor at negotiating
\nPoor at problem solving
\nLack of leadership
\nIneffective
\nUncooperative
\nLack of flexibility (Poor at adapting to change)
\nLack of assertiveness
\nPoor communication skills<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Other<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 6. If you were to hire Japanese subordinates what qualities would you
\nlook for? Please choose as many as you like. If you have other examples
\nplease write them below.
\nFast work
\nCareful work
\nCreativity
\nLogic
\nAccepts challenges
\nUnafraid of conflicts in discussion
\nBetter at problem solving
\nLeadership
\nEffectiveness
\nCooperativeness
\nFlexibility (Adapts to change)
\nAssertiveness
\nGood communication skills<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Other<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* 7. If you had to hire one candidate from 2 who had the same
\ncompetency, which would you hire: a Japanese candidate with fluent
\nEnglish ability or a non-Japanese candidate with fluent Japanese ability?
\nDefinitely the Japanese candidate with fluent English ability
\nPreferably the Japanese candidate with fluent English ability
\nNo preference
\nPreferably the non-Japanese candidate with fluent Japanese ability
\nDefinitely the non-Japanese candidate with fluent Japanese ability<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

8. Please tell us the reason for your answer of the previous question.
\n* 9. Do you think Japanese business people would do well globally?
\nYes, they would.
\nThey probably would.
\nCannot say either way.
\nThey probably would not.
\nNo, they would not.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

* This question requires an answer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

10. What do you think is necessary for Japanese business people to do
\nwell globally in the future?
\n* 11. Finally, do you feel threatened by Japanese business people taking
\nyour position?
\nYes, I feel threatened.
\nYes, I feel somewhat threatened.
\nNo, I don\u2019t feel very threatened.
\nNo, I don\u2019t feel threatened.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

===========================<\/p>\n

FURTHER COMMENTARY FROM THE COMMUNITY::<\/strong><\/p>\n

Totally agree this survey is very biased, especially question 5 as BCD\u00a0pointed out. I have two Japanese subordinates – Kondo-kun tends to be a little slow in reporting changes and Adachi-kun tends not to\u00a0express any opinions at meetings, but I couldn’t say anything about Japanese subordinates in general from that. \u00a0Kaoru<\/em><\/p>\n

===========================<\/p>\n

FOLLOWUP FROM BCD:<\/strong><\/p>\n

After having slept on it, and seeing your comments, I’m a little more\u00a0convinced that the questions are inappropriate and Careercoss should\u00a0probably be called on it.<\/em><\/p>\n

Two main reasons: If such a survey were conducted in Japanese by\u00a0employers of foreigners, we’d be up in arms about it. And the fact that\u00a0the tone is overwhelmingly negative. Question 5 does not offer any way\u00a0of opting out of a negative impression of Japanese employees, and is\u00a0chock full of stereotypes.<\/em><\/p>\n

I don’t know how to find the survey online if you are not a member. It\u00a0was offered to me via email because I’ve had a resume on Careercross for\u00a0a while.<\/em><\/p>\n

The link they sent me was:
\n<\/em> http:\/\/www.careercross.com\/en\/questionnaire_screener.php
\n<\/em> <\/a>
\nI’m considering getting in touch with them to make known that their\u00a0survey is poorly executed and has the impression of bias against\u00a0Japanese. If anyone has suggestions on what might be said, or what parts\u00a0pointed out, please let me know.<\/em><\/p>\n

===========================<\/p>\n

COMMENTARY FROM GM:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thank you for the link, because that helped me look for something that seems to me to be very important when sending out any survey — what is the purpose of the survey. I don’t see any reason given for the survey on either page.
\n<\/em><\/div>\n

As for Q5, what really concerns me is there is no place to check a block which is a positive response.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

“What troubles do\/did you have …?” — How about allowing us the opportunity to check a box that indicates, “None.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

All the answers are negative, unless one were to put a positive answer in “other”.\u00a0I would think a “positive box” should go at the very top as a first choice. Otherwise, we get the impression that it’s a foregone conclusion that us non-Japanese folks always have negative\u00a0views of our Japanese subordinates.<\/em><\/p>\n

Okay, that’s my take on Q5, but I have other concerns about this survey, so I just called their offices about ten minutes ago. The lady I eventually spoke with indicated that the person\u00a0responsible for the survey was not there to answer my question about what the purpose of the survey is and why there is no positive answer available for Q5, so I gave her an email address to let\u00a0the person send me an answer. I declined the offer of a phone call. The lady seemed to\u00a0understand\u00a0my questions just fine, but we may yet have some problem with my questions being communicated through her to the\u00a0person\u00a0having to answer. *If* that person will answer.<\/em><\/p>\n

Is that a practical good first step — some kind of initial contact with two basic questions, and then we can decide if and how to go further? I suppose it’s a bit late to ask, as I’ve already done it.<\/em><\/p>\n

By the way, I think going much “further” is going to be necessary. For one thing, if one is to send out a survey that is essentially only going to cover negative aspects of an issue the introduction to the survey must explain why.<\/em><\/p>\n

Let’s say I send out a survey titled, “What Don’t You Like About GM.” I think I should preface that survey with some reason why I assume all of you don’t like GM.<\/em><\/p>\n

===========================<\/p>\n

RESPONSE FROM CAREERCROSS.COM TO A QUERY FROM GM<\/strong><\/p>\n

date: Tue, Nov 11, 2008 at 1023 AM<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

subject: CareerCross survey<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

To: GM<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Thank you very much for contacting us on Friday and for taking part in our survey.
\n\u00a0
\nThis survey is an important part in understanding the attitudes and perceptions of foreign employers as it applies to their Japanese hires. Actually the survey is, as you had pointed out, slightly on the negative side which we feel is important in getting straight answers about negative perceptions that a foreign boss may have. We do not think that a “fell good” survey would not bring out information of value. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Please not that it was myself and our Japanese staff, with the help of our foreign staff, that came up with these questions. We hope this survey will be useful for both employers to see their own bias as well as Japanese working at companies for a foreigner.
\n\u00a0
\nThank you again for participating in our survey. \u00a0Best regards,<\/strong>
\n Masayuki Saito
\nDirector COO
\nC.C.Consulting K.K.
\nTel: 03-5728-1861 Fax: 03-5728-1862<\/strong><\/em>
\nENDS<\/p>\n

===========================<\/p>\n

RESPONSE FROM BCD:
\n<\/strong>
\n Points that I think need to be addressed in a response to the CareerCross CEO:<\/em><\/p>\n

1. A “feel good” survey is not the only alternative to a negative one. It is entirely possible to create a merely objective survey.<\/em><\/p>\n

2. Any market researcher knows that asking leading questions gets the answers that the respondents were led to. If they want genuine and meaningful result, then they necessarily should allow clear options for both positive and neutral responses, not only negative.<\/em><\/p>\n

3. The old “Japanese think so too” argument is as tired as ever. Just because the boss had some Japanese people work on the survey doesn’t justify anything about it. Not only is it unclear whether or not the Japanese or non-Japanese involved honestly felt the freedom to construct the survey differently than what their higher ups wanted, in any country and culture one will find attitudes of criticism of local norms that can be exploited. Just because I can find a Canadian that says Canadians suck doesn’t make it a more accurate description of Canada.<\/em><\/p>\n

I could rip apart this guy’s justification of this survey even more, but I’m a little tired right now.<\/em><\/p>\n

GM, this time, before firing off any more responses to CareerCross, maybe wait a bit until we’ve had time to flesh out some consistent points. The whole advantage of a group like this is the collective wisdom.<\/em><\/p>\n

===========================<\/p>\n

Okay, Debito.org readers, time for some collective wisdom… Comments please. \u00a0Arudou Debito in Sapporo<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here is an interesting survey by J headhunting company “Careercross”. One read through it and it’s evident the loaded questions (for NJ employers of Japanese) are angling to expose apparent negative predispositions that foreigners evidently have towards their Japanese subordinates. Even a response back from the company itself justifying the survey is indicative, as if it’s going to teach the foreign bosses a lesson about themselves:<\/p>\n

=================================<\/p>\n

date: Tue, Nov 11, 2008 at 1023 AM
\nsubject: CareerCross survey<\/p>\n

Thank you very much for contacting us on Friday and for taking part in our survey.<\/p>\n

This survey is an important part in understanding the attitudes and perceptions of foreign employers as it applies to their Japanese hires. Actually the survey is, as you had pointed out, slightly on the negative side which we feel is important in getting straight answers about negative perceptions that a foreign boss may have. We do not think that a “fell good” survey would not bring out information of value.<\/p>\n

Please not that it was myself and our Japanese staff, with the help of our foreign staff, that came up with these questions. We hope this survey will be useful for both employers to see their own bias as well as Japanese working at companies for a foreigner.<\/p>\n

Thank you again for participating in our survey.
\nBest regards,
\nMasayuki Saito
\nDirector COO
\nC.C.Consulting K.K.
\nTel: 03-5728-1861 Fax: 03-5728-1862
\n=================================<\/p>\n

Put on your thinking caps, readers of Debito.org. What would you do if presented with a biased survey in order to use a J headhunting company? Read the full survey blogged here…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[43,36,16,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2007","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bad-business-practices","category-bad-social-science","category-labor-issues","category-problematic-foreign-treatment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2007","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2007"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2007\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2007"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2007"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2007"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}