Managerial Stereotypes in a Global Economy: A Comparative Study of Japanese and American Business Students' Perspectives

Abstract

This study examined stereotypes of American managers, Japanese managers, and a “good manager” held by 264 Japanese and 249 American business students. Although neither the American nor Japanese managerial stereotype resembled that of a good manager in either sample, the stereotypes of a good manager were considerably different for these samples. Japanese students' preferences for a Japanese versus an American manager were consistent with their beliefs about who was the better manager. American students' preferences were less consistent.