1 NATIONAL CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Successful businesses today must be able to operate effectively in an international environment. Effective operation requires understanding cultural differences that exist among countries. The increasing presence of women in international business environments raises the question as to whether perceptions of cultural dimensions differ by gender. If cross-cultural gender differences exist, then understanding these differences is important to international business success. Japan and the United States (U.S.) are two major forces in international trade with considerable economic interaction. Hofstede (1980) found these countries to differ substantially in cultural terms. The economic similarities contrasted with the cultural differences make Japan and the U.S. interesting subjects for comparing gender differences. Given the large amount of trade occurring between the two countries, improving understanding with regard to cross-cultural gender differences may facilitate better business relationships. Our research, therefore, focused on whether the cultural dimensions differ by gender in Japan and the U.S. Significant gender differences appeared for Japanese participants in the power distance and individualism/collectivism dimensions. In the U.S. no significant gender differences were identified. Theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.