2019 Volume 50 Pages 91-110
The purpose of this study was to examine conflicts at work, working values, and the working awareness of former international student employees in a multicultural business environment and to reveal ways in which these factors affect conflict resolution. One hundred(73 female and 27 male)former international student employees who worked with Japanese employees completed a webbased questionnaire as part of a survey conducted from March to July 2017. Of the respondents, 43 were Chinese, 21 were Taiwanese, 13 were Vietnamese, 9 were Korean, and 14 were from other countries. Factor analysis was conducted. Five factors emerged for conflict at work: lack of understanding of others’ religion, unclear company norms, Japanese employees’ perfectionism in work, emphasis on company norms, and disrespect for foreign employees. Eight factors emerged for working values: self-growth, social evaluation, religious values, social contribution, economic rewards, contribution to colleagues, orientation toward career enhancement, and sense of achievement. Four factors emerged for working awareness: adaptation and taking root in the workplace, harmony in the workplace, impact on the workplace, and confidence in one’s own ability. The results of multiple regression analysis with conflict resolution strategies as dependent variables and with conflict at work, working values, and working awareness as independent variables revealed that disrespect for foreign employees in relation to conflict at work affected confrontation, cooperation, and avoidance. A confrontation strategy was selected when self-growth was not emphasized and a cooperation strategy was selected when it was emphasized. Furthermore, a confrontation strategy or avoidance strategy was chosen when adaptation and taking root in the workplace was not recognized. The results suggest that it is imperative to develop a working environment in which former international student employees can demonstrate their skills and abilities, build good relationships within their surrounding environment, and enjoy long-term working prospects.
