Which HR practice is least likely to be effective in collectivist cultures such as Japan?

In collectivist cultures, such as Japan, individuals tend to prioritize the goals and needs of the group over their personal ambitions. This cultural tendency leads to a strong preference for practices that emphasize teamwork and collaboration. Individual-based incentives are least likely to be effective in this context because they focus on personal achievement rather than collective success.

In collectivist societies, recognition and rewards that are tied to individual performance may create tension or feelings of competition among employees, which counteracts the communal spirit that is valued. Instead, practices like team-based rewards, group training programs, and collective bargaining align well with the collectivist ethos by promoting unity and shared goals. This makes individual-based incentives less impactful and less compatible with the cultural expectations in collectivist environments.