Tim Baker Is an Account Representative from the United States

Tim Baker is an account representative from the United States for an automotive parts supplier and is meeting with a client team in Japan. This is Tim's first trip to Japan, and unfortunately, he wasn't able to review any information about "doing business in Japan" before he left the States. His first meeting with representatives from the prospective client's firm is a dinner, and he is immediately surprised at the formality of the event. All of his counterparts are dressed very formally, and no one is addressing him by his first name but is referring to him as Mr. Baker. In addition, the members of the client team seem to be waiting on their supervisor to make the first move, and Tim is beginning to realize that age and seniority are very important to the team members. Tim is growing a little concerned that he may not be successful in business since he feels like a fish out of water. Which environmental force has the sales representative encountered?

A) sociocultural
B) economic
C) technological
D) competitive