IC Chap 3

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is true of the way Arabs view time? (Select all that apply)

Arabs view time as a valuable and limited resource.

Arabs honor deadlines by all means.

Arabs believe important decisions cannot be rushed. (correct)

Deadlines and firm commitments are crucial to Arabs.

Which of the following is true of the attitude toward work in Mexican culture? (Select all that apply)

Group harmony at work is essential to success.

Workers are primarily focused on the future.

Work is a sacred duty.

Leisure time is more important than work. (correct)

Which of the following factors can cause changes in traditional, non-Western societies? (Select all that apply)

Media exposure (correct)

Self-reference criterion

Religious activities

Stereotyping

Which of the following is NOT a critical operational value difference? (Select all that apply)

Etiquette Signup and view all the answers

The European view of information privacy most likely stems from its:

Culture and history Signup and view all the answers

Based on the study conducted by Harris and Moran, which of the following is NOT a workplace behavior of most Americans? (Select all that apply)

Following a formal culture Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Arab culture? (Select all that apply)

Imposition of deadlines Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a typical characteristic of Arab culture? (Select all that apply)

Open admission of mistakes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is likely to cause offense in Saudi Arabia? (Select all that apply)

Introducing business subjects too soon Signup and view all the answers

With regard to small family businesses in China, a 'guanxi' can be best described as a:

Network of relationships centered on mutual obligations and favors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a predominant characteristic of the Chinese management style? (Select all that apply)

Paternalism Signup and view all the answers

Arabs avoid open admission of error at all costs because weakness is a failure to be manly.

True Signup and view all the answers

Chinese management style focuses on human-centeredness, family-centeredness, centralization of power, and small size.

True Signup and view all the answers

What are the four culturally based variables that may cause frequent problems for Americans in international management?

Time, change, material factors, and individualism. Signup and view all the answers

What types of behavior by international managers would most likely be offensive in Saudi Arabia?

Swearing, discussing religion or politics, bringing alcohol, requesting favors, introducing business subjects too soon, pointing fingers, and showing the soles of feet. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT true about cultural diversity? (Select all that apply)

Cultural diversity is most successful when domestic and foreign firms establish joint ventures. Signup and view all the answers

Global managers who exhibit cultural intelligence and cultural sensitivity will most likely be able to:

Negotiate effectively in expatriate assignments. Signup and view all the answers

An international manager can best develop an understanding of a particular culture by:

Creating a cultural profile for that country or region in which the firm does business. Signup and view all the answers

According to contingency management, international managers need to:

Adapt their management styles to the local setting and people. Signup and view all the answers

______ consists of specific learned norms based on attitudes, values, and beliefs of a group of people.

Culture Signup and view all the answers

______ is an outsider's seemingly natural ability to interpret someone's unfamiliar and ambiguous gestures in just the way that person's compatriots and colleagues would.

Cultural intelligence Signup and view all the answers

______ is the awareness of and an honest caring about another individual's culture.

Cultural empathy Signup and view all the answers

Cultural sensitivity is also known as ______.

cultural empathy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a primary reason for failed expatriate assignments?

Cross-cultural differences Signup and view all the answers

______ comprises the shared values, understandings, assumptions, and goals that over time are passed on and imposed by members of a group or society.

Culture Signup and view all the answers

______ is increasing the pace of both cultural diffusion and cultural change.

Globalization Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT categorized as a sociocultural variable of culture?

Economy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents the expectations, norms, and goals held in common by members of a specific company or group?

Organizational culture Signup and view all the answers

An organization where employees typically wear casual clothes and interact casually is most likely to have a(n) ______ organizational culture.

informal Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a drawback of organizational culture?

Resistance to change Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an advantage of organizational culture?

Long-term commitment Signup and view all the answers

______ is the phenomenon of the shifting of individual management styles to become more similar to one another.

Convergence Signup and view all the answers

The unconscious reference point of one's own cultural values is called a(n) ______.

self-reference criterion Signup and view all the answers

The first step for an international manager toward cultural sensitivity should be to ______.

understand his or her own culture Signup and view all the answers

Cultural intelligence is also known as cultural quotient.

True Signup and view all the answers

Cultural sensitivity requires the willingness to put oneself in another's shoes.

True Signup and view all the answers

Creolization is the process where immigrants completely disregard all aspects of the local culture.

False Signup and view all the answers

Organizational culture tends to be stronger than societal culture.

False Signup and view all the answers

Contingency management requires managers to adapt to the local environment and people, and to manage accordingly.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is convergence?

Convergence describes the phenomenon of the shifting of individual management styles to become more similar to one another. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between parochialism and ethnocentrism?

Parochialism occurs when a Frenchman expects others to follow French customs, while ethnocentrism assumes one's ways are best globally. Signup and view all the answers

When immigrants adopt some aspects of the local culture while keeping aspects of their culture of origin, this process is called ______.

creolization Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms refers to the expectation that foreigners should automatically fall into host-country patterns of behavior?

Parochialism Signup and view all the answers

______ refers to the belief that the practices of one's own country are best no matter where or under what conditions they are applied.

Ethnocentrism Signup and view all the answers

Canada consists of distinct groups such as Anglophones, Francophones, and indigenous Canadians. This is an example of ______.

subculture Signup and view all the answers

______ refers to the assumption that every member of a society or subculture has the same characteristics or traits without regard to individual differences.

Stereotyping Signup and view all the answers

Stereotyping should most likely be avoided by international managers because ______.

many cultures have diverse subcultures Signup and view all the answers

According to Harris and Moran, which of the following is NOT a category that forms the subsystems in any society?

Societal system Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of Harris and Moran's eight categories?

To show how subsystems in a society affect an individual's behavior. Signup and view all the answers

According to Harris and Moran's eight categories, a kinship system refers to the influence of ______.

family relationships Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following subsystems is most likely to underlie both moral and economic norms?

Religious system Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms refers to a society's ideas and convictions about what is good or bad and right or wrong?

Values Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a cultural dimension identified by the GLOBE Project team?

Power distance Signup and view all the answers

Austria and Germany value competition and have a 'can-do' attitude. Therefore, according to the GLOBE project, Austria and Germany are most likely to be ______ societies.

assertive Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true of a future-oriented country?

It focuses on longer time horizon for decisions. Signup and view all the answers

According to the GLOBE project, which of the following cultural dimensions refers to how much people in a society are expected to be tough, confrontational, and competitive versus modest and tender?

Assertiveness Signup and view all the answers

People in Singapore and Denmark are inclined toward long-term planning. According to the GLOBE project, such societies score high on ______.

future orientation Signup and view all the answers

Managers from Singapore, New Zealand, and Hong Kong tend to take initiative and have a sense of urgency, and the confidence to get things done. According to the GLOBE project, such managers score high on the cultural dimension of ______.

performance orientation Signup and view all the answers

Med-Tex, a large pharmaceutical firm based in Texas, wants to establish its presence by expanding overseas. Which of the following, if true, best supports the argument that Med-Tex should build its new facility in Ireland?

Expanding into a similar culture reduces risks associated with different attitudes, values, and communication styles. Signup and view all the answers

All of the following are value dimensions proposed by Hofstede EXCEPT ______.

Assertiveness Signup and view all the answers

Workplaces in high power distance cultures will most likely be characterized by ______.

Autocratic leadership Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following countries would an autocratic style of leadership be most effective?

High power distance countries Signup and view all the answers

According to Hofstede, societies that accept strong hierarchical boss-subordinate relationships are high on ______.

Power distance Signup and view all the answers

According to Hofstede, the extent to which subordinates accept a hierarchical system in a company is known as ______.

Power distance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following Hofstede variables is associated with a strong sense of nationalism?

Uncertainty avoidance Signup and view all the answers

According to Hofstede, the tendency of people to look after themselves and their immediate family and to place less emphasis on the needs of the society is known as ______.

Individualism Signup and view all the answers

Based on Hofstede's value dimensions, countries that have strict laws and procedures to which their people adhere closely most likely have ______.

High uncertainty avoidance Signup and view all the answers

Based on Hofstede's value dimensions, countries in which nationalism is less pronounced, protests are tolerated, and job mobility is common are high on ______.

Uncertainty avoidance Signup and view all the answers

According to Hofstede, tight social frameworks, emotional dependence on belonging to the organization, and a strong belief in group decisions are characteristics of ______.

Collectivism Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a primary characteristic of masculine societies?

Assertiveness Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true of countries with low masculinity?

More women in high-level jobs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of Trompenaars's value dimensions?

Intrinsic versus extrinsic Signup and view all the answers

According to Trompenaars's value dimensions, which of the following is true of the universalistic approach?

It emphasizes applying rules and systems objectively. Signup and view all the answers

Based on Trompenaars's value dimensions, which of the following is a characteristic of the particularistic approach?

Obligation toward relationships Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following societies are people more likely to pass on inside information to a friend?

Particularistic Signup and view all the answers

According to Trompenaars's value dimensions, which of the following focuses on the emotional orientation of relationships?

Neutral versus affective Signup and view all the answers

Managers from Italy and Mexico would most likely express their emotions openly during a business situation, while managers from England and Japan would most likely consider such behavior unprofessional. Which of the following Trompenaars's value dimensions explains this difference in behavior and attitude?

Neutral versus affective Signup and view all the answers

Based on Trompenaars's value dimensions, in which of the following cultures do managers separate their work and private lives, and tend to be open and direct when communicating with coworkers?

Specific-oriented Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following Trompenaars's value dimensions explains the source of power and status in society?

Achievement versus ascription Signup and view all the answers

According to Trompenaars's value dimensions, if you are born and raised in an achievement society, your source of status will most likely be based upon your ______.

level of education Signup and view all the answers

Values are a society's ideas about what is good or bad.

True Signup and view all the answers

According to the GLOBE project team, highly assertive societies emphasize loyalty and solidarity.

False Signup and view all the answers

Future-oriented societies tend to place more emphasis on instant gratification.

False Signup and view all the answers

Performance-oriented societies tend to take initiative and have the confidence to get things done.

True Signup and view all the answers

Humane orientation measures the extent to which a society encourages and rewards people for being fair, altruistic, generous, caring, and kind.

True Signup and view all the answers

Paternalism and patronage are important in humane-oriented societies.

True Signup and view all the answers

High power distance usually results in a centralized structure and autocratic leadership.

True Signup and view all the answers

Uncertainty avoidance refers to the extent to which people in a society feel threatened by ambiguous situations.

True Signup and view all the answers

Achievement and personal capabilities are valued in individualistic societies.

True Signup and view all the answers

Social loafing is common in an individualistic society.

True Signup and view all the answers

Assertiveness and materialism are values of a feminine society.

False Signup and view all the answers

In specific-oriented cultures, work spills over into personal relationships and vice versa.

False Signup and view all the answers

In an ascription-oriented society, the source of status and influence is based on how well one performs the job and what level of education and experience one has to offer.

False Signup and view all the answers

In reference to the GLOBE cultural dimensions, what does the performance orientation dimension measure?

The performance orientation dimension measures the importance of performance improvement and excellence in society. Signup and view all the answers

According to Hofstede, what is the relationship between individualism and national economic performance?

Hofstede's research shows that individualistic cultures tend to have a higher gross national product and a freer political system. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Confucian work dynamism? What does it reveal about Asian managers?

Confucian work dynamism, also called long-term orientation, shows that Asian managers tend to strive for long-term goals and accept delayed gratification. Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between the characteristics of a universalist culture and a particularist culture.

A universalist culture applies rules objectively, while a particularist culture emphasizes relationships and is more subjective. Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between managers in specific-oriented cultures (like the U.S.) and managers in diffuse-oriented cultures (like China).

Managers in specific-oriented cultures separate work and personal life; in diffuse-oriented cultures, work spills over into personal life and vice versa. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors primarily determines how the Internet is used in different countries?

Local attitude to information privacy Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the impact of the Internet on various cultures. How do cultural differences complicate international management in regard to the use of technology?

The Internet impacts social variables, such as education and economy. Cultural attitudes, such as privacy concerns, shape how the Internet is used. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Culture and International Management

Culture consists of specific learned norms based on attitudes, values, and beliefs of a group of people.
Cultural intelligence is an outsider's ability to interpret someone's unfamiliar and ambiguous gestures in the same way as that person's compatriots.
Cultural empathy is the awareness of and honest caring about another individual's culture.
Cultural sensitivity is also known as cultural empathy.
Cross-cultural differences are a primary reason for failed expatriate assignments.
Culture comprises the shared values, understandings, assumptions, and goals passed on and imposed by members of a group or society.
Globalization is increasing the pace of cultural diffusion and cultural change.
Sociocultural variables of culture include religion, education, and language, but not economy.
Organizational culture represents the expectations, norms, and goals held in common by members of a specific company or group.
An organization with employees who wear casual clothes and interact casually is likely to have an informal organizational culture.
A drawback of organizational culture is resistance to change.
An advantage of organizational culture is long-term commitment.
Convergence is the phenomenon of individual management styles shifting to become more similar to one another.
The self-reference criterion is the unconscious reference point of one's own cultural values.
The first step for an international manager towards cultural sensitivity should be to understand their own culture.
Cultural intelligence is also known as cultural quotient.
Cultural sensitivity requires the willingness to put oneself in another's shoes.
Creolization is the process where immigrants adopt some aspects of the local culture while keeping aspects of their culture of origin. This is not the same as disregarding all aspects of the local culture.
Organizational culture tends to be weaker than societal culture.
Contingency management requires managers to adapt to the local environment and people and to manage accordingly.
Convergence refers to the phenomenon of the shifting of individual management styles to become more similar to one another.
Parochialism occurs when someone expects others to follow their own customs, while ethnocentrism assumes one's ways are best globally.
Creolization is the process where immigrants adopt some aspects of the local culture while keeping aspects of their culture of origin.
Parochialism refers to the expectation that foreigners should automatically fall into host-country patterns of behavior.
Ethnocentrism refers to the belief that the practices of one's own country are best no matter where or under what conditions they are applied.
Subcultures are distinct groups within a larger culture, such as Anglophones, Francophones, and indigenous Canadians in Canada.
Stereotyping refers to the assumption that every member of a society or subculture has the same characteristics or traits without regard to individual differences.
International managers should avoid stereotyping because many cultures have diverse subcultures.
Harris and Moran’s eight categories of subsystems in any society include the health system, education system, and political system, but not the societal system.
The main purpose of Harris and Moran's eight categories is to show how subsystems in a society affect an individual's behavior.
A kinship system refers to the influence of family relationships on individual behavior.
The religious system is most likely to underlie both moral and economic norms in a society.
Values are a society's ideas and convictions about what is good or bad and right or wrong.
The GLOBE Project team identified cultural dimensions like power distance, universalism, and individualism.
According to the GLOBE project, Austria and Germany are likely to be assertive societies because they value competition and have a "can-do" attitude.
Future-oriented countries focus on longer time horizons for decisions.
According to the GLOBE project, the assertiveness cultural dimension refers to how much people in a society are expected to be tough, confrontational, and competitive versus modest and tender.
Societies that are inclined toward long-term planning score high on future orientation, according to the GLOBE project.
Managers who take initiative, have a sense of urgency, and the confidence to get things done score high on the performance orientation cultural dimension, according to the GLOBE project.
Med-Tex should build its new facility in Ireland because expanding into a similar culture reduces risks associated with different attitudes, values, and communication styles.
Hofstede's value dimensions include uncertainty avoidance, power distance, and individualism, but not assertiveness.
Workplaces in high power distance cultures are likely to be characterized by autocratic leadership.
An autocratic style of leadership would likely be most effective in high power distance countries.
According to Hofstede, the extent to which subordinates accept a hierarchical system in a company is known as power distance.
A strong sense of nationalism is associated with high uncertainty avoidance according to Hofstede.
The tendency to look after oneself and one's immediate family and to place less emphasis on the needs of society is known as individualism according to Hofstede.
Countries with strict laws and procedures to which their people adhere closely most likely have high uncertainty avoidance.
Countries in which nationalism is less pronounced, protests are tolerated, and job mobility is common are high on uncertainty avoidance.
Tight social frameworks, emotional dependence on belonging to the organization, and a strong belief in group decisions are characteristics of collectivism.
Assertiveness is a primary characteristic of masculine societies.
Countries with low masculinity are likely to have more women in high-level jobs.
Trompenaars's value dimensions include universalism versus particularism, neutral versus affective, and specific versus diffuse, but not intrinsic versus extrinsic.
The universalistic approach emphasizes applying rules and systems objectively, while the particularistic approach emphasizes relationships.
People in particularistic societies are more likely to pass on inside information to a friend.
The neutral versus affective dimension focuses on the emotional orientation of relationships.
Managers from Italy and Mexico are likely to express emotions openly, while managers from England and Japan would consider this unprofessional. This difference is explained by the neutral versus affective dimension.
Managers in specific-oriented cultures separate their work and private lives and tend to be open and direct when communicating with coworkers.
The achievement versus ascription dimension explains the source of power and status in society.
In achievement societies, your source of status is based on your level of education.
Values are a society's ideas about what is good or bad.
Highly assertive societies do not emphasize loyalty and solidarity; this is more characteristic of collectivist societies.
Future-oriented societies do not place more emphasis on instant gratification; they are more likely to focus on long-term goals.
Performance-oriented societies tend to take initiative and have the confidence to get things done.
Humane orientation measures the extent to which a society encourages and rewards people for being fair, altruistic, generous, caring, and kind.
Paternalism and patronage are important in humane-oriented societies.
High power distance usually results in a centralized structure and autocratic leadership.
Uncertainty avoidance refers to the extent to which people in a society feel threatened by ambiguous situations.
Achievement and personal capabilities are valued in individualistic societies.
Social loafing is common in an individualistic society.
Assertiveness and materialism are values of a masculine society, not a feminine society.
In specific-oriented cultures, managers separate work and private life.
In an ascription-oriented society, status is based on factors like family background or age, not on personal achievements.
The performance orientation dimension measures the importance of performance improvement and excellence in society. Countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, and the U.S. score high; Russia and Italy score low.
Individualistic societies tend to have a higher gross national product and a freer political system.
Confucian work dynamism shows that Asian managers tend to strive for long-term goals and accept delayed gratification.
A universalistic culture applies rules objectively, while a particularist culture emphasizes relationships and is more subjective.
Managers in specific-oriented cultures (like the U.S.) separate work and personal life, while managers in diffuse-oriented cultures (like China) allow work to spill over into personal life and vice versa.
The local attitude to information privacy primarily determines how the Internet is used in different countries.
The Internet impacts social variables like education and the economy. Cultural attitudes like privacy concerns shape how the Internet is used.
Arabs believe important decisions cannot be rushed.
Leisure time is more important than work in Mexican culture.
Media exposure can cause changes in traditional, non-Western societies.
Critical operational value differences include time, material factors, and change, but not etiquette.
The European view of information privacy stems from its culture and history.
Americans tend to have a strong work ethic and be competitive and aggressive.
Arabs emphasize hospitality, have an indirect communication style, and practice five times a day prayer; they are less likely to impose deadlines.
Arabs are less likely to openly admit mistakes. ### Cultural Differences in Business
Common cultural issues faced by American managers conducting international business: Time, change, material factors, and individualism
Common culturally sensitive behaviors:
- Swearing
- Discussing religion or politics
- Bringing alcohol
- Requesting favors
- Introducing business topics too soon
- Pointing fingers
- Showing the soles of feet
Cultural Diversity benefits businesses:
- Companies can gain a competitive advantage
- Can increase product and service knowledge
Cultural Intelligence (CQ):
- Necessary for successful international managers
- Helps managers negotiate effectively in expatriate assignments
Understanding cultural differences:
- International managers should create a cultural profile of the region they operate in
Contingency Management:
- International managers should adapt their management styles to the local setting and people ### Chinese business
Characteristics of Chinese Management:
- Paternalistic
- Family-centered
- Centralized power
- Focuses on human-centeredness
Guanxi:
- Network of relationships based on mutual obligations and favors ### Arab Business
Arabs avoid openly admitting to mistakes
This is seen as a sign of weakness and a failure to be manly

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Description

This quiz explores the key concepts of culture as they relate to international management. Topics include cultural intelligence, empathy, sensitivity, and the impact of globalisation on cultural practices. Understanding these elements is essential for successful expatriate assignments.