International Business Culture PDF

1\. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ consists of specific learned norms based on attitudes, values, and beliefs of a group of people. A\) Ethnology B\) Civilization C\) Culture D\) Doctrine Answer: C 2\. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ is an outsider's seemingly natural ability to interpret someone's unfamiliar and ambiguou...

1\. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ consists of specific learned norms based on attitudes, values, and beliefs of a group of people. A\) Ethnology B\) Civilization C\) Culture D\) Doctrine Answer: C 2\. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 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. A\) Multicultural sensitivity B\) Cultural accommodation C\) Multicultural transfer D\) Cultural intelligence Answer: D 3\. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ is the awareness of and an honest caring about another individual's culture. A\) Cultural accommodation B\) Cultural empathy C\) Cultural sympathy D\) Cultural quotient Answer: B 4\. Cultural sensitivity is also known as \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) cultural empathy B\) cultural intelligence C\) cultural quotient D\) cultural diffusion Answer: A 5\. Which of the following is a primary reason for failed expatriate assignments? A\) creeping incrementalism B\) cross-cultural differences C\) moral universalism D\) economic barriers Answer: B 6\. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ comprises the shared values, understandings, assumptions, and goals that over time are passed on and imposed by members of a group or society. A\) Environment B\) Workforce C\) Economy D\) Culture Answer: D 7\. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ is increasing the pace of both cultural diffusion and cultural change. A\) Collectivism B\) Enculturation C\) Fundamentalism D\) Globalization Answer: D 8\. Which of the following is NOT categorized as a sociocultural variable of culture? A\) religion B\) economy C\) education D\) language Answer: B 9\. Which of the following represents the expectations, norms, and goals held in common by members of a specific company or group? A\) cultural variable B\) societal culture C\) organizational culture D\) organizational system Answer: C 10\. An organization where employees typically wear casual clothes and interact casually is most likely to have a(n) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ organizational culture. A\) hierarchical B\) formal C\) rules-bound D\) informal Answer: D 11\. Which of the following is a drawback of organizational culture? A\) dishonesty toward organization B\) reduced cooperation C\) lack of commitment D\) resistance to change Answer: D 12\. Which of the following is an advantage of organizational culture? A\) long-term commitment B\) tendency to adopt changes quickly C\) excessive domestic focus D\) individuality Answer: A 13\. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ is the phenomenon of the shifting of individual management styles to become more similar to one another. A\) Parochialism B\) Convergence C\) Stereotyping D\) Particularism Answer: B 14\. The unconscious reference point of one's own cultural values is called a(n) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) self-reference criterion B\) cultural distance criterion C\) cultural diffusion standard D\) unconscious power-distance point Answer: A 15\. The first step for an international manager toward cultural sensitivity should be to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) work and travel in a foreign culture B\) interact with people from other cultures C\) understand his or her own culture D\) learn to speak another language Answer: C 16\. Cultural intelligence is also known as cultural quotient. Answer: TRUE 17\. Cultural sensitivity requires the willingness to put oneself in another's shoes. Answer: TRUE 18\. Creolization is the process where immigrants completely disregard all aspects of the local culture. Answer: FALSE 19\. Organizational culture tends to be stronger than societal culture. Answer: FALSE 20\. Contingency management requires managers to adapt to the local environment and people, and to manage accordingly. Answer: TRUE 21\. What is convergence? Answer: Convergence describes the phenomenon of the shifting of individual management styles to become more similar to one another. 22\. What is the difference between parochialism and ethnocentrism? Answer: Parochialism occurs when a Frenchman expects others to follow French customs, while ethnocentrism assumes one's ways are best globally. 23\. When immigrants adopt some aspects of the local culture while keeping aspects of their culture of origin, this process is called \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) stereotyping B\) particularism C\) creolization D\) ethnocentrism Answer: C 24\. Which of the following terms refers to the expectation that foreigners should automatically fall into host-country patterns of behavior? A\) geocentrism B\) nationalism C\) parochialism D\) ethnocentrism Answer: C 25\. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ refers to the belief that the practices of one's own country are best no matter where or under what conditions they are applied. A\) Geocentrism B\) Nationalism C\) Parochialism D\) Ethnocentrism Answer: D 26\. Canada consists of distinct groups such as Anglophones, Francophones, and indigenous Canadians. This is an example of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) subculture B\) stereotyping C\) cultural diffusion D\) convergence Answer: A 27\. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ refers to the assumption that every member of a society or subculture has the same characteristics or traits without regard to individual differences. A\) Diversification B\) Posturing C\) Stereotyping D\) Parochialism Answer: C 28\. Stereotyping should most likely be avoided by international managers because \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) current variables of culture are grossly inaccurate B\) many cultures have diverse subcultures C\) many countries outlaw the practice D\) national culture is nonexistent Answer: B 29\. According to Harris and Moran, which of the following is NOT a category that forms the subsystems in any society? A\) societal system B\) health system C\) education system D\) political system Answer: A 30\. The main purpose of Harris and Moran's eight categories is \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) to show how subsystems in a society affect an individual's behavior B\) to emphasize how stereotyping can be used for learning about different cultures C\) to show how subcultures are beginning to converge with broader cultures D\) to indicate that global managers should adapt to subordinates from other cultures Answer: A 31\. According to Harris and Moran's eight categories, a kinship system refers to the influence of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) workplace relations B\) religious activities C\) family relationships D\) formal groups Answer: C 32\. Which of the following subsystems is most likely to underlie both moral and economic norms? A\) kinship system B\) political system C\) religious system D\) education system Answer: C 33\. Which of the following terms refers to a society's ideas and convictions about what is good or bad and right or wrong? A\) regulations B\) values C\) rules D\) procedures Answer: B 34\. Which of the following is a cultural dimension identified by the GLOBE Project team? A\) power distance B\) universalism C\) individualism D\) fatalism Answer: A 35\. 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. A\) accommodative B\) cooperative C\) humane-oriented D\) assertive Answer: D 36\. Which of the following is true of a future-oriented country? A\) It focuses on short-term planning. B\) It emphasizes solidarity. C\) It focuses on longer time horizon for decisions. D\) It emphasizes instant gratification. Answer: C 37\. 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? A\) humane orientation B\) assertiveness C\) future orientation D\) performance orientation Answer: B 38\. People in Singapore and Denmark are inclined toward long-term planning. According to the GLOBE project, such societies score high on \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) performance orientation B\) assertiveness C\) humane orientation D\) future orientation Answer: D 39\. 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 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) humane orientation B\) future orientation C\) performance orientation D\) assertiveness Answer: C 40\. Med-Tex, a large pharmaceutical firm based in Texas, wants to establish its presence by expanding overseas. The company's executives evaluate locations across the world for the most suitable place to build the latest Med-Tex manufacturing facility. Which of the following, if true, best supports the argument that Med-Tex should build its new facility in Ireland? A\) Expanding into a similar culture reduces risks associated with different attitudes, values, and communication styles. B\) Med-Tex's main competitor received government incentives for building a new manufacturing facility in the United Kingdom. C\) Collectivist societies like Ireland encourage the individual achievement necessary for scientific advancements in pharmaceuticals. D\) Particularistic cultures apply rules and systems objectively, which is important within the Med-Tex organizational culture. Answer: A 41\. All of the following are value dimensions proposed by Hofstede EXCEPT \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) uncertainty avoidance B\) assertiveness C\) power distance D\) individualism Answer: B 42\. Workplaces in high power distance cultures will most likely be characterized by \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) flexible schedules B\) autocratic leadership C\) loosely defined chains of command D\) open communication of ideas Answer: B 43\. In which of the following countries would an autocratic style of leadership be most effective? A\) low power distance countries B\) high power distance countries C\) humane-oriented countries D\) high performance-oriented countries Answer: B 44\. According to Hofstede, societies that accept strong hierarchical boss-subordinate relationships are high on \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) uncertainty avoidance B\) collectivism C\) individualism D\) power distance Answer: D 45\. According to Hofstede, the extent to which subordinates accept a hierarchical system in a company is known as \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) uncertainty avoidance B\) power distance C\) individualism D\) masculinity Answer: B 46\. Which of the following Hofstede variables is associated with a strong sense of nationalism? A\) individualism B\) uncertainty avoidance C\) masculinity D\) femininity Answer: B 47\. 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 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) power distance B\) uncertainty avoidance C\) individualism D\) masculinity Answer: C 48\. Based on Hofstede's value dimensions, countries that have strict laws and procedures to which their people adhere closely most likely have \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) high power distance B\) high masculinity C\) high uncertainty avoidance D\) high individualism Answer: C 49\. Based on Hofstede's value dimensions, countries in which nationalism is less pronounced, protests are tolerated, and job mobility is common are high on \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) power distance B\) collectivism C\) uncertainty avoidance D\) masculinity Answer: C 50\. According to Hofstede, tight social frameworks, emotional dependence on belonging to the organization, and a strong belief in group decisions are characteristics of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) individualism B\) collectivism C\) masculinity Answer: B 51\. Which of the following is a primary characteristic of masculine societies? A\) assertiveness B\) emphasis on group achievements C\) tight social frameworks D\) lack of gender bias Answer: A 52\. Which of the following is true of countries with low masculinity? A\) more job conflicts B\) increase in work-related stress C\) more women in high-level jobs D\) lack of concern for others Answer: C 53\. Which of the following is NOT one of Trompenaars's value dimensions? A\) universalism versus particularism B\) neutral versus affective C\) specific versus diffuse D\) intrinsic versus extrinsic Answer: D 54\. According to Trompenaars's value dimensions, which of the following is true of the universalistic approach? A\) It emphasizes applying rules and systems objectively. B\) It focuses on expressing emotions openly. C\) It emphasizes relationships. D\) It focuses on separating work and private life. Answer: A 55\. Based on Trompenaars's value dimensions, which of the following is a characteristic of the particularistic approach? A\) application of rules and systems B\) open expression of emotions C\) obligation toward relationships D\) opportunity to achieve status Answer: C 56\. In which of the following societies are people more likely to pass on inside information to a friend? A\) particularistic B\) universalistic C\) neutral D\) affective Answer: A 57\. According to Trompenaars's value dimensions, which of the following focuses on the emotional orientation of relationships? A\) universalism versus particularism B\) neutral versus affective C\) specific versus diffuse D\) achievement versus ascription Answer: B 58\. 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? A\) universalism versus particularism B\) neutral versus affective C\) specific versus diffuse D\) achievement versus ascription Answer: B 59\. 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? A\) diffuse-oriented B\) specific-oriented C\) universalistic D\) particularistic Answer: B 60\. Which of the following Trompenaars's value dimensions explains the source of power and status in society? A\) universalism versus particularism B\) neutral versus affective C\) specific versus diffuse D\) achievement versus ascription Answer: D 61\. 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 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) father's occupation B\) age C\) level of education D\) gender Answer: C 62\. Values are a society's ideas about what is good or bad. Answer: TRUE 63\. According to the GLOBE project team, highly assertive societies emphasize loyalty and solidarity. Answer: FALSE 64\. Future-oriented societies tend to place more emphasis on instant gratification. Answer: FALSE 65\. Performance-oriented societies tend to take initiative and have the confidence to get things done. Answer: TRUE 66\. Humane orientation measures the extent to which a society encourages and rewards people for being fair, altruistic, generous, caring, and kind. Answer: TRUE 67\. Paternalism and patronage are important in humane-oriented societies. Answer: TRUE 68\. High power distance usually results in a centralized structure and autocratic leadership. Answer: TRUE 69\. Uncertainty avoidance refers to the extent to which people in a society feel threatened by ambiguous situations. Answer: TRUE 70\. Achievement and personal capabilities are valued in individualistic societies. Answer: TRUE 71\. Social loafing is common in an individualistic society. Answer: TRUE 72\. Assertiveness and materialism are values of a feminine society. Answer: FALSE 73\. In specific-oriented cultures, work spills over into personal relationships and vice versa. Answer: FALSE 74\. 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. Answer: FALSE 75\. In reference to the GLOBE cultural dimensions, what does the performance orientation dimension measure? Which countries score high and low in performance orientation? Answer: 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. 76\. According to Hofstede, what is the relationship between individualism and national economic performance? Answer: Hofstede's research shows that individualistic cultures tend to have a higher gross national product and a freer political system. 77\. What is the Confucian work dynamism? What does it reveal about Asian managers? Answer: Confucian work dynamism, also called long-term orientation, shows that Asian managers tend to strive for long-term goals and accept delayed gratification. 78\. Differentiate between the characteristics of a universalist culture and a particularist culture. Answer: A universalist culture applies rules objectively, while a particularist culture emphasizes relationships and is more subjective. 79\. Differentiate between managers in specific-oriented cultures (like the U.S.) and managers in diffuse-oriented cultures (like China). Answer: Managers in specific-oriented cultures separate work and personal life; in diffuse-oriented cultures, work spills over into personal life and vice versa. 80\. Which of the following factors primarily determines how the Internet is used in different countries? A\) local connection speeds B\) availability of personal computer parlors C\) local attitude to information privacy D\) extent of intercultural communication systems Answer: C 81\. Discuss the impact of the Internet on various cultures. How do cultural differences complicate international management in regard to the use of technology? Answer: The Internet impacts social variables, such as education and economy. Cultural attitudes, such as privacy concerns, shape how the Internet is used. 82\. Which of the following is true of the way Arabs view time? A\) Deadlines and firm commitments are crucial to Arabs. B\) Arabs view time as a valuable and limited resource. C\) Arabs believe important decisions cannot be rushed. D\) Arabs honor deadlines by all means. Answer: C 83\. Which of the following is true of the attitude toward work in Mexican culture? A\) Work is a sacred duty. B\) Group harmony at work is essential to success. C\) Workers are primarily focused on the future. D\) Leisure time is more important than work. Answer: D 84\. Which of the following factors can cause changes in traditional, non-Western societies? A\) media exposure B\) religious activities C\) stereotyping D\) self-reference criterion Answer: A 85\. Which of the following is NOT a critical operational value difference? A\) time B\) etiquette C\) material factors D\) change Answer: B 86\. The European view of information privacy most likely stems from its \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) foreign business practices B\) global nature of information technology C\) culture and history D\) competitive origins Answer: C 87\. Based on the study conducted by Harris and Moran, which of the following is NOT a workplace behavior of most Americans? A\) following a formal culture B\) being highly organized and institutionally minded C\) having a strong work ethic D\) being competitive and aggressive Answer: A 88\. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Arab culture? A\) emphasis on hospitality B\) imposition of deadlines C\) five times a day prayer pattern D\) indirect communication style Answer: B 89\. Which of the following is NOT a typical characteristic of the Arab culture? A\) open admission of mistakes B\) indirect communication style C\) emphasis on hospitality D\) five times a day prayer pattern Answer: A 90\. Which of the following is likely to cause offense in Saudi Arabia? A\) introducing business subjects too soon B\) intolerance toward employees and coworkers C\) failure to make decisions with a long-term perspective D\) discrimination based on gender Answer: A 91\. With regard to small family businesses in China, a "guanxi" can be best described as a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) family hierarchy that determines who receives profits B\) competitive management style based on Confucian values C\) network of relationships centered on mutual obligations and favors D\) combination of modern and traditional methods for managing employees Answer: C 92\. Which of the following is a predominant characteristic of the Chinese management style? A\) paternalism B\) individualism C\) nepotism D\) religious affinity Answer: A 93\. Arabs avoid open admission of error at all costs because weakness is a failure to be manly. Answer: TRUE 94\. Chinese management style focuses on human-centeredness, family-centeredness, centralization of power, and small size. Answer: TRUE 95\. What are the four culturally based variables that may cause frequent problems for Americans in international management? Answer: Time, change, material factors, and individualism. 96\. What types of behavior by international managers would most likely be offensive in Saudi Arabia? Answer: Swearing, discussing religion or politics, bringing alcohol, requesting favors, introducing business subjects too soon, pointing fingers, and showing the soles of feet. 97\. Which of the following is NOT true about cultural diversity? A\) Companies may gain competitive advantages by bringing together people of diverse backgrounds. B\) Cultural diversity is most successful when domestic and foreign firms establish joint ventures. C\) Cultural diversity may help a company gain deeper knowledge about products and services. D\) The process of bringing people of different national cultures together is often difficult. Answer: B 98\. Global managers who exhibit cultural intelligence and cultural sensitivity will most likely be able to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) negotiate effectively in expatriate assignments B\) request bonuses for overseas job assignments C\) implement technological changes quickly D\) conduct efficient performance appraisals Answer: A 99\. An international manager can best develop an understanding of a particular culture by \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) creating a cultural profile for that country or region in which the firm does business B\) assuming that his or her own cultural styles and practices can be successfully followed in the host country C\) using stereotypes to develop cross-cultural understanding in a business setting D\) hiring locals rather than expatriates for management positions in overseas subsidiaries Answer: A 100\. According to contingency management, international managers need to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A\) transfer home-country business practices to the local environment B\) adapt their management styles to the local setting and people C\) determine the extent to which locals will accept unequal power D\) provide training to locals before transferring new technology Answer: B