Deck 16: International Projects

Question 1

The environmental factor that involves the capacity of a country's military and police forces to prevent and respond to attacks is called security.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The initial stage of culture shock is irritability and hostility.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Expatriate project managers should operate within the laws and regulations of their home country.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

The constraints imposed by national and local laws are part of the environmental factor termed infrastructure.

Question 5

A way for project managers to deal with the stress of culture shock is to redefine priorities and develop more realistic expectations as to what is possible.

Question 6

Many outsiders consider the Chinese system of guanxi to be like nepotism where decisions are made based on family ties instead of an objective assessment of ability.

Question 7

For most project managers, the biggest difference in managing an international project is operating in a national culture where projects are done differently, using different project management techniques and tools.

Question 8

The example of one project in Africa being paid in goat skins is an example of the environmental factor of infrastructure.

Question 9

One factor that is often underestimated until project personnel actually arrive at a foreign destination is the geography of the country.

Question 10

Often project managers change practices, assumed to be inferior, from their home country in order to accommodate host-country nationals.

Question 11

Culture shock is generally considered a positive sign that the professional is becoming involved in the new culture.

Question 12

One approach for the project manager to digest, clarify, and understand the factors leading to the selection of a specific international project is to use a risk matrix.

Question 13

Americans tend to underestimate the importance that relationship building plays in conducting business in other countries.

Question 14

In dealing with the French, a lot of what gets done is a result of going through administrative channels, which involves a lot of red tape, and efforts to sidestep this can be regarded as disrespect for legal and governmental institutions.

Question 15

It is common practice to rely on negotiators, often natives who are foreign educated, to bridge the gap between cultures.

Question 16

In general, the longer a person is expected to work in a foreign country, the more intensive the training should be.

Question 17

When you start to overcome your sense of isolation and figure out how to get things done in the new culture, you are in the gradual adjustment cycle of culture shock.

Question 18

Most of the time project managers can use practices that work in their home country on projects in a foreign country.

Question 19

Two of the biggest adjustments Americans typically have to make in working abroad are adapting to the general pace of life and understanding the punctuality of people.

Question 20

Infrastructure refers to a country's or community's ability to provide services such as power, technology, communication, or transportation required for a project.

Question 21

Exchange rates, inflation, and education level of the workforce are examples of which of the following environmental factors?

A) Legal / political
B) Security
C) Cultural
D) Infrastructure
E) Economic

Question 22

Because English is the international language for business, project managers can usually be just as successful without any training in the host country's language.

Question 23

Which of the following is not a major security issue in conducting international projects?

A) Crime.
B) International terrorism.
C) Capacity of foreign country's military and police forces to prevent attacks.
D) Ease of commerce across borders.
E) Extreme weather conditions.

Question 24

Which of the following is not an economic factor affecting the site selection for an international project?

A) Gross domestic product.
B) Import quotas and tariffs.
C) The capacity to provide continuous electric power.
D) Taxes.
E) Market size.

Question 25

Which of the following can help a project manager to digest, clarify, and understand the factors leading to the selection of a specific international project?

A) Risk matrix
B) Priority matrix
C) Responsibility matrix
D) Gantt chart
E) Contingency matrix

Question 26

In an effort to cope with culture shock, professionals can use project work as a bridge until they adjust to their new environment.

Question 27

Needs for a project could include telecommunications, transportation, power, and availability of technically skilled talent. These are examples of which of the following environmental factors?

A) Geographic
B) Infrastructure
C) Economic
D) Legal / political
E) Cultural

Question 28

American project managers have earned a reputation abroad for being very good at understanding technology but not good at understanding

A) local religion.
B) people.
C) local economic factors.
D) local business practices.
E) laws.

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a potential negative outcome for an international project manager?

A) Personal risk
B) Absence from home
C) Missed career opportunities
D) Language barrier
E) Increased responsibilities

Question 30

As a result of increased global terrorism the moving of personnel, materials, and equipment across international borders created border congestion with increased costs and time. This can be classified as which of the following environmental factors?

A) Cultural
B) Infrastructure
C) Geographic
D) Security
E) Legal / political

Question 31

Which of the following is NOT a potential advantage of managing international projects?

A) Increased income
B) Foreign currency exchange rates
C) Foreign travel
D) Increased career opportunities
E) New life-time friends

Question 32

Communication difficulties due to language differences are examples of which of the following environmental factors?

A) Geographic
B) Security
C) Cultural
D) Legal / political
E) Infrastructure

Question 33

Without understanding foreign cultural factors, a project manager will have a difficult time running a successful international project.

Question 34

Mexicans tend to be more cautious and want to spend more time discussing risks and potential problems that Americans might dismiss as improbable or irrelevant.

Question 35

The growing presence of crime resulting from the Russian Mafia has discouraged many foreign firms from setting up operations in the former Soviet Union. This is an example of which of the following environmental factors?

A) Security
B) Economic
C) Cultural
D) Legal / political
E) Infrastructure

Question 36

Which of the following is not a legal / political factor affecting international projects?

A) International terrorism.
B) Control imposed by government agencies.
C) Government interference.
D) Government corruption.
E) Stability of tax provisions and government regulations.

Question 37

Part of being successful in an international project requires some level of learning about the various cultures that will intersect the project.

Question 38

An information systems specialist reported that his performance on a project in Northern Sweden declined due to sleep deprivation during the summer months in which there were 20 hours of daylight each day. This is an example of which of the following environmental factors?

A) Cultural
B) Legal / political
C) Geographic
D) Economic
E) Infrastructure

Question 39

Concern about the local restrictions on toxic waste would be classified as which of the following environmental factors?

A) Economic
B) Geographic
C) Legal / political
D) Infrastructure
E) Culture

Question 40

Culture is a concept that encompasses all of the following EXCEPT

A) shared norms.
B) beliefs.
C) values.
D) economic level.
E) customs.

Question 41

In this culture, it is important never to display feelings of superiority because this makes others feel inferior, mutual respect is expected at all times, and a lot gets done by going through administrative channels. Which culture is being described?

A) Mexican
B) French
C) Arab
D) American
E) British

Question 42

In Chinese culture, the personal connections with appropriate authorities or individuals is termed

A) Feng shui.
B) bribery.
C) guanxi.
D) quid pro quo.
E) nepotism.

Question 43

Project professionals assigned to foreign countries should have a minimal understanding of __________.

A) equal opportunity
B) dress codes
C) business protocols
D) holidays
E) All of these are examples of areas an international project manager should have minimal understanding of before traveling.

Question 44

One of the biggest challenges Americans typically have to overcome when working abroad is

A) language differences.
B) adapting to the general pace of life.
C) local business practices.
D) discrimination.
E) becoming familiar with local laws and regulations.

Question 45

When you begin to lose confidence in your ability to communicate and work effectively in the different culture, you are in which of the following stages of culture shock?

A) Honeymoon
B) Gradual adjustment
C) Irritability and hostility
D) Repatriation
E) Adaptation

Question 46

Intermediaries are often used to bridge the gap between a project manager and the culture in which they are working. The following are all functions they perform EXCEPT

A) translators.
B) help to perform actual project work.
C) cultural guides.
D) social connections.
E) help to interpret the foreign culture.

Question 47

The phase of culture shock where you begin to function and communicate in the new culture is called __________.

A) honeymoon
B) irritability and hostility
C) gradual adjustment
D) adaptation
E) patience

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT one of the forms that stress-related culture shock takes?

A) Fatigue
B) Sleeplessness
C) Headaches
D) Hyperactivity
E) Anxiety

Question 49

In France, which of the following factors is considered much more important than in the U.S.?

A) Social class
B) Agreement on issues
C) Professional accomplishments
D) Being open during negotiations
E) Dedication to project completion

Question 50

The significance of personal relationships has created a system in which Mexicans are obligated to give preference to relatives and friends when hiring, contracting, procuring, and sharing business opportunities. This is referred to as the __________ system.

A) Manana
B) Gringo
C) Compadre
D) Quid pro quo
E) Nepotism

Question 51

It is common practice to rely on __________, often natives who are foreign educated, to bridge the gap between cultures.

A) intermediaries
B) messengers
C) negotiators
D) agents
E) mediators

Question 52

When the new and unusual are welcomed you are experiencing which of the following stages of culture shock?

A) Honeymoon
B) Gradual adjustment
C) Irritability and hostility
D) Repatriation
E) Adaptation

Question 53

A practical step for a project manager to take when trying to select a site for an international project is to __________.

A) create a specialized risk matrix.
B) fully understand the project budget.
C) study the foreign exchange rates related to project opportunities.
D) comprehend what impact the foreign country's agriculture will have.
E) None of these alternatives is correct.

Question 54

The following are ways of coping with culture shock EXCEPT

A) keep expectations high.
B) create a stability zone.
C) practice meditation.
D) keep a journal.
E) engage in regular exercise.

Question 55

The stages of culture shock include all of the following EXCEPT

A) gradual adjustment.
B) irritability and hostility.
C) honeymoon.
D) repatriation.
E) adaptation.

Question 56

In this culture, preference is given to friends when hiring, contracting, procuring and sharing business opportunities. Family is also very important, and trustworthiness is often gauged by the level of loyalty and attention one devotes to their family. Which culture is being described?

A) Mexican
B) French
C) British
D) American
E) German

Question 57

When you have recovered from your sense of psychological disorientation and begin to function and communicate, you are in which of the following stages of culture shock?

A) Honeymoon
B) Gradual adjustment
C) Irritability and hostility
D) Repatriation
E) Adaptation

Question 58

Government corruption and political stability are examples of which of the following environmental factors?

A) Geographic
B) Security
C) Cultural
D) Legal / political
E) Infrastructure

Question 59

__________is critical to the success of business negotiations when working in Saudi Arabia.

A) Calling attention to oneself
B) Patience
C) Determination
D) Displaying feelings of superiority
E) Ignoring administrative channels

Question 60

Organizations examine a number of characteristics to determine whether an individual is suitable for overseas work. The following are all examples of desirable characteristics EXCEPT

A) if the candidate has work experience with cultures other than one's own.
B) if the candidate has small children.
C) if the candidate is in good physical and emotional health.
D) if the candidate has knowledge of a host nation's language.
E) if the candidate has previous overseas travel.

Question 61

A learning approach to teach cross-cultural fluency that involves the learning of informational skills in a lecture setting is called __________.

A) behavioral / experiential approach.
B) affective approach.
C) information-giving approach.
D) Lemple-Huffman approach.
E) cross-cultural sharing approach.

Question 62

One approach for the project manager to digest, clarify and understand the factors leading to the selection of a specific international project is to use a__________ matrix.

A) risk
B) responsibility assignment
C) weak
D) balanced
E) strong

Question 63

The phase of culture shock where you acquire a new perspective of what is possible and begin to regain confidence is called __________.

A) honeymoon
B) irritability and hostility
C) gradual adjustment
D) adaptation
E) patience

Question 64

A learning approach to teach cross-cultural fluency that involves raising affective responses by the trainer to elicit cultural insightsis called _____.

A) behavioral / experiential approach.
B) affective approach.
C) information-giving approach.
D) Lemple-Huffman Approach.
E) cross-cultural sharing approach.

Question 65

Bartering is a form of compensation that is still used by some countries and organizations and is an example of the__________ environmental factor.

A) culture
B) security
C) geography
D) economic
E) infrastructure

Question 66

Inflation belongs to which of the following major factor categories?

A) Legal / political factors
B) Security factors
C) Geography factors
D) Economic factors
E) Infrastructure factors

Question 67

The phase of culture shock where you become frustrated with the inability to accomplish things as you are used to doing them is called __________.

A) honeymoon
B) irritability and hostility
C) gradual adjustment
D) adaptation
E) patience

Question 68

The requirement for women to cover head, arms, and legs and to be accompanied by another woman or man is an example of the environmental factor termed __________.

A) legal / political
B) security
C) culture
D) economic
E) infrastructure

Question 69

While Americans are generally taught not to do business with __________, Mexicans and other Latin Americans are taught to do business with no one but __________.

A) foreigners, foreigners
B) friends, friends
C) strangers, strangers
D) people you don't know, people you don't know
E) foreigners, relatives

Question 70

Extreme weather conditions belong to which of the following major factor categories?

A) Legal / political factors
B) Security factors
C) Geography factors
D) Economic factors
E) Infrastructure factors

Question 71

The need to hire tribal bodyguards in such places as Angola and Uzbekistan is an example of the environmental factor termed __________.

A) legal / political
B) security
C) geography
D) economic
E) infrastructure

Question 72

The degree to which local regulations favor local workers and suppliers is an example of the environmental factor termed __________.

A) legal / political
B) security
C) geography
D) culture
E) infrastructure

Question 73

Which of the following is not one of the four stages of the culture shock cycle?

A) Honeymoon.
B) Irritability and Hostility.
C) Gradual Adjustment.
D) Adaptation.
E) Patience.

Question 74

When your initial enthusiasm is exhausted, and you begin to notice that differences are greater than you first imagined, you are in the__________ stage of culture shock.

A) honeymoon
B) irritability and hostility
C) gradual adjustment
D) adaptation
E) fully conformed

Question 75

A very good way to overcome culture shock is to __________.

A) ignore it.
B) find a good pub.
C) fully understand the language.
D) find a stress management technique that works for you.
E) stand firm.

Question 76

__________ is a system of shared norms, beliefs, values, and customs that bind people together, creating shared meaning and a unique identity.

A) Legal / political
B) Security
C) Culture
D) Economic
E) Infrastructure

Question 77

A project that depends upon a high ratio of vendor suppliers, good roads, and other transportation modes, such as air and seaports is an example of the__________ environmental factor.

A) legal / political
B) security
C) culture
D) economic
E) infrastructure

Question 78

A learning approach to teach cross-cultural fluency that involves realistic training simulations or scenarios is called _____.

A) behavioral / experiential approach.
B) affective approach.
C) information-giving approach.
D) Lemple-Huffman Approach.
E) cross-cultural sharing approach.

Question 79

Customs, values, and philosophies belong to which of the following major factor categories?

A) Legal / political factors
B) Culture factors
C) Geography factors
D) Economic factors
E) Infrastructure factors

Question 80

Construction projects in Southeast Asia having to accommodate the monsoon season when rainfall can be as high as 50 inches per month is an example of the environmental factor termed __________.

A) legal / political
B) culture
C) geography
D) economic
E) infrastructure