Deck 2: External Environment of African Organizations

Question 1

In African countries, people defer to authority figures. In the workplace, this translates into managers having a high degree of power and control over subordinates. These subordinates also accept the power exercised by their managers. This inequality of power is best described as _______ in Hofstede's cultural dimensions.

A) High degree of inequality.
B) Conservatism.
C) High power distance.
D) High uncertainty avoidance.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

In Gabon, most people are risk averse and tend to consider rapid and constant changes as threatening and disrupting the proper order of things. Very often you hear people admonishing others that one should respect customs and traditions. Using Hofstede's cultural dimensions, one may argue that the Gabonese's culture is high on:

A) High degree of inequality.
B) Conservatism.
C) High power distance.
D) High uncertainty avoidance.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

According to your textbook, countries such as Cote d'Ivoire, South Africa, Morocco, and Namibia are classified as _______, whereas countries such as Cameroon, Ghana, Madagascar, and Rwanda are classified as _____________.

A) Emerging economies; oil exporters.
B) Transition economies; developing economies.
C) Diversified economies; transition economies.
D) Traditional economies; diversified economies.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

A production process that is flexible enough to create products and services that are tailored to individual customers is best known as:

A) Mass production.
B) JIT.
C) Lean manufacturing.
D) Mass customization.

Question 5

A production process that results in large quantities with little variation to control costs is best known as:

A) Lean manufacturing
B) Mass production.
C) JIT.
D) Mass customization

Question 6

Which of the following is more likely to improve the efficiency of African organizations?

A) Economic recession.
B) Globalization.
C) Foreign aid.
D) Information technology.

Question 7

The legal systems in countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya are more likely to be influenced by the legal system of:

A) France.
B) United Kingdom.
C) Portugal.
D) Germany.

Question 8

The legal systems in countries such as Cameroon, the Congo, and Gabon are more likely to be influenced by the legal system of:

A) France.
B) United Kingdom.
C) Portugal.
D) Germany.

Question 9

One might say that the external environment in which African organizations operate is more likely to be:

A) Stable.
B) Dynamic.
C) Not changing.
D) Subversive.

Question 10

John Ntude believes that one of his key values is having a sense of accomplishment. What type of value is Ntude considering?

A) Terminal value.
B) Instrumental value.
C) Incremental value.
D) Traditional value.