Deck 11: International Human Resources Management

Question 1

Which type of organization requires international human resources capabilities?

A)a global corporation
B)a franchise organization
C)a crown corporation
D)a multi-unit national organization

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which type of organization is a domestic firm that uses its existing capabilities to move into overseas markets?

A)multinational corporation
B)transnational corporation
C)global corporation
D)international corporation

Answer 2

D

Question 3

What is the first step involved in selecting individuals for international assignments?

A)self-selection
B)assess the cultural environment
C)create a candidate pool
D)assess core skills

Answer 3

A

Question 4

In countries outside of Canada,which three factors do managers tend to use as a basis for hiring?

A)merit;social status;family ties
B)common origin;social status;family ties
C)merit;language;family ties
D)merit;common origin;family ties

Question 5

What is one disadvantage of increased use of host-country nationals?

A)most customers prefer to do business with local people
B)hiring local citizens is less costly than relocating expatriates
C)home-country nationals tend to be more productive
D)local governments may require foreign employers to hire host-country nationals

Question 6

What are employees from the home country who are on an international assignment called?

A)home-country nationals
B)domestics-abroad
C)host-country nationals
D)third-country nationals

Question 7

Why are international corporations making greater use of third-country nationals?

A)they are able to adapt to the host country's culture
B)they are better able to cope with the economy of the host country
C)they are often multilingual
D)they do not require any relocation expenses

Question 8

What is a foreign assignment of 6 to12 months called?

A)a brief assignment
B)a short-term assignment
C)a commuter assignment
D)a temporary assignment

Question 9

What is a country called if an international business operates within its boundaries?

A)foreign entity
B)offshore worksite
C)host country
D)third country

Question 10

In selecting individuals for a foreign assignment,what step needs to be taken to assess an individual's ability to adapt to different environments?

A)assess employee preparation
B)assess augmented skills and attributes
C)assess personality
D)assess core skills

Question 11

What do you call a corporation that has independent business units operating in several countries?

A)multinational corporation
B)global corporation
C)international corporation
D)transnational corporation

Question 12

What term is used to describe employees who are native of a country other than the host or home country?

A)third-country nationals
B)expatriates
C)home-country nationals
D)host-country nationals

Question 13

Which list contains the four core criteria that are viewed as essential in worldwide recruiting efforts?

A)capability;flexibility;drive for results;personal integrity
B)drive for results;respect for others;capability;flexibility
C)personal integrity;drive for results;respect for others;nationality
D)respect for others;personal integrity;drive for results;capability

Question 14

Which four factors did a recent study suggest should be the focus for organizations in attracting and retaining talent in new countries?

A)costs;ability;brand;strategy
B)purpose;opportunity;brand;culture
C)opportunity;purpose;capability;culture
D)purpose;strategy;brand;opportunity

Question 15

Which of the following lists the three sources of employees with whom to staff international operations?

A)expatriates;third-country nationals;out of-country nationals
B)expatriates;third-country nationals;out of-country nationals
C)expatriates;home-country nationals;third-country nationals
D)third-country nationals;home-country nationals;out of-country nationals

Question 16

What are the skills called that are critical to an employee's success abroad?

A)augmented skills
B)technical skills
C)critical skills
D)core skills

Question 17

In Canada,what do managers tend to emphasize in their selection practices?

A)merit
B)common origin
C)social status
D)family ties

Question 18

What is a transnational corporation?

A)an existing firm that re-establishes its home base in a foreign country
B)a firm that has integrated worldwide operations through a centralized home office
C)a firm with independent business units operating in several countries
D)a firm that attempts to balance local responsiveness and global scale

Question 19

Which factor is considered to be part of a country's cultural environment?

A)property rights
B)environmental restrictions
C)economic factors
D)educational systems

Question 20

Mary is a Canadian working for a U.S.-based international company and she is currently on a three month assignment in Saudi Arabia working under her U.S.-based compensation package.What is she considered to be?

A)third-country national on a commuter assignment
B)home-country national on a short-term assignment
C)third-country national on a short-term assignment
D)expatriate on a foreign assignment

Question 21

The failure of companies to have effective repatriation plans has resulted in returning employees leaving the companies soon after returning home.What is a key reason for their departures from the organizations?

A)co-workers don't know who they are
B)they are given too much responsibility
C)their responsibilities are significantly diminished
D)they get promoted beyond their comfort level

Question 22

Managers tend to be more autocratic,or participative,depending on their country of origin.On a continuum from autocratic to participative,where do Japanese managers fit?

A)at the most participatory end of the continuum
B)in the middle of the continuum
C)closer to the autocratic end of the continuum
D)at the extreme autocratic end of the continuum

Question 23

What method of performance evaluation is gaining favour among global firms concerning expatriates?

A)combined host-country supervisor and self-appraisal
B)host-country supervisor appraisal
C)home-country/host-country appraisal
D)360-degree appraisal

Question 24

What serious issue is related to expatriate compensation?

A)which currency is used to pay the salary
B)what amount to pay to third-country nationals
C)how to ensure appropriate medical care
D)the cost of living in the host country

Question 25

When companies are making repatriation plans for their international workers,what should they focus on?

A)the replacement of the expatriate with home-country nationals
B)reducing job responsibilities for the expatriate
C)ensuring that there is appropriate employment in the home country
D)finding a new international assignment for the expatriate

Question 26

When companies commence operations in foreign countriese,how do they usually set their wage rates?

A)at an average of the prevailing wage rates for local companies
B)at or slightly below the prevailing wage for local companies
C)as low as they can given the local unemployment rates
D)at or slightly higher than the prevailing wage for local companies

Question 27

What is the primary reason for an expatriate to fail his or her assignment?

A)unrealistic expectations of the expatriate
B)the expatriate's lack of trust in the new environment
C)the expatriate not being open minded
D)the expatriate's family could not adapt

Question 28

Wat must be in place to get employees to consent to international assignments?

A)significantly higher wages for the same kind of work
B)a guarantee of promotion upon return from the assignment
C)taxation advantages for salaries earned in foreign countries
D)health care comparable to what's available in their home countries

Question 29

Which statement reflects the loyalty of North American employees when compared to Japanese employees?

A)North Americans may feel the same degree of loyalty as their Japanese counterparts
B)North Americans may feel more loyalty towards their organizations
C)North Americans may feel little loyalty to their organizations
D)North Americans may feel no loyalty to their organizations

Question 30

Which method of pay is quite common on a global scale?

A)piece-rate
B)merit pay
C)daily rate
D)bi-weekly salary

Question 31

Home-country nationals must carefully prepare for their international assignments.What is the LEAST helpful item to learn about during these preparations?

A)the history and values of the host country
B)the history,values and dynamics of their own organization
C)the culture of their home country
D)the culture of the host country

Question 32

What are the skills called that help facilitate the efforts of expatriate managers?

A)core competencies
B)augmented skills
C)leadership qualities
D)core skills

Question 33

What can sensitivity training help expatriates with?

A)overcoming ethnic prejudices they might harbour
B)developing a better understanding of ethical considerations abroad
C)dealing with the dynamics they will face abroad
D)dealing with gender issues in the workplace

Question 34

What are two key types of training for employees working internationally?

A)social training;cultural training
B)social training;health & safety training
C)language training;health & safety training
D)language training;cultural training

Question 35

How have host country managers traditionally been paid compared to expatriate managers?

A)based on local market salary levels
B)based on the national aggregate salary levels of the host-country
C)at the same salary level as the expatriate manager
D)based on the salary levels of the home country salary levels

Question 36

Which assumption represents the biggest mistake managers can make when managing employees in a foreign country?

A)in some countries,people are more relaxed about time
B)people in different countries have similar expectations
C)people in different countries have different values
D)contracts may be negotiated differently in different countries

Question 37

How frequently are expatriates' international assignments affected by the spouses' careers?

A)nearly half of all assignments are affected
B)a very low percentage of assignments are affected
C)a very high percentage of assignments are affected
D)a spouse's career is not a relevant factor

Question 38

What has happened to the wage gap between host-country managers and expatriate managers?

A)it has widened since the recession of 2008 began
B)it has narrowed due to increased competition in the labour market
C)it has remained virtually unchanged for many years
D)it is currently under review as more countries introduce pay equity legislation

Question 39

Coming back home is often difficult for expatriates.What proportion of expatriates leave their companies soon after returning home?

A)two thirds of expatriates
B)one third of expatriates
C)one half of expatriates
D)less than one quarter of expatriates

Question 40

On which basis are expatriates,who are on a short term or project-based assignment,likely to be compensated?

A)salary plus out-of-country allowance
B)home-based pay
C)per-diem compensation
D)host-based pay

Question 41

Scenario 11.1
ABC company,a domestic (Canadian)manufacturer of road and mountain bicycles,has recently expanded operations in its Italian business unit in response to the continued high demand for its products from international buyers.To meet this demand,the executives of ABC Company are recruiting internally for a high performing manager to serve as an expatriate in their newest overseas operation.They have identified Doug-a quickly rising star in their domestic operations-for this assignment.Doug is strongly considering their offer,and has already talked to his family about this opportunity.
Please refer to Scenario 11.1.From the perspective of the ABC executives located in Canada,what would Italy be considered?

A)a foreign entity
B)an offshore worksite
C)a host country
D)a third country

Question 42

A firm that attempts to balance local responsiveness and global scale via a network of specialized operating units is called a transnational corporation.

Question 43

A firm with independent business units operating in several countries is called a global corporation.

Question 44

In which country are unions more closely aligned to employers than employees?

A)Sweden
B)India
C)Germany
D)China

Question 45

What criterion would be inappropriate for measuring the effectiveness of an expatriate?

A)profits
B)productivity
C)cultivating relationships with citizens of the host-country
D)ROI

Question 46

Scenario 11.1
ABC company,a domestic (Canadian)manufacturer of road and mountain bicycles,has recently expanded operations in its Italian business unit in response to the continued high demand for its products from international buyers.To meet this demand,the executives of ABC Company are recruiting internally for a high performing manager to serve as an expatriate in their newest overseas operation.They have identified Doug-a quickly rising star in their domestic operations-for this assignment.Doug is strongly considering their offer,and has already talked to his family about this opportunity.
Please refer to Scenario 11.1.In selecting candidates for this Italian assignment,what did the ABC Company executives assess to determine which manager was the most suitable?

A)they assessed employee preparation
B)they assessed augmented skills and attributes
C)they assessed personality
D)they assessed core skills

Question 47

A firm that has integrated worldwide operations through a centralized home office is called a transnational corporation.

Question 48

Scenario 11.1
ABC company,a domestic (Canadian)manufacturer of road and mountain bicycles,has recently expanded operations in its Italian business unit in response to the continued high demand for its products from international buyers.To meet this demand,the executives of ABC Company are recruiting internally for a high performing manager to serve as an expatriate in their newest overseas operation.They have identified Doug-a quickly rising star in their domestic operations-for this assignment.Doug is strongly considering their offer,and has already talked to his family about this opportunity.
Please refer to Scenario 11.1.Doug has never been to Italy,and does not know much about Italians.What can sensitivity training help him with?

A)overcoming ethnic prejudices he might harbour
B)developing a better understanding of ethical considerations abroad
C)dealing with the dynamics he will face abroad
D)dealing with gender issues in the workplace

Question 49

Scenario 11.1
ABC company,a domestic (Canadian)manufacturer of road and mountain bicycles,has recently expanded operations in its Italian business unit in response to the continued high demand for its products from international buyers.To meet this demand,the executives of ABC Company are recruiting internally for a high performing manager to serve as an expatriate in their newest overseas operation.They have identified Doug-a quickly rising star in their domestic operations-for this assignment.Doug is strongly considering their offer,and has already talked to his family about this opportunity.
Please refer to Scenario 11.1.What types of training should ABC Company offer to Doug prior to his assignment to Italy?

A)social training;cultural training
B)language training;cultural training
C)social training;health & safety training
D)health & safety training;language training

Question 50

Scenario 11.1
ABC company,a domestic (Canadian)manufacturer of road and mountain bicycles,has recently expanded operations in its Italian business unit in response to the continued high demand for its products from international buyers.To meet this demand,the executives of ABC Company are recruiting internally for a high performing manager to serve as an expatriate in their newest overseas operation.They have identified Doug-a quickly rising star in their domestic operations-for this assignment.Doug is strongly considering their offer,and has already talked to his family about this opportunity.
Please refer to Scenario 11.1.If Doug were to accept the assignment and relocate to Italy,what would he be called?

A)a home-country national
B)a domestic-abroad
C)a host-country national
D)a third-country national

Question 51

Scenario 11.1
ABC company,a domestic (Canadian)manufacturer of road and mountain bicycles,has recently expanded operations in its Italian business unit in response to the continued high demand for its products from international buyers.To meet this demand,the executives of ABC Company are recruiting internally for a high performing manager to serve as an expatriate in their newest overseas operation.They have identified Doug-a quickly rising star in their domestic operations-for this assignment.Doug is strongly considering their offer,and has already talked to his family about this opportunity.
Please refer to Scenario 11.1.When ABC Company prepares for Doug to return home following his assignment,what should they focus on?

A)the replacement of Doug with home-country nationals in Italy
B)reducing Doug's job responsibilities when he arrives back at home
C)ensuring that there is appropriate employment for Doug here in Canada
D)finding a new international assignment for Doug,assuming he was successful in Italy

Question 52

Scenario 11.1
ABC company,a domestic (Canadian)manufacturer of road and mountain bicycles,has recently expanded operations in its Italian business unit in response to the continued high demand for its products from international buyers.To meet this demand,the executives of ABC Company are recruiting internally for a high performing manager to serve as an expatriate in their newest overseas operation.They have identified Doug-a quickly rising star in their domestic operations-for this assignment.Doug is strongly considering their offer,and has already talked to his family about this opportunity.
Please refer to Scenario 11.1.Assume that Doug's assignment was lengthy and he had a performance evaluation while on assignment in Italy.What appraisal method did ABC use for Doug if executives used a erformance evaluation method that is widely gaining favour for expatriates?

A)combined host-country supervisor and self-appraisal
B)host-country supervisor appraisal
C)home-country/host-country appraisal
D)360-degree appraisal

Question 53

A firm with independent business units operating in several countries is called a multinational corporation.

Question 54

In what country does the government intervene in all aspects of collective bargaining?

A)Russia
B)United Kingdom
C)Mexico
D)China

Question 55

Scenario 11.1
ABC company,a domestic (Canadian)manufacturer of road and mountain bicycles,has recently expanded operations in its Italian business unit in response to the continued high demand for its products from international buyers.To meet this demand,the executives of ABC Company are recruiting internally for a high performing manager to serve as an expatriate in their newest overseas operation.They have identified Doug-a quickly rising star in their domestic operations-for this assignment.Doug is strongly considering their offer,and has already talked to his family about this opportunity.
Please refer to Scenario 11.1.When Doug arrives,he finds that the ABC managers who were of Italian origin used a set of factors as a basis for hiring that are different than Canadian-born managers do.What factors did he observe them using?

A)family ties;merit;social status
B)social status;common origin;family ties
C)merit;family ties;social status
D)common origin;family ties;merit

Question 56

Scenario 11.1
ABC company,a domestic (Canadian)manufacturer of road and mountain bicycles,has recently expanded operations in its Italian business unit in response to the continued high demand for its products from international buyers.To meet this demand,the executives of ABC Company are recruiting internally for a high performing manager to serve as an expatriate in their newest overseas operation.They have identified Doug-a quickly rising star in their domestic operations-for this assignment.Doug is strongly considering their offer,and has already talked to his family about this opportunity.
Please refer to Scenario 11.1.ABC company is clearly using its domestic capabilities to move into overseas markets.Which type of corporation is ABC company?

A)multinational corporation
B)transnational corporation
C)global corporation
D)international corporation

Question 57

Which term refers to the representation of labour on the board of directors of a company?

A)union/management relations
B)codetermination
C)co-management
D)participative unionism

Question 58

In which country are nearly all the workers unionized and,as a result,unions have a great deal of power?

A)Australia
B)Sweden
C)Canada
D)France

Question 59

A domestic firm that uses its existing capabilities to move into overseas markets is called an international corporation.

Question 60

Scenario 11.1
ABC company,a domestic (Canadian)manufacturer of road and mountain bicycles,has recently expanded operations in its Italian business unit in response to the continued high demand for its products from international buyers.To meet this demand,the executives of ABC Company are recruiting internally for a high performing manager to serve as an expatriate in their newest overseas operation.They have identified Doug-a quickly rising star in their domestic operations-for this assignment.Doug is strongly considering their offer,and has already talked to his family about this opportunity.
Please refer to Scenario 11.1.If Doug's assignment was considered to be short-term or project-based,what is the best method for ABC Company to use for Doug's compensation?

A)salary plus out-of-country allowance
B)home-based pay
C)per-diem compensation
D)host-based pay

Question 61

International corporations must take into consideration the various cultural environments of their host countries when developing HR policies and programs.

Question 62

There is an increased trend for international corporations to replace their expatriate managers with local managers as quickly as possible.

Question 63

Expatriate assignments can cost three to five times what a domestic assignment costs.

Question 64

Our worst fears materialized when,as a result of NAFTA,unemployment rates increased sharply in all three countries.

Question 65

Tax incentives,tariffs,and quotas are often used by host countries to encourage local hiring.

Question 66

A shortage of talent is one of the reasons why more companies are recruiting internationally.

Question 67

Larger companies will have HR professionals devoted solely to assisting with the globalization process.

Question 68

The only stable factors across all cultures that an international corporation can rely upon to develop consistent practices are: strategies and structures.

Question 69

The EU is Canada's largest trading partner.

Question 70

Because of its massive population,China does not face the same problem with labour shortages as other less populated countries do.

Question 71

Improved telecommunications and travel have made it easier to match up employers and employees of all kinds worldwide.

Question 72

HRM can ensure the corporation's intellectual property rights throughout its worldwide operations by including appropriate language in its employment contract.

Question 73

As a result of the standardization of academic credentials,it is no longer necessary to assess them for foreign-born employees.

Question 74

There is a trend for international corporations to reduce the use of third-country nationals.

Question 75

The top ten international companies are in a strong position to affect the world economy.

Question 76

Organizations commonly wait until the activities are established in the host country before sending home-country expatriates to take up their foreign assignments.

Question 77

HR planning in a global corporation will be affected by the health of the economies throughout their worldwide locations.

Question 78

In the worldwide recession that started in 2008,some international organizations were laying off workers in some countries while simultaneously hiring workers in other countries in which they have operations.

Question 79

It is not uncommon for governments to place pressure on international corporations to use more host-country employees.

Question 80

Many employees now consider foreign work credentials essential or extremely useful.