Deck 15: International Projects

Question 1

The biggest adjustment Americans typically have to make in working abroad is:

A)Language differences
B)Adapting to the general pace of life
C)Punctuality of people
D)Both B and C are correct
E)A, B, and C are all correct

Answer 1

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

Question 2

The major issues dealing with international project management include all of the following except:

A)Selection and training of personnel for international projects
B)Foreign currency exchange rates
C)Location of international expansion
D)Environmental factors
E)Challenge of working in a foreign culture

Answer 2

B
Explanation: There are four major issues surrounding the management of international projects.First, major environmental factors that impact project selection and implementation are briefly highlighted.Second, an example of how organizations decide where to expand globally is provided.Third, the challenge of working in a strange and foreign culture is addressed.Finally, how companies select and train professionals for international projects is discussed.

Question 3

If the Lincoln Log Construction Co.(based in Chicago) built an assembly plant for General Motors in Nigeria, the project would be classified as

A)Global
B)Overseas
C)Local
D)Domestic
E)Foreign

Answer 3

B
Explanation: An overseas project is one executed in a foreign country for a native firm (a Swedish company building a truck factory in the United States for their native company).

Question 4

The growing presence of 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 5

McDonald's is creating a multinational distribution system for all of its foreign and domestic subsidiaries.The project manager is from the corporate headquarters and he manages teams from each of the countries involved.The project would be classified as

A)Global
B)Overseas
C)Local
D)Domestic
E)Foreign

Question 6

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

A)Cultures
B)People
C)Local traditions
D)Local business practices
E)Laws

Question 7

In the Snapshot from Practice "Project Management X-files," a key success factor which is held in much higher regard by cultures outside the U.S.is:

A)Family ties
B)Luck
C)Hard work
D)Social status
E)Patience

Question 8

As a response to the events of September 11, 2001, the moving of personnel, materials, and equipment across international borders has created border congestion with increased costs and time.This is an example of which of the following environmental factors?

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

Question 9

Kluckhohn-Strodtbeck's cross-cultural framework includes all of the following except:

A)Perception of God
B)Relation to nature
C)Time orientation
D)Basic nature of people
E)Activity orientation

Question 10

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

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

Question 11

Import quotas and tariffs, 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 12

Which of the following is not one of the potential results for the international project manager?

A)Personal risk
B)Absence from home
C)Missed career opportunities
D)Adverse conditions
E)All of these are potential results

Question 13

Communications difficulties because of different languages are examples of which of the following environmental factors?

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

Question 14

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

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

Question 15

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 was 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 16

If IBM built a computer system for Outback Barbie Inc.(based in Australia) at their corporate headquarters in Sydney, the project would be classified as

A)Global
B)Overseas
C)Local
D)Domestic
E)Foreign

Question 17

The Hofstede framework includes all of the following dimensions except:

A)Masculinity-feminity
B)Uncertainty avoidance
C)Power distance
D)Individualism versus collectivism
E)All of these are included in the Hofstede framework

Question 18

Culture is a concept that encompasses all of the following except:

A)Shared norms
B)Beliefs
C)Values
D)Economic level
E)Customs

Question 19

Needs for a project could include telecommunications, transportation, power, and availability of technically skilled talent.This is an example of which of the following environmental factors?

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

Question 20

If a construction company in Dallas builds a bridge in Houston, the project would be classified as

A)Global
B)Overseas
C)Local
D)Domestic
E)Foreign

Question 21

When you recover 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 22

When you begin to lose confidence in your abilities 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 23

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 system is referred to as:

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

Question 24

A(n) ________ project is one executed in a foreign country for a native firm.

Question 25

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 26

Which of the following is not contained in the Assessment Matrix Project Site Selection?

A)Political stability
B)Worker skill, supply
C)Infrastructure
D)Culture compatibility
E)Utilities

Question 27

In dealing with the Chinese, it is important to realize that they

A)Tend to be slow in formulating a plan
B)Will change decisions quickly
C)Value time and moving forward
D)Both B and C are correct
E)A, B, and C are all correct

Question 28

Which of the following is not true for French values?

A)They value punctuality
B)Great importance is placed on neatness and taste
C)The French is easy to negotiate with
D)French managers see work as an intellectual exercise
E)The French consider managers to be experts

Question 29

A(n) ________ project consists of teams formed from professionals spanning multiple countries, continents, and cultures with their work integrated for the entire enterprise.

Question 30

Which film project was reviewed in a Snapshot from Practice?

A)The Godfather
B)Star Wars
C)Hearts of Darkness
D)Apocalypse Now
E)Rambo

Question 31

Working in the Saudi Arabia culture would include major shifts in the area of:

A)Bragging or calling attention to oneself
B)Importance of business connections
C)Increase in use of administrative channels
D)Both B and C are correct
E)A, B, and C are all correct

Question 32

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)All of these are symptoms

Question 33

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 34

A sense of frustration in not being understood is typical of which of the following stages of culture shock?

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

Question 35

A major difference between working in Mexico and working in the United States is the perception of deadlines.This is referred to as:

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

Question 36

Which of the following is not contained in the Evaluation Matrix Breakdown for Infrastructure?

A)Transportation
B)Government support
C)Educated workforce
D)Telecommunications
E)Vendor suppliers

Question 37

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

Question 38

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

Question 39

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 ________.

Question 40

A(n) ________ project is executed in a foreign country for a foreign firm.

Question 41

When working with the ________, it is important never to display feelings of superiority because this makes the other party feel inferior.

Question 42

In the Hofstede Framework, ________ identifies whether a culture holds individuals or the group responsible for each member's welfare.

Question 43

The ________ place great importance upon neatness and taste; therefore, when interacting with them you should pay close attention to your appearance.

Question 44

In the Hofstede Framework, ________ describes the degree to which the culture emphasizes competitive and achievement oriented behavior or displays concerns for relationships.

Question 45

In the Kluckhohn-Strodtbeck Cross-Cultural Framework, the cultural issue that is measured in terms of good, evil or mixed is nature of ________.

Question 46

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 ________.

Question 47

Decision-making with ________ is results-oriented and tends to be based on facts and expected outcomes, not on social impact.

Question 48

___________ have a reputation for not being able to work effectively in foreign cultures.

Question 49

It typically takes ____________ months before managers operate again at full effectiveness after a lengthy foreign assignment.

Question 50

Although they may be slow to formulate a plan, once the ________ decide who and what is best, they tend to stick to their decisions and make good progress.

Question 51

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.

Question 52

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

Question 53

In the Snapshot from Practice, the mapping of the "River of Doubt" occured in the country of __________.

Question 54

The natural psychological disorientation that most people suffer when they move into a different culture than their own is called ___________.

Question 55

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

Question 56

In the Kluckhohn-Strodtbeck Cross-Cultural Framework, the cultural issue that is measured in terms of domination, harmony, and subjugation is relationship to ________.

Question 57

Americans tend to be impersonal and practical when making an argument; however, ________ can be very passionate and emotional when arguing because they enjoy a lively debate.

Question 58

A local project is one performed in its native country for a resident firm.

Question 59

The length of training required for an overseas stay of 1-3 years would be around ________.

Question 60

In many ___________ cultures certain numbers are considered lucky, while others are considered unlucky.

Question 61

One approach for the project manager to digest, clarify, and understand the factors leading to the selection of a specific project is to use a risk matrix similar to those used to evaluate other types of risks.

Question 62

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

Question 63

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

Question 64

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 65

The Kluckhohn-Strodtbeck Cross-Cultural Model includes a factor called Uncertainty Avoidance that is related to a culture's willingness to accept uncertainty and ambiguity about the future.

Question 66

The Hofstede framework includes a factor called Activity Orientation where cultures were classified as being, doing, or controlling.

Question 67

Americans have a reputation for not being able to work effectively in foreign cultures.

Question 68

Mexicans tend to perceive Americans as being cold and that most Americans look down upon them.

Question 69

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

Question 70

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

Question 71

If the length of stay in another culture is to be in the range of 2 to 12 months, the experiential approach to training is advisable.

Question 72

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 73

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 74

Hong Kong is a place where business people often call Feng shui practitioners to construction sites to make sure that the building is aligned correctly on the site.

Question 75

Saudi Arabians can be difficult to negotiate with because they often ignore facts no matter how convincing they may be and they also tend to be quite secretive about their positions.

Question 76

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

Question 77

One factor that is often underestimated until the project personnel actually arrive at a foreign destination is the culture environmental factor.

Question 78

The initial stage of culture shock is irritability and hostility.

Question 79

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

Question 80

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.