Deck 11: The Influence of Business Structures and Corporate Culture on Intercultural Business Communication

Question 1

Companies with similar structures follow the same communication practices.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Of the various stages in international development,the import/export stage requires the least competence in intercultural business communication.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Since the adaptation of products to different markets concentrates on the product itself,intercultural business communication competence is not necessary to sell.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

From a communication point of view,what are the advantages and disadvantages of changing to a global organization?

Question 5

The formation of the international division tends to be the first stage in internationalization.

Question 6

The national subsidiary structure encourages communication between subsidiaries.

Question 7

The global structure emphasizes that there is a clear distinction between domestic and international communication.

Question 8

Discuss the intercultural business communication implications of organizations based on credentials,context,family,and political orientation.

Question 9

A global firm is the same as a multinational firm;it is just a different name.

Question 10

If the buyer needs a product,the seller must be very effective in intercultural business communication.

Question 11

The global organization is the best form for international businesses.

Question 12

One advantage of the national subsidiary structure is that managers from the subsidiaries have direct access to personnel in functional areas at headquarters.

Question 13

Compare and contrast communication in multinational and global organizations. What are the needs for intercultural business communication competence in each?

Question 14

The international division structure is the most effective way for subsidiary managers to contact managers of functional areas at headquarters.

Question 15

How does the structure of a firm influence intercultural communication practices? Give specific examples.

Question 16

The geographic global structure facilitates communication within regions but may hinder communication between regions.

Question 17

The global structure does away with the separation between domestic and international operations.

Question 18

In the international division organization,communication between headquarters and subsidiaries goes through managers in the international division.

Question 19

The global product organization facilitates communication between various product groups.

Question 20

A successful global organization requires training in intercultural business communication at all levels.

Question 21

The international division structure

A)May encourage unhealthy competition between domestic and international operations
B)Fosters direct communication between subsidiaries and functional areas at headquarters
C)Is an outdated organizational structure
D)Encourages intercultural communication training for all employees.

Question 22

An organization based on context

A)Encourages consensus
B)Emphasizes individual performance
C)Is most likely in a low-context culture
D)Encourages mobility of employees.

Question 23

The organization based on credentials makes it easier for employees to leave the organization.

Question 24

In a global structure,companies are using a company language;therefore,managers do not need any additional language competencies.

Question 25

The national subsidiary structure

A)Facilitates access of subsidiary managers to managers of functional areas at headquarters
B)Facilitates communication between various country subsidiaries
C)Provides a good balance between concerns of headquarters and the subsidiaries
D)Decentralizes the communication process.

Question 26

Companies that are organized based on context tend to emphasize group belonging.

Question 27

In which of the following organizations are managers most likely to discuss confidential information with employees?

A)Organization based on context
B)Organizations based on credentials
C)Organizations based on political orientation
D)There is no difference between these forms

Question 28

An organization based on credentials

A)Is most likely located in a high-context culture
B)Emphasizes specific job qualifications of potential employees
C)Encourages group orientation
D)Trains employees in many different aspects of operations.

Question 29

In an organization based on credentials,employers emphasize the job qualifications of the potential employee.

Question 30

The global firm

A)Is the second stage in international development of a firm
B)Is the best organizational structure for international businesses
C)Requires intercultural business communication training at all levels
D)Encourages healthy competition between domestic and international operations.

Question 31

The staffing in a true global firm is

A)Based on country origin of managers to avoid communication problems
B)Relying on local managers educated in the country of headquarters
C)Based on experience and intercultural communication skills
D)None of the above.

Question 32

In import/export firms

A)All employees need detailed training in intercultural business communication competence
B)All products must be carefully adapted to various cultures
C)The need for intercultural communication competence is not an issue
D)Communication is often filtered through translators and agents.

Question 33

Companies that have international divisions practice predominantly

A)Polycentric staffing
B)Ethnocentric staffing
C)Geocentric staffing
D)A mixture of a,b,and c

Question 34

Which is NOT true? A global structure and orientation is

A)Supported by most national governments
B)Restricted by national laws
C)Dependent on appropriate training
D)A way to overcome the division between domestic and international operations.