Deck 13: Direct Foreign Investment

Question 1

Assume a U.S. firm initiates direct foreign investment in the U.K. If the British pound is expected to appreciate against the dollar, the dollar value of earnings remitted to the parent should ____. The parent may request that the subsidiary ____ in order to benefit from the expectation about the pound.

A) increase; postpone remitting earnings until the pound strengthens
B) decrease; postpone remitting earnings until the pound strengthens
C) decrease; remit earnings immediately before the pound strengthens
D) increase; remit earnings immediately before the pound strengthens

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Even if production costs are higher in a foreign country, a U.S. firm may establish a manufacturing plant in the foreign country now if:

A) the host government of that country eliminates all quotas.
B) the host government of that country reduces all quotas.
C) the host government of that country increases all quotas.
D) the host government of that country eliminates all tariffs.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

According to your text, ____ is a country that has been perceived as one of the most attractive sources of new demand.

A) Paraguay
B) Morocco
C) Sweden
D) China

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Direct foreign investment is perceived by foreign governments to:

A) be a cause of national problems.
B) be a remedy for national problems.
C) either A or B is possible.
D) have no impact on national problems.

Question 5

The ____ a project's variability in cash flows, and the ____ the positive correlation between the project's cash flow and the MNC's cash flow, the lower the risk of the project.

A) higher; higher
B) higher; lower
C) lower; lower
D) lower; higher

Question 6

Assume the British pound appreciates against the dollar while the Japanese yen depreciates against the dollar. Which of the following is true?

A) Japanese exporters can increase American sales by shifting operations from their British subsidiaries to Japan.
B) British exporters can increase American sales by shifting operations from their Japanese subsidiaries to Britain.
C) American exporters can increase sales to Japan by shifting operations from Japanese subsidiaries to American subsidiaries.
D) B and C

Question 7

The most important cost-related motive for direct foreign investment is diversification across product markets.

Question 8

Consider Firm A and Firm B that both produce the same product. Firm A would more likely have more stable cash flows if its percentage of foreign sales were ____ and the number of foreign countries it sold products to was ____.

A) higher; large
B) higher; small
C) lower; small
D) higher; large

Question 9

From the concept of an "efficient frontier," the point on a frontier that is optimal for all firms:

A) is the top point.
B) is the point closest to the vertical axis.
C) is the point half way between the two end points.
D) cannot be determined since firms vary in their willingness to accept risk.

Question 10

According to the text, a firm may be able to achieve a "more efficient" project portfolio if it:

A) focuses solely on one product.
B) focuses solely on one location to market what it produces.
C) A and B
D) none of the above

Question 11

A country with high unemployment could best increase its employment by:

A) encouraging foreign firms to establish subsidiaries that produce the same products local firms produce.
B) encouraging foreign firms to establish licensing arrangements for products local firms produce.
C) encouraging foreign firms to establish subsidiaries that produce products local firms do not produce.
D) none of the above would reduce employment.

Question 12

If countries are highly influential upon each other, the correlations of their economic growth levels would likely be ____. A firm would benefit ____ by diversifying sales among these countries relative to another set of countries that were not influential upon each other.

A) high and positive; more
B) close to zero; more
C) high and positive; less
D) close to zero; less

Question 13

According to information in the text, a host government would be least likely to provide incentives for direct foreign investment (DFI) into its country if the firm planning DFI:

A) would compete with local firms of the host country.
B) would produce a good not currently available in the host country.
C) would produce a good and export it to other countries.
D) B and C

Question 14

Direct foreign investment would typically be welcomed if:

A) the products to be produced are substitutes for other locally produced products.
B) people from the country of the company's headquarter are transferred to the foreign country to work at the subsidiary.
C) the products to be produced are going to be exported.
D) all of the above

Question 15

Which of the following is a reason to consider international business?

A) economies of scale.
B) exploit monopolistic advantages.
C) diversification.
D) all of the above

Question 16

A firm will likely benefit most from diversifying if:

A) the correlations between country economies are high.
B) the correlations between country economies are low.
C) the variability of all country economy levels is high.
D) B and C

Question 17

When a foreign currency is perceived by a firm to be undervalued, the firm may consider direct foreign investment in that country, as the initial outlay should be relatively low.

Question 18

Based on the text, it should be obvious that markets are ____ in reality, and consequently, monopolistic advantages ____ be exploited.

A) perfect; may possibly
B) perfect; cannot
C) imperfect; may possibly
D) imperfect; cannot

Question 19

When a firm analyzes the feasibility of a project, it should consider the:

A) variability of the project's cash flow.
B) correlation of the project's cash flow relative to the prevailing cash flows of the MNC.
C) A and B
D) none of the above

Question 20

Consider a country that presently has a high level of unemployment because of weak economic conditions. Its income levels are very low. This country may be an attractive target as a result of ____ motives by U.S. firms that engage in direct foreign investment.

A) revenue-related
B) cost-related
C) A and B
D) none of the above

Question 21

Along the frontier of efficient project portfolios, exactly one portfolio can be singled out as "optimal" for all MNCs.

Question 22

To enter markets where superior profits are possible, an MNC should:

A) acquire a competitor that has controlled its local market.
B) establish a subsidiary or acquire a competitor in a new market.
C) establish a subsidiary in a market where tougher trade restrictions will adversely affect the firm's export volume.
D) establish subsidiaries in markets whose business cycles differ from those where existing subsidiaries are based.

Question 23

They key to international diversification is selecting foreign projects whose performance levels are highly correlated over time.

Question 24

Developing countries are mostly targeted because they have advanced technology.

Question 25

The best means to accomplish the revenue-related motive of attracting new sources of demand is to:

A) acquire a competitor that has controlled its local market.
B) establish a subsidiary or acquire a competitor in a new market.
C) establish a subsidiary in a market where tougher trade restrictions will adversely affect the firm's export volume.
D) establish subsidiaries in markets whose business cycles differ from those where existing subsidiaries are based.

Question 26

When a firm perceives that a foreign currency is ____, the firm may attempt direct foreign investment in that country, as the initial outlay should be relatively ____.

A) overvalued; high
B) overvalued; low
C) undervalued; high
D) undervalued; low

Question 27

Which of the following is not true regarding the efficient frontier considered by MNCs?

A) There is exactly one point on the efficient frontier that is optimal for every MNC, regardless of its degree of risk aversion.
B) The efficient frontier for international projects will probably lie to the left of the efficient frontier for domestic projects.
C) Each point on the efficient frontier represents a portfolio of projects as opposed to an individual project.
D) All of the above are true.
E) A and C are false.

Question 28

____ is not a cost-related motive for direct foreign investment.

A) Exploiting monopolistic advantages
B) Fully benefiting from economies of scale
C) Using foreign factors of production
D) Using foreign raw materials

Question 29

Direct foreign investment is normally completed first, and then capital budgeting can be applied later.

Question 30

Which of the following is not a cost-related motive of direct foreign investment?

A) International diversification.
B) Low labor costs.
C) Land can be purchased at a low price.
D) Manufacturing plants can be built for a low price.

Question 31

MNCs commonly consider direct foreign investment because it can improve their profitability and enhance shareholder wealth.

Question 32

When economic conditions of two countries are ____, then a firm would ____ its risk by operating in both countries instead of concentrating just in one.

A) highly correlated; reduce
B) not highly correlated; not reduce
C) not highly correlated; reduce
D) none of the above

Question 33

To fully benefit from economies of scale, an MNC should:

A) establish a subsidiary in a new market that can sell products produced elsewhere.
B) establish a subsidiary in a market that has relatively low costs of labor or land.
C) establish a subsidiary in a market where raw materials are cheap and accessible.
D) participate in a joint venture in order to learn about a production process or other operations.

Question 34

Some governments restrict foreign ownership of local firms. Such restrictions may limit or prevent international acquisitions.

Question 35

____ is not a revenue-related motive for direct foreign investment.

A) Attracting new sources of demand
B) Fully benefiting from economies of scale
C) Exploiting monopolistic advantages
D) Entering profitable markets

Question 36

To exploit monopolistic advantages, an MNC should:

A) acquire a competitor that has controlled its local market.
B) establish a subsidiary or acquire a competitor in a new market.
C) establish a subsidiary in a market where tougher trade restrictions will adversely affect the firm's export volume.
D) establish subsidiaries in markets where competitors are unable to produce the identical product.

Question 37

To use foreign factors of production, an MNC should:

A) establish a subsidiary in a new market that can sell products produced elsewhere.
B) establish a subsidiary in a market that has relatively low costs of labor or land.
C) establish a subsidiary in a market where raw materials are cheap and accessible.
D) participate in a joint venture in order to learn about a production process or other operations.

Question 38

Which of the following is not true regarding host government attitudes towards direct foreign investment (DFI)?

A) Host governments may offer incentives to MNCs in the form of subsidies in certain circumstances.
B) Host governments generally perceive DFI as a remedy to eliminate a country's political problems.
C) The ability of a host government to attract DFI is dependent on the country's markets and resources.
D) Some types of DFI will be more attractive to some governments than to others.
E) All of the above are true.

Question 39

____ is not a disadvantage of direct foreign investment.

A) The expense of establishing a foreign subsidiary
B) The uncertainty of inflation and exchange rate movements
C) Political risk
D) All of the above are disadvantages of direct foreign investment

Question 40

Assume the correlation coefficient between the return on the existing project and the return on a proposed foreign project is 1. Also assume the returns on the existing project and the new project are equal, and that the existing project has a lower standard deviation than the proposed project. Under this scenario, undertaking the proposed project will ____ the variance of the firm's overall returns.

A) decrease
B) increase
C) decrease or increase, depending on the exact size of the returns and standard deviations
D) none of the above

Question 41

Countries in eastern Europe are more appealing to MNCs that seek relatively low costs of land and labor than countries in western Europe.

Question 42

Direct foreign investment (DFI) represents investment in real assets (such as land, buildings, or even existing plants) in foreign countries.

Question 43

In assessing the risk of an individual project, the expected correlation of the new project's returns with those of the prevailing business should be considered.

Question 44

Although direct foreign investment is sometimes conducted, benefits are rarely realized.

Question 45

To fully benefit from use of foreign raw materials:

A) establish a subsidiary in a market where raw materials are cheap and accessible.
B) sell the finished product to countries where the raw materials are more expensive.
C) establish a subsidiary in a new market that can sell products produces elsewhere.
D) A and B

Question 46

Once a decision to establish a foreign subsidiary has been made, it is irreversible. Therefore, no periodic monitoring of the project is necessary.

Question 47

____ is not a cost-related motive for direct foreign investment (DFI).

A) Using foreign factors of production
B) Using foreign raw materials
C) Using foreign technology
D) Reacting to trade restrictions
E) Fully benefiting from economies of scale

Question 48

Managers of MNCs may attempt to expand their divisions internationally if their compensation may be increased as a result of expansion. This goal is consistent with the goals of shareholders.

Question 49

MNCs can probably achieve more desirable risk-return characteristics from their project portfolios if they sufficiently diversify among products and geographical markets.

Question 50

To diversify internationally for the purpose of reducing risk, which strategy is appropriate?

A) Establish subsidiaries in markets whose business cycles are the same as those where existing subsidiaries are based.
B) Establish a subsidiary in a market that has relatively low cost of labor or land.
C) Establish a subsidiary in a market where the local currency is weak but is expected to appreciate over time.
D) Establish subsidiaries in markets whose business cycles differ from those where existing subsidiaries are based.

Question 51

The overall variability of a firm's returns depends on the expected return of each individual project, percentage of funds invested in each individual project, and correlation coefficient of returns between the investments.

Question 52

Procedural and documentation requirements imposed by the foreign government are referred to as:

A) regulatory barriers.
B) industry barriers.
C) protective barriers.
D) "Red Tape" barriers.

Question 53

Constraints pertaining to taxes, currency convertibility, earnings remittance, and employee rights are best described as:

A) ethical differences.
B) regulatory barriers.
C) quota barriers.
D) "Red Tape" barriers.

Question 54

Direct foreign investment is commonly considered by MNCs because it allows the MNC to:

A) attract new sources of demand.
B) enter profitable markets.
C) react to exchange rate movements.
D) react to trade restrictions.
E) all of the above

Question 55

MNCs often attempt to set up production in locations where land and labor are expensive, because expensive factors of production indicate high demand.

Question 56

Which of the following is not true regarding host government attitudes towards direct foreign investment (DFI)?

A) Host governments may offer incentives to MNCs in the form of subsidies in certain circumstances.
B) Host governments generally perceive DFI as a remedy for their national problems.
C) The ability of a host government to attract DFI is dependent on the country's markets and resources.
D) Some types of DFI will be more attractive to some governments than to others.
E) All of the above are true.

Question 57

Assume that the government of Krusho requires bribes to approve certain projects. MNCs that attempt to do business in Krusho must deal with:

A) protective barriers.
B) "red tape" barriers.
C) ethical differences.
D) regulatory barriers.

Question 58

Assume a U.S. firm initiates direct foreign investment in Italy. If the euro is expected to depreciate against the dollar, the dollar value of earnings remitted to the parent should ____. The parent may request that the subsidiary ____.

A) increase; postpone remitting earnings until the euro weakens
B) decrease; postpone remitting earnings until the euro weakens
C) decrease; remit earnings immediately before the euro weakens
D) increase; remit earnings immediately before the euro weakens

Question 59

When a foreign currency is perceived by a firm to be ____, the firm will probably ____ direct foreign investment in that country.

A) undervalued; consider
B) undervalued; not consider
C) overvalued; not consider
D) A and C
E) B and C

Question 60

Due to market imperfections, the cost of factors of production (such as labor) may differ substantially across countries.

Question 61

The best means of using direct foreign investment (DFI) to fully benefit from cheap foreign factors of production is probably to:

A) acquire a competitor that has controlled its local market.
B) establish a subsidiary in a new market that can sell products produced elsewhere; this allows for increased production and possibly greater production efficiency.
C) establish a subsidiary in a market that has relatively low costs of labor and land; sell the finished product to countries where the cost of production is higher.
D) establish a subsidiary in a market in which raw materials are cheap and accessible; sell the finished product to countries in which the raw materials are more expensive.

Question 62

The ____ the correlation in project returns is over time, the ____ will be the project portfolio risk as measured by the portfolio variance.

A) lower; lower
B) higher; lower
C) lower; higher
D) none of the above