Question 1

In 2011, many large transnational corporations with large amounts of cash earned, taxed, and stored overseas asked the U.S. government for a 'tax-holiday' in which they would be able to bring that cash back into the United States without paying additional tax. These corporations claimed that they wanted to be able to invest and spend that cash in the United States, helping the U.S. economy, but refused to bring the money back to the United States if it was going to be taxed. This situation is made possible through ______.

Accepted Answer

The situation described in the question is made possible through deterritorialization, which refers to the process by which businesses can operate and store capital outside of any particular nation's borders. This allows them to avoid taxes and other regulations that might apply in a specific country. The fact that these corporations are holding their cash overseas and asking for a tax-holiday to bring it back into the United States illustrates this phenomenon.

Question 2

Tina and Gina were raised by Hazel, their live-in nanny. When the twins entered kindergarten, their parents originally considered letting Hazel go, however the attachment to Hazel was evident and the fact that the children learned a second language from Hazel was a bonus. Hazel remained with the family until the twins were in fifth grade at which time the family sadly parted ways. The separation from Hazel was devastating. This scenario best represents which of the following?

Accepted Answer

This scenario best represents the commodification of love, as the family is relying on Hazel for emotional support and attachment, while also taking advantage of her language skills and willingness to work as a live-in nanny. The consequences of this arrangement are seen in the devastating separation from Hazel, which highlights the emotional toll of commodifying love and childcare.

Question 3

Xochitl's employers are able to pay her less than minimum wage primarily because ______.

Accepted Answer

The fact that Xochitl is part of an informal economy means that she is not legally protected and her employers are not required to pay her minimum wage. This is a common situation for immigrant workers who may not have legal status or proper documentation. It is not relevant whether her salary is higher than what she could earn in her home country, or whether her culture discourages her from negotiating for better pay. The fact that other nannies in the neighborhood earn similar salaries does not excuse the employers from violating labor laws.

Question 4

Globalization has led to the growth of places like McDonald's, Starbucks, and Gap. Organizational scholars may call these corporations ______.

Accepted Answer

These corporations are consumer-culture landmarks because they represent a certain consumer culture that has become globalized. The other options do not accurately describe their role in globalization.

Question 5

When parodies of commercial advertising messages send a counter message to what is originally intended by the corporate advertiser this ______.

Accepted Answer

Parodies of commercial advertising messages reject the traditionally accepted form of marketing as a one-way information flow because they provide a counter message to what is originally intended by the corporate advertiser. This challenges the notion that advertisers have complete control over the message they want to convey to consumers.

Question 6

In 1999, tens of thousands of people from across the United States (and from around the world) came together in Seattle, Washington, for an anti-globalization protest at a World Trade Organization conference. Organized primarily through the internet, this protest was an example of ______.

Accepted Answer

The protest was organized as part of a larger movement of anti-globalization activists who were advocating for a more democratic and equitable global economic system. This movement, sometimes called "globalization from below," seeks to challenge the power of corporations, governments, and international organizations like the World Trade Organization by mobilizing people at the grassroots level. The use of the internet to organize the protest is also consistent with this approach to globalization.

Question 7

The impact of globalization has been categorized as both positive and negative. One of the most significant criticism of globalization can best be summed up as ______.

Accepted Answer

This is a common criticism of globalization, as the spread of Western culture and consumerism can lead to the homogenization and erosion of unique cultural traditions and practices. This can also have negative impacts on local economies and lead to a loss of traditional knowledge and practices.

Question 8

It is important to take an interdisciplinary approach to studying and defining globalization because ______.

Accepted Answer

Globalization is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon that affects various aspects of society, such as the economy, culture, politics, and communication. Therefore, to fully understand and define globalization, an interdisciplinary approach is essential. This means that various fields, such as sociology, communication, geography, political science, economics, and others, must be involved in the study of globalization. This approach allows for a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of globalization and its impact on different aspects of society.

Question 9

Terms such as Disneyfication and Coca-colonization are used to point out ______, the predominately one-way flow of cultural products from the West to other nations.

Accepted Answer

Disneyfication and Coca-colonization refer to cultural imperialism, which is the domination of one culture over another through the use of cultural products and media. Cultural bias refers to a preference for one culture over another, cultural hegemony refers to the dominance of one culture within a society, and cultural dissipation refers to the loss or decline of a culture.

Question 10

The benefits of neoliberalism include ______.

Accepted Answer

Neoliberalism, with its emphasis on free markets and deregulation, has allowed countries like India to integrate into the global economy, boosting their economic growth and enabling them to become significant players on the world stage.

Question 11

Proponents for privatization of public services such as prisons, schools, or water treatment facilities argue that competition and market forces would lead to innovation and increased efficiency for these services. This argument is associated with the economic philosophy called ______.

Accepted Answer

The argument for privatization based on competition and market forces aligns with the economic philosophy of neoliberalism, which emphasizes free markets and limited government intervention. Mercantilism, statism, and Keynesianism all involve a greater role for government intervention in economic affairs, and would not support the privatization of public services for the sake of increased competition and efficiency.

Question 12

According to Deetz, when we reframe the role of corporations in society in order to view them as political actors in society, stakeholders are seen as internal to the corporate system (as opposed to external to it). This represents Deetz's ______ model.

Accepted Answer

Stakeholders are seen as internal to the corporate system in Deetz's stakeholder model.

Question 13

Focusing on consumer needs from a perspective that values lifestyle, knowledge, and services, rather than material things is a cultural form called ______.

Accepted Answer

McWorld refers to a cultural, economic, and political process that values lifestyle, knowledge, and services over material things, emphasizing globalization and the interconnectedness of diverse cultures through technology and commerce.

Question 14

Which of the following scholars viewed the threat of globalization on local culture as a means through which that same culture can be revived?

Accepted Answer

Anthony Giddens argued that globalization could lead to the revival of local cultures as they adapt and respond to global influences, rather than just being overwhelmed by them.

Question 15

Which of the following scenarios is an example of culture jamming?

Accepted Answer

Culture jamming refers to a form of activism or protest against mainstream culture, often through the use of subversive or satirical art. The replacement of the "Wal-Mart" sign with "China Direct" is an example of culture jamming because it subverts the dominant narrative around the supposed American-ness and corporate power of Wal-Mart, and points out the company's reliance on products manufactured in China. The other options describe examples of globalization, cultural diffusion, and international marketing strategies.

Question 16

Female workers (and the work they do) are often viewed as invisible because ______.

Accepted Answer

Female workers are often viewed as invisible because they work in private homes and their roles are often hidden as a result of a negative ideology thrust upon those who utilize female workers. Their work is not valued or recognized as a legitimate form of employment, which contributes to their invisibility.

Question 17

In the past, organizations only focused on profits and following the laws that governed corporations. Now, companies are committed to making the world a better place through ______.

Accepted Answer

Corporate social responsibility refers to a company's commitment to act ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of its employees, their families, the local community, and society at large. This concept goes beyond merely maximizing profits and obeying the laws, as it involves engaging in sustainable practices, caring for the environment, and giving back to society. Gender equity, reducing labor costs, and work-life balance may be important issues that companies should address, but they are not as comprehensive and forward-looking as corporate social responsibility.

Question 18

Benjamin Barber argues that globalization is characterized by two competing worldviews: "Jihad," which represents a turn toward communalism, tribalism, and tradition, and ______, which represents the move toward consumerism and homogeneity.

Accepted Answer

Benjamin Barber argues that globalization is characterized by two competing worldviews: "Jihad," which represents a turn toward communalism, tribalism, and tradition, and McWorld, which represents the move toward consumerism and homogeneity. Therefore, the answer is D - McWorld.

Question 19

Mary has lived with and worked for the Miller family for the last seven years. She often steps in to take the children to after school activities and has even gone to a parent teacher conference or two because the dual-career couple is often unavailable. Mary's life reflects ______.

Accepted Answer

Mary's role as a live-in caretaker for a dual-career couple and their children reflects the rise of high-income professionals and households with working parents who rely on in-home services. This trend is driven by the increasing demand for work-life balance and the need for dual-income households to outsource some domestic responsibilities.

Question 20

Xochitl is a recent immigrant to the United States from Mexico. She came to New York because she had been told that there were many professionals in the city looking for domestic help. She finds a position as a nanny and grows to love the two children in her care even though their parents pay her less than minimum wage and generally treat her poorly. After two years, when the youngest child starts school, Xochitl is told to find another job. Xochitl went to New York because it was what Saskia Sassen refers to as a ______.

Accepted Answer

Saskia Sassen refers to New York as a "global city," which is a city that is a center for international finance, commerce, and culture, and is connected to other global cities through flows of goods, people, and ideas. Xochitl came to New York specifically for the opportunity to find work as domestic help for professionals in the city.

Quiz 13: Organizational Communication, Globalization, and Corporate Social Responsibility