Question 1

In preparing for a home-country national's international assignment, who should be involved?

Accepted Answer

Involving the home-country national and his family is crucial as the family will also be affected by the international assignment and their support is essential for a successful transition and adaptation.

Question 2

Which of the following is likely to increase the success rate of an expatriate?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is likely to...

Question 3

In selecting individuals for a foreign assignment, what skills should be assessed to determine the individual's ability to adapt?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In selecting individuals for a foreign assignment,...

Question 4

What can cultural sensitivity training help expatriates with?

Accepted Answer

C  D  Cultural sensitivity training helps expatriates overcome ethnic prejudices, deal with cultural dynamics, and understand business norms in the host country.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

B) Common origin, social status, and family ties are often significant factors in hiring practices outside of Canada, reflecting the importance of social networks and relationships in those contexts.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

In Canada, managers tend to emphasize merit in their selection practices, meaning they prioritize selecting candidates based on their qualifications, skills, and abilities rather than factors such as social status or family ties. This is consistent with Canada's focus on creating an equal and diverse society based on meritocracy.

Question 7

What is the primary reason that an expatriate might fail in his or her assignment?

Accepted Answer

While all of the options could potentially be reasons why an expatriate might fail in their assignment, studies have shown that family issues, such as an inability to adapt to the new environment or lack of support, are the primary reason for expatriate assignment failure. It is important for companies to consider the well-being of not only the expatriate, but also their family, when making these assignments.

Question 8

Describe the impact that culture shock can often have on an expatriate and their spouse/family.

Accepted Answer

Culture shock can often result in feelings of stress and isolation as expatriates and their families adjust to a new environment which may be vastly different from what they are accustomed to. This adjustment can be especially difficult for the spouse and children of an expatriate who may have to adapt to new social and cultural norms, educational systems, and language barriers. While technology can help to some extent, it cannot fully replace the support of a familiar social network and the sense of familiarity that comes with being in one's native country. While it is possible for some individuals to experience a sense of excitement and learning during culture shock, this is not always the case and may depend on individual temperament and personal factors.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Two key types of training for employees working internationally are language training and cultural sensitivity training. Language training helps employees communicate effectively with their foreign counterparts and understand local languages and dialects. Cultural sensitivity training helps employees understand and respect cultural differences and avoid misunderstandings that could negatively impact business relationships.

Question 10

Which statement best describes the necessary skills required for a manager's success abroad, when compared to those required for success at home?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which statement best describes the necessary skills...

Question 11

What is the proper classification for a Canadian working for a U.S.-based, international company, on a six-month assignment in Saudi Arabia working under a U.S.-based compensation package?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the proper classification for a...

Question 12

What is the first step when selecting individuals for international assignments?

Accepted Answer

Encouraging self-identification is the first step in selecting individuals for international assignments. This means identifying employees who have an interest in and capacity for working in an international environment. By creating a self-identification process, companies can actively recruit employees who have the necessary skills, experience, and interest in working abroad.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

The study suggests that organizations should focus on offering competitive compensation, providing development opportunities, building a strong employer brand, and creating a positive organizational culture to attract and retain talent in new countries. Option B includes all of these factors. Option A includes the factor of "ability," which is not mentioned in the study. Option C includes "capability," which is not clearly defined, and does not include "brand." Option D includes "strategy," which is not explicitly mentioned in the study.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Assuming that people in different countries have similar expectations is a mistake because cultural differences can lead to different expectations in terms of communication, hierarchy, work styles, and many other areas. This can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts between managers and employees from different cultural backgrounds. It is important for managers to be aware of and adapt to these differences when managing employees in a foreign country.

Question 15

What might be the outcome of offering a position within the company to the spouse of an expatriate?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What might be the outcome of offering...

Question 16

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?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Managers tend to be more autocratic, or...

Question 17

What is a benefit of employing host-country nationals, especially in the later stages of internationalization?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is a benefit of employing host-country...

Question 18

What is the benefit of using a third-country national instead of an expatriate?

Accepted Answer

Third-country nationals often have the necessary language skills to communicate effectively in the host country, which can be an advantage for international business operations.

Question 19

Which term refers to employees who are native to the country where the organization conducts international business?

Accepted Answer

Host-country nationals are employees who are native to the country where the organization conducts international business. A) Nationals is too broad and can refer to any citizen of a country, not just employees of an organization. C) Home-country nationals refer to employees who are from the same country as the headquarters of the organization, not necessarily the country where international business is being conducted. D) Third-country nationals refer to employees who are from a country other than the home country or the host country of the organization.

Question 20

What can the trend of global hiring be attributed to?

Accepted Answer

The aging population in developed countries is leading to a shortage of skilled workers, which is driving up demand for global hiring.

Quiz 11: Learning About International Human Resources Management