Question 1

Which aspect of Japanese culture, predicted by many to favor bribery, makes Japan's success in reducing corruption more remarkable?

Accepted Answer

Japan's successes in reducing corruption in its business system are all the more remarkable because of its relationship-oriented culture, which would be predicted by many to favor bribery.

Question 2

Transparency International (TI) scores countries with respect to their prevalence for bribe taking. Bribery is least tolerated in which of the following countries?

Accepted Answer

Denmark is consistently ranked as the least corrupt country according to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) published by Transparency International, indicating that it has a very low incidence of bribery and other forms of corruption.

Question 3

According to information presented in the text, which of the following would be considered to be corruption (or a corrupt practice) in India?

Accepted Answer

In India many attribute the decline in the society there to the rampant consumerism, such as that promoted on MTV. Such rampant consumerism is what kept the American economy afloat right after the turn of the century.

Question 4

Which of the following, according to data provided in Chapters 4 and 5, is more likely to exhibit higher levels of bribery?

Accepted Answer

Higher levels of bribery have been found in low-income nations and nations with a communist past, both aspects of the political economy. Additionally, higher levels of bribery have been found in collectivistic (IDV) and high power distance (PDI) countries.

Question 5

Ramon Garcia is excited about his first visit to the United States. As a representative of a Mexican vegetable producer, Ramon knows that he will have to forget "Mexican time" and be aware of "American time." As he shifts to "American time," which of the following time models will Mr. Garcia need to understand and follow if he is to be successful during his stay in America?

Accepted Answer

M-time, or monochronic time, typifies most North Americans, Swiss, Germans, and Scandinavians. These Western cultures tend to concentrate on one thing at a time. They divide time into small units and are concerned with promptness. M-time is used in a linear way, and it is experienced as almost tangible, in that one saves time, wastes time, bides time, spends time, and loses time.

Question 6

It is often said that it takes two to bribe--one to receive and one to pay. In which of the following countries would companies be least likely to pay a bribe to obtain business or gain favor?

Accepted Answer

Australia has a strong legal framework and strict enforcement against corruption, making it least likely that companies would pay bribes to obtain business or gain favor. The United States also has a strong legal framework, but it is not immune to corruption. Spain, Taiwan, and Japan have a higher risk of corruption in business dealings compared to Australia and the United States.

Question 7

Which of the following increases the possibility of misinterpretation of others' motives in a negotiation scenario?

Accepted Answer

The possibility of offending one another or misinterpreting others' motives is especially high when one's self-reference criteria (SRC) is the basis for assessing a situation.

Question 8

Transparency International (TI) scores countries with respect to their prevalence for bribe taking. Bribery is most tolerated in which of the following countries?

Accepted Answer

According to Transparency International's 2020 Corruption Perception Index, France has a score of 70 out of 100, which is relatively high compared to Canada (77), Germany (80), Australia (77), and Singapore (85). Higher scores indicate lower levels of corruption, so France is the most tolerant country for bribe taking among the given options.

Question 9

As Mark Hall examines markets for his company's new digital watch product, he has reservations about market potential in some countries. He knows that countries that are addicted to speed with respect to time would make better markets than those that are not. According to rankings of speed (with respect to time) appreciation, which of the following markets would most likely be a good one for Mr. Hall to pursue first with his company's new product?

Accepted Answer

Germany is known for its punctuality and efficiency, making it a market that appreciates speed with respect to time, which aligns with the product's appeal.

Question 10

Time is viewed differently around the world. For example, in Spain "those who rush arrive first at the grave" is a description of feelings toward time. In which country would we expect to hear the description of time as being "time is money"?

Accepted Answer

The U.S. is a very time-oriented society-time is money to us-whereas in many other cultures, time is to be savored, not spent.

Question 11

When a U.S. female is selected for an international assignment the going might be difficult given the attitude of many foreign organizations toward females in positions of authority. In addition to training, which of the following would be a key to the female's success in a foreign assignment?

Accepted Answer

A key to success for both men and women in international business often hinges on the strength of a firm's backing. When a female manager receives training and the strong backing of her firm, she usually receives the respect commensurate with the position she holds and the firm she represents.

Question 12

Which of the following refers to the orientation in which consumers and businesses alike will not buy enough without prodding?

Accepted Answer

Although American companies are increasingly embracing the marketing orientation (and marketing in general), firms in other countries have not been so fast to change from the more traditional production (consumers prefer products that are widely available), product (consumers favor products that offer the best quality, performance, or innovative features), and selling (consumers and businesses alike will not buy enough without prodding) orientations.

Question 13

Many international marketing companies address the Internet language problem by:

Accepted Answer

Estimates are that 78 percent of today's Web site content is written in English, but an English e-mail message cannot be understood by 35 percent of all Internet users. The solution to the problem is to have country-specific Web sites, like those of IBM and Marriott.

Question 14

The basic elements of an international business negotiation include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The basic elements of business negotiations are the same in any country: They relate to the product, its price and terms, services associated with the product, and, finally, friendship between vendors and customers.

Question 15

In the United States, Switzerland, Germany, and Norway one thing at a time receives attention with respect to time. This would be called:

Accepted Answer

M-time, or monochronic time, typifies most North Americans, Swiss, Germans, and Scandinavians. These Western cultures tend to concentrate on one thing at a time. They divide time into small units and are concerned with promptness. M-time is used in a linear way, and it is experienced as almost tangible, in that one saves time, wastes time, bides time, spends time, and loses time.

Question 16

AIDS is rampant in many sub-Saharan African nations. Because of this fact, which of the following would most likely be viewed as a corrupt practice (or corruption) by African nations and their leaders?

Accepted Answer

Many in sub-Saharan Africa view Western intellectual property laws as a kind of exploitation that prevents treatment of AIDS for millions.

Question 17

As Luci Chen sits in her office in Shanghai she is looking at her daily appointment calendar. Even though she has many appointments, she knows that she will spend quality time with each person. After all, being involved with people and being sensitive to relationships is just as important (if not more important) than sticking to a schedule. Ms. Chen could be characterized following which of the following time models?

Accepted Answer

P-time is characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of many things and by "a great involvement with people." P-time allows for relationships to build and context to be absorbed as parts of high-context cultures.

Question 18

Even though speed is relative in a cultural context, we would expect workers from which of the following countries to be so obsessed with speed (walking, accomplishing tasks, and accuracy of time pieces) that this country ranks number one in the world?

Accepted Answer

Switzerland is known for its punctuality and precision in all aspects of life, including work. The country is world-renowned for its famous timepieces and clocks, and being punctual is considered a social norm. Swiss businesses also emphasize efficiency and productivity, which contributes to the country's strong economy. Therefore, Switzerland is the best choice for the country obsessed with speed and punctuality.

Question 19

Gerard is heading his sales team for negotiations with their Arab partners. He was educated about the communication preferences well in advance by his PR person. Which of the following could be the most common mistake that he might have committed otherwise?

Accepted Answer

Haste and impatience are probably the most common mistakes of North Americans attempting to trade in the Middle East.

Question 20

Which of the following organizations is dedicated to "curbing corruption through international and national coalitions encouraging governments to establish and implement effective laws, policies, and anticorruption programs"?

Accepted Answer

An international organization called Transparency International (TI) is dedicated to "curbing corruption through international and national coalitions encouraging governments to establish and implement effective laws, policies and anti-corruption programs".

Quiz 5: Culture, Management Style, and Business Systems