Deck 3: Culture and Business

Question 1

Culture influences our individual perspectives to such a great extent that we cannot always account for or comprehend its influence.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Cultural programming plays an insignificant role in the shaping of values.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Concepts like time and ethics are objective in nature that do not vary from one culture to another.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

The highest hurdle to cross-cultural understanding and effective relationships is our frequent inability to understand the influence of culture on the personality.

Question 5

Cross-cultural understanding means persuading individuals from other cultures to convert to ones' own point of view.

Question 6

Culture awareness most commonly refers to the automatic acceptance of another culture's values and perspective.

Question 7

Culture influences communication and, therefore, affects business if one is sourcing from different countries.

Question 8

In high power distance cultures, superiors and subordinates are more likely to see each other as equal in power.

Question 9

Understanding culture is important in determining the success of a business because different cultures have business practices, communication, and management styles that are different from those to which you are accustomed.

Question 10

Preconceived notions help in successfully conducting business with people from other cultures.

Question 11

Ethical behavior refers to behavior that is generally accepted across cultures.

Question 12

According to Geert Hofstede, values are mostly conscious.

Question 13

Individualism refers to people's tendency to take care of themselves and their immediate circle of family and friends, perhaps at the expense of the overall society.

Question 14

Local culture, values, and customs play an insignificant role in the business environment.

Question 15

Today's philosophers divide ethical theories into eight general subject areas.

Question 16

Culture is the beliefs, values, mind-sets, and practices of a group of people.

Question 17

The Western languages follow the traditional and the more singular definition of culture, where the word often implies refinement.

Question 18

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that seeks to address questions about morality.

Question 19

Even though people are focused on the bottom line, culture plays a crucial role in deciding with whom they do business.

Question 20

Edward T. Hall is sometimes called the father of modern cross-cultural science and thinking.

Question 21

In low-context cultures,

A) standing distances between people shrink.
B) people tend to be explicit and direct in their communications.
C) the physical context of the message carries a great deal of importance.
D) body language is as important as the actual words spoken.
E) people tend to do one task at a time.

Question 22

Even within a specific culture, individuals have different ideas of what constitutes ethical or unethical behavior.

Question 23

In Swedish cultures, both genders swap roles and the focus is on quality of life, service, and independence. Sweden serves as an example of a(n):

A) masculine culture.
B) individualistic culture.
C) collectivistic culture.
D) low context culture.
E) feminine culture.

Question 24

Uncertainty avoidance in a culture refers to:

A) whether a culture has a long-term or short-term orientation.
B) people's tendency to take care of themselves at the expense of the society.
C) the degree of risk a society or culture is willing to accept.
D) the degree to which gender roles are crisply defined in a culture.
E) the study of physical space and people.

Question 25

Geert Hofstede is a(n) _____ who focused on a comparison of nations using a statistical analysis of two unique databases.

A) social psychologist
B) statistician
C) historian
D) anthropologist
E) physiologist

Question 26

One of the main jobs of managers in multinational companies is:

A) to discourage multiculturalism.
B) to encourage the takeover of the company culture by the local culture.
C) to replace the local culture by the company culture.
D) to ensure the coexistence of the local culture with the company culture.
E) to insulate the employees from the local culture.

Question 27

Which of the following statements is true about individualistic cultures?

A) Group goals take precedence over individual goals.
B) Individual effort is appreciated and applauded.
C) Individual effort is criticized and looked down upon.
D) Collectivism is held in high esteem.
E) Individual rights and identity take a back-seat.

Question 28

In the United States of America, children strike out on their own at a very early age. They pay for their own housing and education. The American society serves as an example of a(n):

A) masculine culture.
B) individualistic culture.
C) collectivistic culture.
D) feminine culture.
E) culture with long-term orientation.

Question 29

"Guanxi" refers to:

A) the personal connections which are essential for doing business in China.
B) the sub-cultural groups that exist in China.
C) the dominant cultural group that decides Chinese culture.
D) the cultural differences between Taiwan and China.
E) the department responsible for implementing cultural practices in China.

Question 30

A person's identity and unique physical, mental, and emotional characteristics defines the:

A) value system of the individual.
B) subculture to which an individual belongs.
C) nationality of the individual.
D) personality of the individual.
E) culture of the individual.

Question 31

_____ is a renowned anthropologist who is best noted for three principal categories (context, space, and time) that analyze and interpret how communications and interactions between cultures differ.

A) Geert Hofstede
B) Edward T. Hall
C) Claude Lévi-Strauss
D) Jane Goodall
E) Peter Loizoss

Question 32

Values are usually acquired early in life and are often:

A) nonrational.
B) voluntary.
C) rational.
D) inborn.
E) free from cultural influences.

Question 33

In some cultures, where companies are seen as "guardians," efforts to lay off employees may be perceived as culturally unethical.

Question 34

In theory, most global firms have clear guidelines articulating antidiscrimination policies whereas in reality, they routinely self-censor.

Question 35

???_____ refers to how openly a society or culture accepts or does not accept differences between people, as in hierarchies in the workplace, in politics.

A) Power distance
B) Individualism
C) Uncertainty avoidance
D) Proxemics
E) Collectivism

Question 36

Bribery can be considered ethical by some cultures, if it is a part of normal traditional, social practices.

Question 37

The term "national culture" refers to:

A) the culture which had been prevalent for more than two centuries.
B) the culture which is implemented by the government in power.
C) the regional cultures in the neighboring countries.
D) the culture of a nation wherever it exists irrespective of boundaries.
E) the dominant culture of a particular nation.

Question 38

_____ most commonly refers to having an understanding of the values and the perspective of another culture.

A) Culture awareness
B) Cultural cringe
C) Cultural acceptance
D) Ethnocentrism
E) Uncertainty avoidance

Question 39

A culture which openly accepts that a boss is "higher" and as such deserves more formal respect and authority is a culture with:

A) high individuality.
B) low masculinity.
C) high masculinity.
D) low power distance.
E) high power distance.

Question 40

Cultures and values are:

A) stagnant by nature.
B) irrelevant in the world of business.
C) hindrances to economic development.
D) constantly evolving in nature.
E) not influenced by media and technology.

Question 41

In cultures where organizations are seen as "guardians," any effort to lay off employees:

A) is considered unlawful.
B) invites penalties from the government.
C) is considered unethical.
D) is considered discriminatory.
E) means disrespect to the cultural beliefs.

Question 42

_____ is the technical term to define corporate conscience wherein organizations monitor and ensure their active compliance with the spirit of the law, ethical standards, and international norms.

A) Corporate goodwill
B) Corporate image
C) Corporate social responsibility
D) Proxemics
E) Reformation

Question 43

The specific values included in Hofstede's research is referred to as:

A) value dimensions.
B) value system.
C) uncertainty avoidance.
D) individualism.
E) ethnocentrism.

Question 44

Normative ethics involves:

A) establishing moral standards that regulate right and wrong conduct.
B) investigating where our ethical principles come from, and what they mean.
C) examining specific controversial issues, such as animal rights and environmental concerns.
D) making a comparative analysis of cross-cultural moral standards.
E) establishing the supremacy of moral standards of the Western school of thought.

Question 45

The Enlightenment promoted a set of values in which _____, not religion, was advocated as the primary source for legitimacy and authority.

A) beliefs
B) reason
C) cultural values
D) faith
E) ethnic background

Question 46

The tendency to do one task at a time is seen in:

A) low context cultures.
B) monochronic cultures
C) high context cultures.
D) polychronic cultures.
E) collectivist cultures.

Question 47

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act refers to the:

A) UN law that specifically bans any form of glass ceiling.
B) European Union law that specifically bans any form of discrimination.
C) UN law that specifically bans any form of tax evasion.
D) U.S. law that specifically bans any form of bribery.
E) Indian law specifying guidelines for gift giving.

Question 48

People who have low uncertainty avoidance prefer:

A) to take on risks.
B) to steer clear of conflict and competition.
C) to exhibit less aggressiveness.
D) stability and the known.
E) very clear instructions.

Question 49

Grease payments refer to:

A) legalized payments to establish a business relationship.
B) penalties paid by organizations for unethical behavior.
C) financial incentives given to ethical companies in some countries.
D) small inducements intended to expedite decisions.
E) ethical business strategies used by corporate houses.

Question 50

People in Northern Europe and North America tend to schedule one event at a time. They serve as an example of a(n) _____.

A) polychronic culture.
B) monochronic culture.
C) individualistic culture.
D) culture with high power distance.
E) culture with low uncertainty avoidance.

Question 51

The view that a person's own culture is central and other cultures are measured in relation to it is referred to as:

A) consequentialism.
B) utilitarianism.
C) ethnocentrism.
D) collectivism.
E) individualism.

Question 52

_____ is that branch of philosophy that seeks to address questions about morality.

A) Proxemics
B) Ethics
C) Egoism
D) Esthetics
E) Ethnocentrism

Question 53

The tendency of people to do several things at the same time is reflected in a:

A) polychronic culture.
B) high context culture.
C) long-term orientation culture.
D) monochronic culture.
E) collectivist culture.

Question 54

The study which focuses on space and distance between people as they interact is called:

A) collectivism.
B) power distance.
C) uncertainty avoidance.
D) ethnocentrism.
E) proxemics.

Question 55

What of the following statements is true of the Reformation and Enlightenment?

A) They focus on practicality and profitability rather than being ethical.
B) They focus on equality and individual rights.
C) They focus on monarchy and divine rights.
D) They focus on the preeminence of the state.
E) They focus on discrimination based on race and ethnicity.

Question 56

_____ refers to "giving or obtaining advantage through means which are illegitimate, immoral, and/or inconsistent with one's duty or the rights of others."

A) Reformation
B) Abolition
C) Altruism
D) Corruption
E) Abjection

Question 57

Which of the following is true about gift giving?

A) It is formalized and structured in the American countries.
B) It is formalized and structured in Japan and China.
C) It is illegal and a punishable offence in Japan and China.
D) It is nonexistent for business purposes in European culture.
E) It is not prevalent in Middle Eastern culture.

Question 58

In the East, looking into someone's eyes implies:

A) lack of confidence.
B) confidence.
C) attraction.
D) respect.
E) disrespect.

Question 59

Applied ethics involves:

A) investigating where our ethical principles come from and what they mean.
B) making a comparative analysis of cross-cultural moral standards.
C) establishing moral standards that regulate right and wrong conduct.
D) focusing on the issues of universal truths, the will of God.
E) examining specific controversial issues.

Question 60

_____ is the ethical theory, which investigates where our ethical principles come from, and what they mean.

A) Ethnocentrism
B) Applied ethics
C) Normative ethics
D) Metaethics
E) Proxemics

Question 61

_____ requires that we reorient our mind-set and expectations, in order to interpret the gestures, attitudes, and statements of the people we encounter.

Question 62

What is the study of Proxemics?

Question 63

A Japanese automobile manufacturer manufactures a faulty piece of gearing instrument, which leads to a number of accidents. The organization recalls the faulty instrument from the market and the CEO apologizes to the customers. This is representative of a(n):

A) individualistic culture.
B) collectivistic culture.
C) culture with long-term orientation.
D) culture with short-term orientation.
E) masculine culture.

Question 64

What is CSR and why do organizations involve themselves in it?

Question 65

Which are the other external factors that constitute a culture apart from the ones stated by Hofstede and Hall?

Question 66

Ethics as a concept is culture specific. Discuss.
Corruption is "giving or obtaining advantage through means which are illegitimate, immoral, and/or inconsistent with one's duty or the rights of others." Corruption often results from patronage. Our modern understanding of business ethics notes that following culturally accepted norms is not always the ethical choice. What may be acceptable at certain points in history, such as racism or sexism, became unacceptable with the further development of society's mind-set. What happens when cultures changes but business practices don't? Does that behavior become unethical, and is the person engaged in the behavior unethical? In some cultures, there may be conflicts with global business practices, such as in the area of gift giving, which has evolved into bribery-a form of corruption. Paying bribes is relatively common in many countries, and bribes often take the form of grease payments, which are small inducements intended to expedite decisions and transactions. In India and Mexico, for example, a grease payment may help get your phones installed faster-at home or at work. Ethics therefore is not an absolute term. It depends on the cultures in which a particular activity is being carried out. The culture decides whether that activity would be considered ethical or not.

Question 67

How do ethics impact business management practices?

Question 68

Which are the areas that one needs to take care of when doing business with individuals from other cultures?

Question 69

The teachings and experiences in a particular culture decide the reasoning and the _____ of the people.

Question 70

In individualistic cultures, _____ is counted as the most important attribute of an individual.

Question 71

How can we effectively deal with the problems of cross-cultural interaction?

Question 72

What is organizational culture?

Question 73

Define culture.

Question 74

How does ethnocentrism color our opinions about individuals from other cultures?

Question 75

How does the Latin business culture differ from that of North America and Europe?

Question 76

Culture awareness most commonly refers to having an understanding of the values and perspective of another _____.

Question 77

Language is one of the more conspicuous expressions of culture. Explain.

Question 78

_____ can be defined as broad preferences for one state of affairs over others.

Question 79

French companies show a preference for low-risk decisions and the employees prefer sharply defined rules and rituals to get tasks completed. This serves as an example of a(n):

A) masculine culture.
B) culture with high uncertainty avoidance.
C) culture with long-term orientation.
D) collectivistic culture.
E) individualistic culture.

Question 80

_____ refers to the set of beliefs, values, and norms, together with symbols like dramatized events and personalities that represents the unique character of an organization.