Deck 5: Culture, Management Style, and Business Systems

Question 1

M-time (monochromic time)is more dominate in high-context cultures.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

In Japan a person's blood type can influence hiring decisions.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Although there is some power seeking by business managers throughout the world,power seems to be a more important motivating force in South American countries.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The "master of destiny" philosophy is fundamental to U.S.management thought.

Question 5

As a guide to adaptation,one of the "rules" that should be followed would be to be open tolerance.

Question 6

The key to adaptation is to try not to be American and to teach your international business colleagues about U.S.management methods.

Question 7

Culture,profoundly affects management style.

Question 8

In high-PDI (Power Distance Index)countries such as Mexico and Malaysia,understanding the rank and status of clients and business partners is very important.

Question 9

Since France is higher on the Hofstede Power Distance Index (PDI),business executives would find the American business managers' casual attitude toward business affairs to be crude and unsophisticated.

Question 10

No matter how thoroughly prepared a marketer may be when approaching a foreign market,a certain amount of culture shock occurs.

Question 11

With respect to contextual background among countries,Japan would be a good illustration of a country that has a low context explicit background.

Question 12

According to Hall,in countries that follow monochromic time (M-time)such as Americans,these cultures tend to concentrate on one thing at a time.

Question 13

Cultural imperatives are those customs or behavior patterns reserved exclusively for the locals and from which the foreigner is barred.

Question 14

The giant toy maker Mattel Inc.changed its strategy and began designing and marketing worldwide one standardized version of its doll,Barbie,instead of different variations for children in different countries only to have its sales plummet.

Question 15

A key value underlying the American business system is reflected in the notion of a never-ending quest for improvement.

Question 16

In the United States advancement is frequently tied to one's ability to make improvements;results are what count.

Question 17

Management style includes business culture,management values,and business methods and behavior.

Question 18

In the Arabic world,a non-believer would not be allowed to enter a mosque.This would be an example of what is called an exclusive.

Question 19

One of the real bonuses of using the Internet for business communication is that,because it is based in machine translation of language,it can manage all the nuances of language and syntax.

Question 20

A standard rule in international business negotiations is "know thyself."

Question 21

As a form of bribery,lubrication involves a relatively small sum of cash,a gift,or a service given to a low-ranking official in a country where offerings are not prohibited by law.

Question 22

Knowledge of _______________ consists of understanding the business culture,management values,and business methods and behaviors.

A)management style
B)management trends
C)management missions
D)management personalities
E)management theories

Question 23

Culture affects management style around the world.Which of the following statements would be an improper characterization of business behavior and practices around the world?

A)North Americans are individualists.
B)The Japanese are consensus oriented.
C)The Italians are rank conscious.
D)All Russians are communists.
E)The Germans are elitists.

Question 24

Which of the following would most likely be characterized as being an imperative business custom?

A)establishing friendships
B)speaking the language
C)understanding the native religions
D)drinking the local drinks
E)having a knowledge of trading law

Question 25

With respect to business customs,customs that must be recognized and accommodated are called:

A)imperatives.
B)electives.
C)exclusives.
D)non-traditional.
E)standardized.

Question 26

Even though bribery is seen as publicly contemptuous in the United States,internationally the U.S.receives a TI score (grade)of a 7.2,or a C,with respect to bribery issues.

Question 27

According to the Transparency International Bribe Payers Index,Australia would be the most likely country in the world to offer a bribe to someone.

Question 28

___________ is a key concept in international marketing because it is required on small matters as well as large ones.

A)Profit perception
B)Adaptation
C)Standardization
D)Correlation
E)Individualization

Question 29

As a guide to adaptation,all of the following criteria would be appropriate EXCEPT:

A)open to tolerance.
B)flexibility.
C)humility.
D)profit motive.
E)awareness.

Question 30

A liking for others,open to tolerance,flexibility,and ability to adjust to varying tempos would all be criteria for achieving ___________ in international marketing.

A)profit perception
B)adaptation
C)standardization
D)correlation
E)individualization

Question 31

(p.126,photo caption)Nothing causes more problems for Americans negotiating in other countries than their __________.

A)arrogance
B)informality
C)inabiltity to speak the language
D)impatience
E)superiority

Question 32

With respect to business customs,customs to which adaptation is helpful,but not necessary are called:

A)imperatives.
B)electives.
C)exclusives.
D)non-traditional.
E)standardized.

Question 33

Giving valuable business gifts is accepted and expected in the United States but generally condemned in many countries.

Question 34

In the United States today,fraud has replaced bribery as the primary focal point for what is meant by the term corruption.

Question 35

Three ethical principles provide a framework to help the marketer distinguish between right and wrong,determine what ought to be done,and properly justify his or her actions.One of those principles is called utilitarian ethics.

Question 36

With respect to business customs,customs in which the outsider must not participate are called:

A)imperatives.
B)electives.
C)exclusives.
D)non-traditional.
E)standardized.

Question 37

The United States would be correctly labeled as relationship-oriented culture because it is high-context,respects collectivism,and follows polychronic time.

Question 38

According to the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index,Finland ranks lowest in corruption perception and Haiti highest.

Question 39

In some Asian societies,personal life is company life.

Question 40

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prohibits U.S.businesses from paying bribes openly or using middlemen as conduits for a bribe when the U.S.official knows that part of the middleman's payment will be used as a bribe.

Question 41

For many individuals,________________ takes priority over profit,security,or any other goal.

A)religious freedom
B)education
C)social status
D)a good personal and/or family life
E)personal possessions

Question 42

Which of the following forms of business decision-making characterizes most Asian countries?

A)independent
B)contractual
C)dual
D)consensus
E)dictatorial

Question 43

There are many different views regarding the most important ideas on which normative U.S.cultural concepts are based.All of the following are generally accepted as acceptable ideas with this respect EXCEPT:

A)"Master of destiny" viewpoint.
B)independent enterprise as the instrument of social action.
C)wide sharing in decision-making.
D)the collective good outweighs the individual gain.
E)competition yields efficiency.

Question 44

There is a very strong belief in the United States that business decisions (and the managers that make these decisions)should be based on a scientific approach and made from a non-emotional posture.Which of the following terms best describes this approach?

A)Master of destiny
B)Independent enterprise
C)Objective analysis
D)Wide sharing in decision-making
E)Never-ending quest for improvement

Question 45

Edward T.Hall wrote a book entitled "The Silent Language of Overseas Business." Which of the following phrases or terms would most likely be covered in his book?

A)how deaf people are treated in Japan
B)feng shui
C)the symbolic importance (lack of importance)of time
D)gender bias
E)quiet attempts to use English

Question 46

Many international marketing companies address the Internet language problem by:

A)using only English on their Web sites.
B)using language translation software whenever possible.
C)having country-specific Web sites.
D)using foreign language blocking software to screen international communications.
E)using America OnLine global Internet portal services.

Question 47

Personal security and job mobility relate directly to basic human motivation.Assume that you wanted to work for a company that had a strong paternalistic orientation and would probably employ you for your entire life.In which of the following countries would you find that the majority of companies would follow the employment model you have described?

A)France
B)United States
C)Canada
D)England
E)India

Question 48

In countries with high- _____________,subordinates would be unlikely to contradict bosses,but in low- ___________ countries they often do.

A)religious values
B)Position Distance Indexes (PDIs)
C)decision-making models
D)wealth quotients
E)mobility tendencies

Question 49

A key value underlying the American business system is reflected in the notion of __________.

A)financial stability
B)success comes from hard work
C)never-ending quest for improvement
D)lifelong employment security
E)labor unions

Question 50

Competition yielding efficiency,"master of destiny" viewpoint,and wide sharing of decision making would characterize which of the following country's cultural concepts in business?

A)Germany
B)France
C)Japan
D)China
E)United States

Question 51

For international marketers operating in authoritative and delegated societies,the chief problem is:

A)paying sufficient bribes to the right people.
B)identifying the individual with authority.
C)coming to consensus with the group dynamic.
D)convincing each member of the decision-making group.
E)address the decision-maker by correct title.

Question 52

Betty Roberts became an embarrassment to her company when she joked about the ruling monarchy in England before a group of visiting English businessmen and women.Betty should have known that political ridicule by a foreigner is rarely accepted.Ms.Roberts has violated what is known as a cultural:

A)imperative.
B)elective.
C)exclusive.
D)landmark.
E)standard.

Question 53

Adam Smith in his Wealth of Nations stated,"By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intended to promote it." Which of the following notions is most closely associated with this view as stated by Adam Smith?

A)Master of destiny
B)Caveat emptor
C)Greed is good
D)The invisible hand
E)Survival of the fittest

Question 54

In a high context implicit communication environment who says something,how it is said,and when it is said is very important.Which of the following countries would we find to be "high context implicit" with respect to communication practices?

A)Switzerland
B)Saudi Arabia
C)France
D)United States
E)Germany

Question 55

Which of the following would be the best description of the "master of destiny" philosophy that is fundamental to U.S.management thought?

A)A skill that must be mastered is foretelling one's destiny.
B)A manager must control all employees' destinies if profit is to be made.
C)People can substantially influence the future--they are in control of their own future.
D)The "state" is the master of its citizens' destiny.
E)Society is the determining element or factor of one's destiny.

Question 56

Gen Akoi has worked for Mitsubishi for all of his adult life.In fact,Mitsubishi is his life.When asked what he does for a living he immediately responds,"I work for Mitsubishi!" Even though he is a crane operator,Mr.Akio most closely identifies with his employer.Which of the following terms most accurately describes the work identification present in Gen Akoi's life?

A)feudalism
B)dictatorship
C)complete servitude
D)group
E)hopelessness

Question 57

Simon Peters is very conscious of his behavior as he greets prospective Japanese clients at a local Tokyo restaurant.Though he invites all of the guests to drink sake from lacquered trays,he abstains because of a severe stomach ulcer.He perceives his abstention to be permissible in Japanese society because drinking sake would be considered to be a cultural ___________ for foreign guests.

A)imperative
B)elective
C)exclusive
D)non-tradition
E)standard

Question 58

In a low-context explicit communication culture one would expect to find that verbal exactness in communication dominates other communication variables.Which of the following countries has been described as being low context explicit with respect to communication practices?

A)Switzerland
B)Japan
C)Saudi Arabia
D)England
E)Italy

Question 59

No matter how thoroughly prepared a marketer may be when approaching a foreign market,a certain amount of __________ occurs.

A)culture shock
B)envy
C)success
D)jealousy
E)momentum

Question 60

Many U.S.companies are reconsidering __________.

A)temporary employees
B)flextime work arrangements
C)40-hour work week
D)international trade
E)loyalty oaths

Question 61

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"?

A)Organization of American States (OAS)
B)United Nations (UN)
C)The Hague
D)Transparency International (TI)
E)World Trade Organization (WHO)

Question 62

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?

A)P-time--polychronic time.
B)B-time--bimodal time.
C)D-time--dual time.
D)M-time-monochronic time.
E)S-time-sequence time.

Question 63

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

A)Singapore
B)Canada
C)Germany
D)Australia
E)France

Question 64

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?

A)Switzerland
B)Japan
C)Germany
D)Brazil
E)United States

Question 65

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"?

A)France
B)Japan
C)Hong Kong
D)England
E)United States

Question 66

According to the 2007 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index rankings in the text,__________ is more corrupt than __________.

A)USA;Japan
B)Germany;Belgium
C)Switzerland;Canada
D)Japan;USA
E)France;China

Question 67

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?

A)United States
B)Australia
C)Spain
D)Taiwan
E)Japan

Question 68

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

A)United States
B)Japan
C)Germany
D)Israel
E)Denmark

Question 69

The decision to pay a bribe can be seen as creating a major conflict between what is ethical and proper and what is profitable and sometimes necessary for business.Led by the U.S.many nations have now signed an accord by the member nations of the ________________________ to force their companies to follow anti-bribery rules similar to those followed in the U.S.

A)United Nations
B)Organization of American States
C)NAFTA
D)NATO
E)Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

Question 70

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

A)price and terms
B)services
C)product
D)politics
E)friendship between vendor and customers.

Question 71

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

A)P-time--polychronic time.
B)B-time--bimodal time.
C)D-time--dual time.
D)M-time-monochronic time.
E)S-time-sequence time.

Question 72

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

A)profits
B)individualism
C)rampant consumerism
D)intellectual property laws
E)currency speculators

Question 73

Voluntarily offered payment by someone seeking unlawful advantage is called:

A)extortion.
B)subordination.
C)lubrication.
D)agent's fees.
E)bribery.

Question 74

Many American companies are increasingly adopting a __________ whereas companies in other countries have been slow to change from the more traditional __________.

A)product orientation,marketing orientation
B)strategic approach,short-term approach
C)promotion orientation,sales orientation
D)marketing orientation,product orientation
E)high tech orientation,conventional methods

Question 75

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?

A)capitalism
B)individualism
C)rampant consumerism
D)intellectual property laws
E)currency speculators

Question 76

According to various views around the world,all of the following have been defined or viewed as being corruption EXCEPT:

A)profits.
B)individualism.
C)rampant consumerism.
D)intellectual property laws.
E)conservative dress.

Question 77

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?

A)P-time--polychronic time.
B)B-time--bimodal time.
C)D-time--dual time.
D)M-time-monochronic time.
E)S-time-sequence time.

Question 78

One of the communications issues associated with Web sites in international marketing is:

A)paying for Internet access in each country.
B)soliciting sales tax versus value added tax correctly.
C)always using the correct English translation.
D)examining sites for symbols,icons,and other nonverbal impressions that could be misinterpreted by foreign consumers.
E)unpredictability of international Internet connections.

Question 79

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?

A)amount of money to be paid for the assignment
B)bonus options
C)social background
D)age
E)strength of the firm's backing

Question 80

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?

A)China
B)Mexico
C)Germany
D)Canada
E)Indonesia