Question 1

For success in the global business arena, human resource planning should be part of the strategic management process, both in terms of strategy formulation and strategy __________:

Accepted Answer

Human resource planning plays a critical role in the successful implementation of a company's strategic plan. It helps identify the staff that will be needed to achieve the strategic objectives, and ensures that the company has the necessary talent and skills available. Thus, C) Implementation is the correct choice for the missing word in the sentence.

Question 2

__________ decision making cannot be an afterthought; it must be an integral part of the international business strategy formulation process.

Accepted Answer

A

Question 3

In effective global HR planning there should be a logical flow from strategy to __________ to labor supply, with each step consistent with and responsive to the previous step.

Accepted Answer

D

Question 4

One of the primary engines driving our increasing globalization is the opportunity presented by increased demand for which type of goods?

Accepted Answer

The primary engine driving globalization is the demand for manufactured goods, which can be produced at a lower cost in countries with lower labor costs and fewer regulations. This drives companies to seek out international suppliers and expand their operations overseas.

Question 5

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) includes all of the following countries except:

Accepted Answer

Costa Rica is not a part of NAFTA. The other three countries, Canada, the United States, and Mexico, are all members of the agreement.

Question 6

Economic studies on new market development as a result of the formation of the regional trade blocs of the European Union and NAFTA have demonstrated impressive increases in work demand and associated __________ for participating countries.

Accepted Answer

The formation of regional trade blocs like the European Union and NAFTA typically leads to an increase in work demand and, as a result, a higher utilization of labor supply in participating countries. This is because the removal of trade barriers and the creation of a larger market encourage businesses to expand and hire more workers to meet increased demand.

Question 7

MNCs from these countries along the U.S. border in Mexico have pulled out and relocated their increasingly expensive Mexican maquiladora operations, due to their new less-favorable status and increasing costly tariffs and other requirements as companies representing non-member countries of NAFTA.

Accepted Answer

Japan and Korea are the most likely choice, as they are both major MNCs with a significant presence in Mexico's maquiladora industry. Additionally, they are not members of NAFTA, which would make them subject to tariffs and other requirements that could increase the cost of doing business in Mexico. Other choices such as England and France, or Germany and Italy, are less likely as they are members of the European Union and have trade agreements with Mexico that help to mitigate some of the costs and risks associated with non-NAFTA membership. North Korea and Iran are not likely choices as they are both subject to international sanctions that would make it difficult, if not impossible, to do business in Mexico.

Question 8

The process of job analysis typically results in the development of a document known as a __________, listing the duties and responsibilities, working conditions, supervision or reporting arrangements, and knowledge and skills required to perform the job effectively.

Accepted Answer

A job description is a document that summarizes the key aspects of a job. It outlines the duties and responsibilities, working conditions, supervision or reporting arrangements, and knowledge and skills required to perform the job effectively. The job description is a crucial component of the recruitment and selection process, as it helps to ensure that the right people are recruited for the job.

Question 9

Examples of the most individualistic countries are:

Accepted Answer

The United States and England are considered the most individualistic countries based on Hofstede's cultural dimensions. France and Germany have a more collectivist culture compared to the United States and England. Italy and Greece also have a collectivist culture. China is a collectivist country as well, with a strong emphasis on community and social harmony.

Question 10

Examples of the most collectivist countries include:

Accepted Answer

Collectivist cultures emphasize the needs and goals of the group as a whole over the needs and wishes of each individual. Venezuela, Colombia, and Pakistan are more aligned with collectivist values, prioritizing family and community cohesion over individualism, which is more characteristic of countries in options A, B, and C.

Question 11

Where a labor force possesses a high level of knowledge and skills, jobs can be designed to include higher levels of complexity and technology, with more tasks than might be appropriate in an area where the labor force is __________.

Accepted Answer

When the labor force is less educated, it may be difficult for them to handle complex technology and tasks, which means jobs would need to be designed with fewer tasks and less complexity to ensure they can be performed effectively.

Question 12

There is worldwide increased growth of this form of flexible arrangement where work can be performed independently at home or at some other more convenient remote location with regular communications to the company office via telephone or the Internet.

Accepted Answer

The form of flexible arrangement described is known as telework, where work can be performed remotely with regular communications to the company office via telephone or the Internet. Independent Labor refers to workers who are self-employed and work for multiple clients, while Distance Work Design and Flexitime do not accurately describe the specific type of arrangement mentioned in the statement.

Question 13

In addition to the need to design jobs to fit the cultural and skill level requirements of employees, individual employees may have unique circumstances that might influence the design of their work. This is called:

Accepted Answer

Personal Accommodation Needs refers to the individual needs and circumstances of employees that might require adjustments to the design of their work. This could include accommodations for disabilities, family responsibilities, or religious practices, among others. It is important for employers to be aware of and consider these needs in order to create a supportive and inclusive work environment for all employees. The other options (B) Individual Employee Customization, (C) Sensitivity, and (D) Labor Differentiation do not accurately describe this concept.

Question 14

What has been found to be the greatest cause for job loss worldwide, especially in the manufacturing sector?

Accepted Answer

Technological innovation in work design has been found to be the greatest cause for job loss worldwide, especially in the manufacturing sector. With the advancement of technology, many jobs that were once done by human workers are now being automated, resulting in a decrease in the demand for human labor.

Question 15

A work assignment featuring the transfer of foreign managers from their host country operation locations to a company's global or regional headquarters on a semi-permanent or permanent basis is known as:

Accepted Answer

Inpatriation refers to the process of transferring employees, often managers, from foreign operations to the company's headquarters, typically for purposes of better integration, knowledge sharing, and development within the global organization.

Question 16

__________ are likely more appropriate for organizations of intermediate and advanced levels of internationalization whose host country employees have significant experience with the company, and that possess adequate capital resources to support such a long-term human resource investment.

Accepted Answer

Inpatriation assignments involve bringing foreign employees to the organization's home country to work alongside local employees. This type of assignment is more appropriate for organizations of intermediate and advanced levels of internationalization as it requires significant investment in resources and may only be successful if the host country employees have sufficient experience with the company. Additionally, companies must possess adequate financial resources to support such a long-term human resource investment.

Question 17

The __________ assignment allows managers to take a foreign assignment without subjecting them and their families to the displacement shock of a move abroad.

Accepted Answer

The description of the assignment fits that of an inpatriate, which is an assignment where a manager from a foreign subsidiary is brought to the headquarters or another subsidiary in the home country. This allows for the manager to gain experience without having to uproot their family and move abroad. The other options do not fit the description as well. A virtual expatriate is someone who works remotely for a foreign subsidiary, a third country national is an employee of a subsidiary located in a country other than their own, and contingency refers to the plan of action in case of an unexpected event.

Question 18

All of the following describe a global virtual team except:

Accepted Answer

Option D states "Comprised of domestic workers only," which contradicts the definition of a global virtual team as it must comprise members in different countries. Therefore, option D is the only choice that does not describe a global virtual team.

Question 19

A distinct advantage of global virtual teams, especially those spread longitudinally around the world, is the ability to perform work tasks __________.
a. asynchronously
b. collectively
c. all at the same time.
d. efficiently

Accepted Answer

The answer of A distinct advantage of global virtual teams,...

Question 20

This form of communication interaction is typically found in global virtual teams, especially those stretching across significant time zones where the conveyance of cues is hindered, feedback is delayed, and interruptions or long pauses in communication often occur.

Accepted Answer

Asynchronous communication refers to any communication that is not happening in real-time. This type of communication is common in global virtual teams where members are located in different time zones and face challenges in exchanging cues, delays in feedback, and interruptions in communication. Examples of asynchronous communication include email, messaging, and discussion forums.

Quiz 5: Global Human Resource Planning