Question 1

Material communication is using terms that we surround ourselves with; it can be a type of clothing,hat,or jewelry.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Material communication is using terms that we...

Question 2

Business skills are similar in most countries,regardless of laws,regulations,and business structures.

Accepted Answer

Business skills often need to be adapted to fit the specific legal, regulatory, and structural environments of different countries, which can significantly vary.

Question 3

There are three common methods for compensating expatriates.

Accepted Answer

There are typically four common methods for compensating expatriates: the Balance Sheet Approach, the Host Country Approach, the Headquarters Approach, and the Global Market Approach.

Question 4

While a current business trend,globalization is predicted to become less common thus decreasing the number of international assignments a company will provide.

Accepted Answer

This statement is not entirely true. While some companies may shift towards localized operations, others are still expanding globally and will continue to provide international assignments. It ultimately depends on the specific industry and company strategies.

Question 5

Many of the lesser-developed economies,such as the BRIC economies,are now developing at a rapid rate,and have become sources of talented knowledge workers,where ten years ago they were importing skilled talent to these countries.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The BRIC economies (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) have experienced rapid economic growth and development in recent years, and have also developed a pool of talented knowledge workers within their own countries. This marks a shift from previous times when these countries were predominantly importing skilled talent from other nations.

Question 6

You are an American citizen working in America for a German company.You are an example of a third country national.

Accepted Answer

A third country national refers to someone who is working in a country that is neither their home country nor the country of the company for which they work. In this case, as an American citizen working in America, you are not a third country national even if the company is German.

Question 7

The Honeymoon and adaptation phase of Culture Shock are essentially the same phase except at different ends of the process.

Accepted Answer

The Honeymoon phase and Adaptation phase are actually opposite ends of the Culture Shock process. The Honeymoon phase is characterized by excitement, curiosity and optimism towards the new culture, while the Adaptation phase is characterized by adjusting to the new culture and developing coping strategies to deal with new challenges.

Question 8

Most country cultures mesh well with individual incentive programs.

Accepted Answer

Different cultures may have different values and beliefs when it comes to incentives and reward systems. For example, some cultures may prioritize team performance over individual achievement or consider public recognition to be more important than monetary incentives. It is important to consider cultural nuances when designing and implementing incentive programs.

Question 9

There are two sources for employees and international assignments: home and host country.

Accepted Answer

There are three sources for employees on international assignments: home country nationals, host country nationals, and third country nationals.

Question 10

Culture shock does not affect the success of an international assignment.

Accepted Answer

Culture shock can affect the success of an international assignment as it can impact an individual's performance, mental health, and ability to adapt and integrate into a new culture and work environment. It is important for organizations to provide support and resources to help employees navigate culture shock and adjust to their new surroundings.

Question 11

Due to government laws,many of the European Union countries have to provide more benefits than in the United States.

Accepted Answer

Many countries in the European Union have social welfare programs that mandate that the government provide certain benefits to citizens, including healthcare, paid parental leave, and unemployment benefits. These benefits are often more extensive than those available in the United States.

Question 12

Individuals high in the "agreeableness" trait are less likely to terminate their international assignments early.

Accepted Answer

Agreeable individuals tend to be more cooperative, helpful, and able to adapt to new environments, which may contribute to their ability to successfully complete international assignments.

Question 13

The Big Four personality characteristics reflect on the ability to adapt to a different culture.

Accepted Answer

The Big Five personality traits, not Big Four, refer to openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, introversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism, which can influence adaptability to different cultures but are not specifically designed to reflect cultural adaptability.

Question 14

Evidence shows that expatriates will fit into a culture better if their personality traits match up well with the culture's most significant characteristics.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that expatriates who possess personality traits that closely align with the cultural norms and values of their host country tend to adapt more successfully to their new environment. This can include factors such as collectivism vs individualism, level of assertiveness, the importance of hierarchy or power distance, and the value placed on communication style and personal relationships, among others.

Question 15

During Kelly's expatriate assignment,she was paid half in US dollars and half in Yen.This is an example of a balance sheet approach

Accepted Answer

A balance sheet approach involves balancing the costs and benefits of an expatriate assignment between the home country and the host country. One way to achieve this is to split the expatriate's compensation between the two currencies to minimize the financial impact on either party. In this case, Kelly was paid in both US dollars and Yen, which is an example of a balance sheet approach.

Question 16

Where housing options are unreasonable expensive for expatriates,companies may provide company housing or have contracts with local firms that will house employees for a set fee.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. In some locations where the cost of housing is prohibitively expensive for expatriates, companies may provide their employees with company housing or secure contracts with local firms to offer housing options for a set fee.

Question 17

Companies prefer expatriates without previous international experience in order to help their employees learn more about the company.

Accepted Answer

Companies generally prefer expatriates who have previous international experience as they come with cross-cultural skills that can be valuable to the company's global operations. It is also easier for employees with previous international experience to adapt to the new environment and perform their job roles effectively.

Question 18

Preparing employees for expatriate assignments will primarily be done through cross-cultural training.

Accepted Answer

Cross-cultural training is an essential component of preparing employees for expatriate assignments. This type of training aids in developing cultural awareness, a sense of cultural sensitivity and cultural intelligence. It enables employees to comprehend the foreign culture, communicate effectively, interact appropriately, and avoid misunderstandings that may result in unproductive or damaged relationships. Employers may also use other methods such as language instruction, intercultural coaching, and simulations to prepare employees for expatriate assignments, but cross-cultural training remains the most vital.

Question 19

Repatriation is a critical activity because there is strong evidence that there are high levels of voluntary turnover of repatriates once they complete their international assignments and return to the home office.

Accepted Answer

Repatriation is indeed a critical activity because studies have shown that many repatriates experience difficulties readjusting to their own culture and workplace upon returning home. This can lead to low job satisfaction, poor performance, and ultimately, voluntary turnover. To mitigate this risk, companies must have effective repatriation strategies in place to support repatriates and help them transition back to their home environment.

Question 20

Onshoring is the process of shuttering operations in other countries and bringing work back to the home country to increase employment there.

Accepted Answer

Onshoring refers to the practice of relocating business operations back to the home country from other nations. This is typically done in order to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the home country.

Quiz 16: Global Issues for Human Resource Managers