Question 1

Unlike Apple, Samsung:

Accepted Answer

Unlike Apple, Samsung offers a wide array of products at multiple price points. With over a dozen different phone products, for example, customers can sacrifice features and the most current technology for a phone within their budget.

Question 2

Which of the following is likely to be the strategic predisposition of a company that has a "top-down" system of governance?

Accepted Answer

A top-down system of governance usually involves centralized decision making by senior management, with little input from lower levels of the organization. This approach is more likely to lead to an ethnocentric strategic predisposition, where the company's home country culture and values are assumed to be superior and are imposed on foreign operations. This can result in a lack of adaptation to local markets and lower effectiveness in global competition.

Question 3

Firms with a _____ predisposition make strategic decisions tailored to suit the cultures of the countries where the MNC operates.

Accepted Answer

Firms with a polycentric predisposition make strategic decisions tailored to suit the cultures of the countries where the MNC operates.

Question 4

Research reveals that far from addressing regional differentiation issues, many MNCs are committed to a(n) _____, which is a belief that one worldwide approach to doing business is the key to both efficiency and effectiveness.

Accepted Answer

Despite the need for and, in general, the tendency of MNCs to address regional differentiation issues, many MNCs remain committed to a globalization imperative, which is a belief that one worldwide approach to doing business is the key to both efficiency and effectiveness.

Question 5

A(n) _____ predisposition leads a firm to try to blend its own interests with those of its subsidiaries on a regional basis.

Accepted Answer

A regiocentric predisposition leads a firm to try to blend its own interests with those of its subsidiaries on a regional basis.

Question 6

Advertising in _____ is predominantly emotional, dramatic and symbolic.

Accepted Answer

The French avoid reasoning or logic. Their advertising is predominantly emotional, dramatic, and symbolic.

Question 7

A company with a(n) _____ predisposition allows the values and interests of the parent company to guide the strategic decisions.

Accepted Answer

A company with an ethnocentric predisposition allows the values and interests of the parent company to guide strategic decisions.

Question 8

Which of the following correctly matches a firm's predisposition with its culture?

Accepted Answer

Geocentric firms have a global culture that values diversity and inclusion.

Question 9

Four distinct predispositions, which help determine the specific steps an MNC will follow, are:

Accepted Answer

Most MNCs have a cultural strategic predisposition toward doing things in a particular way. Four distinct predispositions have been identified: ethnocentric, polycentric, regiocentric, and geocentric.

Question 10

In which of the following countries are spots viewed as cultural events and reviewed as if they were literature or films?

Accepted Answer

In France, spots are viewed as cultural events-art for the sake of money-and are reviewed as if they were literature or films.

Question 11

Which of the following correctly matches a firm's predisposition with its strategy?

Accepted Answer

Polycentric predisposition emphasizes local responsiveness over global integration. This strategy looks at each market on a case-by-case basis, tailoring the approach to match local needs and preferences. This approach can be useful when significant cultural and operational differences exist between markets.

Question 12

All of the following factors facilitate the need for international firms to develop unique strategies for different cultures except:

Accepted Answer

Factors moving companies to facilitate the development of unique strategies for different cultures include the importance of being an insider, as in the case of customers who prefer to "buy local"; the need to allow subsidiaries to use their own abilities and talents and not be restrained by headquarters; and the diversity of worldwide industry standards such as those in broadcasting.

Question 13

According to the text, value can be added to the marketing approach by carefully tailoring the advertising message to the particular culture.Therefore, advertising in China should:

Accepted Answer

Advertising in China and other Asian countries should be indirect and subtle, emphasizing group references, shared responsibility, and interpersonal trust.

Question 14

Which of the following countries prefer advertising that is factual and rational?

Accepted Answer

Germans want advertising that is factual and rational; they fear being manipulated by "the hidden persuader."

Question 15

An MNC with an ethnocentric predisposition:

Accepted Answer

An MNC with an ethnocentric predisposition is focused on its home country and considers its home country's interests at the center of its operations, including financial profits. Therefore, such an MNC is more likely to take back its profits to its home country rather than redistributing them globally, within the region or retaining them in the host country.

Question 16

If businesspeople in ______ commit themselves to a date in the future and fail to show up, they feel no guilt or concern because they believe they have no control over time in the first place.

Accepted Answer

If Arabs commit themselves to a date in the future and fail to show up, they feel no guilt or concern because they believe they have no control over time in the first place. Arabs believe that Allah controls time.

Question 17

The companies constituting 50 percent of the global market share in the smartphone industry are:

Accepted Answer

Constituting 50 percent of the global market share, Samsung and Apple have achieved unmatched success in the smartphone industry.

Question 18

_____ is the tendency to view the world through one's own eyes and perspectives.

Accepted Answer

Parochialism is the tendency to view the world through one's own eyes and perspectives.

Question 19

The typical broad, self-deprecating _____ commercial amuses by mocking both the advertiser and consumer.

Accepted Answer

The British value laughter above all else. The typical broad, self-deprecating British commercial amuses by mocking both the advertiser and consumer.

Question 20

_____ can be a difficult problem for many international managers, who often come from advanced economies and believe that their state-of-the-art knowledge is more than adequate to handle the challenges of doing business in less developed countries.

Accepted Answer

Parochialism can be a strong temptation for many international managers, who often come from advanced economies and believe that their state-of-the-art knowledge is more than adequate to handle the challenges of doing business in less developed countries.

Quiz 5: Managing Across Cultures