IB exam #3
Which is the following is NOT a business-level strategy? A. A focus strategy B. A growth strategy C. A brand strategy D. A low- cost leadership strategy E. A differentiation strategy
A growth strategy
Which of the following statements about a mission statement is FALSE? A. The mission statement of an international business depends on the type of business it is in, the stakeholders it is trying to satisfy, and what is most important to achieving goals. B. The mission statement guides decisions such as which industries to enter or exit and how to compete in chosen segments. C. Mission statements often spell out how a company's operations affect its stakeholders. D. A mission statement identifies and selects an organization's objectives. E. A mission statement is a written statement of why a company exists and what it plans to accomplish.
A mission statement identifies and selects an organization's objectives.
Which one of these type of payments is the most favorable method for exporters and least favorable for importers? A. Documentary collection B. Open account C. Revocable letter of credit D. Irrevocable letter of credit E. Advance payment
Advance payment
_________ is the institutional arrangement by which a firm gets its products, technologies, human skills, or other resources into a market. A. Indirect exporting B. Direct exporting C. A strategic alliance D. A bill of lading E. An entry mode
An entry mode
Which of the following is NOT a problem associated with primary research? A. Language B. Cultural variables C. Unique market conditions and circumstances D. Illiteracy rates among the local population E. Availability of data
Availability of data
Which of the following BEST explains primary market research? A. Competitor analysis B. The process of collecting and analyzing original data and applying the results to current research needs. C. The research in which an interviewer asks current or potential buyers to answer written or verbal questions D. The process of obtaining information that already exists within the company or that can be obtained from outside sources E. Data obtained from other countries that are interpreted with great caution
B. The process of collecting and analyzing original data and applying the results to current research needs.
Which of the following is NOT part of the screening process a manager would go through in the selection of an international site A. Assess the national business environment. B. Use telephone surveys. C. Identify basic appeal. D. Select the market or site. E. Measure market or site potential
B. Use telephone surveys.
Which of the following is NOT a contractual entry mode? A. Management contracts B. Licensing C. Franchising D. Turnkey projects E. Barter
Barter
Which of the following is NOT a key factor in selecting an entry mode? A. Political and legal environments B. Selecting partners for cooperation C. Bill of exchange D. Market size E. Cultural environment
Bill of exchange
Which of the following BEST explains market intensity? A. The sensitivity of demand for a product relative to changes in income B. The analysis of a nation's economic policies before selecting it as a new market or site for operations C. The wealth or buying power of a market from the expenditures of both individuals and businesses D. Nation's total population or the amount of energy it produces and consumes E. The attempts to estimate market "openness"
C. The wealth or buying power of a market from the expenditures of both individuals and businesses
________ concentrates decision making at a high organizational level at the corporate headquarters. A. A low-cost leadership strategy B. Centralized decision making C. A stability strategy D. A focus strategy E. A global strategy
Centralized decision making
Which of the following is the main drawback of a multinational strategy? A. It is designed to guard against change. B. It allows companies to monitor buyer preferences closely in each local market and to respond quickly and effectively to emerging buyer preferences. C. It mixes growth, retrenchment, and stability strategies across a corporation's business units. D. Companies cannot exploit scale economies in product development, manufacturing, or marketing. E. It provides cost savings due to product and marketing standardization.
Companies cannot exploit scale economies in product development, manufacturing, or marketing.
Which of the following is NOT an advantage of a joint venture? A. Government protections B. Penetration of international markets C. Access to an international distribution network D. Conflict among partners E. Reduced risk
Conflict among partners
Which of the following is an advantage of a strategic alliance? A. Conflict B. Non-compete clauses in a contract C. Communication and cultural differences D. Creating a competitor E. Cost sharing
Cost sharing
Fujitsu of Japan signed a five-year cross-licensing agreement with Texas Instruments of the United States. The agreement allowed each company to use the other's technology in the production of its own goods, thus lowering research and development (R&D) costs. Which of the following is this an example of? A. Franchising B. Cross licensing C. Management contracts D. Licensing E. Turnkey projects
Cross licensing
Which of the following is NOT an influence of a target market's legal system on the choice of entry mode? A. Import regulations, such as high tariffs or low quota limits, encourage investment. B. Governments may enact laws that ban certain types of investment outright. C. Cultural similarity encourages investment. D. If a market does not enforce copyright and patent laws, a company may select an investment entry. E. Low tariffs and high quota limits discourage market entry by means of investment.
Cultural similarity encourages investment.
Managers must analyze a nation's economic situation when selecting a new market site. Which of the following is NOT an economic consideration? A. Poor fiscal and monetary policies B. Culture C. Liquidity problems D. Transport costs E. Currency problems
Culture
________ disperses decisions to lower organizational levels, such as to international subsidiaries. A. Centralized decision making B. Chains of command C. Decentralized decision making D. Value-chain analysis E. Strategy
Decentralized decision making
Which of the following steps is NOT part of the evolutionary path of entry modes, with each accepting greater risk and control? A. Joint venture and strategic alliances B. Wholly owned subsidiaries C. Exporting D. Developing a strategy E. Licensing, franchising, management contracts, and turnkey projects
Developing a strategy
Company A is facing slow sales in one national market (perhaps due to a recession). Which one of the following is a compelling reason for the company to begin exporting? A. Diversify sales. B. Increase overall market profitability. C. Gain international business experience. D. Achieve economies of scale. E. Saturate domestic markets.
Diversify sales.
Which of the followings statements does NOT apply to environmental scanning? A. The continuous monitoring of events in other locations keeps managers aware of potential business opportunities and threats. B. Environmental scanning cannot help companies develop contingency plans for a particularly volatile environment. C. It is an ongoing process of gathering, analyzing, and dispensing information for tactical or strategic purposes. D. Environmental scanning contributes to making well-informed decisions and to the development of effective strategies. E. The process obtains both factual and subjective information
Environmental scanning cannot help companies develop contingency plans for a particularly volatile environment.
Which one of the following is a company that exports products on behalf of an indirect exporter? A. Export import firm B. Agent C. Export management company (EMC) D. Export trading company E. A sales representative
Export management company (EMC)
Which of the following statements about franchising is FALSE? A. Franchisees can gain organizational flexibility in franchising agreements. B. Franchisers can use franchising as a low-cost, low-risk entry mode into new markets. C. Franchising is an entry mode that allows for rapid geographic expansion. D. Franchisers can benefit from the cultural knowledge and know-how of local managers. E. Franchising gives a company greater control over the sale of its product in a target market than licensing does
Franchisees can gain organizational flexibility in franchising agreements.
Which one of the following is a contractual entry mode in which one company supplies another company with intangible property and other assistance over an extended period? A. Management contracts B. Cross licensing C. Franchising D. Licensing E. Turnkey projects
Franchising
________ is the sensitivity of demand for a product relative to changes in income. A. Market size B. Market intensity C. Market receptivity D. Market growth rate E. Income elasticity
Income elasticity
Which of the following methods is NOT a means of conducting primary research? A. International organizations B. Surveys C. Focus groups D. Environmental scanning E. Trade missions
International organizations
Which of the following is NOT a form of primary market research? A. Internet B. Trade missions C. Interviews and focus groups D. Surveys E. Trade shows
Internet
Which of the following is NOT a problem associated with secondary research? A. Reliability of data B. Interviews C. Measurement techniques D. Comparability of data E. Availability of data
Interviews
Which of the following is NOT a main source of secondary market research? A. Internet B. Service organizations C. Government agencies D. Interviews and focus groups E. Industry and trade associations
Interviews and focus groups
What are the shortcomings of the global matrix structure? A. It is cumbersome, and individual responsibility and accountability are unclear. B. The matrix structure can increase coordination. C. The global matrix structure increases the efficiency of highly specialized employees. D. The global matrix structure improves communication among divisions. E. This matrix structure can improve agility and local responsiveness.
It is cumbersome, and individual responsibility and accountability are unclear.
Which of the following in NOT an advantage of licensing? A. Licensees can upgrade their technologies. B. Licensing finances international expansion. C. Licensing might create competitors. D. Licensing helps avoid black market sales. E. Licensing reduces risk.
Licensing might create competitors.
Which of the following is NOT a variable included in market-potential analyses? A. Market consumption capacity B. Commercial infrastructure C. Market growth rate D. Logistics E. Market size
Logistics
Which of the following is the collection and analysis of information used to assist managers in making informed decisions? A. Consumer panel B. Market research C. Focus group D. Environmental scanning E. Income elasticity
Market research
Rising incomes in a market encourage investment entry modes because investment allows a firm to prepare for expanding market demand and to increase its understanding of the target market. Which one of the following strategic factors influences the selection of the country entry mode? A. Infrastructure of the target country B. Strength of rivals C. Joint venture options D. Countertrade options E. Availability of information F. Market size
Market size
If a market is lax in enforcing copyright and patent laws, a company may prefer to use investment entry to maintain control over its assets and marketing. Which one of the following strategic factors should the company consider when making the appropriate entry mode selection? A. Market size B. International experience C. Political and legal environments D. Production and shipping costs E. Cultural environment
Political and legal environments
Which of the following is NOT a reason to set up production locally? A. Gaining a competitive advantage B. When the total cost of production in a market is lower than in the home market C. Political instability D. Low-cost local production might encourage licensing or franchising E. When producing goods with high shipping costs
Political instability
What is the disadvantage of a management contract? A. A firm can reserve its financial capital. B. Political or social turmoil can threaten managers' lives. C. A firm can exploit an international business opportunity without risking assets. D. Governments can use management contracts to upgrade public facilities. E. Management contracts can be used to develop local talent.
Political or social turmoil can threaten managers' live
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of a letter of credit? A. Requiring an importer to deposit funds B. Payment only upon verification C. Reduced nonshipment risk D. Reduced risk for traders E. Secure form of payment
Requiring an importer to deposit funds
________ is the process of obtaining information that already exists within the company or that can be obtained from outside sources. A. Primary market research B. Survey C. Competitor analysis D. Secondary market research E. Comparability of data
Secondary market research
When designing the organizational structure, managers seek answers to all of the following key questions EXCEPT: A. Who should coordinate the activities of different divisions in order to achieve overall strategies? B. What is the most efficient method of linking divisions to each other? C. How should the company introduce corrective measures, and whose responsibility should it be to execute them? D. How should information be processed and delivered to managers when it is required? E. Should the company evaluate its employees?
Should the company evaluate its employees?
Which one of the following requires the importer to pay when goods are delivered? A. Irrevocable letter of credit B. Revocable letter of credit C. Advance payment D. Sight draft E. Open account
Sight draft
Toshiba of Japan, Siemens of Germany, and IBM of the United States shared the $1 billion cost of developing a facility near Nagoya, Japan, to manufacture small, efficient computer memory chips. This an example of____________. A. Joint ventures B. Licensing C. Strategic alliances D. Management contracts E. Wholly owned subsidiary
Strategic alliances
Which of the following is the set of planned actions taken by managers to help a company meet its objectives? A. Strategy B. Planning C. A mission statement D. A stakeholder E. A core competency
Strategy
________ is the set of planned actions taken by managers to help a company meet its objectives. A. A stakeholder B. A core competency C. A mission statement D. Strategy E. Planning
Strategy
Which of the following statements about a wholly owned subsidiary is FALSE? A. Companies can coordinate all national subsidiaries. B. Mangers have complete control. C. It is a facility entirely owned and controlled by a single parent company. D. The risk exposure is low. E. Establishing a wholly owned subsidiary is time-consuming.
The risk exposure is low.
Which of the following is NOT a reason for a company to export goods and services? A. To gain international business experience B. To expand total sales C. To diversify sales D. To build a wholly owned subsidiary E. To achieve economies of scale
To build a wholly owned subsidiary
For which of the following reasons would a company NOT choose a global strategy? A. To cause a company to overlook important differences in buy preferences B. To allow managers to share lessons learned C. To have cost savings due to product and marketing standardization D. To take advantage of location economies E. To take advantage of scale economies
To cause a company to overlook important differences in buy preferences
Why would a firm NOT opt for a global strategy? A. To take advantage of economies of scale B. To allow managers to share lessons learned C. To save money because products are standardized D. To take advantage of location economies E. To overlook differences in buyer preferences
To overlook differences in buyer preference
Political and legal forces influence the market and site-location decision. Which of the following is NOT an important factor in this decision? A. Investment barriers B. Government bureaucracy C. Trade shows D. Government regulation E. Political stability
Trade shows
Which of the following is NOT a common form of investment entry? A. Wholly owned subsidiaries B. Strategic alliances C. Turnkey projects D. Forward integration joint ventures E. Joint ventures
Turnkey projects
The Trade Information Center (TIC), operated by the ________, is a first stop for many importers and exporters. The TIC details product standards in other countries and offers advice on opportunities and best prospects for U.S. companies in individual markets. It also offers information on federal export-assistance programs that can be essential for first-time exporters. A. Small Business Administration B. U.S. Department of Commerce C. Small Business Development Center D. World Trade Organization E. U.S. Treasury Department
U.S. Department of Commerce
Which of the following is NOT a way to avoid export/import blunders? A. Use a freight forwarder. B. Use countertrade. C. Conduct market research. D. Obtain adequate export advice. E. Do not respond to unsolicited requests for products.
Use countertrade.
Which of the following statements does NOT describe a value-chain analysis? A. A value-chain analysis is the process of dividing a company's activities into primary and support activities and identifying those that create value for customers. B. When analyzing primary activities, managers aim to decrease the value provided to customers. C. Support activities include business infrastructure, human resource management, technology development, and procurement (sourcing). D. Primary activities involve the creation of the product, its marketing and delivery to buyers, and its after-sales support and service. E. Primary activities include inbound and outbound logistics, production (goods and services), marketing and sales, and customer service.
When analyzing primary activities, managers aim to decrease the value provided to customers.
Under what conditions do companies NOT use centralized decision making? A. When they operate in multiple lines of business B. When one subsidiary's output is another's input C. When a company is purchasing for subsidiaries that use the same inputs D. When they need help in coordinating the operations of international subsidiaries E. When quick local responsiveness is needed
When quick local responsiveness is needed
Which of the following factors do managers NOT consider when analyzing industrialized markets? A. Volume of exports and imports of the product B. Whether to use survey research C. Background on the market, including population figures and key social trends D. Future outlook for the market and potential opportunities E. Structure of the wholesale and retail distribution networks
Whether to use survey research
Which investment entry mode enables managers to have complete control over day-to-day operations in the target market and access to valuable technologies, processes, and other intangible properties within the company? A. Joint ventures B. Wholly owned subsidiaries C. Turnkey projects D. Franchise agreement E. Strategic alliances
Wholly owned subsidiaries
Canon of Japan purchased expertise in optic technology and developed products based on optic technologylong dash—including cameras and copiers. This is an example of ________. A. primary activities B. a core competency C. planning D. support activities E. value-chain analysis
a core competency
An exhibition at which members of an industry or group of industries showcase their latest products, study activities of rivals, and examine recent trends and opportunities is called ________. A. logistics B. a trade mission C. a trade show D. secondary market research E. a consumer panel
a trade show
Because companies base organizational structures on strategies, changes in strategy usually require ________. A. decentralization B. a low-cost leadership strategy C. chains of command D. participative management accountability E. adjustments in structure
adjustments in structure
Categories of entry modes include all of the following EXCEPT ________. A. an open account B. countertrade C. exporting D. contractual entry E. investment entry
an open account
During its initial forays into international business, Walmart found ice-fishing huts in its Puerto Rico inventory and no snowshoes at its stores in Ontario, Canada. This is an example of NOT determining ________. A. market size potential B. market size data C. market consumption capacity D. market receptivity E. basic demand
basic demand
Export/import financing methods designed to reduce risks include all of the following EXCEPT a(n) ________. A. letter of credit B. open account C. documentary collection D. buyback E. advance payment
buyback
A(n) ________ is a special ability of a company that competitors find extremely difficult or impossible to equal. A. organizational structure B. value-chain analysis C. core competency D. focus strategy E. global strategy
core competency
The Internet can be useful for all of the following EXCEPT ________. A. seeking information about potential production sites B. going on a trade mission C. saving the time required for a field trip to a potential location D. learning about the culture and economic conditions of possible production sites E. saving the expense of a field trip to a potential location
going on a trade mission
The following are factors that affect the national business environment EXCEPT _________. A. home office commitment B. economic and financial forces C. political and legal forces D. cultural forces E. cost of transporting materials and goods
home office commitment
For self-managed teams, experts suggest that international managers follow all of the basic guidelines EXCEPT ________. A. training local managers at the parent company and allowing them to introduce teams at a time they feel is most appropriate B. using selection tests to identify the employees most likely to perform well in a team environment C. adapting the process of integrating self-managed work teams to the national culture of each subsidiary D. ignoring cultural differences when using self-managed teams E. adapting the self-managed work-team concept to the national culture of each subsidiary
ignoring cultural differences when using self-managed teams
Competitor analysis should address all the following issues EXCEPT ________. A. income elasticity B. number of competitors in each market C. a competitor's control on the channels of distribution D. market share of each competitor E. a competitor's focus on high quality or low price
income elasticity
A(n) ________ creates a separate division with its own manager for international activities. A. global product structure B. global matrix structure C. a work team D. international area structure E. international division structure
international division structure
A(n) __________creates a division with a manager for international activities. A. international area structure B. global product structure C. global matrix structure D. international division structure E. work team
international division structure
A ________ strategy is a strategy of adapting products and their marketing strategies in each national market to suit local preferences. A. multinational B. stability C. retrenchment D. growth E. global
multinational
The documentary collection process can be broken into all the following steps EXCEPT ________. A. sending documents to the importer's bank B. obtaining a letter of credit C. receiving the bill of lading D. drawing up a draft (bill of exchange) E. applying for a bill of lading
obtaining a letter of credit
A ________ refers to reducing scope of a business. A. growth strategy B. retrenchment strategy C. stability strategy D. global strategy E. multinational strategy
retrenchment strategy
The process of obtaining information that already exists within the company or that can be obtained from outside sources is called ________. A. a consumer panel B. a focus group C. environmental scanning D. primary market research E. secondary market research
secondary market research
Potential locations are ranked according to their appeal as a new market, taking into consideration all of the following variables EXCEPT ________. A. trade missions B. economic freedom C. country risk D. market receptivity E. commercial infrastructure
trade missions
Pointers on what businesses can do to reduce the likelihood of not receiving payment include all the following, EXCEPT ________. A. consulting an international trade attorney B. gaining market knowledge C. clarifying payment terms D. avoiding countries that pose problems for debt collection E. waiting a long time to begin collecting a past-due account
waiting a long time to begin collecting a past-due account
________ decision making concentrates decision making at a high organizational level in one location, such as at headquarters. ________ decision making disperses decisions to lower organizational levels, such as to international subsidiaries. A. Standardized, Innovative B. Centralized, Decentralized C. Traditional, New D. Focus strategy, Cost-leadership E. Bottom-up, Top-down
Centralized, Decentralized
Which of the following statements about team structure is FALSE? A. Work teams are assigned the tasks of coordinating their efforts to arrive at solutions and implementing corrective action. B. Teams can improve responsiveness by cutting across functional boundaries that slow decision making. C. Globalization is forcing companies to respond more quickly to changes in the business environment through teams. D. In a self-managed team, employees assume the responsibilities of their former supervisors. E. Cross-functional teams put up barriers between departments and cause conflict.
Cross-functional teams put up barriers between departments and cause conflict.
A __________ is one in which the employees from a single department take on the responsibilities of their former supervisors. A. global team B. cross-functional team C. work team D. quality-improvement team E. self-managed team
self-managed team