International Business 2000- Ch. 4 Differences in Culture

What are three of the determinants of culture?

1. Social structure 2. Economic philosophy 3. Political philosophy

What are three principles of social stratification?

1. it involves beliefs as well as inequality 2. it is generally universal 3. it carries over to the next generation

What are three examples of the "hidden curriculum" of schools?

1. obedience to authority 2. dealing with competition 3. respect for others

Which statement BEST reflects the implications of cultural differences for business?

A company may need to vary management processes by country as a result of local cultural differences.

A system of values and norms that are shared among a group of people and that when taken together constitute a design for living is called

Culture

Understanding how cultural differences across and within nations affect the way business is practiced is known as ______ literacy.

cross-cultural literacy

Hofstede studied how ______ relates to values in the workplace.

culture

The system of values and norms that are shared among a group of people and when considered as a whole represent a design for living is called

culture

Geoff believes that the way his US-based company does business is superior to the way his French affiliate office conducts business. Geoff's attitude is an example of __

ethnocentrism

______ is judging another's culture solely by the values and standards of one's own culture.

ethnocentrism

Kate's grandmother was born in Belgium and she says she is Flemish. Anne's grandmother was also born in Belgium and she says she is French. In some areas of Belgium, all signs are in French and are not possible to read unless you know the French language. The same is true for other areas with all signs in Flemish. What is creating the divide between these two cultures?

language

______ join the political entity of a state to the cultural entity of a nation.

nation-states

Unspoken language is another way to describe ______ communicati

nonverbal

All societies are divided on a hierarchical basis into social categories called social _____.

social strata

The basic social organization of a society is called its social _____.

structure

True or False: While religion can influence the values and norms of society, the values and norms of society can also impact religion.

true

True or false: Education provides a competitive economic advantage through the creation of a pool of skilled and educated workers.

true

______ is the Hofstede dimension that measures a society's tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty.

uncertainty avoidance

What are the four dimensions originally identified by Hofstede?

1. Masculinity vs femininity 2. Uncertainty avoidance 3. power distance 4. individualism vs collectivism

What are two examples of nonverbal communication?

1. standing an appropriate distance from a colleague during a conversation 2. giving a thumbs up sign to indicate you agree with a statement

Energy Resources Ltd. does business in 50 countries around the world. The company stresses to all employees the importance of understanding the prevailing culture in the countries that they are doing business in. In other words, the company is aware of the importance of

cross-cultural literacy

When a company with branches in Japan and the United States changes its performance appraisal system to reflect the fact that American managers are more individualistic as compared to their more group-oriented Japanese counterparts, the company is recognizing the need to vary company processes and practices based on how ______ affects work-related values.

culture

Monica asked her manager if appropriate dress for the meeting was business casual or traditional business. Monica is inquiring about the ______ associated with the meeting.

folkway

How has social media affected group life?

it has emphasized the idea of an extended social group

Alex considers himself a "true French Canadian" and agrees with political activists who think there should be a separation from English speaking citizens who are dominating certain provinces. What seems to be the cause of this division in Canada?

language

In a _______ culture, sex roles are sharply differentiated. (masculine or feminine?)

masculine

The Hofstede dimension that looks at the relationship between gender and work roles is

masculinity vs femininity

What is the focus of Hofstede's power distance dimension?

people are not equal in physical capabilities

In the ______ dimension identified by Hofstede, the degree of power and wealth is not balanced within a country.

power distance

The Hofstede dimension that is focused on the degree to which people in a society are integrated into groups is

individualism vs collectivism

According to Hofstede, if the ties between people are loose, it is most likely a sign of a(n) ______ society.

individualistic

Western society values _______ over ______.

individuals; groups

There _____ a strict one-to-one relationship between one culture and a nation-state.

is not

The routine conventions of living, thinking, and acting in a group are called ______.

folkways

Stephen usually eats lunch with three of his co-workers and on the weekends he gets together with his college friends. The people Stephen interacts with represent two types of _____.

groups

According to Hofstede, societies with stiff codes of behavior, rules, and laws score _______ on the uncertainty avoidance index. (Choose high or low.)

high