International Business Chapter 4

True or false: Historically, the British class system prevented people from moving up in society.

True

True or false: Spoken language not only allows people to communicate with each other, but structures the way people perceive the world.

True

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

When the new neighbors moved in, Naghma told her family it would be appropriate for them to make a batch of cookies and take them over to the neighbors and introduce themselves. This social convention is an example of a(n) ______.

folkway

When comparing individualistic versus collectivistic societies, it has been said that ______ societies are great at creating innovative ideas, while ______ societies are better at the implementation of those ideas.

individualistic; collectivistic

A ______ contract allows a Muslim bank to share in the profits of a project when loaning money to business.

mudarabah

For an Islamic bank, the ______ contract is easier to implement.

murabaha

In post-independence India, some think that the values of Hindu asceticism and self-reliance advocated by Gandhi had a(n) ______ impact on economic development.

negative

There is a ______ one-to-one relationship between a society and a nation-state.

non-strict

In business today, "Zen" is equated to

ordinary nothingness.

One reason for the rise of Islamic fundamentalism is the response to social pressures in traditional Islamic societies brought on by

the influence of Western thought.

In historic British society, who was included in the middle class?

those who worked in professional occupations

Within a society, honesty would be considered a general ______.

value

What a group of people believe to be good, right, and desirable is the definition of

values

What are the three values central to the Confucian system of ethics that may have led to economic success in some Asian countries?

1. Reciprocal obligations 2. Loyalty 3. Honesty in dealing with others

What are the four principles of social stratification?

1. Social stratification is generally universal. 2. Social stratification carries over to the next generation. 3. Social stratification involves beliefs as well as inequality, 4. Social stratification is a trait of society.

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

True

The economic principles of Islam prohibit a bank from paying or receiving ______.

interest

In Confucian culture, while employees are expected to be loyal to their superiors in business, those superiors must reward this loyalty by bestowing blessings on the employees.This demonstrates the idea of ______ obligations.

reciprocal

What ethical system emphasizes taking the right actions to attain salvation?

Confucianism

In terms of numbers of members, what are the four religions that dominate the world today?

1. Buddhism 2. Hinduism 3. Islam 4. Christianity

Which two phrases reflect the economic implications of Islam?

1. Cannot earn profit through exploitation of others 2. Hold property as trustees, rather than as owners (per Western definition of ownership)

What are three of the determinants of culture?

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

What are three characteristics of Confucianism?

1. High moral standards 2. High ethical conduct 3. Loyalty to others

What are three rituals associated with orthodox Muslims?

1. Muslims participate in a daily prayer ritual. 2. Muslims are forbidden to consume pork. 3. Muslims are forbidden to consume alcohol.

Buddhism has all the same basic beliefs as Hinduism except for ______. (Check the two that apply.)

1. advocacy of extreme ascetic behavior. 2. support for the caste system.

What two dimensions are important to consider when explaining differences across social structures?

1. the degree to which the basic unit of the social organization is individualistic or collectivistic 2. the degree to which a society is stratified into classes or castes

The orthodox Muslim is required to pray blank times a day

5

The vast majority of Christians live in Europe and the Americas. However, Christianity is rapidly growing in which part of the world?

Africa

The "Zen" orientation trend in the Western world stems from which religious teaching?

Buddhism

The religion where followers try to achieve nirvana or spiritual enlightenment is ______.

Buddhism

Of the four dominant religions in the world today, which has the largest number of adherents?

Christianity

What is the best description of the labor-management relationship in an organization based in Confucian culture?

Cooperation is achieved at a lower cost.

How would sociologists describe the class system in British society today?

The class system still exists and "money still begets money."

As modernization occurs, what has resulted that is contrary to the Buddha's teaching?

There is more separation between people and nature.

The focus on individual religious freedom associated with Protestantism may have set the stage for

entrepreneurship

At a dinner meeting in Japan, two executives sat down, leaving the middle seat open for their third associate, even though it meant one of them would have to get up to let him in. This is because, in Japan, the middle seat is reserved for the most senior member of the group. This is an example of a

folkway

When discussing Islam, the Koran actually promotes ______.

free enterprise

Some equate Protestantism with the entrepreneurial spirit because Protestantism

gave individuals freedom to develop their own relationship with God.

The ______ degree of social mobility in the U.S. limits the impact of class background on business operations.

high

One advantage of individualism in business is a(n)

high level of entrepreneurial activity.

Islamic fundamentalists are usually ______ toward Western-based businesses.

hostile

In the United States, class membership is determined mostly by

individual economic achievement.

A caste system is a type of social structure that divides people on the basis of ______.

inherited social status

In Japan, most people perceive themselves to be middle class; therefore, class background has ______ impact on business operations.

less

In a given society, the extent to which people can move up and down the class system is known as social

mobility

Islam is a ______ religion, believing in one true God.

monotheistic

Hindus believe that an individual can achieve a state of complete spiritual perfection known as ______ by practicing material and physical self-denial.

nirvana

Unspoken language is another way to describe ______ communication.

nonverbal

In the United States, a person accused of a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty. This guideline is an example of a ______.

norm

The expectation that students shouldn't cheat on exams is an example of a cultural

norm

Traditional Hindus believe that movement between castes is achieved through ______.

reincarnation

A system of shared beliefs and rituals based on sacred thought is the definition of ______.

religion

Islam prohibits payment of interest. This is one example depicting how ______ can be the root of an ethical system.

religion

In recent years, what has increased society's emphasis on extended social groups?

social media

The movement of the members of a particular society in terms of their social status from one group to another is an example of

social mobility

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

social strata

Traditional Hindu values judge individuals by their ______, according to Max Weber.

spiritual achievements

The basic social organization of a society is known as social ______.

structure

Class mobility is more likely to be achieved in

the United States.

In a caste system, change in position is ______ during one's lifetime.

usually not possible

When the voters were asked their opinion on the death penalty, the majority of the people responded that it wasn't right and should be eliminated. Their opinion is a reflection of their ______.

values

The Western media relates Islamic fundamentalists with ______, rather than with deeply held religious values.

violence

True or false: A sociologist would disagree with the idea that the British class system has dissolved.

True

True or false: Cultures can embrace several nations.

True

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

cross-cultural

A(n) is an organized group of people who share a common set of values and norms.

society

When Kendall was asked to describe the relationship between the countries of Denmark, Finland, and Norway, she replied that the people of those countries all shared a common set of values. In other words, Kendall considered this group of countries as a ______.

society

Loyalty, honesty in dealing with others, and reciprocal obligations are the building blocks of

Confucianism

What are three positive aspects associated with the collectivist attitude found in the Japanese business culture?

1. Workers tend to remain at the same company for a long time -- even a lifetime. 2. Cooperation within the group is driven by the need to improve group performance. 3. There is strong incentive for individuals to work together for the common good.

Which scenario demonstrates a mores?

It is against the law in the U.S. to commit theft.

Which situation demonstrates how a folkway can create complications in business?

Natalie's meeting with the overseas executive was postponed by 30 minutes because the executive felt finishing his phone call was more important.

A(n) ______ system reflects the moral principles used to guide and shape behavior.

ethical

A(n) ______ consists of at least two individuals who have a shared sense of identity and interact in structured ways.

group

In most Western societies the ______ is emphasized, whereas in Japan the ______ is more important.

individual; group

The dynamism associated with the U.S. economy is a result of the philosophy of ______.

individualism

During his study of the Japanese culture, Jeremy learned that lifetime employment with one company is very common in certain sectors. This trait is probably the result of

the collectivistic nature of the culture.

______ supply the standards and models for acceptable behavior in a society.

Norms

There is a need for every business in the international marketplace to understand the prevailing culture in the countries that they are doing business in. This is known as

cross-cultural literacy.

Which statement BEST explains how Max Weber compares Hindus to Protestants?

Hindus would be less likely to engage in entrepreneurial activity.

Culture that is defined as a system of values and norms that are shared among a group of people and that when taken together constitute a design for living stems from the work of which expert?

Hofstede

True or false: According to the Koran, the receipt of interest within the banking system is considered suitable for businesses but not individuals.

False

True or false: Folkways are morally-significant actions in everyday life.

False

What are three advantages of learning the native language when conducting international business?

Helps build rapport. People prefer to speak in their own language. Prevent major blunders through improper translation.

The religion where followers believe in reincarnation and karma is

Hinduism

What major world religion is based on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad?

Islam

What is a negative effect of the collectivist manner associated with Japanese businesses?

Lack of dynamism and entrepreneurship

______ are norms that are more widely observed and are often so important they are enacted into law.

Mores

According to Weber, thrift, efficiency, and hard work are the result of a person's belief in the ethics of which religion?

Protestantism

The Reformation movement in the sixteenth century led to the establishment of

Protestantism

______ refers to a system of shared beliefs related to the realm of the sacred.

Religion

Compared to a Protestant society, a Buddhist society has ______ emphasis on entrepreneurial activity.

a weaker

According to Islam, worldly gain and temporal power are

an illusion.

In Japanese society today, it is common for a person's social status to be associated with his or her

business

Max Weber attributed the relationship between the emergence of ______ and Protestantism to the value system of the religion.

capitalism

Kerri's grandparents came to the United States from Ireland in the 1930s with just a few dollars in their pocket. They found work when they arrived and five years later were able to buy a home and build their savings. Their change in social stratification reflects the ______ system.

class

Mallory grew up in a rural community and she knows that even though she has a master's degree in finance, she will always be considered a "country bumpkin" in her society. Her thoughts reflect the idea of ______.

class consciousness

The ______ system is a less rigid form of social stratification than the ______ system.

class; caste

Muslim countries are receptive to international businesses that

comply with Islamic business practices.

Class ______ is one's perception of their social or economic rank in society.

consciousness