International Business chapter 4

_____ is important because managers need to have a deep understanding of the prevailing culture in those areas in which they do business.

Cross-cultural literacy

Which language is most prominent in terms of international business?

English

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

True

What is one negative aspect to companies of emphasizing individual performance in business?

a high degree of managerial mobility between companies

Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck's theory of culture states that all definitions of culture must

answer a limited number of universal problems.

true or false: One positive aspect of high managerial mobility is that executives have a sense of loyalty and commitment to an individual company.

false

The rituals associated with a culture, such as bowing to show respect in Japan, are forms of _____.

folkways

What are two examples of nonverbal communication?

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

Cross-cultural _____ is necessary for a business to understand the cultural differences that exist between companies involved in international business.

literacy

Camille knows it would be inappropriate of her to ask the new client if she planned to invest in shares of company stock. Social rules that dictate appropriate behaviors are called _____.

norms

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

strata

What are three benefits of learning the native language of a company you are doing business with? (Check all that apply.)

Businesses may prevent major blunders through improper translation. You can build rapport more easily. People like to speak in their own language.

What characterizes a typical business based in Japan?

Companies develop long-term relationships with suppliers.

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

Ethnocentrism

The work of _____ is the main research used to understand the impact of culture on multinational corporations.

Hofstede

What are three examples of the "hidden curriculum" of schools? (Check all that apply.)

Obedience to authority Respect for others Dealing with competition

____ is/are a system of shared beliefs that are concerned with the realm of the sacred and involve rituals reflecting the belief.

Religion

______ is/are a system of shared beliefs that are concerned with the realm of the sacred and involve rituals reflecting the belief.

Religion

Which three situations are considered positive aspects of the collectivist attitude found in the Japanese business culture? (Check all that apply.)

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

Class ______ is an awareness of one's social or economic rank in society.

consciousness

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.

The US economy is considered _____ because it is impacted by the philosophy of individualism.

dynamic

One way a company can become more informed about the practices of an international affiliate is to

employ local citizens to help them do business in a particular culture.

The set of moral principles that are used to guide and shape behavior are called _____.

ethics

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

An advantage of individualism is a(n)

high level of entrepreneurial activity.

Unspoken language is another way to describe ______ communication

nonverbal

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

true

A group's consideration and acceptance of what is good and right represents their

values

What three characteristics are emphasized by the Japanese culture and boost the competitiveness of Japanese companies? (Check all that apply.)

Honesty Education Loyalty

What are three principles of social stratification? (Check all that apply.)

It involves beliefs as well as inequality. It carries over to the next generation. It is generally universal.

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

Lack of dynamism and 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

In the United States, the majority of people are very aware of what time it is, what they need to accomplish in that time, and when they are out of time. This attitude toward time is an example of a _____.

folkway

Jenna expects the people she works with to be prompt. Recently, she became very frustrated when a foreign executive was late to their meeting because he felt it was more important to finish a phone conversation. People's attitude toward time is an example of how _____ can affect business.

folkways

Western society values _______ over ______

individuals; groups

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

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

Social _____ refers to how difficult or easy it is for an individual to move out of the social strata into which they are born.

mobility

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

religion

The set of shared beliefs followed by Catholics and those of the Jewish faith represent their individual _____

religions

Nigel was born into a poor, working-class family in England. He is resigned to the fact that his life will be much like his fathers as he has no way to earn a degree and change his status. Nigel believes that a lack of _____ determines his fate.

social mobility

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

structure

In Westernized societies, freedom to choose is considered everyone's right. The idea of what is good and right is an example of a(n) _____.

value

Assumptions about how things should be that a group shares are called _____.

values

What are three of the determinants of culture? (Check all that apply.)

Political philosophy Economic philosophy Social structure

In the past, there has been a mutual lack of respect between upper management and working-class employees at British companies. This lack of respect was the result of the perception that those in upper management were a "step above" the employees. This perception was a reflection of _____.

class consciousness

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

cross-cultural

The human resource manager reminded the employees that when working with colleagues in the Middle East, it was imperative to remember that giving a deadline on a project is perceived as demanding. The manager is showing the importance of ______ in international business

cross-cultural literacy

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