Assume a U.S. firm plans to expand into Mexico, Germany, or Japan. Its executives are traveling to each country to meet with local businesspeople in the decision-making process. Which of the following would be LEAST beneficial when the executives make a presentation?

Assume a U.S. firm plans to expand into Mexico, Germany, or Japan. Its executives are traveling to each country to meet with local businesspeople in the decision-making process. Which of the following would be LEAST beneficial when the executives make a presentation?

A) requesting a translator with technical vocabulary knowledge
B) simplifying vocabulary and terminology for the audience
C) conducting back translations for written work
D) avoiding repetition to prevent boredom

Answer: D

Assume a firm plans to expand internationally. If its managers wish to avoid pitfalls caused by differences in "silent language," they should consider differences in ________.

Assume a firm plans to expand internationally. If its managers wish to avoid pitfalls caused by differences in "silent language," they should consider differences in ________.

A) normal proximity during conversations
B) degree of detail expected in written contract
C) the meaning of slang words during presentations
D) importance of adherence to schedules

Answer: A

In the opening case on the Java Lounge in Saudi Arabia, people in the port city of Jeddah were less culturally conservative than people in the interior of the country. The most likely reason for this is that ________.

In the opening case on the Java Lounge in Saudi Arabia, people in the port city of Jeddah were less culturally conservative than people in the interior of the country. The most likely reason for this is that ________.

A) people in the port cities have more contact with foreigners
B) the coastal area has to trade with countries using different religious holidays
C) the coastal area has a culture with a higher uncertainty avoidance
D) the coastal area is secular, whereas the interior of Saudi Arabia has a state religion

Answer: A

In the opening case on the Java Lounge in Saudi Arabia, Saudi businessmen engaged in chit-chat while drinking coffee at a café during the conduct of business. Which of the following was the most likely reason for their behavior?

In the opening case on the Java Lounge in Saudi Arabia, Saudi businessmen engaged in chit-chat while drinking coffee at a café during the conduct of business. Which of the following was the most likely reason for their behavior?

A) They are fatalistic, believing that the business outcome was predetermined.
B) Their religious convictions kept them from discussing business over alcoholic drinks.
C) They come from a polychronic culture that prefers to multitask.
D) They come from a high-context culture in which small talk and seemingly unrelated information is important to decision making.

Answer: D

American hamburgers, Japanese sushi, Italian pizza, Mexican tacos, and Middle Eastern pita bread are now commonly found in most countries. This best supports the argument that ________.

American hamburgers, Japanese sushi, Italian pizza, Mexican tacos, and Middle Eastern pita bread are now commonly found in most countries. This best supports the argument that ________.

A) although visible expressions of culture are becoming homogenized, basic differences in societal values remain strong
B) globalization fulfills lower order needs in Maslow's hierarchy
C) cultural imperialism is increasingly widespread
D) cultural hybridization is occurring

Answer: D

The fact that an English word such as blue-jeans has entered the Spanish language, while a Spanish word such as macho has come into American English illustrates that ________.

The fact that an English word such as blue-jeans has entered the Spanish language, while a Spanish word such as macho has come into American English illustrates that ________.

A) cultural diffusion is a two-way process
B) cultural trends come from emerging nations
C) existing national borders are shifting
D) material cultures are becoming universal

Answer: A

U.S. companies monopolize much of the international entertainment media, which largely portrays U.S. products and lifestyles as glamorous and appealing. This situation would most likely be used as an example of ________.

U.S. companies monopolize much of the international entertainment media, which largely portrays U.S. products and lifestyles as glamorous and appealing. This situation would most likely be used as an example of ________.

A) the stronger work ethic typical of developed countries
B) the spread of high-context cultures
C) cultural fragmentation
D) cultural imperialism

Answer: D

If an MNE convinced a popular priest that its vitamin-enriched soft drink would benefit parishioners' health, the MNE would be using ________ to help bring about change.

If an MNE convinced a popular priest that its vitamin-enriched soft drink would benefit parishioners' health, the MNE would be using ________ to help bring about change.

A) participation
B) reward sharing
C) an opinion leader
D) materialistic motivation

Answer: C

When a company wishes to introduce change in a foreign country, its likelihood of success can most likely be improved by ________.

When a company wishes to introduce change in a foreign country, its likelihood of success can most likely be improved by ________.

A) introducing many changes simultaneously
B) gaining the support of local opinion leaders
C) agreeing to make some home-country changes in return
D) employing expatriate managers to supervise local workers

Answer: B

Organizing work differently to improve productivity will likely fail ________.

Organizing work differently to improve productivity will likely fail ________.

A) if the work force has a low tolerance for authoritarianism
B) if workers participate in planning the improvement
C) unless changes are compatible to competitor's practices
D) if changes interfere with strongly held value systems

Answer: D

A firm that concentrates on national cultural differences in terms of averages is more likely to ________.

A firm that concentrates on national cultural differences in terms of averages is more likely to ________.

A) underestimate market demands
B) increase political risks
C) seek cultural collision
D) overlook outliers

Answer: D

The approach a company takes when it bases foreign operations on an informed knowledge of its organizational culture along with home- and host-country needs, capabilities, and constraints is called ________.

The approach a company takes when it bases foreign operations on an informed knowledge of its organizational culture along with home- and host-country needs, capabilities, and constraints is called ________.

A) polycentrism
B) ethnocentrism
C) neocentrism
D) geocentrism

Answer: D

Ethnocentrism in international business refers to the ________.

Ethnocentrism in international business refers to the ________.

A) study of group ethics and approaches to corporate social responsibility
B) comparison of the Protestant ethic with other religious views
C) belief that what works best at home should work best everywhere
D) ethnic segmentation of marketing programs within countries

Answer: C

One of the potential problems for an MNE that practices too much polycentrism is ________.

One of the potential problems for an MNE that practices too much polycentrism is ________. 

A) demanding that local communication methods be replaced with modern technology
B) underestimating the complexity of introducing new management practices
C) losing innovative capabilities to less-risky host-country practices
D) relying too much on home-country directions and policies

Answer: C

Ellen, a U.S. citizen, worked for a U.S. firm in Germany for four years and was transferred back to the firm's home office in Chicago two months ago. Ellen feels significant dissatisfaction with her job and life in Chicago, which is most likely a result of ________.

Ellen, a U.S. citizen, worked for a U.S. firm in Germany for four years and was transferred back to the firm's home office in Chicago two months ago. Ellen feels significant dissatisfaction with her job and life in Chicago, which is most likely a result of ________.

A) reverse culture shock
B) polycentrism
C) culture shock
D) ethnocentrism

Answer: A

The term "cultural distance" refers to the ________.

The term "cultural distance" refers to the ________.

A) physical space between people during communication
B) time it takes people to adjust to the language, traditions, and norms of a foreign culture
C) degree to which countries differ on cultural dimensions
D) preferred relationship between superiors and subordinates in a given culture

Answer: C

Evaluating the importance of potential clients or partners by the way they dress is an example of using ________.

Evaluating the importance of potential clients or partners by the way they dress is an example of using ________.

A) pragmatism
B) silent language
C) polychronism
D) fatalism

Answer: B

Jack, an American accounts manager, is preparing a presentation for a group of Japanese business people. Jack's presentation would be most effective if he ________.

Jack, an American accounts manager, is preparing a presentation for a group of Japanese business people. Jack's presentation would be most effective if he ________. 

A) told an opening joke to put everyone at ease
B) used slang to create an informal atmosphere
C) used long words to impress his counterparts
D) budgeted extra time for translation and clarification

Answer: D

When a company does business in another country whose official language is the same as its home country's, the company should most likely ________.

When a company does business in another country whose official language is the same as its home country's, the company should most likely ________.

A) assume that communications will go smoothly
B) use back-translation on all written documents
C) realize that words may have different meanings
D) assume that word meanings are the same despite spelling differences

Answer: C

All of the following are international business translation problems EXCEPT which of the following?

All of the following are international business translation problems EXCEPT which of the following?

A) All written work requires back translation in order to be understood in a second language.
B) Because languages and the common meaning of words are constantly evolving, the intended meaning of a word may be different from what the listener or reader understands.
C) Some words in one language simply don't have a direct translation into another language.
D) Words mean different things in different contexts, thus the wrong context may be translated.

Answer: A