Exam 15: International Human Resources Management

Some Japanese firms, such as Matsushita and NEC, tend to operate as domestic firms but see the whole world domestically-that is, as their market. What type of firms are these?

ABC Inc., a firm located in Tokyo, Japan, is likely to emphasize which of the following in its pay system?

A localization approach to compensation in global settings is the same as the balance sheet approach.

Which of the following is a common problem with performance appraisals of international assignees?

One of the biggest causes of expatriate failure is a spouse's inability to adjust to his or her new surroundings.

Scenario 15.1 From 2008, ForEx Inc. has shifted some of its operations to China and Malaysia, where production costs are considerably lower compared to Canada. Since then, 35 managers have been sent to those countries either on short- or long-term assignments to head up operations, conduct training and development, or just to oversee specific projects. Of the 35 managers only five were women, even though women make up 40 percent of the management team. Expatriates on long-term assignments are given financial incentives to offset any qualitative differences between the costs of living in the two locations. -Refer to Scenario 15.1. All of the following represent important information that they will need to know and understand EXCEPT which one?

Multinational corporations tend to use different kinds of external recruitment sources than are used in their home countries.

Dimitri works as a compensation manager for IDL Inc., a multidomestic firm located in Nova Scotia. He has been posted to Brazil on an assignment. What type of employee is Dimitri?

A multidomestic corporation (MDC) has three basic sources to use when staffing its foreign operation. Name the three sources of overseas managers and state advantages and disadvantages of each.

North American managers tend to have highly autocratic decision-making styles.

Expatriates can be compensated for their services in several ways. At one end, their pay can be based on their earnings in the home country. What is at the other end of expatriate pay?

What is a global compensation system?

Performance evaluations of expatriates should occur in both the home and the host countries.

Scenario 15.1 From 2008, ForEx Inc. has shifted some of its operations to China and Malaysia, where production costs are considerably lower compared to Canada. Since then, 35 managers have been sent to those countries either on short- or long-term assignments to head up operations, conduct training and development, or just to oversee specific projects. Of the 35 managers only five were women, even though women make up 40 percent of the management team. Expatriates on long-term assignments are given financial incentives to offset any qualitative differences between the costs of living in the two locations. -Refer to Scenario 15.1. Assume that ForEx will use the balance sheet approach to compensate expatriates. Which of the following is NOT one of the steps in this approach?

Avinash, a Canadian who was sent on an international assignment to Brazil, experienced severe disorientation that caused perpetual stress during his posting. What was Avinash most likely experiencing?

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is the most active international union organization.

NBC Petroleum Corporation, a French firm, is now establishing a subsidiary in Bangladesh. This represents an early stage of international expansion for the company. What type of employees would NBC Petroleum most likely use?

Political factors are considered in a PEST analysis.

What is the term used to refer to the religion, values and attitudes, politics, technology, education, and social organization of a nation?

The failure of expatriate assignments is usually due to technical or managerial concerns.