Exam 5: The Cultural Environment of Global Business

Scenario - The Sandman Group The Sandman Group is a multinational pharmaceutical business, which provides needed medications to a variety of foreign markets around the globe.  It has recently acquired a new customer that is based in Saudi Arabia.  This area of the world is new to the company.  Sandman plans to send ten representatives and managers to the Saudi region to better serve this new client's needs.  The company feels confident in its products and its people and believes strongly they will be able to accommodate the needs of this client.The Sandman Group is determined to be successful in its business dealings with its newest Saudi customer.  It has been working diligently with the ten representatives and managers it plans to send into the region.  Sandman wants each one to be well versed in the culture of the region before they depart on their assignment.  Which one of the following would not be of high concern for those individuals to learn before leaving the United States?  

_____refers to a Korean philosophy stressing harmony among unequals, loyalty to parents and authority figures, and superiors being responsible for the well-being of subordinates.

The use of jargon is especially useful when conducting business meetings with foreign personnel.

The ______ variable refers to the degree to which a society compartmentalizes roles.

According to Hofstede, which of the following countries is best described as a highly feminine culture?

_____ refers to the way a society does things.

Of the following, which dimension identified by Hofstede refers to the level of egalitarianism in a society?

A management style that stresses competition among workers and among companies would likely not work well in

Briefly describe any four elements of culture. Provide an example of each.

______ communication refers to tone of voice, gestures, eye contact, body positions, facial grimaces, and other body language that accompanies verbal communication.

Of the following, which is NOT true about managing and marketing in overseas markets?

The primary reason why language mistakes occur in global business is that organizations tend to use backward translation.

Briefly describe the four characteristics of culture important for global companies.

________ is Trompenaars's cultural variable that refers to the importance of rules versus relationships.

Of the following, which is NOT a cultural aspect of doing business in Korea?

Scenario - Reardon Enterprises Reardon Enterprises was founded in 1985 by Jonas and Samuel Reardon.  Initially this company was based solely in Santa Fe, New Mexico and sold products only in the U.S. market.  Now, this organization has grown to become fifth in the fine glassware industry in the world.  It proudly claims the distinction of having 14 manufacturing facilities located on foreign soil.  It currently provides its delicate and refined glass products to 24 foreign marketplaces around the world. Samuel continues to work in the field and feels his expertise in foreign relations is a large part of the reason the company has known such global success.  While Jonas contends the factories and workers located on foreign soil should not be treated differently from those in Santa Fe, Samuel contends it is important to know how the other countries operate.  Even with the differences in business philosophies and beliefs between the two owners, Reardon Enterprises remains a multi-billion dollar operation with a glistening future ahead of it. Samuel is quite knowledgeable about the foreign cultures where Reardon Enterprises conducts its operations.  He understands the vital characteristics surrounding a country's culture.  Which one of the following is not one of these characteristics?  

The _________ variable refers to how rewards in a society are handed out.

The extent to which a society expresses itself emotionally is defined by Trompenaars as ________variable.

According to the GLOBE Project, the lowest level of institutional collectivism existed for the Anglo group.

Of the following, which is NOT true regarding Hofstede's cultural dimensions?