Exam 5: The Cultural Environment of Global Business

Mexican business executives who buy business-to-business products from U.S.suppliers indicate that "knowledge of the Mexican culture" and "enthusiasm" were the most important cultural variables determining from which supplier they purchased.This example of which of the four characteristics of culture which is important for global companies to recognize?

The color black in the United States indicates mourning,but in Japan white is the color of mourning.Green is an acceptable color in Muslim countries; all flags of those countries contain green.These are examples of which of the following?

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

Hofstede's masculine vs.feminine dimension is the extent to which a society values traditionally masculine attributes (assertiveness,competition)or traditionally feminine ones (modesty,caring for others).

Uncertainty avoidance examines the extent to which societies tolerate ________.

_____ infrastructure refers to housing,medical services,and educational institutions.

The level of education held by people in foreign countries must be such that high-tech products can be accepted because the market knows how to use them.

Ironically,studies have shown that people who have lived and worked abroad are not particularly good sources of informatin about the cultures of various countries.

Research studies find that culture is not learned; rather it is inherited.

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 representatives of Sandman must be aware of cultural do's and don'ts of the Saudi Arabia region.Which one of the following would be considered unacceptable or inappropriate for them to do during a business meeting?

Which of these expressions should an American businessperson avoid in a meeting with foreign business representatives?

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

The ability of a firm to adjust to a culture different from its own is called acculturation.

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

In which country might an American businesswoman find her hosts especially reluctant to work with her?

In Arab countries,it is crucial for a visitor to

_____ refers to the way people in a society relate to one another within group settings.

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

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. -Reardon Enterprises has its second largest manufacturing facility located in South America.Which one of the following would not be an important cultural fact Samuel and Jonas should know before conducting business meetings there?

Because Turkey is a Muslim country,the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited there.