Question 1

The challenges facing a geographic (country)manager's who must convert corporate strategy into actionable plans for the subsidiary do not include

Accepted Answer

A)  the multiplicity and diversity of constituents whose demands and pressures compete for the geographic (country) manager's attention. 
B)  failure of the country manager to identify and communicate worldwide best practices. 
C)  the expectations of headquarters that the country manager will translate broad corporate goals and strategies into specific actions which are responsive to the needs of the subsidiary's national environment. 
D)  the need to garner commitment and enthusiasm for the among constituents of the subsidiary with respect to the corporate strategy and the associated actionable plans.

Question 2

In the transnational organization of today,top management must control global business management,worldwide functional management and geographic (country)subsidiary management,so that three groups would not attempt to provide divergent influence on the corporate strategies.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

To overcome the not-invented-here (NIH)syndrome that often prevails in international firms,which of the following techniques are not employed by the worldwide functional manager when facilitating the transfer of new ideas and innovations throughout the MNE

Accepted Answer

A)  identifying best practices through informal contacts and formal evaluations. 
B)  replacing geographic (country) managers that resist the adoption of best practices. 
C)  arranging cross-unit visits and transfers. 
D)  hosting conferences and forming task forces.

Question 4

Worldwide functional managers are principally responsible for diffusing products and services worldwide between the MNE's geographic units.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

You are employed at the headquarters of a large MNE.While visiting one of the firm's foreign operations,you overhear the following comment,"Top-level corporate management has become an increasingly burdensome cost centre in the modern transnational.Our company employs well-trained and highly skilled individuals as global business managers,worldwide functional managers and geographic (country)managers.To enhance performance,our firm should thin the ranks at the corporate executive level and allow the business,functional and geographic managers more liberty to coordinate their own activities." Upon returning to headquarters,you are advised that you are being promoted to a country manager position within the MNE.However,you have been asked to prepare a report on your observations from your recent trip before you leave to start your new role.Use this report as an opportunity to discuss your position in support of,or against,this perspective regarding top-level management.

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are employed at the headquarters of...

Question 6

In their role as worldwide intelligence scanners,worldwide functional managers lead efforts to diffuse innovations throughout the MNE by engaging in all of the following activities,except

Accepted Answer

A)  sensing strategically important changes or information in the environments of foreign subsidiaries. 
B)  acting as repositories for specialist information. 
C)  leading disruptive innovations. 
D)  facilitating the communication and transmission of strategically important information to specialists in the business groups or geographic groups.

Question 7

Top-level management teams strive to pursue continual renewal within the transnational by engaging in all of the following activities,except

Accepted Answer

A)  defining the corporate mission and values 
B)  devoting considerable time and effort to reviewing below-budget financial results. 
C)  constantly orienting the organization to its customers. 
D)  forcing adaptation and learning.

Question 8

While the role of the geographic (country)subsidiary manager has traditionally concentrated on responsibilities such as identifying sales and profit opportunities,accessing local factors of production and leveraging parent company assets and resources,the modern geographic subsidiary manager's role has evolved to include an expanded set of responsibilities.Discuss the tasks executed by the country manager and propose an associated set of skills that you think would be required by a country manager.Be sure to link these skills to the list of tasks.

Accepted Answer

The answer of While the role of the geographic (country)subsidiary...

Question 9

Two key tasks associated with the geographic (country)manager's role as a national defender and advocate are both the responsibility for advocating the subsidiary's role in the MNE's worldwide organization and the responsibility for championing transnational innovations.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

The role of the geographic (country)subsidiary manager has become more difficult in an era of global business units and global customers due to the fact that the manager is accountable for results,but exercises limited authority over the employees and assets situated within the country.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

The role of geographic (country)manager is often considered the acid test of general management potential and a necessary qualification on the resume of any candidate for a top management position.Discuss the critical role of the geographic (country)manager as a bicultural interpreter and detail some of the reasons for failure in both upward communication and downward communication between the subsidiary and headquarters.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The role of geographic (country)manager is often...

Question 12

When products of high strategic importance are transferred internally between an MNE's business units,global business managers will prefer to facilitate these transfers via internal quasi-markets,rather than exerting direct control over quantities shipped and prices charged.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

The characteristics that distinguish an effective and energizing global strategic vision do not include

Accepted Answer

A)  shared by all in the transnational organization. 
B)  simple, relevant and continuously reinforced. 
C)  tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual group in the MNE. 
D)  provides direction and purpose.

Question 14

Innovations can be stimulated by all of the following - revolutionary technological breakthroughs,emerging consumer trends,new competitive challenges and pending government regulations.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

The biggest challenge facing transnational organizations is to create a generation of managers that have the requisite skills and the perspective needed to operate in a multibusiness,multifunctional,multinational system.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

In the transnational,worldwide functional managers are often linked most effectively through informal networks that are nurtured and maintained through frequent meetings,visits and transfers.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Which of the following is not considered a key management category in the modern transnational company

Accepted Answer

A)  the top-level corporate executives / managers. 
B)  the country subsidiary manager. 
C)  the integrated services manager. 
D)  the global business manager.

Question 18

When commodity-like products are transferred internally between an MNE's business units,global business managers will principally develop internal quasi-markets to coordinate cross-border flows of materials,components and finished products.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 7: Implementing the Strategy: Building Multidimensional Capabilities

The challenges facing a geographic (country) manager's who must convert corporate strategy into actionable plans for the subsidiary do not include

In the transnational organization of today,top management must control global business management,worldwide functional management and geographic (country)subsidiary management,so that three groups would not attempt to provide divergent influence on the corporate strategies.

To overcome the not-invented-here (NIH) syndrome that often prevails in international firms,which of the following techniques are not employed by the worldwide functional manager when facilitating the transfer of new ideas and innovations throughout the MNE

Worldwide functional managers are principally responsible for diffusing products and services worldwide between the MNE's geographic units.

In their role as worldwide intelligence scanners,worldwide functional managers lead efforts to diffuse innovations throughout the MNE by engaging in all of the following activities,except

Top-level management teams strive to pursue continual renewal within the transnational by engaging in all of the following activities,except

Two key tasks associated with the geographic (country)manager's role as a national defender and advocate are both the responsibility for advocating the subsidiary's role in the MNE's worldwide organization and the responsibility for championing transnational innovations.

The role of the geographic (country)subsidiary manager has become more difficult in an era of global business units and global customers due to the fact that the manager is accountable for results,but exercises limited authority over the employees and assets situated within the country.

When products of high strategic importance are transferred internally between an MNE's business units,global business managers will prefer to facilitate these transfers via internal quasi-markets,rather than exerting direct control over quantities shipped and prices charged.

The characteristics that distinguish an effective and energizing global strategic vision do not include

Innovations can be stimulated by all of the following - revolutionary technological breakthroughs,emerging consumer trends,new competitive challenges and pending government regulations.

The biggest challenge facing transnational organizations is to create a generation of managers that have the requisite skills and the perspective needed to operate in a multibusiness,multifunctional,multinational system.

In the transnational,worldwide functional managers are often linked most effectively through informal networks that are nurtured and maintained through frequent meetings,visits and transfers.

Which of the following is not considered a key management category in the modern transnational company

When commodity-like products are transferred internally between an MNE's business units,global business managers will principally develop internal quasi-markets to coordinate cross-border flows of materials,components and finished products.