Question 1

According to Geert Hofstede, which of the following is a key cultural dimension that helps account for rapid economic growth in Asia?

Accepted Answer

A) power distance 
B) individualist/collectivist 
C) feminine/masculine 
D) uncertainty avoidance 
E) long-term orientation

Question 2

In surveys about color preferences, 50 percent of respondents indicate white is their favorite-and it is favored by a wide margin over the next-preferred color, blue.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

Comparing and contrasting the diffusion of innovations in Western countries and in Asia, one can say that:

Accepted Answer

A) the process occurs in an identical manner in both regions. 
B) in Asia, the adoption process begins more slowly but ramps up more rapidly than it does in Western countries. 
C) in Western countries, the adoption process begins more slowly but ramps up more rapidly than it does in Asia. 
D) the diffusion of innovation framework is applicable in the West but not in Asia. 
E) the diffusion of innovation framework is applicable in Asia but not in the West.

Question 4

While some food preferences remain deeply embedded in culture, there is plenty of evidence that global dietary preferences are converging. Examples of such a change can be predicted from the:

Accepted Answer

A) popularity of Domino's Pizza in Italy. 
B) preference for local hamburgers from a local chain, Jollibee's, in the Philippines. 
C) growing number of McDonald's restaurants globally. 
D) increased sales of soups and noodles in Thailand. 
E) popularity of Chinese foods in Taiwan.

Question 5

There is nothing inherently "good" or "bad" about any color of the spectrum and all associations and perceptions regarding color arise from culture. Which of the following statements is not true?

Accepted Answer

A) Red is a popular color in most parts of the world. 
B) Red color is associated with "active," "vibrant," and "emotional." 
C) Red color is preferred in many countries since it is the color of blood. 
D) Red color is highly preferred in some African countries. 
E) Red color is tied to the traditions of viticulture and winemaking.

Question 6

Which of the following can negatively influence the rate of diffusion of an innovation?

Accepted Answer

A) substantial relative advantage 
B) high compatibility 
C) high complexity 
D) divisibility 
E) high level of communicability

Question 7

Music is an aesthetic component of all cultures and is accepted as a form of artistic expression and a source of entertainment.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

The Walt Disney Company's decision to build a theme park in France provides an excellent vehicle to understanding SRC (Self-Reference Criterion). All of the statements listed below portray this meaning except:

Accepted Answer

A) Disney executives believed there is virtually unlimited demand for American cultural exports. 
B) French are sensitive about American cultural imperialism. 
C) Consuming wine with the midday meal is a long-established custom which was not realized by Disney executives. 
D) Disney executives were blinded by their prior success and ethnocentrism. 
E) The SRC can be a powerful negative force in global business.

Question 9

Lawyers are more important in:

Accepted Answer

A) low-context cultures. 
B) high-context cultures. 
C) Indian cultures. 
D) Korean cultures. 
E) Japanese cultures.

Question 10

Two countries that score low in uncertainty avoidance are:

Accepted Answer

A) Austria and Belgium. 
B) Japan and Hong Kong. 
C) United States and Switzerland 
D) Denmark and Finland. 
E) Ireland and Italy.

Question 11

Procter & Gamble's introduction of All-Temperature Cheer laundry detergent in Japan was a flop at first. The problem was that Japanese women wash clothes in cold water-either tap water or leftover bath water-so they don't care about all-temperature washing (which is a big selling point in the United States). Also, Cheer was first introduced in Japan at a time when the market for fabric softeners in Japan was rapidly expanding. However, when Japanese housewives added lots of fabric softener to the water, Cheer didn't produce many suds (Americans don't use as much fabric softener). P&G reformulated the product so it wouldn't be affected by fabric softeners, and ads for Cheer in Japan pledged superior cleaning in cold water, not all temperatures. Which of the following might have helped P&G avoid the initial problems with Cheer?

Accepted Answer

A) Maslow's hierarchy 
B) high vs. low context culture 
C) diffusion of innovation 
D) self-reference criterion 
E) polycentric orientation

Question 12

In China, Dell had to find a meaningful interpretation of "direct sales." A literal translation results in zhi xiao which is the Chinese term for "illegal pyramid marketing schemes." To counteract the negative connotation, Dell's sales representatives began using the phrase zhi xiao ding gou, which translates as:

Accepted Answer

A) direct orders. 
B) direct marketing. 
C) pyramid orders. 
D) pyramid scheme. 
E) direct shipping.

Question 13

If a marketing manager plans to enter newly industrializing-countries (NICs)or other Asia markets with a product that has proved to be successful in the home market, the product's diffusion processes are likely to be:

Accepted Answer

A) negligible since consumers will take time to assess the relative advantage. 
B) much slower than in the home market. 
C) much faster than in the home market. 
D) similar to that in the home market. 
E) less compatible in the Asian market.

Question 14

European consumers have faced a number of food-related issues, including an outbreak of hoof-and-mouth disease and continuing concerns over mad cow disease. As a result, many are skeptical about GMOs (genetically-modified organisms)and the benefits of eating food products that incorporate genetically-engineered ingredients. As one French citizen noted recently, "We have a very risk-averse society that has been completely traumatized by food scares." Thinking about this situation in terms of Hofstede's cultural values framework, one might reasonably interpret this remark to indicate that France ranks relatively high in:

Accepted Answer

A) Power Distance. 
B) Short-term Orientation. 
C) Masculinity. 
D) Uncertainty Avoidance. 
E) Individualism.

Question 15

Aesthetic elements that are attractive, appealing, and in good taste are perceived as decent and accepted universally.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

A few years ago, Philips Electronics developed a new consumer electronics product called the Digital Compact Cassette player. DCC did more than allow users to record and playback in a new digital format; DCC was also designed to play the older, analog cassette tapes that many people own. However, die-hard audio buffs were the only ones to buy DCC and Philips ultimately discontinued the product. Which of the following statements based on adopter categories describes this?

Accepted Answer

A) early adopters bought, but innovators didn't 
B) innovators bought, but early adopters didn't 
C) innovators bought, and everyone else was a laggard 
D) early majority bought, but late majority didn't 
E) DCC was a laggard

Question 17

"McDonaldization of culture," a term coined by Geert Hofstede, refers to the wide spread of McDonald's restaurants in the world and its adverse impact on global culture.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

The rate of adoption of the new Apple watch is slow, particularly in developing country markets with low rates of literacy. This can generally be attributed to which characteristics of innovation?

Accepted Answer

A) compatibility 
B) relative advantage 
C) divisibility 
D) communicability 
E) complexity

Question 19

A vice-president of an American software company introduced himself to a group of Korean partners and added "you may just call me John." Although this verbal cue shows the underlying reality that Americans have a high value on informality and equality, it needs adaptation due to the reason that:

Accepted Answer

A) John is not a very popular name in Korea. 
B) it is difficult to translate John in Korean language. 
C) customs, hierarchies, and class structure of Korean culture have to be respected. 
D) Korean culture requires that first and last name be used in addressing guests. 
E) it is not appropriate to disclose nicknames in business meetings.

Question 20

Historically, the lagoon in Venice provided Venetians with a safe haven from Germanic and Hun invaders.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 4: Social and Cultural Environments

According to Geert Hofstede, which of the following is a key cultural dimension that helps account for rapid economic growth in Asia?

In surveys about color preferences, 50 percent of respondents indicate white is their favorite-and it is favored by a wide margin over the next-preferred color, blue.

Comparing and contrasting the diffusion of innovations in Western countries and in Asia, one can say that:

While some food preferences remain deeply embedded in culture, there is plenty of evidence that global dietary preferences are converging. Examples of such a change can be predicted from the:

There is nothing inherently "good" or "bad" about any color of the spectrum and all associations and perceptions regarding color arise from culture. Which of the following statements is not true?

Which of the following can negatively influence the rate of diffusion of an innovation?

Music is an aesthetic component of all cultures and is accepted as a form of artistic expression and a source of entertainment.

The Walt Disney Company's decision to build a theme park in France provides an excellent vehicle to understanding SRC (Self-Reference Criterion) . All of the statements listed below portray this meaning except:

Lawyers are more important in:

Two countries that score low in uncertainty avoidance are:

If a marketing manager plans to enter newly industrializing-countries (NICs) or other Asia markets with a product that has proved to be successful in the home market, the product's diffusion processes are likely to be:

Aesthetic elements that are attractive, appealing, and in good taste are perceived as decent and accepted universally.

"McDonaldization of culture," a term coined by Geert Hofstede, refers to the wide spread of McDonald's restaurants in the world and its adverse impact on global culture.

The rate of adoption of the new Apple watch is slow, particularly in developing country markets with low rates of literacy. This can generally be attributed to which characteristics of innovation?

A vice-president of an American software company introduced himself to a group of Korean partners and added "you may just call me John." Although this verbal cue shows the underlying reality that Americans have a high value on informality and equality, it needs adaptation due to the reason that:

Historically, the lagoon in Venice provided Venetians with a safe haven from Germanic and Hun invaders.