Chapter 4 & 5

Question 1

Aesthetics

Answer 1

Philosophically, the creation and appreciation of beauty; collectively, the arts (including folklore, music drama, and dance)

Question 2

Cultural borrowing

Answer 2

The phenomenon by which societies learn from other cultures’ ways and borrow ideas to solve problems or improve conditions.

Question 3

Cultural congruence

Answer 3

A marketing strategy in which products are marketed in a way similar to the marketing of products already in the market in a manner as congruent as possible with existing cultural norms

Question 4

Cultural sensitivity

Answer 4

An awareness of the nuances of culture so that a culture can be viewed objectively, evaluated, and appreciated; an important part of foreign marketing

Question 5

Cultural values

Answer 5

The system of beliefs and customs held by a population in a given culture. (ex: A book by Geert Hofstede describes a study of 66 nations)

Question 6

Culture

Answer 6

“The human-made part of human environment”

The sum total of knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws, customs, and any other capabilities and habits acquired, shared, and transmitted by humans as members of society

Question 7

Linguistic distance

Answer 7

The measure of difference between languages; an important factor in determining the amount of trade between nations

Question 8

Planned change

Answer 8

A marketing strategy in which a company deliberately sets out to change those aspects of a foreign culture resistant to predetermined marketing goals

Question 9

Social institutions

Answer 9

The methods and systems (including family, religion, school, the media, government, and corporations) that affect the ways in which people relate to one another, teach accepted behaviors, and govern themselves

Question 10

Four primary dimensions (Geert Hofstede)

Answer 10

• Individualism/Collectivism Index
• Power Distance Index
• Uncertainty Avoidance Index
• Masculinity/Femininity Index (considered least useful)

Question 11

Bribery

Answer 11

The use of funds, usually illegally, to influence decisions made by public employees and government officials

Question 12

Cultural elective

Answer 12

A business custom (as in foreign country) to which adaptation is helpful but not necessary

Question 13

Cultural exclusive

Answer 13

A business custom (as in a foreign country) in which an outsider must not participate; also called an exclusive

Question 14

Cultural imperative

Answer 14

A business custom (as in a foreign country) that must be recognized and accommodated. Also called an imperative.

Question 15

Justice or fairness

Answer 15

One of three principles of ethics; it tests an action by asking the action respects the canons of justice or fairness to all parties involved.

Question 16

Lubrication

Answer 16

Use of funds to expedite actions of public employees and government officials. The payments made to minor officials, may or may not be illegal and are usually inconsequential amounts.

Question 17

Monochronic time (M-time)

Answer 17

Describes a view of time, typical of Westerners, and something that is linear and can be saved, wasted, spent, and lost. M-time cultures tend to concentrate on one thing at a time and value promptness.

Question 18

Polychronic time (P-time)

Answer 18

A view of time, as held in “high-context” cultures, in which the completion of a human transaction is more important than holding to schedules. P-time is characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of many things.

Question 19

Rights of the parties

Answer 19

One of three principles of ethics; it tests an action by asking if the action respects the rights of the individuals involved

Question 20

Silent language

Answer 20

Term used by Edward T. Hall for the nonspoken and symbolic meanings of time, space, things, friendships, and agreements, and how they vary across cultures; from Hall’s seminal article “The Silent Language of Business”

Question 21

Subornation

Answer 21

Giving large sums of money (frequently not fully accounted for) designed to entise an official to commit an illegal act on behalf of the one offering the money

Question 22

Utilitarian ethics

Answer 22

One of three principles of ethics; it tests an action by asking if it optimizes the “common good” or benefits all constituencies

Question 23

Three principles of ethics

Answer 23

• utilitarian ethics
• rights of the parties
• justice of fairness

Question 24

Decentralized Decision Making

Answer 24

Allows executives at different levels of management to exercise authority over their own functions

(There is an overall shift to this type of management)

Question 25

What’s the story of the Cheng family illustrate

Answer 25

Obedience and deference to one’s superiors remain strong in Chinese culture.

(In October 1865, Cheng’s wife beat her mother-in-law, so Cheng and his wife were skinned alive in front of the mother in law, Cheng’s granduncle beheaded, etc)