Question 1

Define culture.

Accepted Answer

Culture encompasses the knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudes, religion, symbols, and possessions acquired by a group of people who have lived in the same region or country for generations.

Question 2

Saudi Arabia's culture

Accepted Answer

- revolves around the religion of Islam - 5 times everyday activities stop as Muslims pray. - Friday is holiest day, so the weekend begins on Thursday and ends on Saturday - illegal to practice any other religion - clothing is loose and flowy (ankle length skirt with cotton head scarf for men, abaya/cloak that covers the head for women) - criminal cases are tried under sharia courts (authority over everyone, including foreigners) - extreme heat and dryness - women are not permitted to work alongside men (except in hospitals)

Question 3

Japan's culture

Accepted Answer

- Shintoism and Buddhism (polytheistic) - naturalistic (natural order of things) - several words for "I" and "you" - great importance on status - western-style dress, but ceremonial kimono are still worn by women on special occasions - food: rice, noodles, sushi - sports: martial arts, sumo wrestling - entertainment: manga, video games - definite sense of etiquette (see gift giving page 73)

Question 4

define rationalization.

Accepted Answer

Rationalization includes any attempt to increase a company's effectiveness or efficiency. Usually includes downsizing, cutbacks, layoffs, and offshoring.

Question 5

Where is child labour prevalent?

Accepted Answer

Estimated by the ILO. Numbers are number of economically active children, ages five to fourteen Asia and the Pacific - 122.3 million Sub-Saharan Africa - 49.3 million Latin America and the Caribbean - 5.7 million Other regions - 13.4 million A Canadian-owned manufacturing plant in another country can easily control this problem by refusing to hire anyone underage, but it is more difficult for Canadian importers to determine if child labour was involved in the production of the items they are buying abroad.

Question 6

It is important to distinguish between exploitative child labour and a difference in the cultural values of two nations because:

Accepted Answer

in some nations, it is acceptable for young people to enter the labour market at 12 years of age after schooling (if there is schooling for them to attend).

Question 7

Canadian law prohibits discrimination in the workplace as it relates to _________________________________.

Accepted Answer

gender, race, sexual preference, disability, age, and so on.

Question 8

Wage reflects the _____________________________ in any country.

Accepted Answer

standard of living

Question 9

Canadian managers must respect the ____________ and ______________ of other countries when working there. For example, a standard lunch break in Mexico is usually a two-hour affair, so if the break was cut short because they perceived it as an improvement in efficiency might actually be viewed as imposing foreign values on local culture.

Accepted Answer

Standards and practices

Question 10

When companies set up factories, distribution centres, retail stores, or other types of businesses in foreign nations, they must be aware of their effect on _____________ cultures.

Accepted Answer

indigenous

Question 11

Define monochronic.

Accepted Answer

Seeing time as linear and sequential, and focus on one thing at a time in a logical progression. Examples: Canada, Germany, Britain, Scandinavia, Japan (ish)

Question 12

Define polychronic.

Accepted Answer

Seeing time as involving many things happening simultaneously with the participation of many people. Time is elastic and meeting times are flexible. Examples: Mediterranean and Latin cultures - France, Greece, and Mexico, as well as some eastern and African cultures.

Question 13

What are some characteristics of meetings in Monochronic cultures?

Accepted Answer

- prompt beginnings and endings - scheduled breaks - deal with one agenda at a time - rely on specific communication - participants talk in sequence - lateness viewed as showing lack of respect

Question 14

What are some characteristics of meetings in Polychronic cultures?

Accepted Answer

- flexible start and end times - breaks happen when appropriate - don't follow a rigid agenda - often deal in broad concepts - anyone with ideas may speak - lateness not taken personally

Question 15

Define spatial perception

Accepted Answer

refers to individual comfort levels with personal space and physical contact.

Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Culture of Japan vs. Saudi Arabia, impact of culture on the labour market, time and spacial perception, Hofstede's five cultural dimensions Flashcards

Brainscape's Knowledge Genome^TM