Test 2

Question 1

What is the definition of culture?

Answer 1

A set of shared values, understandings, assumptions, and goals that are learned from earlier generations, imposed by present members of society, and passed on to succeed generation

Question 2

What is the difference between subcultures and stereotyping?

Answer 2

Subcultures are smaller groups with unique values within a larger culture, while stereotyping generalizes attributes of a group​.

Question 3

How does religion affect the workplace?

Answer 3

Religious beliefs influence workplace values, holidays, and behaviors, which can impact management practices​.

Question 4

What are Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions?

Answer 4

Power Distance, Uncertainty Avoidance, Individualism vs. Collectivism, Masculinity vs. Femininity, and Long-Term vs. Short-Term Orientation, Indugence vs. Restraint

Question 5

What are cultural clusters?

Answer 5

Groupings based on cultural similarities across regions​

Question 6

What is the communication process?

Answer 6

Involves a sender, receiver, and potential “noise” from cultural misunderstandings​.

Question 7

Define high-context and low-context communication.

Answer 7

High-context (e.g., Japan) relies on implicit understanding, while low-context (e.g., USA) is direct and explicit​.

Question 8

What are examples of nonverbal communication?

Answer 8

Body language, proxemics (space), kinesics (movement), and paralanguage (tone)​.

Question 9

What is the difference between monochronic and polychronic cultures?

Answer 9

Monochronic (e.g., US) views time linearly, while polychronic (e.g., Latin America) is more fluid and multitasks​.

Question 10

What are the five stages of negotiation?

Answer 10

Preparation, Relationship Building, Exchanging Information, Persuasion, and Agreement​.

Question 11

Describe negotiation styles in different regions.

Answer 11

Americans are direct; Japanese seek harmony; Arabs focus on honor and indirect communication​.

Question 12

How does culture influence decision-making?

Answer 12

It affects whether decisions are made autocratically or collaboratively.

Question 13

What is the strategic role of International HR Management (IHRM)?

Answer 13

To align HR with global strategy, manage expat, and local employees effectively.

Question 14

What are the phases of culture shock?

Answer 14

Honeymoon, Hostility, Adjustment, and Biculturalism.

Question 15

What components are included in expat compensation?

Answer 15

Salary, taxes, allowances, and benefits to ensure equity and retention.

Question 16

Why are international assignments important for management?

Answer 16

They build a global perspective essential for top management roles​.

Question 17

What are key strategies for expat retention and repatriation?

Answer 17

Preparation, continuous HQ communication, visible value, and career planning upon return​.

Question 18

What are the main challenges of virtual and global management teams?

Answer 18

They involve communication technology, cultural understanding, and managing geographical differences​.

Question 19

What is the role of women in international management?

Answer 19

Although underutilized, women contribute significantly; opportunities vary globally.

Question 20

According to the professor’s friend, what is the biggest culture shock?

Answer 20

Small Talk

Question 21

What is Uncertainty Avoidance?

Answer 21

The extent to which people feel threatened by ambiguity or unknown situations and seek to minimize uncertainty with rules and structure.

Question 22

Give an example of a region with low Uncertainty Avoidance.

Answer 22

Singapore – where flexibility and adaptability to change are valued, and there is less emphasis on strict rules.

Question 24

What problems might arise when regions with low and high Power Distance interact?

Answer 24

A: A Swedish manager might expect employees to challenge ideas and make decisions independently, while Malaysian employees may expect clear direction and hesitate to speak up, leading to misunderstandings about respect and initiative.

Question 25

What is Uncertainty Avoidance?

Answer 25

The extent to which people feel threatened by ambiguity or unknown situations and seek to minimize uncertainty with rules and structure.

Question 26

Give an example of a region with low Uncertainty Avoidance.

Answer 26

Western Countires

Question 27

Give an example of a region with high Uncertainty Avoidance.

Answer 27

Middle East, Latin, Eastern Asia

Question 28

What problems might arise when regions with low and high Uncertainty Avoidance interact?

Answer 28

A Singaporean team may embrace flexible, evolving plans, while a Greek team might feel stressed and demand specific procedures, potentially causing frustration on both sides due to differing comfort levels with ambiguity.

Question 29

What is Individualism vs. Collectivism?

Answer 29

It reflects whether people in a society prefer to act as individuals (individualism) or as part of a group (collectivism)(Typically refering to extended family unit).

Question 30

Give an example of a region with high Collectivism.

Answer 30

Eastern Asia, Latin America

Question 31

Give an example of a region with high Individualism.

Answer 31

Western Europe, America, Nordic

Question 32

What problems might arise when regions with high Individualism and Collectivism interact?

Answer 32

An American manager may encourage employees to share personal achievements, which could make Chinese employees uncomfortable, as they might prefer recognizing team accomplishments over individual praise.

Question 33

What is Masculinity vs. Femininity?

Answer 33

It reflects the extent to which a society emphasizes traditional masculine traits like competitiveness and achievement versus feminine traits like cooperation and quality of life.

Question 34

Give an example of a region with high Femininity.

Answer 34

Scandanavian

Question 35

Give an example of a region with high Masculinity.

Answer 35

Japan – where competition, achievement, and material success are emphasized.

Question 36

What problems might arise when regions with high Masculinity and Femininity interact?

Answer 36

Japanese colleagues may focus on competitive performance metrics, while Swedish colleagues might prioritize teamwork and harmony, leading to differing expectations on project goals and reward structures.

Question 37

What is Long-Term vs. Short-Term Orientation?

Answer 37

It measures whether a society values long-term planning and perseverance (long-term) or short-term traditions and quick results (short-term).

Question 38

Give an example of a region with high Short-Term Orientation.

Answer 38

United States – where there is a focus on quick results and maintaining established traditions.

Question 39

Give an example of a region with high Long-Term Orientation.

Answer 39

China – where future-oriented values like perseverance, thrift, and long-term planning are emphasized.

Question 40

What problems might arise when regions with high Long-Term and Short-Term Orientation interact?

Answer 40

A Chinese partner may focus on long-term investment and gradual growth, while an American partner might expect immediate returns, potentially causing tension over project timelines and financial strategies.

Question 41

What is Indulgence vs. Restraint?

Answer 41

It reflects the extent to which a society allows relatively free gratification of basic human drives related to enjoying life and having fun (Indulgence) versus suppressing gratification through strict social norms (Restraint).

Question 42

Q: Give an example of a region with high Restraint.

Answer 42

Russia – where there is a tendency to suppress gratification of needs and regulate behavior through strict social norms.

Question 43

Give an example of a region with high Indulgence.

Answer 43

Mexico – where enjoying life and having fun are encouraged, and there is a higher emphasis on leisure and freedom of expression.

Question 44

What problems might arise when regions with high Indulgence and high Restraint interact?

Answer 44

A Mexican team may prioritize social activities and express emotions openly, while a Russian team might focus on strict work protocols and suppress personal expressions, potentially leading to misunderstandings regarding professionalism and work-life balance expectations.

Question 45

What is the Preparation stage in negotiation?

Answer 45

Negotiators gather information, develop a profile of counterparts, identify demands, and set negotiation goals.

Question 46

How does culture affect the Preparation stage in negotiation?

Answer 46

In high-context cultures like Japan, preparation involves learning about personal relationships and context, while in low-context cultures like the U.S., preparation focuses more on data, facts, and logistical planning​.

Question 47

What is the Relationship Building stage in negotiation?

Answer 47

Negotiators establish rapport and trust with their counterparts, often before discussing specific issues.

Question 48

How does culture affect the Relationship Building stage?

Answer 48

In collectivist cultures such as China, building trust and personal relationships is essential before business can proceed. In individualistic cultures like Germany, negotiators may prefer to move quickly to task-related discussions, viewing relationship building as less critical​.

Question 49

What is the Exchanging Information stage in negotiation?

Answer 49

Negotiators present their positions and preferences, sharing relevant information about needs and constraints.

Question 50

How does culture affect the Exchanging Information stage?

Answer 50

In high-context cultures, like France, negotiators may communicate indirectly and enjoy debate, while in low-context cultures, like the U.S., negotiators tend to be direct, clear, and factual in presenting their positions.

Question 51

What is the Persuasion stage in negotiation?

Answer 51

Negotiators attempt to influence the other party, using arguments, reasoning, and sometimes “dirty tricks” or nonverbal cues.

Question 52

How does culture affect the Persuasion stage?

Answer 52

In individualistic cultures such as the U.S., persuasion is often direct and fact-based, while in collectivist cultures like Japan, persuasion may be subtle, using nonverbal cues and emphasizing harmony over confrontation.

Question 53

What is the Agreement stage in negotiation?

Answer 53

Negotiators make concessions and reach a mutually accepted agreement, often formalized in a contract.

Question 54

How does culture affect the Agreement stage?

Answer 54

In cultures like Russia, negotiators may start with extreme positions and gradually concede, while in cultures like Sweden, negotiators prefer starting closer to the actual terms to reach an agreement faster​.