Deck 17: Managing Global Human Resources

Question 1

Geert Hofstede called the extent to which less powerful members of institutions accept and expect an unequal power distribution ________.

A)masculinity
B)individualism
C)power distance
D)tolerance for ambiguity

Answer 1

C
Explanation: C)A study by Professor Geert Hofstede identified international cultural differences. For example, Hofstede says societies differ in power distance, which is the extent to which the less powerful members of institutions accept and expect an unequal distribution of power.

Question 2

The official length of a work week in the European Union is 40 hours.

Answer 2

False
Explanation: The EU sets the workweek at 48 hours, but most EU countries set it at 40 hours a week.

Question 3

In which country do individuals have a high acceptance of unequal power distribution between managers and subordinates?

A)Mexico
B)Hong Kong
C)Sweden
D)United States

Answer 3

A
Explanation: A)Power distance represents the extent to which the less powerful members of institutions accept and expect an unequal distribution of power. Studies show that acceptance of such inequality is higher in some countries (such as Mexico)than in others (such as Sweden). Mexican workers expect managers to keep their distance rather than to be close, and to be formal rather than informal.

Question 4

Which of the following is a true statement regarding the European Union?

A)EU employers must provide employees with written terms of their employment.
B)EU employers must provide two weeks' notice when dismissing employees.
C)Each EU country pays workers the same minimum hourly wage.
D)Workers in the EU must live and work in their home country.

Question 5

The most significant HR challenge faced by international firms is the language barrier.

Question 6

________ are formal, employee-elected groups of worker representatives that meet monthly with managers to discuss topics affecting the employees.

A)Bargaining units
B)Work councils
C)Mediation groups
D)Employee boards

Question 7

Which of the following terms refers to the human resource management concepts and techniques employers use to manage the challenges of their international operations?

A)work councils
B)international human resource management
C)power distance
D)codetermination

Question 8

Of the countries listed below, in which one do production workers receive the lowest hourly wage?

A)United States
B)Philippines
C)Germany
D)Taiwan

Question 9

Codetermination means that employees have a legal right to voice opinions and preferences in setting company policies.

Question 10

Why is recruiting, hiring, and retaining good employees difficult in China?

A)economic difficulties
B)unmotivated workers
C)government restrictions
D)training requirements

Question 11

In Germany, employees have the legal right to a voice in setting company policies. This is called ________.

A)codetermination
B)employment at will
C)internal coordination
D)gainsharing

Question 12

The European Union is best described as a ________.

A)system of global standards, policies, and legislation
B)common market for goods, services, capital, and labor
C)political agreement that standardizes human resource laws
D)political system for equalizing wages, benefits, and taxation

Question 13

According to research, which of the following is a greater concern to Chinese managers than United States managers?

A)getting tasks accomplished efficiently
B)keeping a distance from subordinates
C)enforcing a firm's policies and regulations
D)maintaining a harmonious work environment

Question 14

Daniel is a manager for Siemens China, and it is time to conduct performance appraisals. During the appraisals, it would be most effective for Daniel to ________.

A)link performance with employee bonuses
B)make personal comments to the employee
C)focus on quantifiable, objective results
D)post appraisal results for each team

Question 15

International human resource management (IHRM)focuses on three main topics. Which of the following is NOT one of them?

A)comparing human resource management practices
B)managing human resources in global companies
C)domestic company partnerships
D)managing expatriate employees

Question 16

A major challenge for international businesses is the need to adapt personnel policies and procedures to the differences among countries.

Question 17

In many European countries, ________ replace the union-based worker-management mediations typical in the U.S.

A)HR managers
B)corporate attorneys
C)work councils
D)bargaining units

Question 18

Hourly wages for production workers in the United States are higher than those in Germany.

Question 19

International human resource management (IHRM)is the human resource management concepts and techniques employers use to manage the human resource challenges of their international operations.

Question 20

In China, qualified job candidates are most likely to be interested in a firm that offers ________.

A)signing bonuses
B)performance-based pay
C)job expansion opportunities
D)training and development programs

Question 21

In January 2009, Walmart acquired a controlling interest in Chile's leading food retailer. Since then, Walmart has opened the first environmentally friendly supermarket in Chile that uses energy efficient technology throughout the store. Walmart is planning to open additional stores in Chile over the next seven years. Walmart's top executives are considering the idea of transferring U.S. managers to Chile to oversee the construction and establishment of the new stores. Which of the following, if true, best supports the argument of using expatriates to establish the new Walmart stores in Chile?

A)Local candidates with the necessary managerial experience are difficult to find in Chile.
B)Walmart uses an online recruiting system to facilitate human resources activities.
C)The State Department has issued travel alerts for Americans traveling in Chile.
D)Walmart wants to develop good relationships with the local community.

Question 22

Roberta is an Italian citizen who spent a great deal of time during her childhood in England. She now works in Brazil as an HR manager for a British company. Roberta is best described as a(n)________.

A)expatriate
B)third-country national
C)home-country national
D)host-country national

Question 23

All of the following are reasons that firms rely heavily on locals to fill foreign subsidiary management positions EXCEPT ________.

A)pressure from local government
B)lower costs than using expatriates
C)improved public relations in community
D)high level of skills and technical qualifications

Question 24

Of the types of international workers that multinational companies can employ, locals are best described as ________.

A)citizens of the countries where they are working
B)noncitizens of the countries in which they are working
C)citizens of the country in which the multinational company has its headquarters
D)noncitizens of the country in which the multinational company has its headquarters

Question 25

________ are noncitizens of the countries in which they are working.

A)Home-country nationals
B)Third-country nationals
C)Expatriates
D)Locals

Question 26

In January 2009, Walmart acquired a controlling interest in Chile's leading food retailer. Since then, Walmart has opened the first environmentally friendly supermarket in Chile that uses energy efficient technology throughout the store. Walmart is planning to open additional stores in Chile over the next seven years. Walmart's top executives are considering the idea of transferring U.S. managers to Chile to oversee the construction and establishment of the new stores. Which of the following questions is LEAST relevant to the decision to fill management positions in Chile with expatriates?

A)What will be the relocation and compensation costs to Walmart of using expatriates?
B)What level of corporate control is needed for opening the new Walmart stores?
C)What is the planned Walmart marketing strategy for the new stores in Chile?
D)What is the typical attrition rate for expatriate employees at Walmart?

Question 27

Peter is a German citizen working as a manager for Siemens in Freiberg, Germany. Siemens has facilities all over the world but its headquarters is in Germany. Peter is best categorized as a(n)________.

A)expatriate
B)third-country national
C)home-country national
D)host-country national

Question 28

In a planned economy, such as China, some industries are under the direct control of the government while other industries are free to make pricing and production decisions based on market demand.

Question 29

In China, a structured interview process is the typical method for selecting employees.

Question 30

Which of the following terms refers to citizens of the country in which the multinational company has its headquarters?

A)expatriates
B)third-country nationals
C)home-country nationals
D)locals

Question 31

Which of the following terms refers to citizens of a country other than the parent or the host country?

A)third-country national
B)home-country national
C)multi-national
D)local

Question 32

In a brief essay, discuss the economic and labor relations factors that are unique to Europe.

Question 33

________ are citizens of the countries where they are working.

A)Home-country nationals
B)Multi-nationals
C)Expatriates
D)Locals

Question 34

In January 2009, Walmart acquired a controlling interest in Chile's leading food retailer. Since then, Walmart has opened the first environmentally friendly supermarket in Chile that uses energy efficient technology throughout the store. Walmart is planning to open additional stores in Chile over the next seven years. Walmart's top executives are considering the idea of transferring U.S. managers to Chile to oversee the construction and establishment of the new stores. Which of the following, if true, supports the argument that locals should be hired to fill management positions in Chile?

A)Chile has a high percentage of younger workers with college degrees.
B)Managers in Chile are expected to keep their distance from subordinates.
C)Chile has had an increase in foreign direct investment over the last five years.
D)Chileans expect managers and subordinates to interact in a highly informal manner.

Question 35

Marie is an Italian executive working in a manufacturing plant in Siena, Italy that is owned by a parent company based in Singapore. Marie is a(n)________.

A)local
B)expatriate
C)third-country national
D)home-country national

Question 36

Which of the following is the primary disadvantage of using expatriates to fill foreign subsidiary management positions?

A)high costs associated with relocation
B)time and effort required for training
C)inability to create short-term results
D)security concerns

Question 37

Jason is a British freelance journalist working in Paris, so he is most likely classified as a(n)________.

A)local
B)expatriate
C)third-country national
D)home-country national

Question 38

Sara, who is originally from India, works in Texas for Dell as an IT manager. Dell, which has a localization policy, recently announced that management positions are available in its Bangalore, India facility. If Sara, who wants to return to India, is offered the Bangalore position, she would most likely be categorized as a(n)________.

A)commuter employee
B)independent contractor
C)third-country national
D)permanent transferee

Question 39

Which of the following terms refers to having local employees abroad do jobs that the firm's domestic employees previously did in-house?

A)adapting
B)offshoring
C)enlarging
D)diversifying

Question 40

Call centers that service customers for firms like software and computer hardware companies are increasingly using employees in India to staff the telephones. This is an example of ________.

A)outsourcing
B)offshoring
C)downsizing
D)international staffing

Question 41

Which of the following is the LEAST likely reason that a firm would choose an ethnocentric staffing policy?

A)lack of qualified host-country upper-management candidates
B)goal of reducing misunderstandings with locals
C)need to transfer core competencies effectively
D)desire to maintain a unified corporate culture

Question 42

The majority of multinational corporation management positions are filled by expatriates.

Question 43

What is the primary problem associated with virtual teams at international firms?

A)scheduling meetings
B)agreeing on important issues
C)facilitating group communication
D)building trust among team members

Question 44

In January 2009, Walmart acquired a controlling interest in Chile's leading food retailer. Since then, Walmart has opened the first environmentally friendly supermarket in Chile that uses energy efficient technology throughout the store. Walmart is planning to open additional stores in Chile over the next five years. Walmart's top executives are considering the idea of transferring U.S. managers to Chile to oversee the construction and establishment of the new stores. Which of the following, if true, undermines the argument of using expatriates to establish the new Walmart stores in Chile?

A)Adaptability screening tests indicate that three potential candidates are bilingual and travel overseas frequently.
B)Walmart offers overseas candidates extensive training on cultural differences and adaptation skills.
C)The most qualified Walmart managers have no foreign travel experience and do not speak Spanish.
D)A balance sheet approach is used by Walmart, but workers do not receive hardship allowances for moving to Chile.

Question 45

What value classification refers to a belief that the best manager for a specific position could be in any of the countries in which the firm operates?

A)polycentric
B)ethnocentric
C)geocentric
D)monocentric

Question 46

With a geocentric staffing policy, a firm is most likely able to ________.

A)provide effective training
B)recruit recent college graduates
C)use its human resources efficiently
D)strengthen its image within a local community

Question 47

Which term refers to a group of geographically dispersed co-workers that uses a desktop videoconferencing system to communicate and accomplish tasks for the firm?

A)virtual team
B)telecommuter group
C)permanent transferee
D)short-term international team

Question 48

Which of the following corporate divisions plays the greatest role in offshoring?

A)marketing
B)accounting
C)manufacturing
D)human resources

Question 49

In January 2009, Walmart acquired a controlling interest in Chile's leading food retailer. Since then, Walmart has opened the first environmentally friendly supermarket in Chile that uses energy efficient technology throughout the store. Walmart is planning to open additional stores in Chile over the next seven years. Walmart's top executives are considering the idea of transferring U.S. managers to Chile to oversee the construction and establishment of the new stores. Which of the following, if true, supports the assertion that Walmart is an ethnocentrically oriented corporation?

A)Walmart usually succeeds on an international level because the firm actively works to support local charities.
B)Walmart rarely experiences cultural misunderstandings because of its tendency to hire locals to fill management positions.
C)Walmart aims to maintain a unified organizational culture by filling foreign management positions with Americans.
D)Adaptability screening eliminates problems associated with transferring Walmart managers and their families abroad.

Question 50

Samsung tends to follow an ethnocentric staffing model. From which group will it most likely hire for upper-level management positions at its Texas facility?

A)home-country nationals
B)host-country nationals
C)third-country nationals
D)local citizens

Question 51

Which of the following terms refers to the belief that home country attitudes, management style, knowledge, evaluation criteria, and managers are superior to anything the host country has to offer?

A)polycentric
B)ethnocentric
C)geocentric
D)monocentric

Question 52

According to research, all of the following will most likely help spouses of expatriates adjust to living in foreign countries EXCEPT ________.

A)close family relationships
B)pre-school age children
C)scheduled vacations
D)language training

Question 53

Third-country nationals hold citizenship in three countries.

Question 54

Mercedes sent a team of executives from Germany to oversee the start-up of its U.S. operations. Which of the following terms best describes the values of Mercedes' top executives?

A)polycentric
B)monocentric
C)ethnocentric
D)geocentric

Question 55

One negative of expatriates is that they can focus too much on short-term results.

Question 56

U.S. employers have most likely experienced an increase in successful expatriate assignments in the last two decades because they have ________.

A)focused on job performance as the main selection criteria
B)increased the number of selection criteria for global assignees
C)provided global assignees with local managers to serve as mentors
D)allowed HR managers to have more control of the global hiring process

Question 57

Which of the following qualities is most closely linked to an employee's success on an international work assignment?

A)technical skills
B)responsibility
C)intelligence
D)flexibility

Question 58

The most common reason that an expatriate fails at an international assignment is ________.

A)incompetence
B)technical demands
C)inability of spouse to adjust
D)language difficulties

Question 59

A corporation that believes that only host country managers can ever really understand the culture and behavior of the host country market would be referred to as ________.

A)polycentric
B)ethnocentric
C)geocentric
D)monocentric

Question 60

Which of the following terms refers to the process of assessing an employee's probable success in handling a foreign transfer?

A)skills placement testing
B)adaptability screening
C)management assessment
D)performance appraisal

Question 61

Before departing for an overseas assignment, an employee would most likely benefit from ________ training.

A)technical
B)interpersonal
C)cross-cultural
D)career development

Question 62

Offshoring involves moving business processes such as manufacturing or call-center operations abroad.

Question 63

Virtual teams consist of geographically dispersed coworkers who interact using a combination of telecommunications and information technologies to accomplish organizational tasks.

Question 64

Firms using a geocentric staffing model will seek the best people for key jobs throughout the organization, regardless of nationality.

Question 65

Describe what an expatriate is and factors that impact expatriate success.

Question 66

What staffing options do multinational firms have when filling positions in foreign subsidiaries?

Question 67

The Overseas Assignment Inventory is a test that identifies the characteristics and attitudes international assignment candidates should have based on norms.

Question 68

Explain what a virtual team is. What are some challenges virtual teams face and how can they be dealt with?

Question 69

Explain the meaning of ethnocentrism, polycentrism, and geocentrism and how those values might affect a multinational company's staffing policy.

Question 70

In a polycentric corporation, the prevailing belief is that home country attitudes, management style, knowledge, and managers are superior to anything the host country might offer.

Question 71

Most North American companies use the ________ approach to formulating expatriate pay.

A)equitable wage rate
B)balance sheet
C)performance
D)total package

Question 72

The least expensive way to fill managerial positions in foreign subsidiaries is with local people.

Question 73

Which approach to formulating expatriate pay involves estimating the employee's expenses in the home country and the host country?

A)balance sheet
B)mobility allowance
C)performance pay
D)hardship method

Question 74

Adaptability screening is a commonly used process to assess the likelihood that an expatriate can reintegrate into his or her home country's culture following a foreign assignment.

Question 75

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using expatriates for staffing foreign subsidiaries?

Question 76

Over the last decade, the majority of U.S. firms have been steadily increasing the size of their expatriate workforces.

Question 77

All of the following are the primary benefits of providing ongoing training to employees on overseas assignments EXCEPT ________.

A)offering educational opportunities
B)developing relationships with co-workers
C)cultivating corporate values and standards
D)providing spousal networking opportunities

Question 78

The most expensive approach to staffing is the polycentric staffing model.

Question 79

To help to ensure success for expatriates on international assignment, companies should provide language training to their spouses.

Question 80

Being childless makes it easier for spouses to adjust to living overseas because of less stress.