Question 1

Which of the following expressions is used to describe one class of transnational innovation developed by worldwide functional managers

Accepted Answer

A)   internally initiated innovations.
B)   nationally integrated innovations.
C)   globally linked innovations.
D)   internationally targeted innovations. C

Question 2

The challenges facing a geographic (country) manager's who must convert corporate strategy into actionable plans for the subsidiary do not include

Accepted Answer

A)   the multiplicity and diversity of constituents whose demands and pressures compete for the geographic (country)  manager's attention.
B)   failure of the country manager to identify and communicate worldwide best practices.
C)   the expectations of headquarters that the country manager will translate broad corporate goals and strategies into specific actions which are responsive to the needs of the subsidiary's national environment.
D)   the need to garner commitment and enthusiasm for the among constituents of the subsidiary with respect to the corporate strategy and the associated actionable plans. B

Question 3

The role of the geographic (country) subsidiary manager has become more difficult in an era of global business units and global customers due to the fact that the manager is accountable for results, but exercises limited authority over the employees and assets situated within the country.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 4

Two key tasks associated with the geographic (country) manager's role as a national defender and advocate are both the responsibility for advocating the subsidiary's role in the MNE's worldwide organization and the responsibility for championing transnational innovations.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

When commodity-like products are transferred internally between an MNE's business units, global business managers will principally develop internal quasi-markets to coordinate cross-border flows of materials, components and finished products.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

To respond to the heightened complexity and diversity associated with managing global operations in the 21st century, MNEs can be expected to increasingly adopt organizational forms characterized by hierarchical structures which emphasize either-or choices in place of forms that emphasize flexible coordinative processes and integrated networks of assets and resources.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Worldwide functional managers are principally responsible for diffusing products and services worldwide between the MNE's geographic units.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

In their role as worldwide intelligence scanners, worldwide functional managers lead efforts to diffuse innovations throughout the MNE by engaging in all of the following activities, except

Accepted Answer

A)   sensing strategically important changes or information in the environments of foreign subsidiaries.
B)   acting as repositories for specialist information.
C)   leading disruptive innovations.
D)   facilitating the communication and transmission of strategically important information to specialists in the business groups or geographic groups.

Question 9

In the transnational organization of today, top management must control global business management, worldwide functional management and geographic (country) subsidiary management, so that three groups would not attempt to provide divergent influence on the corporate strategies.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

While the global business manager must routinely incorporate the perspectives of the geographic (country) managers when formulating the MNE's global business strategy, there is no need to incorporate the perspectives of the worldwide functional managers because these perspectives are incorporated into the formulation of the broader corporate strategy.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Worldwide functional managers are frequently promoted into their positions after having demonstrated functional knowledge that is highly specialized, such as technological capability, marketing expertise or manufacturing know-how, to name a few. This promotion requires that functional managers evolve from secondary staff roles to take active roles in transnational management. While the tasks facing worldwide functional managers will vary widely by specific function, the core roles and responsibilities that all worldwide functional managers should be expected to fulfill are more predictable. Discuss the three core roles and responsibilities, explaining why they are integral to the success of the modern transnational organization. Provide examples to illustrate these roles and responsibilities.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Worldwide functional managers are frequently promoted into...

Question 12

In the transnational, worldwide functional managers are often linked most effectively through informal networks that are nurtured and maintained through frequent meetings, visits and transfers.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

In general, the global business manager, the geographic (country) subsidiary manager and the worldwide functional manager respectively cope with challenges of developing global efficiency and competitiveness, national responsiveness and flexibility, and worldwide innovation and learning capabilities. Nevertheless, it does not mean that they undertake their tasks unilaterally.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Top-level management teams strive to pursue continual renewal within the transnational by engaging in all of the following activities, except

Accepted Answer

A)   questioning and challenging all business groups.
B)   devoting considerable time and effort to reviewing below-budget financial results.
C)   reducing internal bureaucracy and constantly orienting the organization to its customers.
D)   forcing adaptation and learning.

Question 15

The top-level management team should balance all of the following processes in order to fully exploit the MNE's assets and resources and greatly leverage its performance, except

Accepted Answer

A)   formalizing goods flow.
B)   decentralizing decision making.
C)   centralizing scarce resources.
D)   socializing information and knowledge.

Question 16

Which of the following do not constitute part of the strategic tension facing the geographic (country) manager

Accepted Answer

A)   initiating the worldwide diffusion of best practices and innovations developed within the host country.
B)   presenting the "face" of the entire organization at the country level.
C)   responding to the needs and demands of the host country government.
D)   leveraging the MNE's local resources and capabilities to strengthen the firm's worldwide competitive position.

Question 17

The global business manager does not need to be located in the MNE's home country.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

While the role of the geographic (country) subsidiary manager has traditionally concentrated on responsibilities such as identifying sales and profit opportunities, accessing local factors of production and leveraging parent company assets and resources, the modern geographic subsidiary manager's role has evolved to include an expanded set of responsibilities. Discuss the tasks executed by the country manager and propose an associated set of skills that you think would be required by a country manager. Be sure to link these skills to the list of tasks.

Accepted Answer

The answer of While the role of the geographic (country)...

Question 19

As an information broker, the geographic (country) manager must understand the national culture well, and thereby decide how to modify the MNE's goals, strategies and values so that that they become appropriate for the local context.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Which of the following is not considered a key management category in the modern transnational company

Accepted Answer

A)   the top-level corporate executives / managers.
B)   the country subsidiary manager.
C)   the integrated services manager.
D)   the global business manager.

Exam 7: Implementing the Strategy: Building Multidimensional Capabilities

Which of the following expressions is used to describe one class of transnational innovation developed by worldwide functional managers

The challenges facing a geographic (country) manager's who must convert corporate strategy into actionable plans for the subsidiary do not include

The role of the geographic (country) subsidiary manager has become more difficult in an era of global business units and global customers due to the fact that the manager is accountable for results, but exercises limited authority over the employees and assets situated within the country.

Two key tasks associated with the geographic (country) manager's role as a national defender and advocate are both the responsibility for advocating the subsidiary's role in the MNE's worldwide organization and the responsibility for championing transnational innovations.

When commodity-like products are transferred internally between an MNE's business units, global business managers will principally develop internal quasi-markets to coordinate cross-border flows of materials, components and finished products.

Worldwide functional managers are principally responsible for diffusing products and services worldwide between the MNE's geographic units.

In their role as worldwide intelligence scanners, worldwide functional managers lead efforts to diffuse innovations throughout the MNE by engaging in all of the following activities, except

In the transnational organization of today, top management must control global business management, worldwide functional management and geographic (country) subsidiary management, so that three groups would not attempt to provide divergent influence on the corporate strategies.

In the transnational, worldwide functional managers are often linked most effectively through informal networks that are nurtured and maintained through frequent meetings, visits and transfers.

Top-level management teams strive to pursue continual renewal within the transnational by engaging in all of the following activities, except

The top-level management team should balance all of the following processes in order to fully exploit the MNE's assets and resources and greatly leverage its performance, except

Which of the following do not constitute part of the strategic tension facing the geographic (country) manager

The global business manager does not need to be located in the MNE's home country.

As an information broker, the geographic (country) manager must understand the national culture well, and thereby decide how to modify the MNE's goals, strategies and values so that that they become appropriate for the local context.

Which of the following is not considered a key management category in the modern transnational company