Question 1

How are U.S. companies changing in their attitudes toward global experience?

Accepted Answer

A)   Some firms now require international experience for even entry-level positions.
B)   Companies now prefer to use virtual global contacts instead of actually sending employees abroad.
C)   They are starting to discourage international experience, as it leads to unconventional ideas and imbalances in power.
D)   Firms are requiring more international experience as a prerequisite for leadership positions. D

Question 2

What organizational processes are most likely to maximize a firm's global potential? Briefly outline a strategy that would improve the global potential of a hypothetical company of your choice.

Accepted Answer

The organizational processes that are most likely to maximize a firm's global potential include strategic planning, market research, cultural understanding, and effective communication.

To improve the global potential of a hypothetical company, let's take the example of a technology company. The company can start by conducting thorough market research to identify potential markets and understand the needs and preferences of customers in different regions. This will help the company tailor its products and services to meet the specific demands of each market.

Next, the company should focus on developing a strong global strategy that takes into account cultural differences and local business practices. This may involve hiring local talent, establishing partnerships with local businesses, and adapting marketing and sales strategies to fit the cultural context of each market.

Effective communication is also crucial for maximizing global potential. The company should invest in language training for its employees and ensure that communication channels are open and effective across different regions.

Overall, by implementing these organizational processes and strategies, the hypothetical technology company can improve its global potential and expand its presence in international markets.

Question 3

Why does the process of sending managers abroad not automatically lead to a stronger company?

Accepted Answer

A)   Host nations vary in their investment in educating expatriate employees in new skills.
B)   Employees vary in their interest in bringing home new skills they learned while working abroad.
C)   Companies vary in their ability and willingness to apply the skills the employee developed abroad.
D)   Managers vary in their acceptance and understanding of the repatriate employee. C

Question 4

The bar is high for firms, individuals, and teams to achieve a __________ orientation.

Accepted Answer

A)   global
B)   local
C)   national
D)   regional

Question 5

Studies show a correlation between language skills and __________ adjustment, but not between language skills and __________ adjustment.

Accepted Answer

A)   interaction, work
B)   work, interaction
C)   work, general
D)   general, interaction

Question 6

What test includes the dimensions of cultural empathy, emotional stability, and flexibility to assess potential expatriates?

Accepted Answer

A)   Cross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory
B)   Expatriate Psychological Health Scale
C)   International Employee Survey
D)   Multicultural Personality Questionnaire

Question 7

An expatriate charged with the role of socialization and knowledge transfer across organizational units can be described as a __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   bear
B)   bumblebee
C)   spider
D)   wolf

Question 8

Which of these is a major factor in expatriate failure?

Accepted Answer

A)   inability to learn the language
B)   insufficient income
C)   lack of quality food
D)   poor spousal adjustment

Question 9

Which of the following benefits for expatriate employees is often found to be lacking?

Accepted Answer

A)   access to western-style health care
B)   support services for cultural adjustment
C)   language training
D)   home and emergency leave

Question 10

__________ oriented corporations operate within an area involving more than one nation, focus on regional objectives, and exhibit limited multicultural heterogeneity.

Accepted Answer

A)   Globally
B)   Locally
C)   Nationally
D)   Regionally

Question 11

Which of the following components should be included in any pedagogicallysound cross-cultural training program?

Accepted Answer

A)   U.S. and host country history
B)   corporate culture
C)   cultural self-awareness
D)   food and entertainment

Question 12

Short-term assignments are typically defined as less than __________ in length.

Accepted Answer

A)   one month
B)   six months
C)   one year
D)   five years

Question 13

John and Jane Doe have relocated to their new home in Mexico City, and have begun forming a friendship with their neighbor Ana Hernández. To which stakeholder group influencing expatriates does Ana belong?

Accepted Answer

A)   host country nationals
B)   foreign subsidiary
C)   parent company
D)   spouse-family

Question 14

Which of the following is a cost to the company of early repatriation?

Accepted Answer

A)   It will take time for the employee to settle back into routines.
B)   The new position for the employee may be less desirable.
C)   An appropriate replacement must be found for the employee.
D)   The employee must find a new place to live.

Question 15

What is the most common selection criteria used by U.S. firms when choosing an employee for an overseas assignment?

Accepted Answer

A)   family situation
B)   language ability
C)   motivation
D)   technical skills

Question 16

Samsung's program of sending employees to immerse themselves in a Western culture is based on the anthropological principle of __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   activity-based understanding
B)   interaction research
C)   native-led learning
D)   participant observation

Question 17

Which of the following competencies is proposed to provide the professional confidence needed for the challenges of global work?

Accepted Answer

A)   balancing contradictions
B)   broad perspective
C)   cognitive complexity
D)   personal autonomy

Question 18

What is one benefit to reducing the use of expatriates?

Accepted Answer

A)   It is more cost effective to use host country nationals that to relocate expatriates and their families.
B)   It is difficult to find employees willing to relocate to another country.
C)   One can usually find more technically skilled workers in the host country than in the home country.
D)   Immigration and customs laws are making it more difficult to use overseas employees unless absolutely necessary.

Question 19

Consider this quote from Jack Welsh, former head of General Electric: "The Jack Welsh of the future cannot be like me. I've spent my entire career in the United States. The next head of GE will be somebody who has spent time in Bombay, in Hong Kong, in Buenos Aires." Do you believe that this statement is representative of the more general changes in the business world, or is it specific to GE? Why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Consider this quote from Jack Welsh, former...

Question 20

Where does the repatriation process often fall short? Describe specific challenges associate with repatriation after a foreign assignment, and ways in which the corporation could better assist their employee with this process.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Where does the repatriation process often fall...

Exam 8: Developing Global Leaders