Deck 2: Challenges for Managers

Question 1

An expatriate manager is one who:

A)has left a transnational organization to work for a competitor
B)works within a foreign-owned company within their own country
C)works in a country other than his or her home country
D)has given his or her allegiance to a transnational type of organization over a more national/domestic perspective

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Many U.S.and Canadian firms have located manufacturing plants in Mexico to take advantage of lower labor costs.Additionally, many tariffs on U.S.exports have been reduced.These global changes occurred because of:

A)the European union
B)GATT agreements
C)NAFTA
D)Perestroika

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Given the increasing attractiveness of U.S.business ventures in China, a major challenge for Western managers will be understanding the Chinese practice of guanxi, which is:

A)the strong use of rewards and punishment in the workplace
B)the use of personal connections to conduct business
C)the practice of group members evaluating the performance of individual group members
D)the tendency to negotiate small but specific agreements in order to interact effectively

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which type of challenge necessitates changes in individual and group behavior, information flows, work design, social interactions, and organizational structure?

A)challenge of managing ethical behavior
B)challenge of work force diversity
C)challenge of globalization
D)all of the above

Question 5

The work of Hofstede is important because his studies revealed that more differences in work-related attitudes can be explained by:

A)gender
B)profession
C)national culture
D)age

Question 6

While traditional classroom management development is important, IBM takes 10% of their top management prospects and:

A)sends them around the world as part of their Corporate Service Core
B)builds teamwork through an Outward Bound experience
C)assigns them to 10 member teams who engage in joint ventures with the Peace Corps
D)exposes them to the cultural attributes of key countries

Question 7

An effective way to begin a Kentucky Fried Chicken in China would be to:

A)identify a broker in Singapore to identify sources for Asian venture capital
B)put together a consortium of Western and Asian entrepreneurs to begin the franchise in China
C)develop a joint venture with government bodies in China
D)develop an alliance with another Asian fast-food restaurant, such as the Japanese or Taiwanese, and share the risk in China

Question 8

Ford found itself at a disadvantage in the China market relative to GM because the Chinese developed a joint-venture with GM in the 1990s. Ford also ran into domestic challenges beginning in 2008 and was humiliated with both GM and Chrysler by Congress. Ford has responded to these challenges by:

A)paying off TARP money faster than both GM and Chrysler
B)successfully rebounding after bankruptcy proceedings
C)making the resolve to "go it alone"
D)developing a joint venture with India to counter the GM-China joint venture

Question 9

According to Hofstede's research, the country displaying cultural characteristics most similar to the U.S.is:

A)Japan
B)Sweden
C)Italy
D)Canada

Question 10

Gifts are not usually a requirement in business dealings, though presenting a small gift will generally be appreciated as a gesture of goodwill in which of the following cultures?

A)Mexico
B)Japan
C)Saudi Arabia
D)Canada

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT one of the major challenges that managers must deal with in order to remain competitive?

A)globalizing the firm's operations to compete in the global village
B)managing ethical behavior, good character, and personal integrity
C)managing a diverse workforce
D)anticipating changes in foreign currency valuations

Question 12

In the Business Guide to Cultural Differences provided by the textbook, which of the following statements would be most accurate regarding the culture of Japan?

A)It is considered rude to be late.
B)Punctuality is not always a priority.
C)It is customary to make appointments for approximate times of the day rather than precise hours.
D)Women should expect to wear hosiery and high heels.

Question 13

According to the research of Hofstede, U.S.managers tend to exhibit which of the following cultural characteristics?

A)collectivism, long-term orientation, and high power distance
B)low uncertainty avoidance, masculinity, and collectivism
C)weak power distance, short-term orientation, and individualism
D)high tolerance for uncertainty, collectivism, and strong power positions

Question 14

Hofstede's cross-cultural research found that Japanese managers valued:

A)high risk taking
B)group decisions
C)a short-time perspective
D)individualism

Question 15

In which of the following cultures should you avoid directly saying no?

A)Japan
B)Saudi Arabia
C)Mexico
D)Canada

Question 16

Hofstede's work casts doubt on the:

A)ability of cross-cultural attitudes to predict job-related attitudes
B)use of masculinity versus femininity as an orientation that has cultural variation
C)use of time as an orientation that differs across cultures
D)the universal applicability of U.S.management theories

Question 17

Globalization implies all of the following except:

A)the world is free from national boundaries
B)a borderless world
C)competition between workers from other countries
D)an organization's nationality is held strongly in consciousness

Question 18

Which of the following was NOT recommended as a technique for increasing the sensitivity of differences between people from various cultures?

A)describing one another's culture
B)cultural sensitivity training
C)role analysis technique (RAT)
D)cross-cultural task forces or teams

Question 19

Executive performance bonuses, high position power, and tactical or short-range planning suggest a corporate culture that emphasizes:

A)low risk taking
B)consensus decision making
C)high uncertainty avoidance
D)individualism

Question 20

A transnational organization is one where:

A)an organization's nationality is held strongly in the consciousness of managers even though the organization competes on a global scale
B)the global viewpoint supersedes national issues
C)the global and national interests are linked in an overriding perspective
D)a prevalent ethnic viewpoint begins to be held strongly in the consciousness of managers

Question 21

The Golden Opportunity? in Real World 2.1 described Linda Myers' challenging experience with SK Telecom in South Korea. Myers' 'lessons learned' included all of the following Except:

A)cultural training may not prepare you for the reality
B)clearly-understand your mandate
C)day to day misunderstandings should be bothersome
D)take the time to think about new ways of working

Question 22

Which of the following sources of diversity has received increasing attention by explaining how homophobia affects productivity?

A)culture
B)gender
C)sexual orientation
D)social status

Question 23

Which of the following statements/statistics about women in the workforce is incorrect?

A)The labor force participation rate of women is approximately 70%.
B)Women held 14.4% of the corporate officer positions in Fortune 500 companies.
C)Women currently comprise somewhat more than 46% of the U.S.workforce and by the year 2020 may be nearly 50%.
D)On average, women earn 90% of what men earn from work.

Question 24

Corporations that shatter the glass ceiling have many practices in common; however, these practices do NOT include:

A)upper-management support for the advancement of women
B)women representation on committees that address strategic business issues
C)targeting women for participation in executive education
D)systems that identify women for advancement with certain quotas in place

Question 25

With respect to the multiple roles assumed by women, which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Men have been favorably predisposed to adopt the sharing of domestic responsibilities.
B)Working women often find themselves in the position of caring for the elderly parents.
C)Arranging for child care is typically the woman's responsibility.
D)Women have been quick to adopt the provider role.

Question 26

Evidence at Pizza Hut, which employs over 3,000 disabled workers and plans to hire more, suggests that turnover rates for disabled employees may be only what percent of the normal turnover rate?

A)40%
B)30%
C)20%
D)10%

Question 27

Which statement regarding the glass ceiling is most correct?

A)The glass ceiling has been recently found to apply equally to males and females.
B)The glass ceiling is a barrier that has been traced to a lack of ability.
C)The glass ceiling, like Cinderella's glass slipper, has resulted in a temporary movement of women into political leadership positions throughout the world.
D)The glass ceiling is a transparent barrier that keeps women from rising above a certain level in organizations.

Question 28

The globalization of business and changing demographic trends will present organizations with a tremendously culturally diverse workforce which represents the risk that:

A)prejudices and stereotypes will prevent managers and employees from developing a synergy that can benefit the organizations
B)families will not be left intact
C)values will begin to erode
D)opportunities will not be available

Question 29

The Americans with Disabilities Act defines disabled as:

A)persons with permanent physical and mental problems
B)anyone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
C)individuals with physical impairments only
D)those who cannot work

Question 30

The issue concerning Oscar Pistorius of South Africa competing in the 2008 Olympics focuses on the:

A)issue of age diversity because he is over 55 years of age
B)issue of gender diversity due to transgender athletes
C)ability diversity and the use of prosthetic legs
D)issue of cultural diversity and whether Oscar truly represents South Africa

Question 31

Which of the following competencies was NOT indicated as important to the development of an international career?

A)integrity
B)insightfulness
C)risk taking
D)competence in several foreign languages

Question 32

Which generation of workers tends to be impatient, wants short-term gratification, and puts family before work?

A)silent generation
B)Generation Y
C)baby busters
D)baby boomers

Question 33

Attention to diversity has particularly increased in recent years because of:

A)the use of telecommunications
B)the opportunity for use of lower cost labor in other countries
C)the changing demographics of the working population
D)legislation

Question 34

A manufacturer of products for outdoor enthusiasts offers flextime and the opportunity to take up to four months of unpaid leaves of absence.This type of organization would most appeal to which generation?

A)post Vietnam War babies
B)baby boomers
C)depression era generation
D)baby busters

Question 35

If you were born from 1965 to 1976 you could be called:

A)part of the silent generation
B)a Gen X'er
C)a baby boomer
D)a Gen Y'er

Question 36

According to your text, African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans are likely to be at a disadvantage within organizations because:

A)they are under-represented in declining occupations
B)they tend to live in a small number of large cities that are facing severe economic difficulties
C)available jobs in the future will require less skill than in the past
D)the proportion of African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans who are qualified for higher level jobs are often higher than the proportion of qualified whites and Asian-Americans

Question 37

The representation of individuals with disabilities in the workforce is expected to increase dramatically because:

A)of EEO
B)a larger portion of society has some type of disability
C)of the Americans with Disabilities Act
D)of companies like Pizza Hut and McDonald's

Question 38

Individuals born between 1965 and 1976 are known as the:

A)baby boomers
B)swing generation
C)Generation Y
D)baby busters

Question 39

Which generation of workers tends to strive for moral rights in the workplace and take a more activist position regarding employee rights?

A)baby boomers
B)silent generation
C)Generation Y
D)Generation X

Question 40

While the globalization of business affects all parts of the organization, which area of the organization is particularly affected?

A)marketing
B)operations
C)MIS
D)human resources

Question 41

Two particular kinds of romances that are hazardous to the workplace include:

A)hierarchical and utilitarian
B)hierarchical and horizontal
C)horizontal and utilitarian
D)hierarchical same sex and horizontal same sex

Question 42

Assume you are the manager of a department with a diverse work group, but white males comprise the largest subgroup.Many of the white males resent having to work along side of female and minority employees who have less seniority and work experience but are paid the same.Several conflicts and incidents have taken place between the white males and others that have disrupted the workplace.Which of the following approaches would be more appropriate and effective in dealing with this situation?

A)Fire the white male perpetrators.
B)Extend preferential treatment to female and minority employees.
C)Urge female and minority employees to take legal action against those who have caused problems.
D)Indicate that discriminatory and other inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and initiate a series of meetings to address the problems and encourage open and frank discussion of the issues.

Question 43

An ethical theory that emphasizes the nature and characteristics of an act is:

A)cultural based
B)motive-based
C)consequence-based
D)rule-based

Question 44

The legal theory involved in a third party retaliatory lawsuit, where the 3rd party claims he or she was fired before the individual could file a discrimination claim as a result of others' office romance is called:

A)romance risk
B)sex plus
C)fraternization frivolity
D)lover's lament

Question 45

Pillsbury is an organization that supports the performance (improved productivity and competitive advantage) case for managing and valuing differences.Managers at Pillsbury argue that:

A)cross-functional teams that emphasize marketing should encourage diversity
B)the same business rationale for other cross-functional teams is relevant to all kinds of diversity
C)increasing diversity reduces the potential for unfair treatment
D)cross-functional teams should be based on market forces

Question 46

In a recent Supreme Court ruling regarding superior-subordinate dating, the court found that:

A)sexual harassment is usually a reciprocal process
B)sexual harassment is very difficult to prove
C)sexual harassment by women is just as frequent as sexual harassment by men
D)employers are liable for acts of their agents and can be liable for sexual harassment

Question 47

The major difference between prejudice and discrimination is:

A)prejudice has been shown to have more of an impact on productivity than discrimination
B)discrimination has been shown to have more of an impact on productivity than prejudice
C)prejudice refers to behavior and discrimination refers to an attitude
D)prejudice refers to an attitude and discrimination refers to behavior

Question 48

Emphasizing the use of inclusive language such as "partner" instead of "spouse" would be directed at what type of diversity?

A)culture
B)social status
C)sexual orientation
D)age

Question 49

Sexual harassment costs the typical Fortune 500 company:

A)$2 million per year
B)$4.7 million per year
C)$6.7 million per year
D)$10 million per year

Question 50

Which of the following is considered a key benefit of diversity?

A)cohesiveness
B)flexibility and adaptation
C)less time in making decisions
D)less thinking that is considered critical

Question 51

Which of the following would not be considered sexual harassment?

A)A male department head is propositioned by a female employee who has bid for a different job that carries a high rate of pay.
B)When congratulating employees for their good work, a male supervisor pats male workers on the shoulder and female workers on their behinds.
C)A female office employee frequently, in a joking fashion, suggests to certain male co-workers that they go to a motel during the lunch hour.
D)In trying to make an important point when issuing job instructions, a male supervisor puts his hand on the employee's shoulder.He does this with both male and female employees.

Question 52

Corporations and business enterprises are more prone to subscribe to:

A)cultural relativism
B)universal moralism
C)consequential ethics
D)rule-based ethics

Question 53

The implicit or explicit demands for sexual favors by threatening negative job-related consequences or promising job-related rewards is considered:

A)gender harassment
B)biased sexual force
C)sexual coercion
D)sexual exploitation

Question 54

Crude comments or sexual jokes and behaviors that disparage someone's sex or convey hostility is considered which type of sexual harassment?

A)sexual coercion
B)exploitation
C)gender harassment
D)sexual abuse

Question 55

If a pregnant woman claimed that a manager's failed office romance caused him to focus more on her work, thus increasing her work demands, could result in a discrimination claim based on:

A)gender plus
B)utilitarian romance
C)hierarchical romance
D)sexual harassment

Question 56

All of the following are reasons PMI (Phillip Morris International) attempts to justify the selling of tobacco products except:

A)engaging in reducing the harmful effects of tobacco for those who want to continue to use their products
B)marketing smokeless tobacco world wide
C)arguing that even if PMI shut down, the tobacco industry would go underground because of demand for tobacco
D)contributing to the Bloomberg/Gates antismoking campaign

Question 57

A well-known consequential theory which suggests that right and wrong is determined by the consequence of the action and we should maximize the most good for the greatest number of people is:

A)cultural relativism
B)universal moralism
C)utilitarianism
D)rule-based theory

Question 58

According to Real World feature 2.2 regarding romantic involvements in the workplace, the new threat of the office romance to organizations includes:

A)employers being liable for acts of their agents (supervisors)
B)the extension of the agency principle to coworkers who are romantically involved
C)quid pro quo relationships
D)legal liability and retaliatory lawsuits filed by third parties

Question 59

Which statement best captures the spirit of managing diversity?

A)It is being a good corporate citizen.
B)It is complying with affirmative action.
C)It is assimilating women and minorities into a dominant male culture.
D)It is a painful examination of hidden assumptions that employees hold.

Question 60

Which of the following is NOT a classification for ethical theories?

A)humanitarian
B)rule-based
C)consequential
D)cultural

Question 61

A cultural orientation where people belong to a loose social framework and their primary concern is for themselves and their families is based on power distance.

Question 62

A Japanese manager employed at the Honda plant in Marysville, Ohio, is an expatriate.

Question 63

A female employee is issued a written reprimand when returning late from lunch.A male employee in the same department returns late and is not disciplined.This issue represents a question of:

A)sexual harassment
B)procedural justice
C)uniform standards
D)distributive justice

Question 64

A transnational business firm operates only in the European Union.

Question 65

A collectivistic culture displays an orientation in which relationships and group decision making are valued.

Question 66

The obligation of an organization to behave in ethical ways is known as:

A)social environmentalism
B)organizational morality
C)social responsibility
D)ethical imperative

Question 67

The glass ceiling is a unique phenomenon to the United States.

Question 68

An office romance is:

A)immoral
B)a form of sexual harassment
C)likely to create a conflict of interest situation
D)a violation of most corporate codes of ethics and may subject the participants to disciplinary action

Question 69

American business firms will only be successful in China if they master the practice of guanxi.

Question 70

High uncertainty avoidance is associated with high risk taking.

Question 71

An organization in which the national viewpoint supersedes the global viewpoint is a transnational organization.

Question 72

Whistle-blowing is:

A)an example of white-collar crime
B)legally protected
C)an illustration of distributive justice
D)unethical

Question 73

While women's participation in the workforce is increasing, their share of the rewards of participation is not increasing commensurately.

Question 74

Globalization implies that the world is free from national boundaries and that it is really a borderless world.

Question 75

Hofstede's research on culture showed that national culture explains more differences in work-related attitudes than does age.

Question 76

The Science Feature of Chapter 2 reported the results of a study using the Integrity Thermometer to measure dimensions of ethical culture (ie.clarity, congruence, etc.) as they relate to 5 response alternatives (inaction, confrontation, reporting to management, calling the ethics hotline, and external whistle-blowing). Implications of this study for management is best reflected by which of the following?

A)Cultures with ethical clarity were more likely to foster an encouragement for inaction and whistle-blowing
B)Transparency in the ethical culture discouraged whistle-blowing
C)Cultures with sanctions for wrong doing encouraged inaction and whistle-blowing
D)Adopting an integrated approach that offers alternative routes for reporting wrong doing contributes significantly to an organization's self-correcting capacity

Question 77

Hofstede's work casts doubt on the universal applicability of U.S.management theories.

Question 78

When the Japanese questioned the salaries of American CEOs during a time when many companies were in difficulty and laying off workers, they were making their judgments based upon:

A)utilitarian justice
B)distributive justice
C)procedural justice
D)rule-based justice

Question 79

Women held only 14.4% of senior management positions in Fortune 500 organizations.

Question 80

Women salaries persist at a level of 80% of their male counterparts.