Question 1

International business can be considered a change agent.

Accepted Answer

International business, with its ability to enter new markets and introduce new products, can create change in the business environment and society as a whole. It brings new ideas, technologies, and investment to different countries, which can result in improved living standards and economic growth. Therefore, it can be considered a change agent.

Question 2

To take advantage of global markets, marketers are required to standardise all communication and product offerings to blend the cultural and social norms of differing peoples into one branded strategy.

Accepted Answer

Marketers should not always standardise all communication and product offerings as cultures and social norms differ across different regions. Localisation of marketing messages and product offerings should be considered to ensure that the brand can resonate with the target audience.

Question 3

Values are shared beliefs or group norms that have been internalised by individuals.

Accepted Answer

Values are indeed shared beliefs or group norms that have been internalised by individuals.

Question 4

Cultural dimensions frameworks are considered overrated.

Accepted Answer

Cultural dimensions frameworks, such as those proposed by Geert Hofstede, are widely used in cross-cultural studies, international business, and organizational psychology to understand and compare cultural differences. They are considered valuable tools for researchers and practitioners to navigate cultural nuances, though they may have limitations and should not be applied rigidly.

Question 5

Groups that provide the values and attitudes of society and become influential in shaping behaviour are called 'libraries of commerce'.

Accepted Answer

The term "libraries of commerce" refers to institutions that provide resources for learning and research, such as libraries, universities, and museums. Groups that shape values and attitudes are typically referred to as "influencers" or "trendsetters."

Question 6

Education, either formal or informal, plays a major role in the passing on and sharing of culture.

Accepted Answer

Education, whether in schools, universities, or through apprenticeships and community practices, is a key means of transmitting cultural norms, values, traditions, and knowledge from one generation to another. It is through education that individuals learn about their history, language, arts, customs, beliefs, and social roles, and acquire the skills and attitudes needed to participate in their community and society. Without education, cultures risk being lost or diluted over time, as people lack the means or motivation to preserve and share them.

Question 7

In low context cultures context is at least as important as what is actually said.The speaker and the listener rely on a common understanding of the context.

Accepted Answer

In low context cultures, what is actually said is more important than the context. The speaker and the listener may not share a common understanding of the context and rely on explicit language to communicate effectively.

Question 8

Culture is defined as an integrated system of innate behaviour patterns that are distinguishing characteristics of the members of any given society.

Accepted Answer

While culture includes behaviour patterns, it is not limited to innate behaviour patterns. Culture also encompasses learned behaviour, beliefs, values, customs, and artifacts.

Question 9

Australia is an example of a high context culture.

Accepted Answer

Australia is generally considered a low context culture, where communication is expected to be explicit, clear, and direct.

Question 10

The international manager's task is to distinguish relevant cross-cultural and intracultural differences and then to isolate potential opportunities and problems.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The international manager's role includes understanding and navigating cultural differences, and utilizing them to identify potential opportunities and challenges in a global business context.

Question 11

The sensitivity and adaptation to cultural elements by an international firm depends on the firm's level of involvement in the market and the product or service marketed.

Accepted Answer

The level of involvement and the product or service being marketed are important factors that affect a firm's sensitivity and adaptation to cultural elements in an international market. This is because understanding and respecting cultural nuances and differences is essential to successfully entering and operating in a foreign market. A high level of involvement in a market, such as establishing a local presence or investing heavily in marketing, requires a greater understanding and adherence to cultural norms and values than a low level of involvement, such as exporting products. Similarly, the product or service being marketed may require different levels of localization to be successful in different cultural contexts.

Question 12

Japan and Saudi Arabia are examples of high context cultures.

Accepted Answer

High context cultures are those that rely heavily on implicit communication, nonverbal cues, and shared cultural knowledge to convey messages. Both Japan and Saudi Arabia have collectivist cultures that prioritize harmony and indirect communication over individual expression and direct communication. This is reflected in their use of language, body language, and social norms.

Question 13

Forward-translation is translating of a foreign language version back to the original language by a different person from the one who made the first translation.

Accepted Answer

Forward-translation refers to translating a text from the original language into a foreign language, not back to the original language.

Question 14

Culture is primarily passed on by parents to their children, as well as by social organisations, special-interest groups, the government, schools and the church.

Accepted Answer

Culture is primarily transmitted through socialisation, which refers to the process by which individuals learn and adopt cultural norms and beliefs. Parents are the primary agents of socialisation, but other institutions such as schools, religious institutions, and media also play a role in transmitting cultural values and practices.

Question 15

In most cultures, people find in religion a reason for being and legitimacy in the belief that their lives are supreme in comparison to the lives of others.

Accepted Answer

This statement is incorrect as it generalizes all religions and cultures as promoting supremacy over others. While some religions and cultures may promote exclusivity and superiority, others emphasize unity, compassion, and equality among all individuals.

Question 16

Focus groups are segments of management who gather to write opinions based on their perception of the market and stem from the 'jury of executive opinion' research that was conducted in the 1950s.

Accepted Answer

Focus groups are a form of qualitative research where a group of people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging. They are not limited to segments of management nor exclusively related to the 'jury of executive opinion' research method.

Question 17

Verbal language is much more relevant for an international marketer than non-verbal language.

Accepted Answer

Non-verbal language such as gestures, facial expressions, and body language can vary greatly across cultures and can have a significant impact on how messages are interpreted. Therefore, it is important for international marketers to consider both verbal and non-verbal communication when developing marketing strategies.

Question 18

According to the textbook, the process of acculturation is one of the keys to success in international operations.

Accepted Answer

Acculturation refers to the process of adapting to the culture of a foreign country. It is an important factor in international operations as it helps individuals and organizations to understand the cultural norms and values of that country, leading to better communication and business relationships. Acculturated individuals are more likely to be successful in their international endeavors as they are able to navigate the cultural differences effectively.

Question 19

Experimental information is obtained from others through communication, research and education.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Experimental information is obtained from others through...

Question 20

Acculturation is the process of extending one's own culture across boundaries to influence, if not dominate, a competing culture in another global market.It is otherwise known as cultural imperialism.

Accepted Answer

Acculturation refers to the process of cultural change and psychological change that results following meeting between cultures. It involves mutual influences, where elements from both cultures are exchanged and adapted. Cultural imperialism, on the other hand, involves the domination of one culture over another, often without the mutual exchange and adaptation seen in acculturation.

Quiz 5: The cultural environment