Question 1

Google was forced by the Chinese government to establish a new site, Google.cn.

Accepted Answer

Google was indeed forced by the Chinese government to establish a new site, Google.cn, in compliance with their censorship laws.

Question 2

An unauthorised representation of a copyrighted work, a patented invention or a trademark is called an imitated good.

Accepted Answer

An unauthorised representation of a copyrighted work, a patented invention or a trademark is called a counterfeit good, not an imitated good.

Question 3

Studies on product adaptation show that a minority of products have to be modified for the international marketplace in one way or another.

Accepted Answer

Most products undergo some form of modification for the international marketplace to meet local laws, cultural norms, consumer preferences, or other regional specifications.

Question 4

The colour white is gaining popularity in industrialised countries because name brands want to be confused with generic products.

Accepted Answer

The color white is gaining popularity in industrialized countries because it is often associated with simplicity, cleanliness, and modernity, not because name brands want to be confused with generic products.

Question 5

The core product may be highly similar to those of its competitors, meaning the marketer must use augmented features of the product in order to achieve differentiation.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. When the core products of competitors are highly similar, marketers must look for ways to differentiate their products through augmented features such as quality, design, packaging, after-sales service, and branding. These features can add value to the product in the eyes of customers and make it stand out from the competition.

Question 6

The ISO 9000 and 14000 international standards have not been widely accepted by many organisations across all industrial sectors in China.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. The ISO 9000 and 14000 international standards have actually gained widespread acceptance in China, with many organisations across various sectors becoming certified in these standards.

Question 7

A customer attaches value to a product in proportion to its perceived ability to help solve problems or meet needs.

Accepted Answer

Customers buy products or services because they believe it will help them solve a problem or meet a need. The perceived ability of a product to meet those needs determines the value that the customer attaches to it.

Question 8

Economic integration is a driving force in making markets more unified and therefore making product standardisation more likely.

Accepted Answer

Economic integration, such as free trade agreements or customs unions, aims to reduce trade barriers and promote the flow of goods and services among member countries. As a result, markets become more unified and it becomes easier for businesses to trade and sell their products in other countries. This can lead to increased pressure for product standardisation in order to meet the requirements and regulations of various markets.

Question 9

While Chinese customers may view Japanese products quite positively regarding their quality, historical animosity towards Japan may prevent them from buying Japanese goods or cause them to prefer goods from other sources.

Accepted Answer

Although Japanese products are generally perceived as of high quality in China, lingering tensions from historical events such as World War II may influence Chinese consumers to avoid purchasing Japanese goods or to favor products from other countries.

Question 10

The more exporters learn about local market characteristics in individual markets, the more they are able to establish similarities and, as a result, customise their marketing approach.

Accepted Answer

Learning about local market characteristics typically leads to identifying differences rather than similarities, prompting exporters to adapt or customize their marketing approach to fit each unique market.

Question 11

Government regulations often present the most stringent requirements.

Accepted Answer

Government regulations are created with the purpose of protecting public health, safety, and the environment, and often have strict requirements that businesses must comply with.

Question 12

The characteristics and behaviour of intended customer groups are as important as governmental influences on the product adaptation decision.

Accepted Answer

Understanding the characteristics and behaviour of intended customer groups is crucial in determining how a product should be adapted for a particular market. This information can guide decisions related to product features, packaging, pricing, and promotion that would resonate with the target customers. While governmental influences can also influence product adaptation decisions, their impact may be secondary to the demands and preferences of the intended customer groups.

Question 13

Backward innovation is when a company produces a drastically simplified version of a product due to lack of purchasing power or usage conditions.

Accepted Answer

Backward innovation is a strategy used by companies to produce simplified versions of their products that are more affordable and accessible for customers in emerging markets or low-income contexts. This approach involves reducing features and functionalities to lower costs without sacrificing quality or safety.

Question 14

For the Australian market, video poker screens are built to take a beating because Australian gamblers take losing more personally than anywhere else.

Accepted Answer

The passage states that "Australian gamblers take losing more personally than anywhere else," which implies that video poker screens are built to withstand more abuse in Australia than in other countries.

Question 15

Economic integration usually reduces discriminatory governmental regulation.

Accepted Answer

Economic integration typically involves the reduction of trade barriers and the harmonization of regulations between participating countries, leading to a reduction in discriminatory governmental regulation.

Question 16

Often, no concrete product changes are needed, only a change in the product's positioning.

Accepted Answer

Sometimes, the way a product is perceived or marketed can be more important than any physical changes to the product itself. Finding a new target audience, highlighting a different value proposition, or rebranding can all be effective ways to improve a product's performance without changing its features or functionality.

Question 17

Non-tariff barriers include testing or approval procedures.

Accepted Answer

Non-tariff barriers can include various regulations such as testing or approval procedures for imports, which can make it more difficult or costly for foreign products to access the domestic market.

Question 18

Products can be differentiated by their composition, by their country of origin, by their tangible features such as packaging or quality, or by their core features such as warranty.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Products can be differentiated by their composition,...

Question 19

Government regulations are probably the single most important factor contributing to product adaptation and, because of bureaucratic red tape, often the most cumbersome and frustrating factor to deal with.

Accepted Answer

Government regulations can significantly impact product adaptation and can also create obstacles due to bureaucratic procedures, making it challenging to navigate through the system.

Question 20

In some cases, the situation in a developing market may require backward innovation; that is, the market may require a drastically simplified version of the firm's product due to lack of purchasing power or usage conditions.

Accepted Answer

Developing markets may have different needs and limitations compared to developed markets. Backward innovation refers to simplifying the product to meet the specific demands of these markets. This can include changes to the design, functionality, and packaging of the product to make it more affordable, accessible, and appropriate for local consumers.

Quiz 9: Product policy and adaptation in international markets