Question 1

Culture is not a constant;it evolves over time.

Accepted Answer

Culture is not a fixed or stationary entity, but rather a dynamic and changing one that transforms over time as a result of social, economic, technological, and environmental factors. It is shaped by the interactions and relationships between individuals, groups, and nations, as well as historical events, migrations, and changing values and beliefs. This ongoing process of cultural evolution can result in new traditions, customs, technologies, and artistic expressions, as well as the adaptation or abandonment of old practices and lifestyles.

Question 2

A caste system is:
A)a closed system of stratification.
B)a condition where people tend to perceive themselves in terms of their background.
C)an open system of stratification.
D)a set of moral principles or values that are used to guide and shape a culture.

Accepted Answer

A caste system is a closed system of stratification, where one's social status is determined by birth and is unchangeable. This means that people are restricted to their social positions and have limited opportunities for social mobility.

Question 3

The most widely spoken language in the world is Spanish.

Accepted Answer

The most widely spoken language in the world is actually Mandarin Chinese, followed by Spanish in second place.

Question 4

In business arrangements,the key to 'getting things done' in Australia is through:
A)what you know and who you know.
B)word-of-mouth transactions and interactions.
C)customer client privilege.
D)contract law.

Accepted Answer

Contract law is the key to getting things done in business arrangements in Australia. Contracts provide clarity on the agreed upon terms and responsibilities of all parties involved, and violating a contract can result in legal consequences. While building relationships and networking are important in any business setting, in Australia, contractual obligations hold significant weight in ensuring successful business transactions.

Question 5

Hofstede's pioneer work on cultures was obtained from _________.
A)telephone conversations
B)focus groups
C)questionnaires
D)Internet

Accepted Answer

Hofstede obtained his data on cultures through questionnaires that were administered to IBM employees across the world. The questionnaire contained mainly Likert scale questions that aimed to measure different dimensions of culture, such as power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance and long-term orientation. The responses provided the basis for his groundbreaking analysis and conceptualization of cultural differences.

Question 6

In the United States and Japan,the gesture of making a circle with the thumb and the forefinger is associated with __________ and _________.
A)joy;festive occasions
B)friendliness;money
C)virtue;truth
D)youth;humour

Accepted Answer

In the United States, the gesture is commonly associated with "OK" or approval, while in Japan, it is often associated with money.

Question 7

Conventional banking,which is based on bank interest,is prohibited in Islam.

Accepted Answer

Conventional banking, which is based on bank interest, is prohibited in Islam as it goes against the principle of fairness and equal exchange of value. Instead, Islamic banking operates on principles of profit and loss sharing, and avoids interest-based transactions.

Question 8

Cross-cultural literacy means:
A)an understanding of how cultural differences across and within nations can affect the way in which business is practiced.
B)abstract ideas about what a group believes to be good,right and desirable.
C)the social rules and guidelines that prescribe appropriate behaviour in particular situations.
D)reference to a group of people who share a common set of values and norms.

Accepted Answer

Cross-cultural literacy refers to the ability to understand and navigate cultural differences when conducting business across nations. This includes understanding how culture can impact communication style, negotiation tactics, and business practices. Option A describes this definition accurately. Options B, C, and D refer to aspects of culture but do not fully encompass the concept of cross-cultural literacy.

Question 9

There are the two central components of culture - values and norms.

Accepted Answer

Values and norms are considered the two central components of culture. Values refer to the beliefs and attitudes that people hold and consider important, while norms are the rules and expectations that guide behavior within a culture.

Question 10

With individualism and individual achievement one of the most common elements of social structure in Western societies,one unintended consequence of this philosophy is:
A)that it focuses on becoming a leader more than a manager.
B)that it promotes the opportunity to 'get rich quick'.
C)the lack of company loyalty and failure to gain company-specific knowledge.
D)that it fosters working alone more than in groups.

Accepted Answer

The emphasis on individual achievement in Western societies often leads to employees focusing on their own advancement rather than the success of the company they work for. This can result in a lack of loyalty to the company and a failure to gain company-specific knowledge, as individuals may prioritize their own interests over those of the organization. This can have negative consequences for the company in the long run.

Question 11

In Islamic banking,all except one of the following are honoured principles:
A)the time value of money
B)Shari'a Law
C)no interest (Riba)on loans
D)a Mudaraba contract

Accepted Answer

The time value of money is not an honoured principle in Islamic banking. In fact, it goes against the concept of Riba (interest), which is prohibited in Islamic finance. Sharia law, no interest on loans, and Mudaraba contract are all honoured principles of Islamic banking.

Question 12

Norms include rituals and symbolic behaviour.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Norms include rituals and symbolic behaviour....

Question 13

Australian culture,by and large,has an emphasis on individualism.

Accepted Answer

The Australian culture is often associated with individualism, where individuals are encouraged to be independent, self-reliant, and self-sufficient. This is reflected in various aspects of Australian life such as politics, education, and social norms.

Question 14

The determinants of culture are identified with all but one of the following:
A)religion
B)class
C)education
D)language

Accepted Answer

All four options are commonly considered as determinants of culture, but B is the exception as it refers to social class, which is a product of culture rather than a determinant of it. The other options are widely recognized as key factors that shape cultural values, beliefs, behaviors, and norms. Religion often provides a basis for ethical and moral codes, as well as spiritual guidance and community bonds. Education plays a crucial role in transmitting cultural knowledge and skills, shaping worldviews, and fostering critical thinking. Language is the primary means of communication and expression of culture, reflecting and influencing cultural identity, social relations, and cognitive structures.

Question 15

In Western banking,the measurement of business ______ncides with seasonal ______rough profit and loss statements.
A)revenue;variations
B)loss;expectations
C)profit;reporting
D)units;fluctuations

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is C because profit is measured through profit and loss statements, and reporting is done seasonally.

Question 16

Translation researchers are moving to a system of concept translation where word translation alone is insufficient.

Accepted Answer

Translation researchers are recognizing that a simple word-for-word translation may not adequately convey the meaning or nuances of the original text. Therefore, there is a shift towards a concept translation approach, which considers the overall meaning and cultural context of the source text to create a more accurate and effective translation.

Question 17

Two main dimensions of social structure are (i)the degree to which the basic unit of social organisation is the individual and (ii)the degree to which a society is stratified into classes or castes.

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately describes the two main dimensions of social structure. The first dimension refers to individualism versus collectivism, while the second dimension refers to social stratification.

Question 18

In an example of cultures such as Australia and China where there is a noticeable difference in work-related values,an international business with operations in both countries always vary their management processes and practices to account for these differences.

Accepted Answer

Not all international businesses always vary their management processes and practices; some may adopt a standardized approach across different cultures.

Question 19

The Koran explicitly forbids interest to be paid to lenders.Consequently,Islamic banks make their money using two different methods.These are through the __________ methods.
A)Mudarabah and Murabaha
B)Sukuk and Wadiah
C)Musharakah and Hibah
D)Ijarah and Qardhul Hassan

Accepted Answer

Islamic banks make their money using two methods - Mudarabah and Murabaha. Mudarabah is a profit-sharing investment partnership, where the bank acts as a financier, and the borrower acts as an entrepreneur. In Murabaha, the bank purchases assets, such as commodities, and sells them to the borrower at a marked-up price. Both of these methods are compliant with Islamic law as they do not involve the payment or receipt of interest.

Question 20

The four dimensions that Hofstede claimed summarised different cultures were: power distance,individualism versus collectivism,uncertainty avoidance,and masculinity versus femininity.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory includes four dimensions: power distance, individualism versus collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity versus femininity. These dimensions aim to provide a framework for understanding cultural differences and their impact on behaviour and communication.

Quiz 5: Differences in Culture

Culture is not a constant;it evolves over time.

A caste system is:

The most widely spoken language in the world is Spanish.

In business arrangements,the key to 'getting things done' in Australia is through:

Hofstede's pioneer work on cultures was obtained from _________.

In the United States and Japan,the gesture of making a circle with the thumb and the forefinger is associated with __ and _.

Conventional banking,which is based on bank interest,is prohibited in Islam.

Cross-cultural literacy means:

There are the two central components of culture - values and norms.

With individualism and individual achievement one of the most common elements of social structure in Western societies,one unintended consequence of this philosophy is:

In Islamic banking,all except one of the following are honoured principles:

Norms include rituals and symbolic behaviour.

Australian culture,by and large,has an emphasis on individualism.

The determinants of culture are identified with all but one of the following:

In Western banking,the measurement of business ncides with seasonal rough profit and loss statements.

Translation researchers are moving to a system of concept translation where word translation alone is insufficient.

Two main dimensions of social structure are (i)the degree to which the basic unit of social organisation is the individual and (ii)the degree to which a society is stratified into classes or castes.

In an example of cultures such as Australia and China where there is a noticeable difference in work-related values,an international business with operations in both countries always vary their management processes and practices to account for these differences.

The Koran explicitly forbids interest to be paid to lenders.Consequently,Islamic banks make their money using two different methods.These are through the __________ methods.

The four dimensions that Hofstede claimed summarised different cultures were: power distance,individualism versus collectivism,uncertainty avoidance,and masculinity versus femininity.