Questions and Answers of International Management

Why is a globally experienced management cadre considered an essential ingredient for global competitiveness?
As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies were compelled to work remotely. Provide examples of how virtual meetings have affected communication amongst workers.
How does a global management team help a company to coordinate host country and cross-border business?
What are some leadership behaviors that are most important to enhance performance, and are most frequently embraced by women (refer to the McKinsey survey)?
Host-country labor relations are an important part of the IHRM job. What are some examples of labor relations that affect the manager’s job and effectiveness?
Many MNCs choose divergent labor practices, rather than convergent, and adapt their HR policies to local conditions.Find examples of companies that have been accused of running sweatshops and
For decades, labor union membership has been on the decline in most developed nations. What are the reasons for this and how could labor unions increase their memberships?
Divide your group in two camps. One side should debate the merits of closing the gender gap by enforcing laws, such as quotas. The other side should argue that the change should happen organically
With three school-age children, the youngest of whom was just seven, the Dupont family was nervous about their proposed relocation from Paris, France to Singapore. The move represented an opportunity
Cross-cultural research on motivation is very nuanced and addresses many variables. What does it mean when a culture is described as tight? What is a loose culture?
What are some generalized cross-cultural assumptions about motivation? Consider Hofstede’s dimensions.
Explain the concepts Meaning of Work (MOW) and work centrality. How are they manifested in culture?
Rather than traditional, culturally conditioned modes of leadership, today’s successful global leaders need to have a“global mindset.” How does a global mindset compare to a traditional
The effective global leader should be able to inspire and influence the thinking, attitudes, and behavior of people.Why is this such an important part of the leadership role?
The effective global leader has several important, yet sometimes conflicting roles. In addition to the role as a representative of the parent firm, what are some other roles?
How can Hofstede’s power dimension help managers to better understand leader-subordinate expectations and relationships?
Provide examples of leadership styles that are respected and admired in leaders in various cultures.
Leadership in the digital world is different in many ways.What are some of the demands that a digital platform places on leaders in leading their employees?
No leadership style work well in all situations; so how should the international leader prepare to be effective in other cultures?
Look at the MOW research on what people value about work and what needs their jobs satisfied. Do you think that working from home will be added as an insight, post COVID-19?
According to Hofstede, what kind of leadership style do employees in countries that rank high on power distance prefer?What about low power distance rankings? Where does your country fit in?
Themed dress-up days, pajama days, and dress-down Fridays are not uncommon in the United States. Find examples of where this concept exists in other cultures, or not.
In addition to the examples in the text, find three examples of leadership styles in other countries. Where are their similarities and why?
Some cultures are not comfortable saying “no” to their leader.Find examples and explain why this is so. Conversely, which cultures find it easier to say “no”?
Form groups of four. Each member should identify a leader and interview them about their leadership style. Are their answers based on their own assessment? Employee surveys? A professional coach?
Look up the most recent work on the GLOBE project. What does it say about your country? Are there geographic clusters in your region? Why or why not?
Alicia Clegg March 30, 2017 As the appetite for cross-border deals increases, business schools are mining insights from corporate couplings that prospered against the odds, in the hope that they hold
On November 20, 2016, Rainer Gärtner, chief executive officer(CEO) of Daimler Trucks and Buses China Ltd. (DTBC), the Chinese heavy-duty segment of multinational automobile manufacturer Daimler AG
The artists who come to us often have no idea what it is like to be part of an organization like ours, because there is no other organization like Cirque!. Even though we have a lot of really smart
“[. . .] not all companies succumb to corruption. The Swedish furniture retailer IKEA has steadfastly refused to bribe Russian officials.” 2—ALEXANDER HILL, PRESIDENT EMERITUS OF INTERVARSITY
Describe the recent effects of financial globalization on the world economy. What actions have governments taken to offset negative effects? Are they working?
Explain what is meant by the economic risk of a nation. Use a specific country as an example. Can economic risk in this country be anticipated? How? How does economic instability affect other nations?
In groups of three, represent a consulting firm. You have been hired by a diversified multinational corporation to advise on the political and economic environment in different countries. The company
There are risks and rewards for all in a global economy. The globalization of human capital results in a range of winners and losers around the world: companies and their stockholders, consumers,
Do some research to determine the codes of conduct of two familiar companies. Compare the issues that they cover and share your findings with the class. After several students have presented their
Consider the ethical dilemmas in the following situation and decide what you would do. Then meet in small groups of students and come to a group consensus. Discuss your decisions with the class. You
In 2005 Nike returned to reporting on its social and environmental practices after a couple of years of silence due to legal concerns. The sports and clothing company is very important to countries
Describe the four dimensions of culture proposed by Hofstede. What are the managerial implications of these dimensions? Compare the findings with those of Trompenaars and the GLOBE project team.
Develop a cultural profile for one of the countries in the following list. Form small groups of students and compare your findings in class with those of another group preparing a profile for another
A large Baltimore manufacturer of cabinet hardware had been working for months to locate a suitable distributor for its products in Europe. Finally invited to present a demonstration to a reputable
Bill Nugent, an international real estate developer from Dallas, had made a 2:30 p.m. appointment with Mr. Abdullah, a high-ranking government official in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. From the beginning
Tom Forrest, an up-and-coming executive for a U.S. electronics company, was sent to Japan to work out the details of a joint venture with a Japanese electronics firm. During the first several weeks,
There are thousands of Australians, both individually and as members of organizations, who share trade and education with Indonesia as do New Zealanders. Yet, though geographically part of Asia,
Explain the differences between monochronic and polychronic time systems. Use some examples to illustrate their differences and the role of time in intercultural communication.
Discuss the role of social media in global business communication.
Interview a faculty member or a businessperson who has worked abroad. Ask him or her to identify factors that facilitated or inhibited adaptation to the host environment. Ask whether more preparation
Form two or three pairs to enact skits—separately—in front of the class and then ask your class for feedback and to guess where you are from.Each person in each pair decides on a different
The Brazilian sun beat down steadily on the tarmac outside as Alessandro Silva and Agosto Ventura stood inside the São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport. They were awaiting the arrival of two
Explain how objective versus subjective perspectives influence the decision-making process. What role do you think this variable has played in all the negotiations conducted and decisions made by
As Facebook filed for its IPO (initial public offering—symbol FB) on the stock market in February 2012 (from which the above quote was taken), investors questioned the company’s ability to
In small groups, discuss among yourselves and then debate with the other groups the relative merits of the alternative entry strategies for the company and countries you chose in Exercise 1. You
For this exercise, research (individually or in small groups) a company with international operations and find out the kinds of entry strategies the firm has used. Present the information you find,
A search engine is designed in such a way to actually find useful information on the World Wide Web (WWW) and file transfer protocol (FTP) servers. In technical terms, the search queries and their
Research some recent joint ventures with foreign companies situated in Russia or China. How are they doing? Bring your information to class for discussion. What is the climate for foreign investors
The Nokia-Microsoft strategic alliance was announced in early 2011 to cooperate in the development of smartphones. The Wall Street Journal wrote: “Nokia calls Microsoft for help.” The Financial
What variables have to be considered in designing the organizational structure for international operations? How do these variables interact, and which do you think are most important?
If you have personal access to a company with international operations, try to conduct some interviews and find out about the personal interactions involved in working with the organization’s
Find out about a foreign company with an IJV in the United States. Google some articles, email the company for information, and if possible visit the company and ask questions. Present your findings
The above statements truly reflect HSBC Holdings’ (hereafter HSBC) massive and distinct operations in 2012 that maintained 89 million customers worldwide. Originally known as Hong Kong Shanghai
Make a list of the reasons you would want to accept a foreign assignment and a list of reasons you would want to reject it. Do they depend on the location? Compare your list with a classmate and
Research a company with operations in several countries and ascertain the staffing policy used for those countries. Find out what kinds of training and preparation are provided for expatriates and
This can be done in groups or individually. After the exercise, discuss your proposals with the rest of the class. You are the expatriate general manager of a British company’s subsidiary in
Well, it’s my job that brought us here in the first place … I am going to have to make a decision to stick with this assignment and hope I can work things out, or to return to the United States
Form groups of six students, divided into two teams, one representing union members from a German company and the other representing union members from a Mexican company. These companies have
Over the years, AstraZeneca Plc (AstraZeneca) has developed a strong reputation for its expatriate management practices. Expatriate management at AstraZeneca went beyond tackling issues such as
Choose a country and do some research (and conduct interviews, if possible) to create a cultural profile. Focus on factors affecting behavior in the workplace. Integrate any findings regarding
Meet with another student, preferably one whom you know well. Talk with that person and draw up a list of leadership skills you perceive him or her to possess. Then consider your research and
The success of Japan’s Olympus was based largely on the corporate leadership system— consensus driven, government supported, and rife with cronyism—that was successful when Japan was one of the
Located directly south of the United States, Mexico covers an area of 756,000 square miles. The most recent estimates place the population at around 107 million, and this number is increasing at a
A successful, medium-sized U.S. manufacturing firm in Ohio has decided to open a plant near Madrid, Spain.The company was attracted to this location for three reasons.First, the firm's current
One of the best-known franchise operations in the world is McDonald's, and in recent years, the company has been working to expand its international presence.Why? Because the U.S. market is becoming
India is located in southern Asia, with the Bay of Bengal on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. One-sixth of the world's population (approximately 1.16 billion people) lives within the
The Wadson Company is a management research firm headquartered in New Jersey. The company was recently hired by a large conglomerate with a wide range of products, from toys to electronics to
Located in Southeast Asia, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, to the west by Laos and Cambodia, and to the east and south by the South China
Saudi Arabia is a large Middle Eastern country covering 865,000 square miles. Part of its east coast rests on the Persian Gulf, and much of the west coast rests along the Red Sea. One of the
In this chapter, the social responsibility actions of companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Hewlett-Packard (HP) were discussed. At Johnson & Johnson, social responsibility flows from the company's
The Darby Company is a medium-sized communications technology company headquartered on the west coast of the United States. Among other things, Darby holds a patent on a mobile telephone that can
South Africa, as the name reflects, is located on the far southern tip of the African continent. It is surrounded by water on three sides: in the south and in the west by the Atlantic Ocean, and in
For the past two years, the Chicago-based Brattle Company has been thinking about going international. Two months ago, Brattle entered into negotiations with a large company based in Paris to buy one
The Renault-Nissan alliance, established in March 1999, is the first industrial and commercial partnership of its kind involving a French and a Japanese company. The Alliance invested more than 1
A large toy company located in Canada is considering a business arrangement with the government of China (PRC). Although company representatives have not yet visited the PRC, the president of the
In 2006 Toyota's Camry was the best-selling car in the United States, and the firm's share of the American automobile market was solid. However, the company is not resting on its laurels. Toyota has
Sony is a multinational corporation that sells a wide variety of goods in the international marketplace. These range from electronics to online games to music-and the Japanese MNC is even in the
Japan is located in eastern Asia, and it comprises a curved chain of more than 3,000 islands. Four of these- Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushi-account for 89 percent of the country's land area.
Excelsior Manufacturing is a medium-sized firm located in the northeastern part of the United States. Excelsior has long been known as a high-quality, world-class producer of precision tools.
China, with more than 1.3 billion people, is the world's most populous country and has a rapidly growing economy. Economic development has proceeded unevenly. Urban coastal areas, particularly in the
Connie Hatley is a very successful businesswoman who has holdings in a wide variety of industries. Hatley recently was approached by one of the Big Three automakers and offered a multidealership
Australia is the smallest continent but the sixth-largest country in the world. It lies between the Indian and Pacific oceans in the Southern Hemisphere and has a landmass of almost 3 million square
After three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil has overcome more than a half
Asia still offers great opportunities for multinational firms. However, given the slowdown that has occurred in this region in recent years, there are also great risks associated with doing business
The EU currently is developing a strategy that will help member countries beat back the threat of U.S. and Asian competition and develop a strong technological base for new product development.
In Table 11-5, the most reputable global companies are listed. Each company uses decision making and controlling to help ensure its success in the world market. Visit two of these company's corporate
As Russia continues to succeed with a decentralized economy and foreign investors flood in, a Chicago, Illinois- based computer chip manufacturer decides that it may be time to expand operations
Originally home of the Vikings, and then one of the most influential countries of Europe, Denmark has become a leading nation in terms of the political and economic integration of Europe. Located in
In order for multinationals to continue expanding their operations, they must be able to attract and retain highly qualified personnel in many countries. Much of their success in doing this will be
Kranden & Associates is a very successful porcelain manufacturing firm based in San Diego. The company has six world-renowned artists who design fine-crafted porcelain statues and plates that are
Singapore is an island city-state that is located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. The small country covers 239 square miles and is connected by train across the Johore Strait to West
The reunification of Germany was a major event of modern times. Despite problems, Germany remains a major economic power. The unified Germany is big, though only about the size of the state of Nevada
Over the last five years, Corkley & Finn, a regional investment brokerage house, has been extremely profitable. Some of its largest deals have involved cooperation with investment brokers in
The Gandriff Corporation is a successful retail chain in the U.S. Midwest. The St. Louis-based company has had average annual growth of 17 percent over the last 10 years and would like to expand to

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