DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. 2. Why did the world economy become more integrated? As you read this, is integration growing or retreating? What are the implications of these questions for international managers? Imagine you are the CEO or a middle-level manager in a major company; choose your favorite products or industry. What approach to global competition would you prefer: international, multinational, global, or transnational? Why? . Why have franchises been so popular as a method of international expansion in the fast-food industry? Contrast this with high- tech manufacturing, where joint ventures and partnerships have been more popular. What accounts for the differences across industries? .What are the pros and cons of using expatriates, host-country nationals, and third-country nationals to run overseas operations? If you were expanding your business, what approach would you prefer to use? . If you had entered into a joint venture with a foreign company but knew that women were not treated fairly in that culture, would you consider sending a female expatriate to handle the start-up? Why or why not? .What are your reactions to the GLOBE project (led by Professors Javidan and House), specifically the various cultural dimensions and highest-scoring countries the data revealed? Can you think about thisand discuss with classmates and friendswithout stereotyping? .Since the Hofstede and Javidan and House studies of cultural dimensions, do you suspect that cultural differences are increasing or decreasing? What evidence do you draw from? . What are the biggest cultural obstacles that U.S. companies must overcome if we are to work effectively in Mexico? Are there different obstacles in France? Japan? China