Question

16. A U.S. manager who is negotiating in China has difficulty getting his Chinese counterparts to agree to put the details of their new contract on paper. At the same time, the Chinese managers are frustrated at the U.S. manager’s insistence to clarify every detail. This conflict is can be partially attributed to:

a. the U.S. superiority in business interactions

b. the Chinese not trusting the U.S. manager

c. the difference in how the two cultures use context

d. the differences in the two countries political systems

17. Leaders in high power distance cultures would be most characterized by:

a. expecting feedback from employees

b. relying on formal structures to accomplish tasks

c. seeking notoriety for the organization

d. focusing on team efforts

18. Power distance refers to:

a. how much power managers have

b. the extent to which people accept unequal power

c. the power of the leaders to make changes without consulting followers

d. how paternalistic and male dominated a society is

19. Individualistic cultures tend to:

a. expect people to conform to social norms before they become independent

b. emphasize performance over social support

c. focus on individual achievement

d. value material goods

20. The concept of individualism/collectivism can be further refined by considering:

a. whether leaders have power and how they use power.

b. how tight or loose the culture is.

c. whether followers make decisions on their own.

d. the concept of vertical and horizontal cultures.

Answer 1

16. Answer: C (The differences in how the two cultures use context)

Rationale: Different countries have different cultures and their cultural context also differs. Asian countries like China and Western countries like US have completely different cultures.

17. Answer: C (Seeking notoriety for the organization)

Rationale: High power distance culture have higher inequality levels and are willing to accept it without question. These cultures tend to bring strict social rules and notoriety refers to being known for bad quality.

18. Answer: B (The extent to which people accept unequal power)

Rationale: Power Distance is the extent to which the less powerful individuals of institutions and organisations within a country accept that power is unequally distributed.

19. Answer: C (Focus on individual achievement)

Rationale: Individualistic cultures are more oriented towards being independent instead of identifying with a group mentality. They see each other as loosely linked, and value personal goals over interests of groups.

20. Answer: B (How tight or loose the culture is)

Rationale: Individual cultures are more loosely linked and on the other hand, collective culture is how tight the culture or is closely the individuals are linked to each other.

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