International Business Environment Management
Note to Students: These questions are not designed to find out if you can scan the text and find the exact right answer. They are designed to make you think and reflect on the things you read in the book and accompanying material, and to form YOUR OWN opinions from the things you read. The questions also require you to provide support for your answers.
- (10 points) Some people say that the trade war between China and the U.S. marks the beginning of the end of the “era of globalization.”
- Do you agree?
- Provide three reasons for your point of view (not just your opinion: state facts, point out circumstances, etc.)
- (10 points) In comparison to many other countries, the U.S. has a relatively unregulated capitalist, free-market economic system, where the government plays a limited role in the functioning of markets.
If the United States occupies one side (free) of the market spectrum, and a totalitarian state represents the opposite (closed) extreme, give me three examples of countries, where they sit on the spectrum, and the reasons for your classification.
Country Market type Facts supporting your classification
a.
b.
c.
- (10 points) The book (page 68) states that, generally speaking, economic progress begets (supports the formation of) democracy. Provide an example of a country that has enjoyed economic success, that has not been followed by democracy. Support your choice with facts or circumstances.
- (10 Points) Geert Hofstede is seen as the world’s foremost expert on cross-cultural differences in business. Read ALL of Chapter 4. Hofstede’s five dimensions of culture are discussed on page 108 of the text. According to the chart on page 109, the U.S. is the world’s most individualistic culture. Asian cultures tend to be more on the collectivist side of the individualism/collectivism spectrum.
- How does American individualism manifest itself in business behavior?
- How does Asian collectivism manifest itself in business behavior?
- (10 points) Hofstede’s power distance dimension looks at a how a society deals with inequality. People in countries with high power distance numbers tend to accept inequality as a fact of life. People in low power distance countries like to see more equality in society.
- Provide an example of a high power distance culture, along with some characteristics of that culture which support your point f view.
- Do the same with a low power distance culture.