“More than tolerance of an alien culture is required; there is a need for affirmative acceptance of the concept ‘different but equal’.” Elaborate.
“We should also bear in mind that in today’s business-oriented world economy, the cultures themselves are being significantly affected by business activities and business practices.” Comment.
“In dealing with foreign businesses, the marketer must be particularly aware of the varying objectives and aspirations of management.” Explain.
Suggest ways in which persons might prepare themselves to handle unique business customs that may be encountered in a trip abroad.
Business customs and national customs are closely interrelated. In which ways would one expect the two areas to coincide and in which ways would they show differences? How could such areas of similarity and difference be identified?
Identify both local and foreign examples of cultural imperatives, electives, and exclusives. Be prepared to explain why each example fits into the category you have selected.
Contrast the authority roles of top management in different societies. How do the different views of authority affect marketing activities?
Do the same for aspirational patterns.
What effects on business customs might be anticipated from the recent rapid increases in the level of international business activity?
Interview some foreign students to determine the types of cultural shock they encountered when they first came to your country.
Differentiate between:
Private ownership and family ownership
Decentralized and committee decision making
In which ways does the size of a customer’s business affect business behavior?
Compare three decision-making authority patterns in international business.
Explore the various ways in which business customs affect the structure of competition.
Why is it important that the business executive be alert to the significance of differing management styles?
Suggest some cautions that an individual from a relationshiporiented culture should bear in mind when dealing with someone from an information-oriented culture.
Political payoffs are a problem. How would you react if you faced the prospect of paying a bribe? If you knew that by not paying you would not be able to complete a $10 million contract?
Differentiate among the following:
subornation
lubrication
extortion
bribery
Distinguish between P-time and M-time.
Discuss how a P-time person reacts differently from an M-time person in keeping an appointment.
What is meant by “laws are the markers of past behavior that society has deemed unethical or socially irresponsible”?
What are the three ethical principles that provide a framework to help distinguish between right and wrong? Explain.
Visit Transparency International’s website and check to see how the CPI Index for countries listed in Exhibits 5.4 and 5.5 have changed. Searching TI’s databank, explain why the changes have occurred. The site is found at www.transparency.org.
Discuss the pros and cons of the statement “there is no controlling legal authority,” as a basis for ethical behavior.
“The company.com page is a company’s front door and that doorway should be global in scope.” Discuss. Visit several websites of major multinational companies and evaluate their “front door” to the global world.
Visit the websites of Shell and Nike and compare their statements on corporate values. What are the major issues that each address? Do you think their statements are useful as guides to ethically and socially responsible decision making?
Go to your favorite web reference source and access some recent news articles on Nike and alleged human rights violations. Access the Nike statement on corporate values and write a brief statement on the alleged violations and Nike’s statement of corporate values.
