Chapter 1 Multinational Management in a Changing World
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Businesses of all sizes are increasingly looking for global opportunities because
a.
Trade barriers are falling.
b.
Money is flowing more freely across countries.
c.
The world is becoming one interconnected economy.
d.
All of the above.
2. Globalization is
a.
The trend of businesses expanding beyond their domestic boundaries.
b.
Increasing average temperature over the globe.
c.
The increased use of global satellite communication systems.
d.
A strategy of developing unique products for each nation in the world.
3. Which of the following would not be considered a basic source of globalization?
a.
Similar customer needs
b.
Falling of trade barriers
c.
Advances in communication technology
d.
Differentiation among countries
4. Multinational management is
a.
A strategy of developing similar strategies for different countries.
b.
The trend of business expanding beyond local boundaries.
c.
The formulation and design of management systems to successfully take advantage of
international opportunities and respond to international threats.
d.
None of the above
5. According to the text, the multinational company
a.
Is required to be a public corporation.
b.
Is any company that engages in any business function across borders.
c.
Must sell overseas to be a true multinational.
d.
Must be large.
6. Which of the following is not a classification of economic systems noted in the text?
a.
Domestic economies
b.
Transition economies
c.
LDCs
d.
Emerging markets
7. Transition economies are
a.
Mature economies with substantial per capita GDP and international trade.
b.
Led by Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.
c.
Countries changing from government-controlled or communistic economies to a more
free market capitalism.
d.
None of the above
8. Emerging markets include
a.
OECD countries.
b.
Brazil, China, Russia, India.
c.
Korea, Japan and USA.
d.
Hungary, Poland, Slovakia.
9. Developing economies are
a.
Mature economies with substantial per capita GDP and international trade.
b.
Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan.
c.
Countries in the process of changing their economies from government-controlled to a
more free market capitalism.
d.
None of the above
10. Emerging markets are defined as those that are:
a.
Growing rapidly.
b.
Transitioning from a communist-controlled economy to capitalism.
c.
Seen to have impact only sporadically.
d.
Enjoying a mature economy.
11. Major regional trade agreements include all of the following EXCEPT
a.
EU.
b.
NAFTA.
c.
APEC.
d.
PROTEC.
12. The economic agreement that links the US, Canada, and Mexico in an economic bloc that allows freer
exchange of goods and services is known as the
a.
EU.
b.
OPEC.
c.
APEC.
d.
None of the above
13. The World Trade Organization:
a.
Is a major trading company.
b.
Succeeded the GATT agreements.
c.
Collects duties for member countries.
d.
Is a consulting group for companies who wish to engage in international trade.
14. Examples of developed economies would include:
a.
The U.S. and Japan.
b.
Hungary and Poland.
c.
Argentina and Brazil.
d.
Hong Kong and Singapore.
15. According to your text, FDI means
a.
Foreign development initiatives.
b.
Various investment policies of the U.S. government.
c.
A foreign company has an ownership position in a company in another country.
d.
A type of international negotiation strategy.
16. The two forms of risk discussed in the text include
a.
Exchange rate risk and corruption risk.
b.
Business risk and social risk.
c.
Sales risk and employment risk.
d.
Economic and political risk.
17. Economic risks discussed in the text include
a.
Anything a government might do or not do that might adversely affect a company.
b.
The likelihood of losing money if one invests in stocks.
c.
Exchange and interest rates.
d.
Expropriating of foreign firms by the local government without any compensation.
18. Anything that a government might do to affect a multinational adversely is known as
a.
Exchange rate risk.
b.
Business risk.
c.
Sales risk.
d.
Political risk.
19.. A global product or service is
a.
Adapted for each country’s unique needs.
b.
A similar product or service for all customers throughout the world.
c.
A product or service that requires bilingual customers.
d.
Products developed for use outside the country.
20. Which of the following statements about the Internet and Information Technology is true?
a.
The Internet is benefiting companies worldwide.
b.
Electronic communications does not allow companies to communicate with locations
around the world.
c.
Information technology is not encouraging a borderless financial market.
d.
Information technology does not allow the sharing of information around the world.
21. The free market reforms in emerging countries are creating a potential group of
a.
new competitors.
b.
old competitors.
c.
subsidized firms.
d.
government companies.
22. Which of the following statements is true about privatization?
a.
Developing nations have the highest rate of privatization.
b.
The leading privatizers in the world do not face competition.
c.
Privatization is the sale of private business to government investors.
d.
Privatization is absent in transition economies.
23. Global customers:
a.
Search for government-controlled enterprises.
b.
Provide reduced government trade protection.
c.
Search the world for their supplies without regard to national boundaries.
d.
Encourage large firms to sell to them.
24. Global trade has this important effect on developing new competitors.
a.
It facilitates the transfer of technology, allowing former assemblers to become creators.
b.
It facilitates the transfer of knowledge, allowing former builders to become assemblers.
c.
It reduces competition.
d.
It reduces rivalry.
25. Global standards for products
a.
Are virtually impossible in technical industries.
b.
Refer to having one product standard for all countries.
c.
Puts companies at a strategic disadvantage.
d.
All of the above
26. According to the experts cited in your text, the next generation of global managers will need all of the
following, EXCEPT:
a.
Emotional intelligence
b.
The ability to work with people from different cultural backgrounds
c.
Poor negotiation skills
d.
A local mindset
27. A global mindset requires managers to think globally but
a.
act locally.
b.
have emotional intelligence.
c.
understand national cultures.
d.
need accomplished negotiation skills.
28. The strategic approach to multinational management
a.
Involves the development of one strategy for all countries.
b.
Focuses on the skills and aptitudes that the next generation of global managers will need.
c.
Is concerned with developing strategies that deal with operating in more than one country
and culture.
d.
None of the above
29. Which of the following statements about globalization is false?
a.
Globalization is a simple evolutionary process.
b.
Not all economies of the world are benefiting equally from globalization.
c.
Terrorism, wars and SARS has limited and even reversed the effects of globalization.
d.
All of the above statements are false.
30. Aggressive multinational companies from emerging markets are
a.
expanding beyond their own borders.
b.
staying within their own national borders.
c.
help transition from a communist to a capitalist system.
d.
unable to compete with western companies.
31. The set of technical standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization are
known as
a.
ISO 92.
b.
ISO 14000.
c.
ISO 9001: 2000.
d.
None of the above
32. One of the major reasons why global companies seek to develop standard products is because
a.
A standard product allows the company to save money because the same product can be
sold anywhere.
b.
A company can be more responsive to local cultural conditions.
c.
It allows the company to invest more in research and development.
d.
All of the above
33. Emerging markets are
a.
Located mostly in Africa and South America.
b.
Similar to developed economies.
c.
Those countries between developed and developing countries that present tremendous
opportunities.
d.
have free trade areas.
34. Which of the following statements regarding the European Union is true?
a.
The European Union no longer exists.
b.
The European Union includes Venezuela.
c.
The European Union has a common currency.
d.
All of the above are true.
35. Future trends indicate that _____ matters more than size of the company.
a.
location
b.
price
c.
flexibility
d.
a high standard
36. According to the text, all of the following includes factors that will shape the future business
environment EXCEPT
a.
Blurring of industry barriers.
b.
Finding your niche.
c.
Ability to find cheap labor.
d.
Emphasis on innovation and the learning organization.
37. The best definition of multinational management includes which of these factors:
a.
The formulation of strategies and management systems.
b.
Designed to take advantage of international opportunities.
c.
And to respond to international threats.
d.
All of the above.
38. Multinational companies are defined by all of these factors EXCEPT:
a.
Engaging in business beyond its domestic borders.
b.
They may be of any size.
c.
They may be corporations.
d.
They must be public corporations.
39. The largest company in the world is:
a.
Wal-Mart Stores.
b.
BP.
c.
Royal Dutch Shell.
d.
Chevron.
40. The European Union consists of:
a.
25 member nations, with the 26th scheduled to become a member in 2013.
b.
26 member nations, with the 27th scheduled to become a member in 2013.
c.
27 member nations, with the 28th scheduled to become a member in 2013.
d.
25 member nations, with no others scheduled to become a member in 2013.
ESSAY
1. Discuss how any company can become a multinational company. What are some of the options
available to companies that allow them to use international markets and locations competitively?
2. Discuss some reasons why reductions in world trade barriers are driving the world toward a global
economy.
3. Discuss at least two major forces that are driving the world toward a global economy.
4. How is the Internet and Information technology helping companies deal with a global economy? How
is the Internet and Information technology helping small companies and even companies from poorer
nations?
5. What is corporate social responsibility? Why are firms trying to become socially responsible?
6. Discuss the differences between foreign trade and foreign direct investment.
7. What are some of the reasons why globalization and free trade are being criticized? Do you think that
free trade is helping all countries? Why or why not?
8. Look at the information on the world’s leading exporters discussed in the text. Do you think these
trends will continue in the future? Why?
9. Discuss the characteristics of a next generation of multinational managers. How can you develop those
characteristics through education and experience?
10. Why should multinational management be studied? What are some of the elements of a strategic
approach to multinational management?