Chapter 1—Multinational Financial Management: An Overview
1. The commonly accepted goal of the MNC is to:
a.
maximize short-term earnings.
b.
maximize shareholder wealth.
c.
minimize risk.
d.
A and C.
e.
maximize international sales.
2. With regard to corporate goals, an MNC is mostly concerned with maximizing ____, and a purely
domestic firm is mostly concerned with maximizing ____.
a.
shareholder wealth; short-term earnings
b.
shareholder wealth; shareholder wealth
c.
short-term earnings; sales volume
d.
short-term earnings; shareholder wealth
3. For the MNC, agency costs are typically:
a.
non-existent.
b.
larger than agency costs of a small purely domestic firm.
c.
smaller than agency costs of a small purely domestic firm.
d.
the same as agency costs of a small purely domestic firm.
4. Which of the following could reduce agency problems for an MNC?
a.
stock options as managerial compensation.
b.
hostile takeover threat.
c.
investor monitoring.
d.
all of the above are forms of corporate control that could reduce agency problems for an
MNC.
5. The valuation of an MNC should rise when an event causes the expected cash flows from foreign to
____ and when foreign currencies denominating these cash flows are expected to ____.
a.
decrease; appreciate
b.
increase; appreciate
c.
decrease; depreciate
d.
increase; depreciate
6. Which of the following theories identifies specialization as a reason for international business?
a.
theory of comparative advantage.
b.
imperfect markets theory.
c.
product cycle theory.
d.
none of the above
7. Which of the following theories identifies the non-transferability of resources as a reason for
international business?
a.
theory of comparative advantage.
b.
imperfect markets theory.
c.
product cycle theory.
d.
none of the above
8. Which of the following theories suggests that firms seek to penetrate new markets over time?
a.
theory of comparative advantage.
b.
imperfect markets theory.
c.
product cycle theory.
d.
none of the above
9. Which of the following industries would most likely take advantage of lower costs in some less
developed foreign countries?
a.
assembly line production.
b.
specialized professional services.
c.
nuclear missile planning.
d.
planning for more sophisticated computer technology.
10. Due to the risks involved in international business, firms should:
a.
only consider international business in major countries.
b.
maintain international business to no more than 20% of total business.
c.
maintain international business to no more than 35% of total business.
d.
none of the above
11. A product cycle is the process by which a firm provides a specialized sales or service strategy, support
assistance, and possibly an initial investment in the franchise in exchange for periodic fees.
a. True
b. False
12. Licensing is the process by which a firm provides its technology (copyrights, patents, trademarks, or
trade names) in exchange for fees or some other specified benefits.
a. True
b. False
13. The agency costs of an MNC are likely to be lower if it:
a.
scatters its subsidiaries across many foreign countries.
b.
increases its volume of international business.
c.
uses a centralized management style.
d.
A and B.
14. An MNC may be more exposed to agency problems if most of its shares are held by:
a.
a few mutual funds
b.
a widely dispersed set of individual investors
c.
a few pension funds
d.
all of the above would prevent agency problems
15. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act improves corporate governance of MNCs because it:
a.
makes executives more accountable for verifying financial statements
b.
eliminates stock options as a form of compensation
c.
ties executive compensation to firm performance
d.
places a limit on the amount of funds that managers can spend
16. MNCs can improve their internal control process by all of the following, except:
a.
establishing a centralized data base of information
b.
ensuring that all data are reported consistently among subsidiaries
c.
ensuring that the MNC always borrows from countries where interest rates are lowest
d.
using a system that checks internal data for unusual discrepancies
17. Franchising is the process by which national governments sell state owned operations to corporations
and other investors.
a. True
b. False
18. The parent of MNC can implement compensation plans that directly reward the subsidiary managers
for enhancing the value of the MNC.
a. True
b. False
19. If a publicly-traded MNC‘s managers make poor decisions that reduce its value, it may encourage
other firms to acquire it.
a. True
b. False
20. Institutional investors such as mutual funds or pension funds which have large holdings of an MNC’s
stock do not normally want to take control of it and therefore have no influence over management of
the MNC.
a. True
b. False
21. In comparing exporting to direct foreign investment (DFI), an exporting operation will likely incur
____ fixed production costs and ____ transportation costs than DFI.
a.
higher; higher
b.
higher; lower
c.
lower; lower
d.
lower; higher
22. Which of the following is an example of direct foreign investment?
a.
exporting to a country.
b.
establishing licensing arrangements in a country.
c.
purchasing existing companies in a country.
d.
investing directly (without brokers) in foreign stocks.
23. According to the text, a disadvantage of licensing is that:
a.
it prevents a firm from importing.
b.
it is difficult to ensure quality control of the production process.
c.
it prevents a firm from exporting.
d.
none of the above
24. ____ are most commonly classified as a direct foreign investment.
a.
Foreign acquisitions
b.
Purchases of international stocks
c.
Licensing agreements
d.
Exporting transactions
25. Imperfect markets represent conditions under which factors of production are immobile.
a. True
b. False
26. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) was enacted in 2002 required MNCs and other firms to implement an
internal reporting process that could be easily monitored by executives and the board of directors.
a. True
b. False
27. If markets were perfect, then labor and other costs of production would be perfectly stable (no
movement across borders).
a. True
b. False
28. The valuation of an MNC is reduced if the required return on its investments in foreign countries is
reduced.
a. True
b. False
29. Which of the following is not mentioned in the text as an additional risk resulting from international
business?
a.
exchange rate fluctuations.
b.
political risk.
c.
interest rate risk.
d.
exposure to foreign economies.
30. Licensing obligates a firm to provide ____, while franchising obligates a firm to provide ____.
a.
a specialized sales or service strategy; its technology
b.
its technology; a specialized sales or service strategy
c.
its technology; its technology
d.
a specialized sales or service strategy; a specialized sales or service strategy
e.
its technology; an initial investment
31. Which of the following is not a way in which agency problems can be reduced through corporate
control?
a.
executive compensation.
b.
threat of hostile takeover.
c.
acquisition of a foreign subsidiary.
d.
monitoring by large shareholders.
32. The goal of a multinational corporation (MNC) is the maximization of shareholder wealth.
a. True
b. False
33. A centralized management style, where major decisions about a foreign subsidiary are made by the
parent company, results in an increase in agency costs.
a. True
b. False
34. If a U.S. firm sets up a plant in Mexico to benefit from low cost labor, it will likely have a comparative
advantage over other firms in Mexico that sell the same product.
a. True
b. False
35. Although MNCs may need to convert currencies occasionally, they do not face any exchange rate risk,
as exchange rates are stable over time.
a. True
b. False
36. One of the most prevalent factors conflicting with the realization of the goal of an MNC is the
existence of agency problems.
a. True
b. False
37. A centralized management style for an MNC results in relatively high agency costs.
a. True
b. False
38. The imperfect markets theory states that factors of production are somewhat immobile, allowing firms
to capitalize on a foreign country’s resources.
a. True
b. False
39. If a U.S.-based MNC focused completely on importing, then its valuation would likely be adversely
affected if most currencies were expected to appreciate against the dollar over time.
a. True
b. False
40. The acquisition of a foreign subsidiary is commonly considered by MNCs because the cost is less
expensive than establishing a new subsidiary of the same size.
a. True
b. False
41. If a U.S.-based MNC focused completely on exporting, then its valuation would likely be adversely
affected if most currencies were expected to appreciate against the dollar over time.
a. True
b. False
42. If markets were perfect, then labor and other costs of production would be easily transferable.
a. True
b. False
43. International trade:
a.
is a relatively conservative approach to foreign market penetration.
b.
entails minimal risk.
c.
does not require large amount of investment.
d.
all of the above.
44. Assume that an American firm wants to engage in international business without major investment in
the foreign country. Which method is least appropriate in this situation?
a.
International Trade
b.
Licensing
c.
Franchising
d.
Direct foreign investment
45. The valuation of MNC accounts for all the cash flows received by the foreign subsidiaries plus all the
cash flows remitted by the subsidiaries.
a. True
b. False
46. The MNC‘s value depends on all of the following, except:
a.
MNC’s required rate of return
b.
Amount of MNC’s cash flows in particular currency
c.
The exchange rate at which cash flows are converted to dollars
d.
The value of MNC depends on all of the above factors
47. Which of the following is not an example of political risk?
a.
Government may impose taxes on subsidiary
b.
Government may impose barriers on subsidiary
c.
Consumers may boycott the MNC
d.
Consumers’ income levels will decrease, thus decreasing consumption.
48. A microeconomic perspective focuses on external forces such as economic conditions that can affect
the value of an MNC.
a. True
b. False
49. Assume that an MNC has a subsidiary in Italy, which exports its products to various countries in
Europe. Since all of the countries where it exports use Euro as their currency, this MNC is not subject
to the exchange rate risk.
a. True
b. False
50. International trade generally results in ____ exposure to international political risk and ____ exposure
to international economic conditions, when compared to other methods of international business.
a.
higher; lower
b.
higher; higher
c.
lower; higher
d.
lower; lower
51. Assume that Boca Co. wants to expand its business to Japan, and wants complete control over the
operations in Japan. Which method of international business is most appropriate for Boca Co?
a.
Joint venture
b.
Licensing
c.
Partial acquisition of existing Japanese firm
d.
Establishment of Japanese subsidiary
52. A decentralized management style of MNC results in relatively high agency costs.
a. True
b. False
53. The establishment of a new subsidiary is commonly considered by MNCs because the cost is less
expensive than acquiring a foreign subsidiary of the same size.
a. True
b. False
54. Assume that Live Co. has expected cash flows of $200,000 from domestic operations, SF200,000 from
Swiss operations, and 150,000 euros from Italian operations at the end of the year. The Swiss franc’s
value and euro’s value are expected to be $.83 and $1.29 respectively, at the end this year. What are the
expected dollar cash flows of Live Co?
a.
$200,000
b.
$559,500
c.
$582,500
d.
$393,500
55. Saller Co. has a subsidiary in Mexico. The expected cash flows in pesos to be received in the future
from this subsidiary have not changed since last month, but the valuation of Saller Co. has declined
since last month. What could’ve caused this decline in value?
a.
A weaker Mexican economy
b.
Lower Mexican interest rates
c.
Depreciation of the Mexican peso
d.
Appreciation of the Mexican peso.
56. Jensen Co. wants to establish a new subsidiary in Mexico that will sell computers to Mexican
customers and remit earnings back to the U.S. parent. The value of this project will be favorably
affected if the value of the peso ____ while it establishes the new subsidiary and ____ when the
subsidiary starts operations.
a.
depreciates; appreciates
b.
appreciates; appreciates
c.
appreciates; depreciates
d.
depreciates; depreciates
57. A macroeconomic perspective focuses on the financial management decisions that affect the value of
MNC.
a. True
b. False
58. An MNC will always use the same required rate of return in the valuation of foreign projects, as it
would for its domestic projects.
a. True
b. False
59. Livingston Co. has a subsidiary in Korea. The subsidiary reinvests half of its net cash flows into
operations and remits half to the parent. Livingston’s expected cash flows from domestic business are
$100,000 and the Korean subsidiary is expected to generate 100 million Korean won at the end of the
year. The expected value of won is $.0012. What are the expected dollar cash flows of Livingston Co.?
a.
$100,000
b.
$200,000
c.
$160,000
d.
$60,000
60. A U.S.-based MNC has many foreign subsidiaries in Europe and does not expect to increase its
investment there. Its value should increase if the value of the euro weakens over time.
a. True
b. False
61. If managers of foreign subsidiaries make decisions that maximize the values of their respective
subsidiaries, they automatically maximize the value of the entire corporation.
a. True
b. False
62. A decentralized management style, where subsidiary managers make the relevant decisions regarding
their subsidiary, may result in better decision making, as subsidiary managers are generally better
informed about their subsidiary’s operations.
a. True
b. False
63. U.S.-based MNCs are typically not monitored by mutual funds and pension funds, as these institutions
rarely hold stock in MNCs.
a. True
b. False
64. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act ensures a more transparent process for managers to report on the productivity
and financial condition of their firm.
a. True
b. False
65. The Theory of Comparative Advantage begins by assuming that a given firm first becomes established
in its home country and may subsequently penetrate foreign markets via geographic or product
differentiation.
a. True
b. False
66. Under the Imperfect Markets Theory, it is assumed that factors of production are entirely mobile, so
that firms can capitalize on a foreign country’s resources.
a. True
b. False
67. Under the Product Cycle Theory, foreign demand can be initially satisfied by exporting.
a. True
b. False
68. Licensing allows firms to use their technology in foreign markets without a major investment in
foreign countries.
a. True
b. False
69. International trade is the most common form of direct foreign investment (DFI).
a. True
b. False
70. When the parent’s home currency is weak, remitted funds from foreign subsidiaries will convert to a
smaller amount of the home currency.
a. True
b. False
71. A purely domestic firm may be affected by exchange rate fluctuations if it faces at least some foreign
competition.
a. True
b. False
72. One form of an exposure to political risk is terrorism.
a. True
b. False
73. The goal of a multinational corporation (MNC) is
a.
The minimization of taxes remitted from foreign subsidiaries.
b.
The establishment of subsidiaries in any country where operations would provide a return
over and above the cost of capital, even if better projects are available domestically.
c.
The maximization of shareholder wealth.
d.
The maximization of social benefits resulting from actions such as the employment of
foreign managers.
74. Agency costs faced by multinational corporations (MNCs) may be larger than those faced by purely
domestic firms because
a.
Monitoring of managers located in foreign countries is more difficult.
b.
Foreign subsidiary managers raised in different cultures may not follow uniform goals.
c.
MNCs are relatively large.
d.
All of the above
e.
A and B only
75. Which of the following is not one of the more common methods used by MNCs to improve their
internal control process?
a.
Establishing a centralized database of information
b.
Ensuring that all data are reported consistently among subsidiaries
c.
Speeding the process by which all departments and all subsidiaries have access to the data
that they need
d.
Making executives more accountable for financial statements by personally verifying their
accuracy
e.
All of the above are common methods used by MNCs to improve their internal control
process.
76. Which of the following is not mentioned in the text as a theory of international business?
a.
Theory of Comparative Advantage
b.
Imperfect Markets Theory
c.
Product Cycle Theory
d.
Globalization of Business Theory
e.
All of the above are mentioned in the text as theories of international business
77. The most risky method(s) by which firms conduct international business is (are):
a.
Franchising.
b.
The acquisitions of existing operations.
c.
The establishment of new subsidiaries.
d.
All of the above
e.
B and C only
78. The least risky method by which firms conduct international business is:
a.
Franchising.
b.
The acquisitions of existing operations.
c.
International Trade.
d.
The establishment of new subsidiaries.
e.
Licensing
79. Which of the following does not constitute a form of direct foreign investment?
a.
Franchising
b.
International trade
c.
Joint ventures
d.
Acquisitions of existing operations
e.
Establishment of new foreign subsidiaries