Suggested Answers to Discussion Questions
1. What is sovereignty? Why is it an important consideration in the political
environment of global marketing?
2. The political risk scores for Taiwan and the United States were identical in June
of 2011. Do you agree that these countries have an identical level of political
risk? Why? Why not?
3. St. Ambrose said, “When you are in Rome live in the Roman style; when you are
elsewhere live as they live elsewhere.” Do you agree with his advice? Why? Why
not?
4. Briefly describe some of the differences that relate to marketing between the legal
environment of a country that embraces common law as opposed to a country that
observes civil law.
5. Global marketers can avoid legal conflicts by understanding the reasons conflicts
arise in the first place. Identify and describe several legal issues that relate to
global commerce. What alternatives are available from a marketing perspective?
6. You are a sales representative of a multinational corporation traveling on
business in West Africa. As you are leaving country X, the passport control officer
at the airport tells you there will be a passport “processing” delay of one hour.
You explain that your plane leaves in 30 minutes and the next plane out of the
country does not leave for three days. You also explain how valuable your time is
(at least $300 an hour) and that it is urgent that you catch the flight you have
reserved. The official listens carefully to your appeal and then “suggests” that a
contribution of $1000 would definitely assure your passport clearance priority
treatment, and considering how valuable your time is, it is quite a bargain. Would
you comply with the “suggestion?” Why? Why not? If you would not comply,
what would you do? If you comply with the suggestion, have you violated any
laws? Explain. If the official requests $25, have you violated any laws?
7. “See you in court” is one way to respond when legal issues arise. What other
approaches are possible?
8. If you were Nike, what would you do to prevent negative publicity regarding
reports of unsafe factory conditions?