MGMT 453 - Managing HR Globally

Managing HR Globally

Multiple Choice

The opposite of a polycentric approach to recruitment and staffing is a(n) _______ approach.

• universal

• allocentric

• ethnocentric

• multinational

Multiple Choice

The "Golden Rule" states that we should do unto others as we would have done unto us, meaning that we should treat others how we want to be treated. Conversely, the "Platinum Rule" states that we should do unto others as they would have done unto them - meaning we should treat others how they want to be treated. This distinction addresses wwhci of the core characteristics essential for an expatriate's success?

• Self-orientation

• Others-orientation

• Perceptual ability

• Cultural toughness

Multiple Choice

Jasper Industries, based in Philadelphia (US) sent several of its employees to work in their Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) office. Although many rules around how women may or may not behave have lightened in recent years, there remains a belief by many that women should remain mostly covered, should not drive, and should not be accompanied in public by a man who is not their husband. Because of this difference in cultures, Susan is hesitant to be transferred to Jeddah. Which of the following core characteristic is the issue?

• Self-orientation

• Others-orientation

• Perceptual ability

• Cultural toughness

Multiple Choice

Language training aims to help expatriates to communicate with individuals in the host country's language. This form of training is likely to be most effective for individuals high on which core characteristic?

• Self-orientation

• Others-orientation

• Perceptual ability

• Cultural toughness

Multiple Choice

Which type of training would most likely involve a familiarization trip?

• Cultural training

• Language training

• Practical training

• Spousal training

Multiple Choice

Due to proximity, ________ managers are more likely to evaluate ________ variables that are important aspects to an expatriate's performance.

• on-site; hard

• on-site; soft

• off-site; hard

• off-site; soft

Multiple Choice

Generally speaking, home-country managers are more likely than host-country managers to fall prey to unintentional biases.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

An expatriate's base salary is typically in the same range as the base salary for a similar position in the home country.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is typically paid as a percentage (~10%-30% after tax) of an individual's base salary?

• Foreign service premium

• Housing allowance

• Cost-of-living allowance

• Reciprocal tax premium

Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions

Two videos coming up

• First one = overview of dimensions (~4 min)

• Second one = in depth coverage (~22 min)

7 questions on these dimensions will appear after the second video.

Multiple Choice

Long-term orientation cultures focus on persistence and perseverance.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

How would the Power Distance dimension apply within a given organization?

• Employees are hoping to rise to higher levels and increase their power within the company.

• Employees prefer to gain power within the company individually rather than as a group.

• Employees accept that their supervisor and other company officials have much more power than they do.

• Employees are uncomfortable with the fact that they don't have enough power.

Multiple Choice

A phrase that best illustrates a collectivistic culture is:

• "I did it my way."

• "We're all in it together."

• "I got mine, you get yours."

• "Two's company; three's a crowd."

Multiple Choice

We know that people in cultures such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Sweden tend to be more accepting of innovative ideas and eccentric or deviant behavior. Based on this information, these cultures are which of the following?

• Low in uncertainty avoidance

• More masculine

• High power distance

• High in uncertainty avoidance

Multiple Choice

With regard to national culture, restraint reflects a society that values the satisfaction of natural human needs and desires related to having fun and enjoying life.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

As the HR Direction, you are helping your company's Executive Board decide which region to locate a highly experimental engineering plant. It will be using an uncommon, non-traditional technology and work structure to produce an innovative product. There is a substantial likelihood that the venture will fail, but if it successful the profits will be enormous. Going by Hofstede's research, you suggest region that has a _______ culture.

• low uncertainty avoidance

• high masculinity

• low power distance

• short-term orientation

Multiple Choice

The “tough vs. tender” notion of management styles embodies which of the following cultural dimensions?

• Power distance

• Individualism-collectivism

• Indulgence-restraint

• Masculinity-femininity

International Staffing Strategies

First we'll watch a video (~10 min)

Afterwards, there will be 5 questions over the material covered.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following describes an ‘ethnocentric’ approach to staffing?

• Locals filling managerial positions in national subsidiaries

• Filling all key positions with parent country nationals

• Dividing operations into several geographical regions and freely transferring staff between each region

• Parent country nationals filling managerial positions at headquarters

Multiple Choice

A staffing policy that believes the best employees should be chosen is an example of a(n)

• a polycentric approach

• an ethnocentric approach

• a regiocentric approach

• a geocentric approach

Multiple Choice

Procter & Gamble usually employs home-country managers for its overseas subsidiaries since it places high value on its corporate culture. This is an example of:

• a polycentric approach

• an ethnocentric approach

• a transnational approach

• a geocentric approach

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of a geocentric approach to staffing for international businesses?

• It is inexpensive to implement.

• It helps build a strong culture.

• It helps build a strong informal management network.

• It uses human resources efficiently.

Multiple Choice

The staffing policy based on the belief that local people are most appropriate is an example of:

• a polycentric approach

• an ethnocentric approach

• a transnational approach

• a geocentric approach

Making it All Work

Videos and questions to follow that concern cross-cultural management in general and the culture shock cycle.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT one of the key stages for reaching mutual cross-cultural understanding?

• Recognition

• Reconciliation

• Respect

• Responsibility

Multiple Choice

When a culture or group resists new ideas from culturally different persons or groups inside the organization is known as the:

• not-invented-here syndrome

• us-versus-them syndrome

• lack-of-'we'ness syndrome

• flawed-perspective syndrome

Multiple Choice

WIthin the culture shock cycle, the initial phase is the ________ phase.

• honeymoon

• adjustment

• disillunsionment

• culture shock

Multiple Choice

Within the culture shock cycle, the "low point" of the process is best reflected in the _______ stage.

• disillusionment

• hangover

• maladjustment

• culture shock