National Culture and HRM Practice
1. Hofstede's five variables-power distance; individualism, masculinity /femininity; uncertainty avoidance and long term versus short term orientation - were terms used to describe:
a. family traits.
b. HR strategy.
c. national differences.
d. globalisation.
2. Cultural shock which is often the outcome of the negative experience of moving from a familiar culture to one that is unfamiliar is important to understand in the context of internationalisation because:
a. it can affect soldiers returning from war zones.
b. it can affect students on 'gap year' experiences.
c. it can impact on individuals taking overseas assignments.
d. friends and families are reunited.
3. Hofstede's (2001) typology of cultural difference is constructed of the following variables - individualism, masculinity, time orientation, uncertainty avoidance and which other?
a. Power distance
b. Power ratio
c. Femininity
d. Risk-taking
4. According to Hofstede, masculinity in the 'Anglo' cultural cluster is characterised as:
a. high.
b. low.
c. moderate.
d. diverse.
5. The 'Anglo-Saxon' cultural view that nature can and should be controlled is reflected in which of the following characteristics of the employment relationship?
a. Perceptions of managerial prerogative
b. Cooperation between colleagues
c. Weak trade unionism
d. Respect for seniority
6. Which one of the following is a particularly important aspect to be considered when doing business with Confucian societies?
a. Uncertainty avoidance
b. Aggressive goal behaviour
c. Individual interests take precedence
d. A short-term outlook
e. Guanxi connections
7. Under which cultural model of Trompenaars is a contractual agreement considered of
utmost importance, with 'rules' favoured over 'relationships'?
a. Affective
b. Neutral
c. Universalism
d. Particularism
e. Ascribing
8. Under which cultural model of Trompenaars is 'success' regarded as a more collective affair, giving greater support for using hierarchies 'to get things done
a. Achieving
b. Universalism
c. Neutral
d. Particularism
e. Ascribing
9. is the characteristic way of behaving and believing that a group of people have
developed over time and share.
a. Animosity
b. Culture
c. Linguistics
d. Formalities
10. Which of the following is a frustration experienced by international researchers?
a. Inconsistent and vague definitions of terms like culture
b. Inaccurate translation of key terminology
c. Difficulty in isolating cultural differences
d. All of the above