The text describes four kinds of company—agency—customer relationships that might be used to bridge the cultural barrier that is present in most international marketing research. Which of the following is deemed to be best suited for managing the cultural barrier across the chain of communication?

The text describes four kinds of company—agency—customer relationships that might be used to bridge the cultural barrier that is present in most international marketing research. Which of the following is deemed to be best suited for managing the cultural barrier across the chain of communication?

A. company—agency—customers

B. company—agency—local agency—customers

C. company—foreign agency—customers

D. company—foreign agency—Internet—customers

E. company—Internet—customers


Answer: B. company—agency—local agency—customers

In Japan, _____ refers to the factual truth, irrespective of the damage it might do to the all-important social relationships within and between Japanese companies.

In Japan, _____ refers to the factual truth, irrespective of the damage it might do to the all-important social relationships within and between Japanese companies.

A. kanban

B. honne

C. keiretsu

D. zaibatsu

E. tatemae


Answer: B. honne

The public, face-saving truth is known as _____ in Japan.

The public, face-saving truth is known as _____ in Japan.

A. kanban

B. tatemae

C. keiretsu

D. zaibatsu

E. honne


Answer: B. tatemae

Which of the following countries has hierarchical, relationship-based corporate culture?

Which of the following countries has hierarchical, relationship-based corporate culture?

A. Germany

B. France

C. South Korea

D. Switzerland

E. Australia


Answer: C. South Korea

Which of the following statements is true regarding the Japanese corporate culture?

Which of the following statements is true regarding the Japanese corporate culture?

A. Employees like to work on their own rather than in a group.

B. Opinions of all the employees are to be taken into consideration before taking a decision.

C. Decisions are generally taken by lower level employees who directly deal with the problem.

D. The process of decision making is extremely complex and time consuming.

E. The focus on consensus and group makes it hard to challenge what has been decided.


Answer: E. The focus on consensus and group makes it hard to challenge what has been decided.

In Japanese corporate culture, which of the following constitutes a typical significant impediment to averting and responding to a crisis?

In Japanese corporate culture, which of the following constitutes a typical significant impediment to averting and responding to a crisis?

A. Employees like to work on their own rather than in a group.

B. Opinions of all the employees are to be taken into consideration before taking a decision.

C. Decisions are generally taken by lower level employees who directly deal with the problem.

D. It is hard for those lower in the hierarchy to question their superiors.

E. The process of decision making is extremely complex and time consuming.


Answer: D. It is hard for those lower in the hierarchy to question their superiors.