The Global Economic Environment Test with Answers

Global Marketing, 6e (Keegan/Green)
Chapter 2 The Global Economic Environment

1) The global economic crisis vividly illustrates the dynamic, integrated nature of today's economic environment.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 39
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

2) Cars with European nameplates such as Peugeot, Volvo, Renault, and Citroen were originally designed as local cars mostly destined for local or regional markets.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 39
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

3) During the past two decades the volume of capital movements has decreased.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 40
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

4) Global capital movements far exceed the dollar volume of global trade in goods and services.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 40
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

5) Gross domestic product (GDP), a measure of a nation's economic activity, is calculated by adding consumer spending (C), investment spending (I), government purchases (G), and net exports (NX).
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 40
AACSB: Analytic Skills

6) Russia is so dependent on revenues from the fuel and energy sectors that some feared the major decline in world oil prices that began in 2008 would have a destabilizing effect.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 41
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

7) The economic success of Germany and Japan is due to the fact that their company executives and national leaders recognized the emergence of the world economy as the dominant economic unit and therefore focused on world markets and their respective competitive positions in the world economy.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 42
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

8) The personal computer revolution and the advent of the Internet era have increased the importance of national boundaries.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 42

9) Due to globalization it is easier to categorize economic systems within the confines of a four-cell matrix.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 42
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

10) Today, market capitalism is widely practiced around the world, most notably in North America and the European Union.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 43
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

11) In centrally planned socialism economic systems the state allocates resources, whereas production resources are privately owned.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 43

12) In centrally planned socialism economic systems, since demand typically exceeds supply, the elements of the marketing mix are not used as strategic variables.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 44
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

13) In Sweden, where the government controls two-thirds of all expenditures, resource allocation is more "market" oriented than "command" oriented.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 45
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

14) Market reforms and nascent capitalism in many parts of the world are creating opportunities for large-scale investments by global companies.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 45

15) According to the Index of Economic Freedom compiled by the Heritage Foundation, Hong Kong is ranked as having the highest degree of economic freedom.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 45-46
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

16) As per the listings of the Index of Economic Freedom by the Heritage Foundation, there is a high correlation between the degree of economic freedom and the extent to which a nation's mixed economy is heavily market-oriented.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 45
AACSB: Analytic Skills

17) The World Bank has developed a four-category classification system for stages of marketing development which uses GDP as a base.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 47
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

18) The World Bank has developed a four-category classification system for stages of marketing development which uses per capita gross national income (GNI) as a base.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 47
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

19) About 40 percent of the world population is included into the low-income economic category as per the World Bank classification system.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 48
AACSB: Analytic Skills

20) Although Bangladesh is categorized in the low-income countries they have genuine market opportunities, particularly in the garment industry.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 48
AACSB: Analytic Skills

21) The United Nations designates 50 countries in the bottom ranks of the low-income category as least-developed countries (LDCs); the term is sometimes used to indicate a contrast with developing countries and developed countries.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 49
AACSB: Analytic Skills

22) Upper-middle-income countries, also known as industrializing or developing countries, are those that achieve the highest rates of economic growth and are also collectively referred to as Newly Incoming Economies or NIEs.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 50
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

23) Today, Nike produces and sells only a small portion of its output in China, but when the firm refers to China as a "two-billion-foot market," it clearly has the future in mind.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 51
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

24) According to C.K. Prahalad and A. Hammond the poor often pay higher prices for many goods, and so there is an opportunity for efficient competitors to realize attractive margins by offering quality and low prices.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 52
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

25) The Coca-Cola Company recently began to address dietary and health needs in low-income countries by developing Vitango, a beverage product that can help fight anemia, blindness, and other ailments related to malnutrition.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 52
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

26) Global companies can also contribute to economic development by finding creative ways to preserve old-growth forests and other resources while creating economic opportunities for local inhabitants.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 53
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

27) With the exception of a few oil-rich nations, the countries in the high-income category reached their present income level through a process of sustained economic growth.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 53
AACSB: Analytic Skills

28) A distinction between industrial and postindustrial countries is that the postindustrial countries exhibit an orientation toward the future and stress the importance of interpersonal relationships in the functioning of society.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 53-54
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

29) The thirty nations that belong to the OECD, that believe in market-allocation economic systems and pluralistic democracy, addressed the vexing problem of bribery by requiring members to cooperate when pursuing bribery allegations.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 57
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

30) In countries with low per capita income, product saturation levels for many products are high.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 57
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

31) Both the G8 and the OECD are comprised of high-income countries and are referred to as a "rich-man's club."
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 58
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

32) As policymakers around the globe tried to respond to the financial crisis of 2008, some looked to Mexico's Tequila Crisis for answers.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 58
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

33) A country with a positive current account balance has a trade deficit; that is, the outflow of money to pay for imports exceeds the inflow of money for sales of exports.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 59
AACSB: Analytic Skills

34) The United States regularly posts deficits in both the current account and the trade balance in goods.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 59
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

35) China offsets its trade surpluses with an outflow of capital, while technology United States offsets its trade deficit with an inflow of capital.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 60
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

36) The U.S. services surplus can be attributed to services provided by companies such as Disney, IBM, and Microsoft.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 62
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

37) The foreign exchange market consists literally of a buyer's and a seller's market where currencies are traded for both spot and future delivery on a continuous basis. The forward market is for immediate delivery and the spot market is for future delivery.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 62
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
38) A country's currency would be overvalued if the Big Mac price (converted to dollars) is higher than the U.S. price.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 63
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

39) Hedging exchange rate exposure involves establishing an offsetting currency position such that the loss or gain of one currency position is offset by a corresponding gain or loss in some other currency.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 64
AACSB: Analytic Skills

40) A call option in foreign currency gives the buyer the right, not the obligation, to sell a specified number of foreign currency units at a fixed price, up to the option's expiration date.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 66
AACSB: Analytic Skills

41) During the past two decades, the world economic environment has become increasingly dynamic. To achieve success, executives and marketers must take into account all of the following realities except:
A) capital movements have replaced trade as the driving force of the world economy.
B) production has become "uncoupled" from employment.
C) the world economy dominates the scene.
D) the struggle between capitalism and socialism continues.
E) the growth of e-commerce diminishes the importance of national barriers.
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 40
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

42) That Russia is being transformed by economic change can be witnessed in all of the following observations except:
A) affluent Russians can shop at boutiques that offer Versace.
B) per capita gross national income in Russia is only $ 5770.
C) the banking system in Russia is robust.
D) Russian shoppers spend an estimated $ 4 billion each year on luxury goods.
E) Russian government lifted all currency controls.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 41
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

43) Market Capitalism is an economic system in which:
A) individuals and firms allocate resources and production resources that are privately owned.
B) the state has broad powers to serve the public interest as it sees fit.
C) market resource allocation is commanded by both private and state ownership.
D) there is no correlation between economic freedom and a nation's economy.
E) no correct answer
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 43- 45

44) One of the distinguishing features of a Centrally Planned Capitalism economic system is:
A) all production resources are privately owned.
B) the state has broad powers to serve the public interest as it sees fit.
C) command resource allocation is utilized extensively in a private resource ownership environment.
D) market allocation policies are permitted within an environment of state ownership.
E) none of the above
Answer: C
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 44
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

45) The Swedish government has significant holdings in key business sectors and has a hybrid economic system that incorporate:
A) market capitalism and centrally planned socialism.
B) centrally planned socialism and market socialism.
C) centrally planned socialism and capitalism.
D) market socialism and market capitalism.
E) market capitalism and socialistic capitalism.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 45
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

46) Coca-Cola returned to India in 1994 after two decades of being forced out of the government because:
A) Coca-Cola decided to reveal its formula to the government.
B) Coke was not very popular in earlier days.
C) a new law allowing 100 percent foreign ownership was passed.
D) the water supply was not consistent in earlier years.
E) installation of a bottling plant required special permits.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 45

47) China predominantly follows an economic system that can be classified under:
A) centrally planned socialism.
B) market socialism.
C) market capitalism.
D) centrally planned capitalism.
E) socialistic capitalism.
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 45
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

48) Which of the following is true about economic output in China today?
A) The state sector accounts for about 70 percent of output.
B) The state and private sectors each account for about 50 percent of output.
C) The private sector accounts for about 70 percent of output.
D) The private sector is virtually nonexistent in China.
E) The state sector is virtually nonexistent in China.
Answer: C
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 45
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

49) The Washington, DC-based Heritage Foundation compiles a survey of over 150 countries ranked by degree of economic freedom. Although there are a number of key economic variables which are considered in this ranking it does not include:
A) monetary policy.
B) banking policy.
C) black market.
D) property rights.
E) no correct answer
Answer: E
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 45

50) According to analysis by the Heritage Foundation, which of the following countries ranks number one in the world in terms of economic freedom?
A) Hong Kong
B) Singapore
C) Ireland
D) Denmark
E) Australia
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 46

51) Singapore banned the import, manufacture, and sales of chewing gum in the country since wads of gum were making a mess on sidewalks, buses, and subway trains. Violators are subject to severe penalties and before buying a pack consumers must register their names and addresses. This, according to author William Greider, demonstrates that Singapore's government:
A) is harshly autocratic.
B) administers a paranoid control over Singaporeans.
C) administers a paranoid control over press and politics.
D) runs an effective welfare state.
E) all of the above
Answer: E
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 48-49
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

52) About 40 percent of the world's population is included into the following economic category:
A) high-income countries.
B) upper-middle-income countries.
C) lower-middle-income countries.
D) low-income countries.
E) lower-upper income countries.
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 47-48
AACSB: Analytic Skills

53) Upper-middle-income countries, also known as industrializing or developing countries, are those with GNI per capita ranging from:
A) $ 936 to $ 3,705
B) $ 3,706 to $ 11,455
C) $ 11,456 or higher
D) less than $ 936
E) no correct answer
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 47-51
AACSB: Analytic Skills

54) According to the earlier classification of the BEM (big emerging markets) the country/countries included were:
A) Indonesia.
B) Argentina.
C) South Africa.
D) Poland.
E) all of the above
Answer: E
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 48
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

55) The general characteristics shared by low-income countries does not include:
A) high birth rates.
B) low literacy rates.
C) concentration in Africa south of the Sahara.
D) heavy reliance on foreign aid.
E) lack of genuine market opportunities.
Answer: E
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 48
AACSB: Analytic Skills

56) Global marketers should take note of the fact that almost half of the world's population is located in:
A) low-income countries.
B) lower-middle income countries.
C) upper-middle income countries.
D) high-income countries.
E) higher-middle income countries.
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 48
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

57) Upper-middle-income countries that achieve the highest rates of economic growth are sometimes referred to collectively as:
A) LDCs.
B) BEMs.
C) BRICs.
D) NIEs.
E) BOPs.
Answer: D
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 50

58) Which of the following nations fall in the lower-middle-income category?
A) Burundi
B) Bangladesh
C) China
D) Venezula
E) none of the above
Answer: C
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 52

59) According to the authors of the Harvard Business Review article, "Serving the World's Poor, Profitably", which of the following is a mistaken assumption that global companies might have about the BOP (bottom of the pyramid)?
A) The poor have no money.
B) The poor are too concerned with fulfilling basic needs to "waste" money on nonessential goods.
C) People in BOP markets will be criticized for exploiting the poor.
D) People in BOP markets cannot use advanced technology.
E) all of the above are mistaken assumptions discussed by the authors
Answer: E
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 51- 52
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

60) Pursuing alternative sources of energy, such as wind and solar power, is important due to the fact that:
A) people in developing countries are more conscious about the environment.
B) global marketers are more interested in publicizing environmental issues.
C) it is easy to develop solar power in many parts of the world.
D) heavy reliance on fossil fuels contributes to global warming.
E) people worldwide can afford to buy power generated from wind and solar.
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 52
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

61) Which two companies are sourcing product components from small-scale enterprises, which in turn are helping preserve old-growth forests as well as economic opportunities in Brazil?
A) Ford Motor Company and Armani
B) DaimlerAG and Hermes
C) General Motors and Hugo Boss
D) Volkswagen and Coach
E) Coca-cola and Nestlé
Answer: B
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 53
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

62) Product and market opportunities in a postindustrial society are more heavily dependent upon new products and innovations than in industrial societies. An example of this would be:
A) Nestlé marketing Bono brand cookies in Brazil.
B) Coca-cola company developing a beverage Vintago in low-income countries.
C) New e-commerce markets for interactive forms of electronic communication.
D) Hermes creating handbags called Amazonia.
E) India's Suzlon Energy using wind driven turbines.
Answer: C
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 54
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

63) Which country is the only country classified as an emerging market among the high-income countries by influential stock market indexes?
A) United States
B) South Korea
C) Britain
D) Italy
E) Malaysia
Answer: B
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 54
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

64) When the world's leaders meet to discuss policy issues, non-governmental organizations (NGOs):
A) are included in meetings.
B) often take advantage of the opportunity to make their voices heard.
C) sign final documents.
D) provide educational materials.
E) are excluded from meetings.
Answer: B
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 55

65) The term tiger has frequently been used to describe:
A) market socialism.
B) less reliance on foreign aid.
C) upper-middle-income countries.
D) postindustrial countries.
E) fast-growing economies in Asia.
Answer: E
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 56

66) The term "tiger" has frequently been used to describe fast-growing economies in Asia which does not include:
A) South Korea.
B) India.
C) Taiwan.
D) Singapore.
E) Hong Kong.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 56
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

67) Recently, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has become more focused on global issues as seen by:
A) addressing the vexing problem of bribery.
B) requiring members to cooperate when pursuing bribery allegations.
C) helping members candidly assess their own economic policies.
D) member nations working together in committees to review social policies.
E) all of the above
Answer: E
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 57

68) The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is comprised of:
A) the 30 high-income countries.
B) countries that believe in market-allocation economic systems.
C) pluralistic democracies.
D) countries that demonstrate progress toward economic reform.
E) All of the above statements are applicable.
Answer: E
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 57-58
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

69) Which of the following is true about the Triad?
A) Triad countries account for approximately one-third of world income and one- third of world population.
B) Triad countries account for approximately 75% of world income as measured by GNP.
C) Triad countries are those in which consumer products, industrial products, and the services sector each contribute one-third to GDP.
D) Triad countries account for approximately 25% of world income as measured by GNP.
E) Triad countries account for approximately 50% of world income as measured by the World Bank.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 57
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

70) India's teledensity  a measure of ownership of private telephones — is only about 20 percent of the population is indicative of:
A) low product saturation level.
B) high product saturation level.
C) triad power.
D) high technological level.
E) low technological level.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 57
AACSB: Analytic Skills

71) The United States' growing trade deficit reflects a number of factors which exclude:
A) increased imports from China.
B) a seemingly insatiable consumer demand for imported goods.
C) the enormous cost of military operations in the Middle East.
D) the services trade surplus.
E) record goods sales to developing countries.
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 59
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

72) The fastest-growing sector of world trade includes:
A) travel and entertainment.
B) accounting and legal services.
C) royalties and license fees.
D) engineering services.
E) all of the above
Answer: E
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 61

73) Between the year 2001 and 2006, China bought more than $ 250 billion in U.S. Treasury bonds. Such purchases:
A) ensures that China's currency is relatively weak compared to the U.S. dollar.
B) indicate that China is not sure of its economic viability.
C) show that currency exchange rate is unpredictable.
D) predict that yuan will be devalued in the near future.
E) indicate that China's currency is stronger than the U.S. dollar.
Answer: A
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 62
AACSB: Analytic Skills

74) As a repercussion set by the devaluation of Chinese yuan in 1994, the following action was noted:
A) the yuan became stronger than the U.S. dollar.
B) a stage was set for the devaluation of the Thai baht.
C) the demand for Indonesian rupiah increased considerably.
D) Malaysian ringgit became very competitive.
E) India rupees were devalued.
Answer: B
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 62
AACSB: Analytic Skills

75) To the extent that a country sells more goods and services abroad than it buys, there will be:
A) a greater demand for its currency.
B) a surplus production of goods and services.
C) a scarcity of goods and services within the country.
D) a need for revaluation of its currency.
E) time for fluctuating its currency.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 62
AACSB: Analytic Skills

76) The Big Mac Index dated May 01, 2009 shows that the price of Big Mac in China converted from the local currency, yuan, to be $ 1.83; whereas its price in the United States was $ 3.54. This shows that:
A) Big Mac is more popular in China than in the United States.
B) Big Mac is less expensive in the United States than in China.
C) Chinese yuan is overvalued when compared to US $.
D) Chinese yuan is undervalued against the US $.
E) beef is less expensive in China than in the United States.
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 63
AACSB: Analytic Skills

77) One Friday a few years ago, the Big Mac Index suggested that the yen was overvalued relative to the dollar by 70%. When currency markets opened on the following Monday, anyone using the Big Mac Index would conclude that yen was only 20% overvalued relative to the dollar. What is the most likely explanation for this?
A) Japan's Central Bank acted to prop up the yen.
B) Inflation in Japan suddenly spiked upward.
C) McDonald's headquarters stopped hedging.
D) McDonald's Japan reduced the yen price of a Big Mac.
E) McDonald's Japan increased the yen price of a Big Mac.
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 63
AACSB: Analytic Skills

78) If an American tourist in Tokyo pays more in dollars for the same amount of yen that she bought last week, then:
A) a Japanese tourist in San Francisco pays more in yen for the same amount of dollars that she bought the week before.
B) the dollar has depreciated relative to the yen.
C) the yen has depreciated relative to the dollar.
D) the dollar has appreciated relative to the yen.
E) the dollar and yen both remained same in value.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 63-64
AACSB: Analytic Skills

79) Porsche relies on currency hedging rather than price increases in order to:
A) boost pretax profits on sales of its automobiles.
B) balance the relative value of the dollar compared to the euro.
C) protect all earnings from foreign-exchange movements.
D) generate about 45% of its sales in the United States.
E) A, B & C
Answer: E
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 64
AACSB: Analytic Skills

80) The ripple effect from the global recession was felt strongly in:
A) China.
B) Japan.
C) Canada.
D) Russia.
E) India.
Answer: C
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 69

81) The world economic environment is changing very rapidly and has become increasingly competitive. In order to achieve success, based on author William Greider's analysis, what are the realities that executives and marketers should take into account in such a dynamic environment?
Answer: (a) Capital movements have replaced trade as the driving force of the world economy; (b) production has become "uncoupled" from employment; (c) the world economy dominates the scene; individual country economies play a subordinate role; (d) the struggle between capitalism and socialism is largely over; and (e) the growth of e-commerce diminishes the importance of national barriers and forces companies to reevaluate their business models.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 40-41

82) Traditionally economists identified four main types of economic systems. However, due to globalization it is harder to categorize the systems narrowly. What will be more robust descriptive criteria that can be used for classification?
Answer: (a) type of economy; (b) type of government; (c) trade and capital flows; (d) the commanding heights; (e) services provided by the state and funded through taxes; (f) institutions; and (g) markets.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 42-43
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

83) What are the distinguishing features between Centrally Planned Socialism and Centrally Planned Capitalism? Give examples of countries which follow these systems.
Answer: In Centrally Planned Socialism the state has broad powers to serve the public interest as it sees fit. Ownership of entire industries as well as individual enterprises belongs to the government. The elements of the marketing mix are not used as strategic variables. In Centrally Planned Capitalism economic system command resource allocation is utilized extensively in an overall environment of private resource ownership. In Sweden, the government controls two-thirds of all expenditures and the resource allocation is more "command" oriented than "market" oriented. This would be an example of centrally planned socialism although it can have elements of capitalism. China is an example of centrally planned socialism.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 43-44
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

84) A decade ago, a number of countries in Central Europe, Latin America, and Asia were expected to experience rapid economic growth. Today much attention is focused on opportunities in Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Give reasons for this shift using example of a manufacturer.
Answer: These four countries are collectively known as BRIC. Microsoft's experience illustrates the nature of the market opportunity in these countries: In fiscal 2008, the software giant's collective revenues from BRIC grew 54 percent, compared with overall global revenue growth of 18 percent. Experts predict that the BRIC nations will be key players in global trade even as their track records on human rights, environmental protection, and other issues come under closer scrutiny by their trading partners. The BRIC government leaders will also come under pressure at home as their developing market economies create greater income disparity.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 48
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

85) The newly independent countries of the former Soviet Union present an interesting situation: income is declining, and there is considerable economic hardship. The potential for disruption is certainly high. Are they problem cases, or are they attractive opportunities with good potential for moving out of the low-income category?
Answer: These countries are good example of risk-reward trade-off. Many companies have taken the plunge, but many others are still assessing whether to take risk. Belarus and Turkmenistan are rated quite low in the rankings in terms of economic freedom. Russia itself has slipped within the upper-middle income category. However, there are still some former Soviet dominated countries which have opportunities for economic growth. It much depends on the actions taken by the Soviet republic. For example, the launching of a military action in Georgia creates a ripple effect and causes economic and political instability.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 49-50
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

86) Authors Prahalad and Hammond have identified several assumptions and misconceptions about the "bottom of the pyramid" (BOP). Explain these assumptions giving examples.
Answer: (1) The poor have no money. In Bangladesh villagers spend considerable sums to use village phones operated by local entrepreneurs; (2) the poor are too concerned with fulfilling basic needs to "waste" money on nonessential goods. Consumers who are too poor to purchase a house do buy luxury goods such as televisions and cell phones; (3) the goods sold in developing markets are so inexpensive that there is no room for a new market entrant to make a profit. Since the poor often pay higher prices for many goods, there is an opportunity for efficient competitors to realize attractive margins by offering quality and low prices; (4) people in BOP markets cannot use advance technology. Residents of rural areas can and do quickly learn to use cell phones and PCs; and (5) global companies that target BOP markets will be criticized for exploiting the poor. A global company offering basic goods and services that improve a country's standard of living can earn a reasonable return while benefiting society.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 51-52
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

87) Some people believe that marketing is relevant only in affluent, industrialized countries; whereas others believe that the role of marketing is to identify people's needs and wants worldwide, irrespective of the economy. Giving examples of companies involved in energy conservation and technology, support the latter argument.
Answer: People everywhere need affordable and safe drinking water. Recognizing this fact, Nestlé launched Pure Life bottled water in Pakistan. The Coca- Cola Company recently began to address dietary and health needs of low-income countries by developing a beverage, Vitango, which has several nutritional and health benefits. Technology is another area which can benefit countries all over the world. Intel's World Ahead is developing a $ 550 computer that is powered by a car battery. Hewlett-Packard engineers are working to develop solar-powered communication devices that can link remote areas to the Internet.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 52-53
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

88) The table below is taken from the Big Mac Index of May 1st, 2009. After reviewing it, answer the questions listed below.

|Country |Big Mac Prices |Official Exchange Rate|(-)/(+) |
| |Converted to US Dollars | |Under/Over |
| | | |Valuation against $,|
| | | |% |
|United States |3.54 | | |
|China |1.83 |6.84/$1 | |
| |5.60 | | |
| |1.73 | | |
| |3.23 | | |
|Switzerland | |1.16/$1 | |
|Russia | |35.7/$1 | |
|Japan | |89.9/$1 | |

What do you understand by PPP? According to this table, which is the most overvalued and undervalued currency? Fill the last column shown under or over valuation of local currencies. Give reasons for your answer. What is the primary drawback of this index? How can this be used?
Answer: PPP stands for purchasing power parity and this concept is used in adjusting national income data to improve comparability. The table shows by how much, in Big Mac PP terms, selected currencies were over- or undervalued at that time. The most overvalued currency is Switzerland (+ 58%) On the other hand the most undervalued currency is Russia (- 51%), followed by China (-48%) and Japan (-9%). It should be noted that the PPP-theory-based Big Mac index is too simplistic. Exchange rates are affected by different factors such as interest rate and monetary policies, not by price alone.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 63-64
AACSB: Analytic Skills

89) What is "Economic Exposure" and how does it impact companies like Nestlé; Daimler AG; Royal Dutch Shell; and Astra Zeneca. Assess the impact of a weaker dollar on the financial performance of these corporations.
Answer: Economic exposure refers to the impact of currency fluctuations on the present value of a company's expected future cash flows. Economic exposure is directly proportional to the amount of business a company conducts outside its home market. Nestlé, for example, has 98% of annual sales taking place outside of Switzerland and therefore faces critical economic or currency exposure. Similarly, Daimler AG, Royal Dutch Shell and Astra Zeneca generate over one-third of their sales from the United States. They are all in the Euro zone. If the dollar becomes weak relative to Euro, all of these companies will face economic exposure. On the other hand U.S. companies will be less exposed compared to these companies.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 64
AACSB: Analytic Skills

90) Porsche relies on currency hedging rather than price increases to boost pretax profits on sales of its automobiles. What is the advantage of doing this and how does hedging work?
Answer: Hedging exchange rate exposure involves establishing an offsetting currency position such that the loss or gain of one currency position is offset by a corresponding gain or loss in some other currency. Porsche manufactures all of its cars in Europe but generates about 45% of its sales in the United States. It therefore faces economic exposure stemming from the relative value of the dollar compared to the euro. Thus Porsche is considered to be fully hedged, which means it takes currency positions to protect all earnings from foreign-exchange movements.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 64-65
AACSB: Reflective Thinking