1. International Business 8e
By Charles W.L. Hill
Welcome to International Business, Eighth Edition, by Charles W.L. Hill.

2. Differences in Culture
Chapter 3
Differences
in Culture
Chapter 3: Differences in Culture
McGraw-Hill/Irwin
Copyright © 2011 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

3. What Is Cross-Cultural Literacy?
Cross-cultural literacy is an understanding of how cultural differences across and within nations can affect the way in which business is practiced
A relationship may exist between culture and the costs of doing business in a country or region
If you’ve ever visited a foreign country, you probably noticed some differences in how people dressed, the food they ate, or their choice of transportation. Perhaps a particular religion influenced how society worked, or a different language was spoken.
All of these things are part of culture
Just as you’d adapt for differences at home, when doing business in foreign countries, you’ll need to adapt as well.
We say that managers need cross-cultural literacy, or an understanding of how cultural differences across and within nations can affect the way in which business is practiced.
It’s also important to consider how culture might affect the cost of doing business in a particular location.
For example, some people argue that the Japanese traditions including lifetime employment and long-term decision-making lowered the costs of doing business in the country during the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

4. What Is Culture?
Culture is a system of values and norms that are shared among a group of people and that when taken together constitute a design for living
where
values are abstract ideas about what a group believes to be good, right, and desirable
norms are the social rules and guidelines that prescribe appropriate behavior in particular situations
Society refers to a group of people who share a common set of values and norms
Culture is a system of values and norms that are shared among a group of people and that when taken together constitute a design for living--where values are abstract ideas about what a group believes is good, right, and desirable, and norms are the social rules and guidelines that prescribe appropriate behavior in particular situations.
You may not think, now that people in so many countries wear blue jeans, drink Coke and Starbucks coffee, eat Big Macs, and listen to MTV, that cultural differences are still important.
But you’d be wrong!
Long-standing cultural differences still influence how business is being done. Also, keep in mind that culture is dynamic, it is always changing.
Just think for a moment of how cell phones have changed our culture and those of many others as an example.
We call a group of people who share a common set of values and norms a society, and though we talk about the French culture, and the Japanese culture, and so on, culture is not necessarily divided by national boundaries. Some countries like Switzerland, even have multiple distinct cultures. Similarly, some cultures transcend national boundaries.
For example, you might think of how the values promoted by Islam influence many countries.

5. What Are Values And Norms?
Values provide the context within which a society’s norms are established and justified and form the bedrock of a culture
Norms include
folkways - the routine conventions of everyday life
mores - norms that are seen as central to the functioning of a society and to its social life
Values are a fundamental building block of culture.
They provide the context within which a society’s norms are established and justified.
Values can include things like a society’s attitudes toward individual freedom, loyalty, collective responsibility, marriage, and so on.
Values also reflect the political and economic systems of a society.
So, for example, the free market system in the U.S., shows that individual freedom is valued.
The social rules that govern people’s actions toward one another are called norms.
You can think of norms as being either folkways or mores.
Folkways are the routine conventions of everyday life like dress codes, social manners, and neighborly behavior.
Mores are the norms that are central to the functioning of a society and to its social life.
Mores may actually become laws.
So, for example, we have laws against theft and incest.
As you’ve probably guessed, mores are much more significant than folkways, and violating them usually brings serious retribution.

6. How Are Culture, Society, And The Nation-State Related?
The relationship between a society and a nation state is not strictly one-to-one
Nation-states are political creations
can contain one or more cultures
A culture can embrace several nations
What is the relationship between culture and the nation-state?
Well, remember that a society is a group of people that share a common set of values and norms.
In other words, it’s a group bound together by a common culture.
Nation-states are political creations and so they can contain more than one culture like India and Switzerland do.
Keep in mind also that a country can have different societies, and that each society can have its own culture.
Likewise, a culture can embrace several nations. You might think of the Hispanic culture, for example.

7. What Are The Determinants Of Culture?
The values and norms of a culture evolve over time
Determinants include
religion
political and economic philosophies
education
language
social structure
What determines culture?
The values and norms of a culture evolve over time and are a function of a number of factors at work in a society including religion, political and economic philosophies, education, language, and social structure.
Let’s talk about each of these factors beginning with social structure.

8. What Is A Social Structure?
Social structure refers to a society’s basic social organization
Consider
the degree to which the basic unit of social organization is the individual, as opposed to the group
the degree to which a society is stratified into classes or castes
Social structure refers to the basic social organization of a society.
There are two important elements to consider here: first, the degree to which the basic unit of social organization is the individual rather than the group—usually we think of the individual being dominant in Western societies, and the group being more important in other societies.
Second, the degree to which the society is stratified into classes or castes.
You already know that in the U.S. there is a relatively low degree of social stratification and that it’s fairly easy to move between strata. Compare this to the situation in India for example, where there is a high degree of social stratification and much lower mobility between strata.

9. How Are Individuals And Groups Different?
A group is an association of two or more people who have a shared sense of identity and who interact with each other in structured ways on the basis of a common set of expectations about each other’s behavior
In Western societies, there is a focus on the individual
individual achievement is common
dynamism of the U.S. economy
high level of entrepreneurship
But, creates a lack of company loyalty and failure to gain company specific knowledge
competition between individuals in a company instead of than team building
less ability to develop a strong network of contacts within a firm
It is important to study the role of groups and individuals in order to really understand a culture.
A group is just an association of two or more people who share a sense of identity or who interact with each other in structured ways based on a common set of expectations.
So, you might think of your family as being a group, or perhaps you belong to a recreational or social group.
In some societies the group is considered more important, while in others, individual achievements and attributes are more important.
In many Western societies, there is a strong focus on the individual and individual achievements.
Think about your favorite sports team for a minute.
You probably know its record, and many of its players, and you can probably tell me a lot about a few stars.
What does this tell you about this particular group?
How does this mindset affect business?
Well, it can be both beneficial and harmful.
On one hand, the focus on individual achievements leads to a high degree of entrepreneurship which is beneficial because it’s linked to the development of new products and processes.
On the other hand, the focus on the individual also leads to a lot of managerial mobility, and so, there is a lack of loyalty and commitment to individual firms, and there is competition between individuals within a firm rather than team building for the sake of the organization.
You’ve probably experienced some of these issues yourself.

10. How Are Individuals And Groups Different?
In many Asian societies, the group is the primary unit of social organization
discourages job switching between firms
encourages lifetime employment systems
leads to cooperation in solving business problems
But, might also suppress individual creativity and initiative
In contrast, many Asian societies focus on the group as the primary form of social organization.
So, rather than looking at the individual achievements of a Japanese manager, you might look at the standing of the group that he belongs to.
In fact, rather than identifying themselves by the job they do, for example “marketing manager”, Japanese business men often identify themselves as belonging to a particular company, so they might say they belong to Sony or Toyota.
You’ve probably heard of the lifetime employment system that is often associated with Japanese companies that reflects this commitment.
From a business perspective, this means that there is a strong incentive to work together for the common good, rather than focus on individual achievements.
Many experts believe that this cooperative atmosphere has been central to Japanese success.
Is the group emphasis always better?
Not necessarily! Just like in societies that emphasize the individual, there are drawbacks from emphasizing the group.
One drawback in Japan for example, is a lack of incentive for individual creativity and initiative, and consequently entrepreneurial activity.

11. What Is Social Stratification?
All societies are stratified on a hierarchical basis into social categories, or social strata
Must consider
The degree of social mobility - the extent to which individuals can move out of the strata into which they are born
caste system - closed system of stratification in which social position is determined by the family into which a person is born
change is usually not possible during an individual's lifetime
class system - form of open social stratification
position a person has by birth can be changed through achievement or luck
The significance attached to social strata in business contacts
Class consciousness is a condition where people tend to perceive themselves in terms of their class background, and this shapes their relationships with others
Now, let’s talk about the social organization of a culture.
All societies are stratified to some extent - what differs is how much mobility there is between social strata, and what the social strata means for business.
Suppose you don’t like your lot in life.
Can you move?
We use the term social mobility to refer to the extent to which individuals can move out of the strata into which they are born.
How easy it is to move depends on the society.
The most rigid type of society is the caste system where a person’s social position is determined by their family, and change is virtually impossible.
So, if you’re born into a family of shoemakers, you can more or less count of being a shoemaker yourself!
India is probably the best modern example of how a caste system works. There are four main castes, and even though it was officially abolished in 1949, its influence still remains today, particularly in rural areas. You can learn more about India’s caste system in the Country Focus in your text.
The class system that exists in countries like the U.S. is a much less rigid system of stratification.
You’re probably already aware of stories of immigrants coming to the U.S. with only the clothes on their backs, and managing to work their way up to the top of the social hierarchy.
In a class system, mobility is possible either through luck or personal achievements.
Why is social stratification important to managers?
The social stratification of a society is significant if it affects the operation of business organizations
How people perceive themselves in terms of their class background influences their relationships with others.
So, in countries with high levels of class consciousness, antagonistic relationships may exist between classes.
Think of Britain for example.
The country’s well defined classes have led to many disputes between labor and management over the years.
Today, Britain is moving toward a less class conscious society, but China is moving in the opposite direction!
In China, because of the sharp contrast in education, health care, and so on, between the rural population and urban dwellers that existed during the Communist regime, a new class structure is beginning to emerge.
Peasants looking for jobs are moving into cities where a new set of classes is emerging based on occupation.

12. How Do Religious And Ethical Systems Differ?
Religion is a system of shared beliefs and rituals that are concerned with the realm of the sacred
Religion and ethics are often closely intertwined
Four religions dominate society
Christianity
Islam
Hinduism
Buddhism
Confucianism is also important in influencing behavior and culture in many parts of Asia
Ethical systems are a set of moral principles, or values, that are used to guide and shape behavior
Religion is another important determinant of culture, especially in countries where a single religion is dominant.
We define religion as the systems of shared beliefs and rituals that are concerned with the realm of the sacred.
Religions with the greatest following today are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
You might also include Confucianism with these.
While not strictly a religion, Confucianism influences behavior and shapes culture in many parts of Asia.
Closely related to religion are ethical systems, or sets of moral principles or values that guide and shape behavior.
So, you might think of Christian ethics or Islamic ethics.
Why is it important for companies to understand the different religions?
An individual’s religion helps shape his attitude toward work and entrepreneurship.

13. How Do Religious And Ethical Systems Differ?
World Religions
Here you can see the different religions in the world, and where they’re practiced.

14. What Is Christianity? Christianity the world’s largest religion
found throughout Europe, the Americas, and other countries settled by Europeans
the Protestant work ethic (Max Weber, 1804)
hard work, wealth creation, and frugality is the driving force of capitalism
About 20 percent of the world’s population is Christian.
It’s the world’s largest religion.
Most followers live in Europe, the Americas, or other countries settled by the Europeans.
Christians are divided into Roman Catholics, those who belong to the Orthodox church, and Protestants.
You may have heard of the famous German sociologist Max Weber who made the connection between Protestant ethics and capitalism in 1904.
Weber believed that the Protestant ethics of hard work and value creation were instrumental to the development of capitalism.

15. What Is Islam? Islam the world’s second largest religion
extends the underlying roots of Christianity to an all-embracing way of life that governs one's being
Islamic fundamentalism is associated in the Western media with militants, terrorists, and violent upheavals, but in fact Islam teaches peace, justice, and tolerance
fundamentalists, who demand rigid commitment to religious beliefs and rituals, have gained political power in many Muslim countries, and blame the West for many social problems
people do not own property, but only act as stewards for God
people must take care of that which they have been entrusted with
supportive of business, but the way business is practiced is prescribed
With its 1 billion followers, Islam is the second largest religion in the world.
Its adherents are called Muslims, and are found in more than 35 countries, particularly in the Middle East.
Islam is an all-embracing way of life—prayers take place 5 times a day, women dress in a certain manner, and pork and alcohol are forbidden.
The attacks on the World Trade Center have increased public knowledge of Islamic fundamentalism.
Many people believe that Islamic fundamentalists are violent terrorists.
However, Islam teaches peace, justice, and tolerance.
The violence that we often associate with Islamic fundamentalism actually involves only a small minority of all fundamentalists.
Most Muslims live peacefully, and are deeply committed to their religious beliefs and principles. Many have turned to symbols to signify their commitment to their faith.
So, for example, you see women covered head to toe in public.
How does Islam affect business?
The Koran, which is the sacred book for Islam like the Bible is for Christianity, supports free enterprises and legitimate profits, and the right to protect private property, but advocates using profits in a righteous socially- beneficial manner.
So, for example, paying or receiving interest is not allowed.
You can learn more about how Islam and capitalism co-exist in the Country Focus on Turkey in your text.

16. What Is Hinduism? Hinduism
practiced primarily on the Indian sub-continent
focuses on the importance of achieving spiritual growth and development, which may require material and physical self-denial
Hindus are valued by their spiritual rather than material achievements
promotion and adding new responsibilities may not be important, or may be infeasible due to the employee's caste
The central tenets of Hinduism, which is practiced by about 750 million people who mainly live in India, are spiritual growth and development.
Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, and goes back about 4,000 years.
Many Hindus believe that the way to achieve nirvana is through material and physical self-denial.
As you might recall from the Opening Case on McDonald’s in India, Hinduism creates interesting challenges for companies.
Because the religion emphasizes spiritual rather than individual achievement, the drive for entrepreneurial behavior that is so common among Protestants for example, is not present.
So, a devout Hindu may not see promotion or additional responsibilities as being desirable.

17. What Is Buddhism? Buddhism has about 350 millions followers
stresses spiritual growth and the afterlife, rather than achievement while in this world
does not emphasize wealth creation
entrepreneurial behavior is not stressed
does not support the caste system, individuals do have some mobility and can work with individuals from different classes
Buddhism’s 350 million followers are located mainly in Central and Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan.
Buddhism stresses spiritual achievement and the afterlife over involvement in this world.
As with Hinduism, there’s a lack of emphasis on entrepreneurial behavior.
However, because Buddhism doesn’t support the caste system, and mobility between classes is an option, there may be some entrepreneurial drive.

18. What Is Confucianism? Confucianism ideology practiced mainly in China
teaches the importance of attaining personal salvation through right action
high morals, ethical conduct, and loyalty to others are stressed
three key teachings of Confucianism - loyalty, reciprocal obligations, and honesty - may all lead to a lowering of the cost of doing business in Confucian societies
Confucianism, which is practiced mainly in China, is not really a religion, but more of an influential ideology.
Confucianism teaches the importance of attaining personal salvation through right action.
Moral and ethical conduct is important, as is loyalty.
What do the principles of Confucianism mean for business?
Well, because of the key principles of the ideology—loyalty, reciprocal obligations, and honesty—the cost of doing business can be lower.
You might think of the concept of guanxi that is so important to business in China. You can learn more about the importance of guanxi in the Management Focus on DMG in your text.
Similarly, if people behave in a moral, honest way, expensive contracts to protect companies are not necessary.
Many people believe that Japan owes its success in the auto industry to the strong relationships that exist between the auto companies and their suppliers.

19. What Is The Role Of Language In Culture?
Language - the spoken and unspoken (nonverbal communication such as facial expressions, personal space, and hand gestures ) means of communication
One of the defining characteristics of culture
countries with more than one language often have more than one culture
English is the most widely spoken language in the world
Chinese is the mother tongue of the largest number of people
English is also becoming the language of international business
knowledge of the local language is still beneficial, and in some cases, critical for business success
failing to understand the nonverbal cues of another culture can lead to communication failure
Now, let’s move on to look at how language defines culture.
Language is how we communicate with each other both in the spoken form and in the unspoken form, and it’s also how we perceive the world.
Think for a minute about snow. You might say “oh, look, it’s snowing” and your friend would know exactly what you mean. But the Inuit or Eskimo people would have no idea what you meant. Why not? Because the Inuit have 24 different ways of describing what you probably think of as only snow!
Some countries have more than one language and distinct culture.
Canada for example, has both an English speaking and a French speaking area—both with their own cultures.
Belgium is divided into Flemish and French speakers, and four different languages are spoken in Switzerland!
Do you know which language is the most widely spoken language in the world?
If you answered English, you’re right! But keep in mind that Chinese is the mother tongue of the largest number of people!
You may be wondering if it’s important, given that English is so widely spoken in the business world, to learn a foreign language. The answer is yes! It’s very important.
Also remember, that just because people may speak English, it may not be the English you’re familiar with. For example, if a British colleague tells you he’s “chuffed to the mint balls” should you be concerned or happy?
The answer is happy!
What about unspoken language – why is it important?
Well, think for a moment about how you stand when you’re talking with another person. You probably stand about an arm’s length away. But in Latin America people tend to stand much closer together.
Now picture yourself at a business meeting with someone from Brazil.
He might try to stand at his customary distance causing you take a step backward because he’s invaded your personal space. You may be annoyed at him for standing so close to you, and he may interpret your response as aloofness. You meeting is already off to a bad start!
Similarly, consider the circle you might make with your thumb and forefinger.
In the United States, you’ve signaled a positive response, but if you make the same gesture in Greece, you’ve just insulted someone!
Because facial expressions, hand gestures, and other types of unspoken language can mean different things in different cultures, it’s important to do your homework before meeting with someone from another culture.

20. What Is The Role Of Education In Culture?
Formal education is the medium through which individuals learn many of the language, conceptual, and mathematical skills that are indispensable in a modern society
important in determining a nation’s competitive advantage
general education levels can be a good index for the kinds of products that might sell in a country
Another element of culture is education.
You already know that formal education is important to gain the skills you need to be productive in modern society, but did you know that a country’s education system can be an important determinant of competitive advantage?
Michael Porter has pointed out that Japan’s success story began with its well-educated workforce.
Today, India is an attractive destination for investment because of its well-educated workforce.
A country’s education system can also be an indicator of what products might sell well, and what types of promotional materials should be used.
For example, in a country where literacy rates are low, written promotions won’t work well.

21. How Does Culture Impact The Workplace?
Management processes and practices must be adapted to culturally-determined work-related values
Geert Hofstede identified four dimensions of culture
Power distance - how a society deals with the fact that people are unequal in physical and intellectual capabilities
Uncertainty avoidance - the relationship between the individual and his fellows
Individualism versus collectivism - the extent to which different cultures socialize their members into accepting ambiguous situations and tolerating ambiguity
Masculinity versus femininity -the relationship between gender and work roles
How does a society’s culture affect workplace values?
One of the most extensive studies exploring this was done from 1967 to 1973 by an IBM psychologist called Geert Hofstede.
Hofstede identified four dimensions of culture: power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism versus collectivism, and masculinity versus femininity.
Let’s look at each more closely.
Power distance focused on how a society deals with the fact that people are unequal in physical and intellectual capabilities.
A culture would rank high on this dimension if it allowed these inequalities to grow over time into inequalities in wealth and power, while cultures that ranked low on power distance played down the inequalities.
Individualism versus collectivism focused on the relationship between the individual and her fellows.
You already know that in individualistic societies, individual achievement and freedom are valued, and that in collectivist societies the ties between individuals are stronger.
Uncertainty avoidance measured the extent to which different cultures socialized their members into accepting ambiguous situations and tolerating uncertainty.
So, in a culture that ranked high on uncertainty avoidance, people placed a premium on job security, retirement benefits, and so on, while in a low uncertainty culture, people were more willing to take risks, and were less resistant to change.
Masculinity versus femininity looked at the relationship between gender and work roles.
In cultures that were identified as masculine, there was a sharp distinction between sex roles, and traditional masculine values influenced cultural ideals, while in a more feminine culture, there was little differentiation between men and women in the same job.

22. How Does Culture Impact The Workplace?
Work-Related Values for 20 Countries
In this Table, you can see work-related values for twenty countries.

23. Was Hofstede Right?
Hofstede later expanded added a fifth dimension called Confucian dynamism
captures attitudes toward time, persistence, ordering by status, protection of face, respect for tradition, and reciprocation of gifts and favors
Hofstede’s work has been criticized because
made the assumption there is a one-to-one relationship between culture and the nation-state
study may have been culturally bound
used IBM as sole source of information
culture is not static – it evolves
But, it is a starting point for understanding how cultures differ, and the implications of those differences for managers
Hofstede later expanded his study to include a fifth dimension he called Confucian dynamism to captures attitudes toward time, persistence, ordering by status, protection of face, respect for tradition, and reciprocation of gifts and favors.
It’s important to note though, that while Hofstede’s study gave us many important insights to cultural differences, his study was flawed in that he made the assumption that there’s a one-to-one relationship between culture and the nation-state, the research was culturally bound since it was conducted only by Europeans and Americans, and the study may have been biased since it took place within a single company, IBM!

24. Does Culture Change? Culture evolves over time
changes in value systems can be slow and painful for a society
Social turmoil - an inevitable outcome of cultural change
as countries become economically stronger, cultural change is particularly common
How does culture change?
Culture is evolutionary, and change can often be slow and painful.
For example, the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe ushered in a new era of individualism and a shift away from the collectivist values that had been in place for many years.
Change is also present in Japan.
While an emphasis on group achievements and loyalty has contributed to much of the country’s current success, Japan’s younger generation is showing signs that these values may not be acceptable anymore.
Instead, the younger generation is acting more like Western managers who leave companies in search of more money and rank, who avoid overtime, and who prefer to spend their free time away from the office.
Why do these types of changes occur?
Some studies show that economic progress is associated with a shift away from collectivism and towards individualism—this would explain what’s happening in Japan, for example.
Other studies show that the effects of economic progress on factors like education and infrastructure also contribute to cultural change.
So, as countries get richer, there is a shift away from traditional values.
Keep in mind though, that these changes don’t occur overnight—it may take generations before they are really a part of a new culture.

25. What Do Cultural Differences Mean For Managers?
It is important to develop cross-cultural literacy
companies that are ill informed about the practices of another culture are unlikely to succeed in that culture
managers must beware of ethnocentric behavior, or a belief in the superiority of one's own culture
There is a connection between culture and national competitive advantage
suggests which countries are likely to produce the most viable competitors
has implications for the choice of countries in which to locate production facilities and do business
What are the implications of all of this for managers?
Well, as we said at the beginning, it’s vital for firms to develop cross cultural literacy.
To be successful, you have to be able to conform and adapt to the value system and norms of the host country.
One way you can gain knowledge of the local culture is to hire local citizens. Developing a cadre of cosmopolitan managers who have been exposed to different cultures can also be helpful.
It’s important to avoid being ethnocentric, or believe that your ethnic group or culture is superior to that of others.
You’ve probably heard of the Ugly American, or the American who believes he is better than anyone else, and that his way of doing things is better than anyone else’s.
French people have also been accused of sharing this trait. Needless to say, it doesn’t go down well in a business meeting!
A second reason for companies to be aware of cultural differences is the link between culture and competitive advantage.
The value systems and norms of a country influence the costs the cost of doing business, which of course then affects the competitive advantage of firms.
Remember our discussion of how a society’s class structure affects the relationship between management and labor for example, or how Japan’s strong worker loyalty system, and lifetime employment guarantees affect the success of Japanese companies.
Similarly, a more individualistic culture promotes entrepreneurial activities as compared to a culture that emphasizes collective behavior.
These differences provide companies with insight as to which countries are most likely to produce competitors, and which countries will be the best for investing or selling.
For example, if you’re comparing two countries with similar wage costs, you’ll recognize that the country with the better education system, less social stratification, and a group identification is probably the better site for production facilities.
Similarly, based on cultural differences, we would expect strong competitors to emerge from Pacific Rim nations, as compared to some other parts of the world.

26. Review Question
Abstract ideas about what a group believes to be good, right, and desirable are called
a) norms
b) values
c) folkways
d) mores
Now, let’s see how well you understand the material in this chapter. I’ll ask you a few questions. See if you can get them right. Ready?
Abstract ideas about what a group believes to be good, right, and desirable are called
a) norms
b) values
c) folkways
d) mores
The answer is b.

27. Review Question The basic social organization of a society is its
a) culture
b) social strata
c) social structure
d) caste system
The basic social organization of a society is its
a) culture
b) social strata
c) social structure
d) caste system
The answer is c.

28. Review Question
The group is the primary unit of social organization in
a) Japan
b) the United States
c) Switzerland
d) Mexico
The group is the primary unit of social organization in
a) Japan
b) the United States
c) Switzerland
d) Mexico
The answer is a.

29. Review Question Which of the following is not characteristic of
individualism?
a) individual achievement
b) low managerial mobility
c) low company loyalty
d) entrepreneurial behavior
Which of the following is not characteristic of individualism?
a) individual achievement
b) low managerial mobility
c) low company loyalty
d) entrepreneurial behavior
The answer is b.

30. Review Question Which religion promotes the notion that a
moral force in society requires the acceptance
of certain responsibilities called dharma?
a) Islam
b) Buddhism
c) Hinduism
d) Confucianism
Which religion promotes the notion that a moral force in society requires the acceptance of certain responsibilities called dharma?
a) Islam
b) Buddhism
c) Hinduism
d) Confucianism
The answer is c.

31. Review Question The most widely spoken language in the world is
a) Chinese
b) Spanish
c) Hindi
d) English
The most widely spoken language in the world is
a) Chinese
b) Spanish
c) Hindi
d) English
The answer is d.

32. Review Question _______ focuses on how society deals with the
fact that people are unequal in physical and
intellectual capabilities.
a) power distance
b) individualism versus collectivism
c) uncertainty avoidance
d) masculinity versus femininity
_______ focuses on how society deals with the fact that people are unequal in physical and intellectual capabilities.
a) power distance
b) individualism versus collectivism
c) uncertainty avoidance
d) masculinity versus femininity
The answer is a.