Talk About It

$3-1.$ Two students are discussing why they are not studying international business. "International business doesn't affect me$,"$ declares the first student. $"$I$\text{'}$m going to stay here, not work in some foreign country." "Yeah, me neither," agrees the second. "Besides, some cultures are really strange. The sooner other countries start doing business our way, the better." What arguments can you present to counter these students' perceptions?

$3-2.$ Since the earliest days of exploration and international trade, travelers would return to their home cultures with new products, languages, and ideas about all aspects of daily life. Why do people today sometimes oppose the values, aesthetics, and customs of other cultures?

$3-3.$ Imagine you and several classmates are the top managers of a company seeking new international markets. Select your company's industry and product line, and then choose a country to enter. Is it important for the company to balance the need for global efficiency $($through large$-$scale production$)$ with the need for cultural responsiveness $($through local product adaption$)?$ Might cross$-$cultural differences between home and host countries require alterations in personnel or other practices?