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1、【Unit 3】Text I On National PrejudicesWarm-upu What do you know about Fortune Global 500? Read the 2011 list to see how far you are familiar with these corporations.The Fortune Global 500 is a ranking of the top 500 corporations worldwide as measured by revenue. The list is compiled and published ann
2、ually by Fortune magazine. Until 1989 it listed only non-US industrial corporations under the title International 500, while the Fortune 500 contained and still contains exclusively US corporations. In 1990, US companies were added to compile a truly global list of top industrial corporations as ran
3、ked by sales. In general, Fortune notes, the list is getting more international.This is the top 10 as published in July 2011. It is based on the companies fiscal year ended on or before 31 March 2011.u How do you define “multinational corporations”? Illustrate them with some examples.Multinational c
4、orporations are business entities that operate in more than one country. The typical multinational corporation or MNC normally functions with a headquarters that is based in one country, while other facilities are based in locations in other countries. The exact model for an MNC may vary slightly. O
5、ne common model is for the multinational corporation is the positioning of the executive headquarters in one nation, while production facilities are located in one or more other countries. This model often allows the company to take advantage of benefits of incorporating in a given locality, while a
6、lso being able to produce goods and services in areas where the cost of production is lower. Multinational corporations can be divided into three broad groups according to the configuration of their production facilities: Horizontally integrated multinational corporationsmanage production establishm
7、ents located in different countries to produce the same or similar products. (example: McDonalds)Vertically integrated multinational corporationsmanage production establishment in certain country/countries to produce products that serve as input to its production establishments in other country/coun
8、tries. (example: Adidas)Diversified multinational corporationsmanage production establishments located in different countries that are neither horizontally or vertically integrated. (example: Microsoft)u Have you heard of the term “cultural intelligence”?Cultural intelligence, cultural quotient or C
9、Q, is a theory within management and organizational psychology, positing that understanding the impact of an individuals cultural background on their behavior is essential for effective business, and measuring an individuals ability to engage successfully in any environment or social setting.u How d
10、o you understand the proverb “Punctuality is the soul of business”? Role-play: Your clients, from the Middle East where its culturally appropriate to keep “the other person waiting”, are late for a scheduled business meeting. The following list gives an overview regarding punctuality for business me
11、etings.Punctuality is Critical, Insulting if you are not on timeChina, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, SingaporePunctuality is Highly valued, even at times a way of lifeAustralia, China, Denmark, Germany, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand (even a bit early), Norway, Sin
12、gapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, ThailandPunctuality is Important, expected and appreciatedAustria, Belgium, Canada, England, Finland, India, Indonesia, Italy (especially in Northern Italy), Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United StatesPunctuality is Expected, but the locals may
13、 arrive lateEgypt, France, Ghana (may not show up), Greece, Mexico, Middle East, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia (may have others at meeting), South Korea, Spain, TaiwanPunctuality more laissez faireAlgeria, Caribbean, France southern region, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Lebanon, Morocco, Niger
14、ia, Panama, Spain* Delays in Latin American, Middle Eastern and African countries are not uncommonu Information about patriotism and ethnocentrism.Ethnocentrism is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of ones own ethnic culture. It seems natural that people feel pride in
15、the culture in which they have grown up and from which they have adopted their values and standards of behavior. However, the problem is that one may view other cultures not only as different, but also as inferior, with a great danger of behaving in ways that are damaging to those from other culture
16、s. However, as increasing globalization brings different cultures together, people are learning to overcome their self-centered thinking and see human society from a broader, more inclusive perspective.Patriotism denotes positive and supportive attitudes to a “fatherland” (Latin patria), by individuals and groups. The “fatherland” (or “motherland”) can be a region or a city, but patriotism usually appli
