+

Group Discussion

+
Chapter 3

Laws

Extraterritoriality
Domestic Laws might pose Difficulties Religious and potential laws pose potential threat

The Technical Environment

High Technological Environments pose Opportunities

Piracy and weak intellectual Property Protection poses threats

The Accounting Environment

Different Accounting Standards pose Opportunities

Chances for Mistakes in Company Evaluations pose Threats

The Political Environment

Political Stability is usually Beneficial

Political Instability might pose a Threat

+
Chapter 4

Five Dimensions of National Culture

Indvidualism vs. Collectivism

Power Respect vs. Power Tolerance

Uncertainty Acceptance vs. Uncertainty Avoidance

Agressive Gola Behaviour vs. Passive Goal Behaviour

Long Term Outlook vs. Short Term Outlook

Countries: India and Russia

Alternative Indicator for Freedom:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indices_of_Freedom Freedomhouse

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_received_FDI FDI

Description of the Survey

Yearly report measuring the degree of democracy and political freedom in every nation
Annual scores representing the levels of political rights and civil liberties on a scale from 1 (most free) to 7 (least free)

Nations are classified as Free, Partly Free and Not Free

Used by policymakers, the media, international corporations, civic activists

Who does the Survey and Why?

Freedom House, an independent watchdog organization that supports the expansion of freedom
Supports democratic change, monitors freedom and advocates for democracy and human rights

Functions as a catalyst for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law through its analysis, advocacy and action

Considered Factors in the Survey

Measures freedom according to two broad categories:

Political Rights Civil Liberties

Derived in large measure from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

Freedom of Religion Expression and Assembly Freedom from Torture

Right to take Part in Government of own Country

Leaders and Laggards of the World

Leaders

Laggards

South Africa Netherlands Argentina Belgium

Angola Guinea China Cambodia

France
Luxemburg Germany

Kazakhstan
Egypt Iran

Discussion Points

"Do countries benefit from more freedom?"

"What impact does a shift of cultural paradigms have?"

"What are the benefits of cultural traits?" (according to Hall)