BUSI 3250 AUBURN EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, Exams of European History

Download BUSI 3250 AUBURN EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS and more Exams European History in PDF only on Docsity! 1 BUSI 3250 AUBURN EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Spain Cultural Analysis .................................................................................................................. 2 France Cultural Analysis ................................................................................................................ 4 Spain Economic Analysis ............................................................................................................. 19 France Economic Analysis ...........................................................................................................25 Spain Summary… .........................................................................................................................33 France Summary…........................................................................................................................34 Executive Decision… ...................................................................................................................35 Spain Cultural Analysis Spanish culture is very unique in comparison to other western European cultures. Spain is known for its abundant sunshine, beautiful beaches, and overall laidback lifestyles. For the past several years, Spain has been one of the culture centers of Europe. Spain began to flourish in the 15th century under the rule of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabel of Castile. This made the nation a significant power with important overseas activities. More recent history of Spain includes the death of General Francisco Franco, which ended a 40 year dictatorship in 1975. From this point forward, Spain has established democracy and a modern market economy. Spain extends over the Iberian Peninsula to southwest Europe making it a hub for trade, especially shipping. Visitors can expect a Mediterranean climate, which calls for hot dry summer and mild rain rainy winters. The topography of Spain is made up of flat pains and undeveloped hills. When it comes to minerals and resources, the nation is fairly abundant. A few of the main minerals include: lead, uranium, tungsten and mercury. Its most important natural resource is coal. The three main mode of transportation in Spain are taxi services, bus transportation, and railroads. The services are highly available and used across Spain. Spain also has five major ports, making it a hub for shipping and boating activities. Spanish communication systems are fairly modern and experiencing dramatic growth. 5 winter temperatures range from 32° F to 46° F and average summer temperatures from 61° F to 75° F. C. Topography a. The geography of France consists of a terrain that is mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in the north and west and mountainous in the south D. Minerals and resources a. France holds a significant place among the European countries and is rich in natural resources including uranium, coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, gypsum, and fluorspar. b. They are also known for resources such as timber, fish, and gold. E. Surface transportation a. Modes i. Rail, road, air and water are all widely developed forms of transportation in France. b. Availability i. Rail availability in France is mostly utilized in larger urban cities where there is a large established railway system. ii. Road transportation in France is the major mode of transportation. France is considered the most car dependent country in Europe. It has the 8th largest highway network in the world, trailing only the United States, China, Russia, Japan, Canada, Spain 6 and Germany. iii. The French natural and man-made waterways network is the largest in Europe extending to over 8,500 kilometers (5,300 mi). iv. There are approximately 478 airports in France and by a 2005 estimate, there are three heliports. 288 of the airports have paved runways, with the remaining 199 being unpaved. c. Usage rates i. Rail- accounts for less than 10% of travel ii. With France having the largest network of roads in Europe, road transportation is easily the most used mode of transportation. iii. The French waterways and canals are mostly used for commercial travel as opposed to passenger travel but still makes up a small portion of travel in France. iv. Due to the facts that most places in France are accessible by road transportation in a timely manner, flying is mostly used for international travel. d. Ports i. The Autonomous Port of Paris ii. The Port of Marseille iii. The Port of Lyon 7 iv. The Port of Le Havre v. The Port of Deauville vi. The Port of Brest vii. The Port of La Pallice viii. The Port of Calais ix. The Trouveille-Sur-Mer Port x. The Port of Gennevilliers F. Communication Systems a. Types i. Phone ii. Fax iii. Internet iv. Mail v. Newspaper/magazine vi. Television vii. Radio b. Availability i. The availability of all communication systems is available for all citizens of France depending on location. c. Usage rates i. 34.8 million televisions 10 which is the same as united states highschool except it is only three years. Once this is completed, they take a bassalaureat test and once passes they receive a baccalaureat degree. c. Higher education (quality, levels of development, etc.) After they graduate students can either pursue a vocational diploma or an academic diploma. Most vocational diplomas require two years of school. On the other hand academic diplomas can either come from an universities, Grandes ecoles, or specialized school. The first is a public institution while the second is a selective private institution. They are most specialized and have a shorter course curriculum. 2. Literacy rates 99% literate C. Political system 1. Political structure France is a unitary state with a semi- presidential system and constitutional republic. 2. Political parties National Rally Republicans La Republique en Marche Socialist Party French Communist Party La France Insoumise 11 Corporation tax (impôt sur les sociétés, IS) Personal income tax Social Levies Payroll taxes Royal Alliance Nouvelle Action Royale Democratic Rally Workers Communist Party of France Independent Workers Party Pole of Communist Rebirth in France 3. Stability of government France: Political stability index (-2.5 weak; 2.5 strong) Current rate .31 4. Special taxes 5. Role of local government Its main spheres of competence are planning, regional town and country planning, economic development, vocational training, and the building, equipment and running costs of schools (lycées). The decision-making organ is the regional council whose members are elected for six years. D. Legal system 1. Organization of the judiciary system The structure of the French judiciary is divided into three tiers: Inferior courts of original and general jurisdiction. Intermediate appellate courts 12 which hear cases on appeal from lower courts. Courts of last resort which hear appeals from lower appellate courts on the interpretation of law. 2. Code, common socialist of Islamic-law country France operates on a system of civil law as compared to most English speaking countries that use the system of common law. 3. Participation in patents, trademarks, and other conventions The Paris Convention, adopted in 1883, applies to industrial property in the widest sense, including patents, trademarks, industrial designs, utility models, service marks, trade names, geographical indications and the repression of unfair competition. This international agreement was the first major step taken to help creators ensure that their intellectual works were protected in other countries. E. Social organizations 1. Group behavior The French are private people and have different rules of behavior for people within their social circle and those who are not. Although the French are generally polite in all dealings, it is only with their close friends and family that they are free to be themselves. 2. Social classes The modern social structure of France is complex, but generally similar to that of other European countries. Traditional social classes still have some presence, with a large bourgeoisie and especially petite bourgeoisie, and an unusually large proportion, for modern Europe, of farming smallholders. All these groups, and the 15 1. Visual arts (plastics, graphics, public art, colors, etc.) 2. Music Modern French music is basically the same thing as modern music in the united states. There are the popular genres such as pop hip hop as well as other sub genres that French people listen to. 3. Drama, ballet, and other performing arts 4. Folklore and relevant symbols La Marseillaise. Aux armes citoyens ! The French Flag. Marianne. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. The Seal of State. The Gallic Rooster. VI. Living conditions A. Diet and nutrition 1. Meats and vegetable consumption rates Vegetable consumption in France is nonetheless low compared with other countries. Only 54.2% of French people eat vegetables every day, compared to 65% on average in the other countries 2. Typical meals Foods that are a staple of the French diet include full-fat cheese and yogurt, butter, bread, fresh fruits and vegetables (often grilled or sautéed), small portions 16 of meat (more often fish or chicken than red meat), wine, and dark chocolate. 3. Malnutrition rates 2.5% of France is considered malnourished B. Housing 1. Types of housing available Most people that live in a large metropolitan city live in an apartment and this can be owned or rented. These apartments can range from large suits to one bedrooms. 2. Do most people own or rent? When owning an apartment in France it is extremely common to rent instead of own although if living in a rural area it is very common to buy due to the reduced cost. 3. Do most people live in one-family dwellings or with other families? Privacy is a big deal to the French. Most housing and apartments have fences, windows facing inward, or large curtains to shield themselves from the outside world. This means that most people live in one-family dwellings as compared to living with other families under the same roofs. C. Working conditions 1. Employer-employee relations Employers and employees are free to negotiate the terms and conditions of their employment relationship. However, employees have various minimum rights under the law, regardless of any contrary language in their employment 17 agreement. These minimum working conditions are set forth in the French Labour Code and the applicable Collective Agreement, among other sources. 2. Employee participation Employee financial participation is compulsory in France for companies over a certain size. Profit-sharing is compulsory for companies employing 50 workers or more 3. Salaries and benefits The average monthly salary of a French citizen is around 2,411 euros. This has been on the gradual incline since 2015. D. Clothing 1. National dress In day to day activities including work the French wear modern western style wear similar to that in the United States. 2. Types of clothing worn at work To keep cool, men often wear pants that end at the mid-calf length and are made of light fabrics. French women choose patterned skirts or capri pants that end at or below the knee for spring and summer. Both men and women pair these warm- weather bottoms with short-sleeved buttoned-down shirts E. Recreation, sports, and other leisure activities 1. Types available and in demand Soccer, tennis, handball, rugby, cycling, and basketball are all popular French sports. Probably the most famous French sporting events are the Tour de France and the French Open for tennis 20 1. Total- $1,430.77B (2019) 2. Rate of growth- 4.14% increase (2018) B. Personal income per capita- $30,360, (3.41% increase from 2018) C. Average family income - $23,999 disposable income D. Distribution of wealth 1. Income classes 2. Proportion of the population in each class Top 1% → 25.1% of wealth Next 4% → 17.8% of wealth Next 5% → 10.9% of wealth Next 10% → 13.6% of wealth Next 20% → 16.8% of wealth Next 20% → 10.0% of wealth Bottom 40% → 5.9% of wealth 3. Is the distribution distorted? Yes E. Principal Industries Banking, Telecommunications, Infrastructure, Tourism and Energy Sectors 1. What proportion of the GNP does each industry contribute? 2. Ratio of private to publicly owned industries. F. Foreign Investment ● FDI of $12.4 billion 21 1. Opportunities? ● 609 million Euros of investment to Spain came from United States 2. Which industries? ● Automotive, food production, chemical firms, and banks G. International trade statistics 1. Major exports · Cars (34.5 B) Petroleum (12.3B) Vehicle Parts (10.6B) · Exports mostly to France (47.4B), Germany (34.9 B) and Portugal (25.8 B) a. Dollar value b. Trends- Increase in exports to France, Italy and Portugal, and product export increase in cars (69%) refined petroleum (70%) and vehicle parts (117%) 2. Major imports · Crude Petroleum (27.8B), Cars (21.6 B) Vehicle Parts (13.2 B) Imports mostly from Germany, France, and China · World’s biggest importer of locust beans, seaweed, sugar beet, cane for food a. Dollar value b. Trends- Increased in imports from Germany, France and Italy and product imports increase in crude petroleum (232%) cars (157%) and vehicle parts (109%) a. Surplus of deficit? b. Recent trends 4. Exchange rates- 1 Euro = $1.0989 c. Trends- Value of the US Dollar is declining in comparison to Euro H. Trade restrictions 22 1. Embargoes 2. Free Trade Agreements- 45 preferential trade agreements 3. Import taxes- Typically, costs to clear custom are between 20-30% of the shipments CIF (cost, insurance, and freight) prices. 4. Tariffs- The top product import tariffs are sugar beet (178%) and Whey (1735) The OECD FDI Regulatory Restrictiveness Index ranks Spain as 10th country in the world with the least restrictive regulations for international investments 5. Licensing- Need a residence and employment permit to work in Spain. Products tested and certified in the US are most likely required to be recertified for EU regulations. J. Labor force 1. Size- 22,799,921 people 2. Unemployment rates: 15.67 % (2020) (1.57% increase from 2019) K. Inflation rates - .32 % IV. Developments in Science and Technology · 215,713 people participated in R&D activities in in 2017 · R&D investment by companies was up 8.3% · As of 2018, 1.3% of GDP is invested in R&D A. Current technology available (computers, machinery, tools, etc.) · Spain has the highest rate of penetration of any country, 88% of Spaniards possess a cell phone · Smartphones represent approximately 90% of devices in Spain V. Channels of Distribution · Market and Barcelona are two major hubs 25 French Economic Analysis II. Population A. Total: 67.39 million 1. Growth Rates: France had a 0.22% growth rate in 2020 2. Live Births: 805,897 3. Birth Rates: 10.9 per 1,000 people in 2020 B. Distribution of population 1. Age: Younger than 15: 17.75% 15-19: 6.17% 20-24: 5.68% 25-29: 5.49% 30-34: 6.03% 35-39: 6.25% 40-44: 6.14% 45-49: 6.58% 50-54: 6.56% 55-59: 6.51% 60-64: 6.12% 65-69: 5.75% 2. Sex: Males: 31,908,027 Females: 33,587,396 26 3. Geographic location 65.3 million people live in Metropolitan France and about 2.2 million live in the overseas regions 4. Immigration rates and patterns: Current net migration rate for 2021 is .803 per 1000 population, 11.07% increase from 2020 5. Ethnic groups: 1. Germans (1.4 million) 2. Bretons (1.2 million) 3. Flemish (400,000) 4. Catalonians (200,000) 5. Corsicans (140,000) 6. Basques (130,000) Minorities include: Germans, Swiss, Italians, Protestants, Jews, Gypsies, Mennonites III. Economic Statistics and Activity A. Gross national product (GNP or GDP) 1. Total: GDP: 2.6 trillion U.S. dollars 2. Rate of growth: 6.29% in 2021 B. Personal income per capita: In 2020, per capita was 40,298.85 US dollars C. Average family income: 31,304 US dollars D. Distribution of wealth 1. Income Classes: On average, the top 20% of population makes about 4x more than the poorest 20% in France 2. Proportion of population in each class: middle class makes up 75% of population 27 3. Is distribution distorted? Top 10% of the richest French own 55% of total wealth, middle 40% owns 38% E. Principal Industries 1. What proportion of the GNP does each industry contribute? Agriculture: 1.72% Industry: 16.29% Services: 71.3% 2. Ratio of private to publicly owned industries: 25% of the workforce is public while 75% is private F. Foreign Investment 1. Opportunities? France placed top 5 for most attractive countries for major international investors in 2018 2. Which industries? Main investment sectors include Manufacturing: 29.1% Finance and insurance activities: 25.7% Real Estate 21.3% Wholesale and retail trade: 7.4% G. International Trade Statistics 1. Major Exports: Aircrafts, vehicles, pharmaceutical products, food products (wine), hydrocarbons and electronic components A. Dollar value Aircraft, helicopter, spacecraft: 43,972 30 A. Number of retailers 382 different retailor companies across 20 industries as of February 2021 B. Typical size of retail outlets More than 7,140 outlets with an average sales area of 177 square meters C. Method of operation (cash-credit) Retailers in France have mostly card transactions but are still required by law to still take credit D. Scale of operation 328 different retailor companies across 20 industries E. Role of chain stores, department stores, and specialty B. Penetration of urban and rural markets C. Facilities Available D. Credit Availability VI. Media A. Availability of Media 1. Television 86.6 percent of French individuals watch TV daily in 2014 2. Radio 43.3 million French people listen to 3+ hours 3. Print Print newspapers are declining in France 4. Other media (cinema, outdoor, etc.) 31 Works Cited https://www.banque-france.fr/en https://www.statista.com/statistics/270352/distribution-of-gross-domestic-product-gdp-across- economic-sectors-in-france/ https://tradingeconomics.com/france/currency http://www.finfacts.ie/Irish_finance_news/articleDetail.php?France-s-public-sector-at-25-of- workforce--well-above-China-s-ratio-805 https://tradingeconomics.com/france/labor-force-total-wb-data.html#:~:text=Labor%20force %2C%20total%20in%20France,Bank%20on%20October%20of%202021. https://www.statista.com/statistics/760769/unemployment-rate-by-region-france/#:~:text=On %20a%20national%20level%2C%20France,declining%20overall%20in%20recent%20years. https://tradingeconomics.com/france/inflation-cpi https://tradingeconomics.com/france/research-and-development-expenditure-percent-of-gdp-wb- data.html https://www.statista.com/statistics/779074/number-retailers-by-industry- france/https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/france-distribution-and-sales- channels#:~:text=Currently%2C%20there%20are%20more%20than,area%20of %20177%20square%20meters. https://www.connexionfrance.com/Practical/Money/Do-French-shops-still-accept- cash#:~:text=Most%20of%20these%20transactions%20are,are%20obliged%20to%20by%20law. https://medialandscapes.org/country/france https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/france-population/ https://www.banque-france.fr/en/statistics/rates/exchange-rates/main-daily-euro-foreign- 32 exchange-rates-reference-rates-provided-ecb https://complianceconcourse.willkie.com/resources/sanctions-france-sanctions-lists https://www.corintax.com/calculate-duty-and-taxes.html#:~:text=The%20standard%20VAT %20rate%20for,targeted%20by%20the%20tax%20law. https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/licensing/220-eco-country-pages/1046-france-export-control- information https://santandertrade.com/en/portal/international-shipments/france/customs- procedures#:~:text=Customs%20Duties%20and%20Taxes%20on%20Imports&text=France %20is%20party%20to%20the,the%20general%20tariff%20averaging%204.2%25. https://www.banque-france.fr/en/statistics/balance-payments/balance-payments-and- international-investment-position/frances-balance-payments-and-international-investment- position-annual-data EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Summary of Spain Spain is located in southwest Europe over the Iberian Peninsula. Its weather consists of hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. It is mostly flat plains and gentle hills, also known for beautiful beaches. Spain’s government is a democratic constitutional monarchy, involving a democratically elected Prime Minister as well as a ruling monarch who acts as the head of state. Its economy is a modern market economy. It is a hub for trade and shipping, as well as one of the main culture centers of Europe. Five major ports enable the status as a shipping and trade hub. Spain’s most important natural resource is coal. Communication systems in Spain are fairly modern and growing rapidly. Transportation in Spain consists mostly of taxis, buses, and railroads. Men go out into the workforce and drive the economy whereas women function as the heads of the Spanish households. Family is very important in Spanish culture, with children often staying with family well into adulthood and families having very close bonds. Spain’s official language is Spanish, with the most common dialect being Castilian. The most common religion