When whitlock clothiers began overseas operations, top management had to learn to appreciate the environments of other countries-that is, other people's systems of shared beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors.

The response is cultural environments.

Explanation:

When a business begins to conduct business overseas, they have to take into consideration the cultural differences that exist in the country where they are beginning operations. The local population will likely have different behaviors and beliefs when it comes to work culture and even in terms of the acceptance of a new product in their market. One example of a cultural difference is how in the United States people generally are very uncomfortable with silence so a long pause in a business meeting is considered rude or being under-prepared. In Asian cultures like Korea or Japan silence is not considered the same way and people often remain silent without it necessarily signaling a problem. In Korea pauses are allowed for contemplation of something said.

a is the answer i believe.