Answer to the quick question: The reason of having the same content (e.g. solution/product/reference) page, is that the international content can be used for a local (e.g. /us) page as well. Sometimes, it's really needed to localize the content, sometimes the same content as the international one can be used.
1. Good, that's how it's done now.
2. Yes, very good explanation for this question. Thanks Thomas!
3. True. Perhaps we should not look this from an seo point of view but from a market perspective. I got some ideas, thanks