Cross-Cultural Differences in the Impact of a Productivity Intervention

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony R. Paquin ◽  
Sylvia G. Roch ◽  
Maria L. Sanchez-Ku
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-193
Author(s):  
Vipula Wanigasekera

Purpose Cross-cultural differences must be taken into consideration for tourism development. The purpose of this study is to shed light on the importance of cross-cultural differences in a location which is emerging from a dark period after a prolonged war caused by ethnic differences. Design/methodology/approach While the existing tourism models deal with the impact of cross-cultural differences, it is difficult to apply them in certain situations, such as postwar Sri Lanka. The study therefore adopted an inductive, qualitative approach where information has been obtained from all stakeholders. Findings The conflict in Sri Lanka in the North and East has been interpreted differently by many individual stakeholder groups. This study reveals how economic development can bring communities together. The project elaborated in this study represents an investment of over US$6m. Given that the location of Jaffna was a focal point of the 26-year long civil war from 1983 to 2009, the risk of failure would have been extremely high. Originality/value The study ascertained qualitative perceptions from a cross-section of perspectives: the investor, local residents and employees. The project is shown to be a viable example of how to address socio cultural differences in the creation of a profitable venture.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 322-322
Author(s):  
Francesca Falzarano ◽  
Jerad Moxley ◽  
Karl Pillemer ◽  
Sara Czaja

Abstract Cultural diversity in the United States (US) reflects a demographic shift, with a growing population of minority older adults and a subsequent increase in minority family caregivers providing care to aging adults. Research has demonstrated heterogeneity in the caregiving experience, with increasing focus placed on examining the impact of cultural values on caregiver (CG) outcomes. Familism has been investigated as a driving mechanism of cross-cultural differences in caregiving outcomes, yet prior work examining this relationship has yielded mixed findings. Using the sociocultural stress and coping model as a guiding framework, we examined, in a sample of 243 CGs who participated in the Caring for the Caregiver Network Study, a randomized controlled trial examining a culturally-tailored technology-based psychosocial intervention, the influence of familism and social support on positive aspects of caregiving, depressive symptoms, and caregiver burden. We also examined how these relationships vary as a function of race/ethnicity, the CG’s relationship to the care-recipient, other sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., SES status), and acculturation. Results showed that African American and Hispanic CGs exhibited higher levels of familism compared to Whites. In African Americans, familism predicted higher positive caregiving appraisals, and social support significantly predicted lower burden and depression. In Hispanics, levels of familism varied as a function of acculturation, with lower levels of familism identified among US Hispanic natives. Our findings highlight that cultural beliefs, such as familism, as well as social support may be adaptive in protecting against adverse CG outcomes and point to directions for future culturally congruent, family-centered intervention approaches.


Author(s):  
Rebecca L Walker

Abstract This essay explores three issues in respect for autonomy that pose unfinished business for the concept. By this, I mean that the dialogue over them is ongoing and essentially unresolved. These are: (1) whether we ought to respect persons or their autonomous choices; (2) the role of relational autonomy; and (3) whether nonhuman animals can be autonomous. In attending to this particular set of unfinished business, I highlight some critical moral work left aside by the concept of respect for autonomy as understood in Beauchamp and Childress’ Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Specifically, while significant pragmatic traction is gained by the authors’ focus on autonomous choice, carving such a focus out from the broader questions of moral respect and the autonomy of the person leaves aside a number of questions that we might have thought a view about respect for autonomy in biomedicine ought to answer. These include: How should physicians respond when autonomous patients make decisions that appear nonautonomous? What is the impact of the view that autonomy is “relational” for cross-cultural differences in how autonomy is respected? If chimpanzees (and by extension young children) can be autonomous, what does that mean for how they should be treated?


2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 743-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Caiazza ◽  
Tiziana Volpe

Purpose – Italy is traditionally one of Egypt’s main trading partners, ranking first both as import and export partner. However, Italian firms face several cultural problems in Egypt. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of cross-cultural differences faced by Italian firms’ operating in Egypt. The investigation of cross-cultural differences is facilitated by the examination of interaction between Italian and Egyptian culture using Hofstede and GLOBE’s cultural attributes and dimensions. Design/methodology/approach – The qualitative analysis has been conducted through face to face interviews of individuals working for Italian firms operating in Egypt. These interviews were structured to specifically identify the impact of cultural differences on the interaction between Italian and Egyptian firms. Findings – The results show that Italy is one of the most important commercial partners of Egypt. However, cultural diversity results in Italian small and medium enterprises facing risks when operating in Egypt. Cultural distance is a problem for Italian firms investing in Egypt. Thus, interaction between Italian and Egyptian firms requires a common understanding of cultural diversity. Italian firms must develop an understanding of Egyptian culture if they are to avoid cultural clash. Egyptian policy-makers must adopt policies that open national culture to international interactions. Research limitations/implications – The paper is based on a sub-set of the cultural attributes identified in Hofstede and GLOBE’s study. The results presented in this paper may be complimented through a future quantitative analysis, evaluating the relationship between religious values and other cultural dimensions. Originality/value – This paper provides an insight into the interaction between Italian and Egyptian culture. It contributes to the extant literature by filling a gap in the existing literature on cross-cultural diversity and interaction between Europe and Middle East.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 972-987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiongen Xiao ◽  
Chunyu Li ◽  
Ling Peng

PurposeConsumers’ motivations for purchasing counterfeit branded luxuries are a topic of heated discussion amongst academics and practitioners. Drawing on self-discrepancy theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of actual-ideal self-discrepancy on consumers’ attitudes towards counterfeit branded luxuries. It investigates how self-monitoring and perceived social risk moderate this effect. Furthermore, it explores cross-cultural differences in the impact of actual-ideal self-discrepancy.Design/methodology/approachA pilot study provides preliminary evidence that highlights the importance of actual-ideal self-discrepancy in counterfeit consumption. Based upon a large-scale survey across Hong Kong, the USA and Australia, the principal study explores the moderating effect of self-monitoring and perceived social risk as well as cross-cultural differences.FindingsThe results indicate that self-discrepancy increases consumers’ tendency to engage in symbolic consumption, and that consumption of counterfeit branded luxuries can serve the social function of self-expression to reduce the discomfort induced by self-discrepancy. Self-monitoring and perceived social risk have significant moderating effects, with the former strengthening and the latter attenuating this effect. Moreover, the effect of self-discrepancy is more pronounced amongst individualistic consumers than collectivistic consumers.Originality/valueThis is the first study to highlight the significance of self-discrepancy in the consumption of counterfeit branded luxuries. It examines the important moderating effects of self-monitoring and perceived social risk. Consumers from collectivistic and individualistic cultures define their self-concept differently, thus the findings provide meaningful cross-cultural information on the impact of self-discrepancy in counterfeit consumption.


2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 1305-1313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lili Wang ◽  
Danping Zhou ◽  
Liang Hu

The impact of the level of social support on risky financial behaviors has been extensively investigated. However, the impact of different styles of social support on these behaviors has so far been ignored by researchers. We examined whether or not different styles of social support are related to risky financial behaviors. Participants in our descriptive correlational study were a convenience sample of White North American (n = 149) and Chinese (n = 173) university students. Results showed that the Chinese students received more guidance and less emotional social support than did the White North American students, and that the Chinese students were more likely to take risks in financial domains than the White North American students were. Results also showed that emotional social support was negatively related to risky financial behaviors, but guidance was positively related to risky financial behaviors. More important, the results demonstrated that cross-cultural differences in social support can partly mediate cross-cultural differences in risky financial behaviors.


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