Demographics, attitudes, and technology readiness

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
José I. Rojas-Méndez ◽  
A. Parasuraman ◽  
Nicolas Papadopoulos
Keyword(s):  
New Technology ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Technology Readiness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Validity ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Behavior Consistency ◽  
And Gender

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test the cross-cultural validity of the Technology Readiness Index (TRI) (Parasuraman, 2000) and explore how demographics and attitudinal variables may help to explain adoption and use of technology-based products and services. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on surveys conducted with probabilistic samples from two culturally distant countries, the USA and Chile. Findings Results support the TRI’s cross-cultural validity. They also suggest that demographic variables do matter when explaining people’s willingness to adopt new technology, with education being the most consistent predictor. Moreover, some of the findings seem to challenge the attitude-behavior consistency implied by conventional theory – while attitudinal variables are better predictors of pro-technological behavior in the USA, with technology-related insecurity being the most important of four attitudinal dimensions included in the analysis, demographic variables perform as better predictors in Chile, with educational level outperforming age and gender. Originality/value This is the first-ever cross-cultural test of the TRI using actual consumer samples from two culturally very different countries.

Examining need for uniqueness in emerging markets

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dheeraj Sharma ◽  
Varsha Verma ◽  
Subhash Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Validity ◽  
Cultural Phenomenon ◽  
Need For Uniqueness ◽  
Cultural Research ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Using Data

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to conduct a five-country study of consumers’ need for uniqueness (CNFU) and examine its research and practical implications. Most studies examining CNFU have used single country or US-based samples. To promote cross-cultural research, the authors test the cross-cultural reliability and validity of the CNFU scale using data from the USA, a developed economy, Brazil, India, Thailand, and Mexico, all emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach The original CNFU scale was developed in the USA. Therefore, to cross-validate the scale, data were collected from consumers in the USA, Brazil, India, Thailand, and Mexico as these countries demonstrate important socio-economic and cultural differences. The scale was tested using confirmatory factor analysis. Findings The scale was estimated and validated in all five countries and the analysis reveals that the CNFU scale has sound psychometric properties. Further, the authors find that CNFU is a cross-cultural phenomenon that has a significant impact on market mavenism (MM), and this relationship is moderated by usage variety (UV). Research limitations/implications The results indicate generality of all the scale items, and demonstrate that CNFU is a cross-cultural phenomenon. Greater nomological validity of the CNFU construct could be established by investigating its relationship with more constructs. Originality/value The authors provide empirical evidence on the cross-cultural validity of the CNFU scale; examine its effect on MM; and role of UV on the relationship between CNFU and MM.

Students’ perceptions of the use of technology in cross-cultural communication

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-207
Author(s):  
Antonina Bauman
Keyword(s):  
New Technology ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Academic Programs ◽  
Cultural Communication ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cross Cultural Communication ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Data Saturation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore students’ perceptions of the use of technology in cross-cultural communication and to compare findings with current trends in business. Design/methodology/approach – Structured interviews with seven open-ended questions were used to explore students’ perceptions of the use of technology in cross-cultural communication. Findings – Students learn how to use new technology in cross-cultural communication faster than businesses implement those technologies. Students tend to emphasize the use of video conferencing tools rather than e-mail. Research limitations/implications – Although data saturation has been reached, the sample size was relatively small. Students studying business participated in the study. Practical implications – The findings of this study suggest considering changes to the curriculum and embedding work-based learning into academic programs. Originality/value – This paper compares students’ perceptions with business expectations, revealing the areas in the content of the business communication classes that need to be changed.

The role of demographic factors of international students on teaching preferences

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-71
Author(s):  
Pramila Rao
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Teaching Methods ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Teaching Preferences ◽  
One Way Anova

Purpose This empirical research was conducted in a medium-sized private university located in the north-eastern region of the USA. The purpose of this paper was to understand whether demographic attributes (age, gender, country of origin and years of stay in the USA) of international students will predict any preferences for specific teaching methods. This study was conducted with international students from October 2012 through May 2013 (fall and spring semesters). Design/methodology/approach This research paper provides hypotheses to explore whether there is any relationship between demographic factors and preferences for various teaching methods. This study analyzes the results using both Pearson’s correlations and one-way ANOVA to reject or accept the hypotheses. Findings The results demonstrated that there were no significant correlations between the demographic variables of international students and teaching methods. However, the one-way ANOVA analyses suggested that there are differences among age groups and their preferences for group projects, years of studying in the USA and their preferences for classroom discussions, and gender and their preferences for textbook assignments. Practical implications This study suggests that scholars provide orientation or training on the host country’s pedagogies so that international students can assimilate better into their academic communities. Originality/value This pioneering paper examines the role between demographic variables of international students and teaching pedagogies. This specific concept has not been examined in this literature before. This understanding could contribute to a richer understanding of this population of students.

“Toxic Masculinity” in the age of #MeToo: ritual, morality and gender archetypes across cultures

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Paul Louis Veissière
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Moral Panics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ideal Types ◽  
Biological Sex ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Gender Archetypes ◽  
Cultural Shifts

Purpose This paper aims to take the “toxic masculinity” (TM) trope as a starting point to examine recent cultural shifts in common assumptions about gender, morality and relations between the sexes. TM is a transculturally widespread archetype or moral trope about the kind of man one should not be. Design/methodology/approach The author revisits his earlier fieldwork on transnational sexualities against a broader analysis of the historical, ethnographic and evolutionary record. The author describes the broad cross-cultural recurrence of similar ideal types of men and women (good and bad) and the rituals through which they are culturally encouraged and avoided. Findings The author argues that the TM trope is normatively useful if and only if it is presented alongside a nuanced spectrum of other gender archetypes (positive and negative) and discussed in the context of human universality and evolved complementariness between the sexes. Social implications The author concludes by discussing stoic virtue models for the initiation of boys and argues that they are compatible with the normative commitments of inclusive societies that recognize gender fluidity along the biological sex spectrum. Originality/value The author makes a case for the importance of strong gender roles and the rites and rituals through which they are cultivated as an antidote to current moral panics about oppression and victimhood.

Performance evaluations and junior auditors’ attitude to audit behavior: a gender and culture comparative study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Khalil ◽  
Rabih Nehme
Keyword(s):  
Performance Appraisal ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Developed Country ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Internship Programs ◽  
Educational Path ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to shed light on factors leading to unethical acts committed by auditors from a cultural and gender perspectives. It investigates differences in junior auditors’ attitudes towards audit behavior when a performance evaluation (PE) is anticipated. The objective of this study is to aid academicians and audit executives in developing new models of PE and internship programs that should mitigate dysfunctional behavior. Design/methodology/approach A survey adapted from Big Four companies’ performance appraisal templates was administered to junior accountants who have completed their internship programs and their external audit course at accredited universities in Lebanon and the USA. Several statistical tests were conducted to analyze the relationship between the different variables. Findings This paper shows how PE affects junior auditors’ attitudes to dysfunctional audit behavior (DAB). From a cultural standpoint, American auditors express more negative views towards DAB than their Lebanese counterparts. This paper also demonstrates that female auditors are less inclined towards DAB than male auditors. Originality/value Previous studies on the topic have been mostly conducted in developed countries with a scarcity of studies examining multiple countries. This study focuses on two different cultural contexts, a developed country, the USA and an emerging country, poorly represented in the literature, Lebanon. This paper also observes variances between male and female auditors in DAB when expecting a PE. The originality of this paper stems from its concurrent examination of the impact of gender and culture on DAB by using a sample of less-experienced auditors at the end of their educational path.

Technology visibility and consumer adoption of virtual fitting rooms (VFRs): a cross-cultural comparison of Chinese and Korean consumers

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-194
Author(s):  
Hanna Lee ◽  
Yingjiao Xu ◽  
Ailin Li
Keyword(s):  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Comparison ◽  
Cultural Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intention To Adopt ◽  
Cross Cultural Comparison ◽  
Different Cultures

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine the influence of technology visibility and subsequent perceptions of VFRs on consumers' intention to adopt VFRs in the online shopping context. A cross-cultural comparison was conducted to examine the different relationships among technology visibility, consumer perceptions and adoption intentions between the Chinese and Korean consumers.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 306 Chinese and 324 Korean consumers. The data were empirically analysed using structural equation modelling as well as multi-group comparisons.FindingsEmpirical results suggest significant influence of technology visibility on consumers' experiential and functional perceptions towards VFRs and accordingly on their adoption intention towards VFRs. Significant differences were also revealed between the Chinese and Korean consumers in their adoption behaviours towards VFRs.Research limitations/implicationsThe comparison was only conducted between the Chinese and Korean consumers. If two countries from two dramatically different cultures were compared, the results might be more significant.Practical implicationsAn important implication is that enhancement of visibility is crucial for technology adoption considering its importance in shaping consumers' perceptions towards the technology.Originality/valueThe paper empirically tested the importance of technology visibility in consumers' new technology adoption in the VFR context from a cross-cultural perspective.

Forward-backward translation and cross-cultural validation of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale among Tigrigna-speaking Eritrean refugees

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-176
Author(s):  
Mulubrhan F. Mogos ◽  
Jason W. Beckstead ◽  
Mary E. Evans ◽  
Kevin E. Kip ◽  
Roger A. Boothroyd
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
Semantic Analysis ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Vulnerable Population ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa

Purpose The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale is a widely used instrument for studying depression in the general population. It has been translated into several languages. Cross-cultural relevance of the construct of depression and cultural equivalence of the CES-D items used to measure it are crucial for international research on depression. Given the increasing number of refugees from Eritrea entering the USA and Europe, there is a need among health care researchers and providers for an instrument to assess depressive symptoms in the native language of this vulnerable population. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach The study employed forward–backward translation and assessed the CES-D scale for cross-cultural research and depression screening among Tigrigna-speaking Eritrean refugees. Forward–backward translation, cognitive interview and semantic analysis were conducted to ensure equivalence of comprehension of the items and instructions between Tigrigna- and English-speaking samples. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the measurement invariance of the translated version. Findings Translation efforts were successful as reflected by the results of semantic analysis and pilot testing. Evidence supporting the measurement invariance of data collected using the Tigrigna version of the CES-D was obtained from a sample of 253 Eritrean refugees in the USA. Practical implications The findings of this study provide support for reliability and validity of data collected using the Tigrigna version of the CES-D scale. This important tool for assessing depression symptoms among Eritrean refugees is now available for health care providers and researchers working with this vulnerable population. Originality/value This work is an original work of the authors and it has not been published previously.

Standard of living, consumption norms, and perceived necessities

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 710-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riikka Aro ◽  
Terhi-Anna Wilska
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Living Standards ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Determinants ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Material Conditions ◽  
Definition Of

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on the material conditions of peoples’ daily lives by investigating changes in the self-perceived necessities of ten technology- and leisure-related consumer goods and services between 1999 and 2009. The authors also look at the socio-demographic predictors of the perceptions and the development of the ownership of the goods under investigation. Design/methodology/approach – The data are derived from surveys “Finland – Consumption and way of life” 1999 (N=2,417), 2004 (N=3,574), and 2009 (N=1,202). The statistical analysis methods include ANOVA and descriptive statistics. Also official statistics are used. Findings – Many technological goods, in particular, have become necessities for most people, and the ownership rates have increased notably. Age, type of household, place of residence and gender affected the necessity of most items. Income affected the necessity of expensive goods and services. Practical implications – The ways goods become social decencies does not always follow economic rationalities or are explained by conventional socio-economic determinants. The meaning of life course stage and related daily practices are probably more important than is usually recognized in social studies. Particularly many ICT goods become socially perceived necessities soon after their emergence, which changes the perceptions of adequate living standards, affecting thus the definition of “basic needs” and related social policy. Originality/value – The perceptions of necessities and other measures of living standards have been mainly looked at from the viewpoint of poverty and income. This study explains the perceived necessity of goods and services by several socio-demographic variables.

Perceived trustworthiness in using B2B digital services

2019 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 587-607
Author(s):  
Heli Hallikainen ◽  
Saku Hirvonen ◽  
Tommi Laukkanen
Keyword(s):  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Technology Readiness ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Job Level ◽  
Digital Services ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
And Gender ◽  
High Level

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how the perceived trustworthiness of a B2B service provider relates to a business customer’s intention to use digital services from that provider. The study investigates whether perceived trustworthiness, composed of ability, integrity and benevolence, explains behavioral intentions equally among all business customer segments, and how characteristics such as job level, decision-making role, technology readiness age and gender moderate these effects. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on a model of trust transfer mechanism, the study explores how perceived trustworthiness established in face-to-face interaction influences the use of digital services in making B2B purchases. Hypotheses are tested using a sample of 1,866 responses collected from customers of four B2B firms. Findings Ability is the most influential on the customer’s intention to transact through digital channels, while the effects of integrity and benevolence show more variation. The effect of perceived trustworthiness on the intention to use digital services is remarkably stronger among senior and middle management, high-level decision makers, the younger age segment, men and individuals high in technology readiness, compared to other segments studied. Originality/value The study contributes to the scant research on B2B customer behavior in the digital environment and incorporates individual characteristics specific to the industrial domain.

When the owl of Minerva flew at dusk: marketing in Greater Germany, 1918‐1939

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald A. Fullerton
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Behavior ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
German Language ◽  
Economic Changes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World ◽  
Peripheral Position ◽  
The Usa

PurposeDuring the 1920s and into the 1930s, German‐language work on consumer behavior led the world; for example, segmentation was clearly discussed from the late 1920s. The purpose of this paper is to show how marketing thought in Germany and Austria reached a peak even as the environmental substructure that sustained it was being seriously eroded by political and economic changes that forever consigned it to a peripheral position upon the world stage.Design/methodology/approachThe design of the study is a critical historical one relying heavily upon documents produced during the period discussed. Statements are weighed and evaluated.FindingsThe paper finds that very impressive, at times world‐leading, work was being done in the 1920s and early 1930s, particularly in the areas of segmentation and what would later become known as consumer behavior. Much of what later became known as Motivation Research, or example, was pioneered in Germany and Austria before 1934.Research limitations/ implicationsThe primary implication is that a great deal of marketing thought developed outside the USA, sometimes drawing upon US marketing thought, in other cases developing completely independently. A second implication is that marketing thought can be weakened by political and economic conditions, as Germany and Austria painfully experienced.Originality/valueThis is the first study to explore historical German and Austrian marketing thought in a cross‐cultural manner, comparing and contrasting them with thought developed elsewhere.

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