Does Culture Influence the Website Design of Schools? A Cross-cultural Comparative Study in the Indian, Chinese and American Context

2021 ◽  
pp. 097215092198961
Author(s):  
Boudhayan Ganguly ◽  
Tirthankar Nag
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
International Schools ◽  
School Administrators ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Website Design ◽  
Cultural Markers ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Individual

Decades of globalization had led website designers to focus more on functionality and standardization catering to the global village. Nevertheless, do cultural dimensions matter in website design. Extant literature in the domain of e-commerce has explored cultural parameters in website design in limited contexts. In the current era, globalization is not just restricted to trade and commerce but subsumes other important categories such as education. This article examines the influence of culture on the design and layout of websites of schools, which has not been explored otherwise. Most prominent developed and developing economies have international schools with international course curriculum and content. It is thus becoming increasingly important to understand whether the schools are following a generic design of websites without considering the individual cultural values or giving more emphasis to local cultural values in developing websites. This study has sampled websites of schools from India, China and the USA and conducted a comparative analysis to get a comprehensive understanding of whether culture influences the website design of schools. For theorizing and initializing cultural parameters, the study refers to the seminal work of Hofstede and uses cultural markers to score websites using an instrument developed for the study. Subsequently, the article uses the well-accepted technique of support vector machine (SVM) to segregate the websites of schools of India, China and the USA based on cultural dimensions. The presence of a large number of misclassified cases indicates that perhaps an emic approach is needed for a better understanding of the design of websites of schools rather than an etic approach wherein we compare the schools using cultural dimensions. The study contributes to the academic literature by developing an instrument and a methodology for analysing cultural markers in website design for schools and may be useful for school administrators and designers to integrate cultural dimensions in website design.

Different Approaches to Wealth Creation

2020 ◽  
pp. 121-143
Author(s):  
Kanji Kitamura
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Uncertainty Avoidance ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Wealth Creation ◽  
Cultural Constructs ◽  
Globalizing World ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Cultural Construct

This chapter deals with the simple yet important question of whether national culture matters in today's rapidly globalizing world. This study explores the automobile sectors in Japan and the USA and examines the relevance to the cultural constructs of individualism/collectivism, time orientation, and uncertainty avoidance. To maximize research confidence with limited resources, it triangulates its qualitative findings and the literature concepts generated from quantitative research. The grounded findings include the connection between business practices and cultural values, the interrelated nature of cultural dimensions, and a clarification of the cultural construct of uncertainty avoidance.

scholarly journals Understanding Culture with a Transnational Population: a Value-Sensitive Approach

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tag Alsheri ◽  
Norah Abokhodair ◽  
Patrick Olivier
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Design Methods ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Culturally Specific ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
A Value ◽  
Cultural Markers

It is widely acknowledged in design that culture is embodied in many aspects of an individual’s identity. Many design methods operationalize this understanding through the use of cultural markers or predefined cultural dimensions. Here, we take a first step to distil the culturally specific values of the Saudi culture. We adopt a bottom-up approach that allows for values to emerge from the data by reflecting on two studies of a transnational population: a form of identity where the choice of cultural values is conscious and deliberate. Despite their different goals, the two studies yield common overarching core cultural values. Using a value-sensitive approach, we propose a process for designers to identify culturally specific values, illustrating this in our context of interest: Saudi culture.

scholarly journals A pragmatic approach to the analysis of marketing adaptation to Russian national culture

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-46
Author(s):  
A. N. Tikhomirova
Keyword(s):  
Marketing Strategy ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
National Culture ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Pragmatic Approach ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Strategy Adaptation ◽  
Fast Moving Consumer Goods ◽  
The Individual

There are a great number of transnational corporations operating all over the world. All of them are facing the issue of national culture, and cross-cultural difference is of vital importance. Choosing appropriate marketing strategy assures success or failure on the international market. The concept of culture is very dynamic and requires constant observation. The tasks marketing managers started to deal with became more complex, requiring cultural sensitivity and ability to overcome cross-cultural differences.The research, presented in this paper, attempts to analyze whether national culture affects marketing strategy of international companies. The framework of cultural dimensions developed by Hofstede was taken as a basis for the analysis of Russian national culture. The author resorts to the quantitative approach based on the conducted survey and analyzes data collected in the Russian Federation. At first cultural values were used to identify Russia. Cultural values were measured at the individual level and compared to the previous findings on Russian culture. Analysis of differences in cultural values on the individual level among Russian population has shown that there is some kind of difference between previous findings related to Russia and findings obtained during the research. The level of adaptation was evaluated from the consumers’ point of view. Questionnaire was designed based on the analyzed literature, and obtained data was statistically analyzed with SPSS. Linear regression and correlation analysis were used to prove the hypotheses of the research work. Though Russian national culture was depicted as unique with a great number of peculiarities, in the industries, analyzed in this paper, the connection between marketing strategy adaptation and uncertainty avoidance, and marketing strategy adaptation and dimension of collectivism for fast moving consumer goods was proved statistically.The second stage of the research included the analysis of the empirical evidence of the cultural adaptation of the advertisement of fast moving consumer goods for the Russian consumer. A number of samples were analyzed, and two cases are presented in the paper. The pragmatic approach was used for the analysis of the empirical data.The results of the study add to the theoretical knowledge about the relationship between cultural dimensions in Russia and marketing strategies employed by transnational companies. They also contribute to the knowledge about Russian consumers’ behavior patterns. The framework can be potentially applied to other spheres of professional business in Russia.

Cross-cultural, values and ethics differences and similarities between the US and Asian countries

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredi Garcia ◽  
Diana Mendez ◽  
Chris Ellis ◽  
Casey Gautney
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Value System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ethical Beliefs ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This article aims to investigate the differences and similarities among cross-cultural, values and ethics between the USA and Asian countries. This article analyzes the degree of cultural distance between USA and Asian countries and the impact it has in companies. It examines the comparison between the USA and China’s value system. It also assesses how idealism and relativism impact individual ethical decision-making. In addition, this article examines the impact that globalization, foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade have in the Chinese culture and other countries. Design/methodology/approach – The data for this research paper were collected from the following models: Ethics Position Questionnaire of Forsyth, Rokeach Values Survey, Hofstede model, GLOBE model and Wilcoxon test. The main sources used for this research were the Journal of Technology Management in China and the EBSCO database. Findings – The research found that Western cultures tend to be more individualistic, while Asian countries tend to be very collective. This study also found that the type of value system that each culture holds depends on the type of government. This research also found that researchers have discovered that American managers are more loyal to their ethical beliefs, rather than to their superior’s or company’s ethical beliefs. While eastern Asian cultures focus more on the importance of acting in the best interests of the company’s superior. The study also found that it is extremely important for foreigners to build a relationship with Chinese business professionals before they do business negotiations. In addition, the study found that globalization, FDI and trade do make a significant cultural difference in some cultural dimensions. Originality/value – It contributes to the literature by analyzing the different measurements in value, ethics and cultural differentiation. This research wants to demonstrate the importance of cultural differences, ethics and values across different countries and cultures. It also provides factual evidence that it’s important to understand these differences to be a successful global manager. In addition, it contributes to this literature by analyzing the effect that globalization, FDI and trade have in national cultures.

scholarly journals The Role of National Culture Values and Trust in Online Sharing Hospitality Platform Acceptance

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 103-130
Author(s):  
Cong Zhang ◽  
Mark Srite
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Uncertainty Avoidance ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Us ◽  
Acceptance Model ◽  
The Individual

The sharing economy, as an emerging business model, has grown greatly in the last decade. However, the acceptance rate of the sharing economy varies from country to country. Researchers have noted the importance of cultural values on technology acceptance in different countries. This study investigates the influence of national cultural values and trust on the acceptance of online sharing hospitality platforms by users in the US and China via a survey methodology. The four espoused national cultural dimensions of individualism/collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity/femininity, and power distance were measured at the individual level. Extending from the technology acceptance model (TAM), the research model integrates both direct and moderating effects of culture and trust. The two constructs of trust both have significant direct effects on intention to use. Uncertainty avoidance has a significant moderating effect. The results emphasize the importance of trust and cultural values, especially uncertainty avoidance in online hospitality platforms adoption.

Pengaruh Budaya Terhadap Akuntansi, Auditing Dan Praktik Akuntansi Internasional

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-95
Author(s):  
Priyastiwi Priyastiwi
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
National Level ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Financial Disclosure ◽  
Cross Cultural Differences ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this article is to provide the basic model of Hofstede and Grays’ cultural values that relates the Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and Gray‘s accounting value. This article reviews some studies that prove the model and develop the research in the future. There are some evidences that link the Hofstede’s cultural values studies with the auditor’s judgment and decisions by developing a framework that categorizes the auditor’s judgments and decisions are most likely influenced by cross-cultural differences. The categories include risk assessment, risk decisions and ethical judgments. Understanding the impact of cultural factors on the practice of accounting and financial disclosure is important to achieve the harmonization of international accounting. Deep understanding about how the local values may affect the accounting practices and their impacts on the financial disclosure are important to ensure the international comparability of financial reporting. Gray’s framework (1988) expects how the culture may affect accounting practices at the national level. One area of the future studies will examine the impact of cultural dimensions to the values of accounting, auditing and decision making. Key word : Motivation, leadership style, job satisfaction, performance

Directive Guidance as a Cultural Practice for Learning by Chinese-Heritage Babies

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Su-hua Wang ◽  
Shinchieh Duh
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Study ◽  
Early Development ◽  
Filial Piety ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Cultural Practice ◽  
European American ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Children’S Learning ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Individual

We provide a framework of analysis for Chinese ways of learning that extends beyond the individual level. The theoretical framework focuses on Confucian principles of <i>xiào</i> (孝, filial piety), <i>guăn</i> (管, to govern), and <i>dào dé guān</i> (道德觀, virtues), which leads us to argue that directive guidance as a cultural practice nourishes Chinese-heritage children’s learning as early as in infancy. To illustrate how directive guidance occurs in action for infants, we present an empirical study that examined the interaction of mother-infant dyads in Taipei, Taiwan, when they played with a challenging toy. The dyads co-enacted directive guidance more frequently than their European-American counterparts in the USA – through hand holding, intervening, and collaboration – while infants actively participate in the practice. We discuss the early development of strengths for learning that is fostered through culturally meaningful practices recurrent in parent-infant interaction.

The role of organizational culture in the knowledge management process

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 433-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Ling-hsing Chang ◽  
Tung-Ching Lin
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Customer Service ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Resources ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Individual

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to focus on the enhancement of knowledge management (KM) performance and the relationship between organizational culture and KM process intention of individuals because of the diversity of organizational cultures (which include results-oriented, tightly controlled, job-oriented, closed system and professional-oriented cultures). Knowledge is a primary resource in organizations. If firms are able to effectively manage their knowledge resources, then a wide range of benefits can be reaped such as improved corporate efficiency, effectiveness, innovation and customer service. Design/methodology/approach – The survey methodology, which has the ability to enhance generalization of results (Dooley, 2001), was used to collect the data utilized in the testing of the research hypotheses. Findings – Results- and job-oriented cultures have positive effects on employee intention in the KM process (creation, storage, transfer and application), whereas a tightly controlled culture has negative effects. Research limitations/implications – However, it would have been better to use a longitudinal study to collect useful long-term data to understand how the KM process would be influenced when organizational culture dimensions are changed through/by management. This is the first limitation of this study. According to Mason and Pauleen (2003), KM culture is a powerful predictor of individual knowledge-sharing behavior, which is not included in this study. Thus, this is the second limitation of this paper. Moreover, national culture could be an important issue in the KM process (Jacks et al., 2012), which is the third limitation of this paper for not comprising it. Practical implications – In researchers’ point of view, results- and job-oriented cultures have positive effects, whereas a tightly controlled culture has a negative effect on the KM process intention of the individual. These findings provide evidences that challenge the perspective of Kayworth and Leidner (2003) on this issue. As for practitioners, management has a direction to modify their organizational culture to improve the performance of KM process. Social implications – Both behavioral and value perspectives of the organizational cultural dimensions (results-oriented, tightly control, job-oriented, sociability, solidarity, need for achievement and democracy) should be examined to ascertain their effects firstly on KM culture and then on the KM process intention of the individual. It is hoped that the current study will spawn future investigations that lead to the development of an integrated model which includes organizational culture, KM culture and the KM process intention of the individual. Originality/value – The results-oriented, loosely controlled and job-oriented cultures will improve the effectiveness of the KM process and will also increase employees’ satisfaction and willingness to stay with the organization.

An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Image-based Texture Features Extracted from Static B-mode Ultrasound Images in Distinguishing between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Masses

2021 ◽  
pp. 016173462199809
Author(s):  
Dhurgham Al-karawi ◽  
Hisham Al-Assam ◽  
Hongbo Du ◽  
Ahmad Sayasneh ◽  
Chiara Landolfo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gabor Filter ◽  
Empirical Evaluation ◽  
Texture Features ◽  
Image Texture ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Simple Majority ◽  
Ultrasound Scan ◽  
Histograms Of Oriented Gradients ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Ovarian Masses

Significant successes in machine learning approaches to image analysis for various applications have energized strong interest in automated diagnostic support systems for medical images. The evolving in-depth understanding of the way carcinogenesis changes the texture of cellular networks of a mass/tumor has been informing such diagnostics systems with use of more suitable image texture features and their extraction methods. Several texture features have been recently applied in discriminating malignant and benign ovarian masses by analysing B-mode images from ultrasound scan of the ovary with different levels of performance. However, comparative performance evaluation of these reported features using common sets of clinically approved images is lacking. This paper presents an empirical evaluation of seven commonly used texture features (histograms, moments of histogram, local binary patterns [256-bin and 59-bin], histograms of oriented gradients, fractal dimensions, and Gabor filter), using a collection of 242 ultrasound scan images of ovarian masses of various pathological characteristics. The evaluation examines not only the effectiveness of classification schemes based on the individual texture features but also the effectiveness of various combinations of these schemes using the simple majority-rule decision level fusion. Trained support vector machine classifiers on the individual texture features without any specific pre-processing, achieve levels of accuracy between 75% and 85% where the seven moments and the 256-bin LBP are at the lower end while the Gabor filter is at the upper end. Combining the classification results of the top k ( k = 3, 5, 7) best performing features further improve the overall accuracy to a level between 86% and 90%. These evaluation results demonstrate that each of the investigated image-based texture features provides informative support in distinguishing benign or malignant ovarian masses.

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