scholarly journals Consumer health knowledge: cultural norms and marketing of healthcare products

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-22
Author(s):  
Ogbonnaya Ukeh Oteh ◽  
Ambrose Ogbonna Oloveze ◽  
Raymond Ozoemena Obasi ◽  
J. O. Opara
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous People ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Consumer Health ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Healthcare Product ◽  
Practical Usefulness ◽  
Coefficient Corrélation ◽  
Scientific Decision

This paper discourses healthcare products that face some degree of acceptance within some societies due to specific cultural dilemmas and ethical concerns. The purpose of this paper is to assess consumer health knowledge on the cultural and ethical dilemma and norms as they affect the marketing of healthcare products. Literary sources indicate the existence of misconceptions and poor marketing performance of healthcare products within a cultural milieu in Nigeria, thus the focus is on indigenous people and their cultural backgrounds. To gain insight into consumer health knowledge, the study modelled Hofstede’s collectivism dimension following the dominant in-group cultural context of the indigenous people. The relevance of this scientific decision problem is that the result will cause an urgent policy approach, re-strategizing of approaches in communication and reach by the healthcare marketers and healthcare product producers. The research follows a survey pattern as data was collected for 4 – 5 months in year 2020 using a structured questionnaire while mean rating analysis and Pearson Coefficient correlation were used to analyze the result. The object of this research was Abia State in Nigeria, given that good numbers of the communities are notorious for the patronage of traditional healthcare products. The results proved that negligence of immunization, dependence on traditional health healers, and maintenance of ethical work environment are critical concerns that impact consumers’ health knowledge and their response to healthcare products being marketed by firms. Thus, the research makes an empirical confirmation and theoretically proves that Hofstede’s collectivism dimension appropriately profiles the dominant in-group cultural context of the indigenous people of Abia State, Nigeria. The findings of this research show its practical usefulness by identifying the need for communication, enlightenment and awareness programs, and practical demands for strategic approaches to marketing healthcare products within the communities. Policy-wise, the implication is the urgent demand to moderate beliefs and norms of the group by devising stringent measures for clinical laboratory tests of the traditional drugs and stiff penalties for defaulters of traditional healthcare product vendors and producers.

scholarly journals Cultural based preconceptions in aesthetic experience of architecture

Spatium ◽  
2011 ◽  
pp. 20-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Stevanovic
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Aesthetic Experience ◽  
Visual Language ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Historical Perspectives ◽  
Perceived Reality ◽  
The Aesthetic ◽  
Eastern Traditions

On a broader scale, the aim of this paper is to examine theoretically the effects a cultural context has on the aesthetic experience of images existing in perceived reality. Minimalism in architecture, as direct subject of research, is a field of particularities in which we observe functioning of this correlation. Through the experiment with the similarity phenomenon, the paper follows specific manifestations of general formal principles and variability of meaning of minimalism in architecture in limited areas of cultural backgrounds of Serbia and Japan. The goal of the comparative analysis of the examples presented is to indicate the conditions that may lead to a possibly different aesthetic experience in two different cultural contexts. Attribution of different meanings to similar formal visual language of architecture raises questions concerning the system of values, which produces these meanings in their cultural and historical perspectives. The establishment of values can also be affected by preconceptions resulting from association of perceived similarities. Are the preconceptions in aesthetic reception of architecture conditionally affected by pragmatic needs, symbolic archetypes, cultural metaphors based on tradition or ideologically constructed dogmas? Confronting philosophical postulates of the Western and Eastern traditions with the transculturality theory of Wolfgang Welsch, the answers may become more available.

scholarly journals PERCEPTION OF HOARDING BEHAVIOR AMONG GENERAL POPULATION OF RAWALPINDI AND ISLAMABAD CITIES OF PAKISTAN: AN EXPLORATORY QUALITATIVE INQUIRY

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 83-92
Author(s):  
Fauzia Malik ◽  
Anila Kamal
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
General Population ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Hoarding Behavior ◽  
Qualitative Research Methodology

Background: Hoarding is a complex phenomenon that has received extensive attention in recent years. Most studies have been conducted in Western culture with few from other regions of world, which advocates need to explore the phenomenon in different cultural contexts. Objective of this study was to ascertain the perception of hoarding behavior among general population of Rawalpindi and Islamabad cities of Pakistan.Materials Methods: This exploratory qualitative study with grounded theory design was conducted in National Institute of Psychology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan from September 2015-May 2016. Sample of 46 subjects from different socio-cultural backgrounds was selected from otherwise healthy adult (20-60 years) population of Rawalpindi Islamabad cities of Pakistan by purposive sampling. A qualitative research methodology was employed to develop theoretical understanding of phenomenon. Focus group discussions with six groups were conducted to assess existence and phenomenology of hoarding behavior in present cultural framework. Data was analyzed using grounded theory method.Results: Findings of this study support current literature concerning the role of emotional attachments, associated positive and negative affect, certain personality characteristics and early experiences in development and maintenance of hoarding behavior. This study also confirms that material possessions are source of security by providing sense of identity to owner, and are considered symbols of status in society. Finally, it involves the account of socio-cultural aspects like status transformation, with resulting sense of competition, gender role, impact of material deprivation, and religious construction of phenomenon that emerged as more of culture specific elements in indigenous settings of Pakistan.Conclusion: This study addresses factors that underpin major themes in relation to form and prevalence of hoarding behavior in cultural context of Pakistan and discusses the findings in reference to the similarities and differences with extant literature.

scholarly journals Medical students’ affective reactions to workplace experiences: qualitative investigation in a Chinese cultural context

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huei-Ming Yeh ◽  
Wan-Hsi Chien ◽  
Daniel Fu-Chang Tsai ◽  
Tim Dornan ◽  
Ling-Ping Lai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Cultural Hegemony ◽  
Affective Reactions ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Thick Description ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Workplace Experiences

Abstract Background Compassion fatigue, unprofessional behavior, and burnout are prompting educators to examine medical students’ affective reactions to workplace experiences. Attributes of both students and learning environments are influenced by their socio-cultural backgrounds. To prevent ‘educational cultural hegemony’, opinion leaders have advocated research in under-represented cultural contexts, of which Asia is a prime example. This study aimed to broaden the discourse of medical education by answering the question: how do students react affectively to workplace experiences in a Chinese cultural context? Methods In 2014, the authors recruited five female and seven male Taiwanese clerkship students to make 1–2 audio-diary recordings per week for 12 weeks describing affective experiences, to which they had consciously reacted. The authors analyzed transcripts of these recordings thematically in the original Mandarin and prepared a thick description of their findings, including illustrative extracts. An English-speaking education researcher helped them translate this into English, constantly comparing the interpretation with the original, untranslated data. Results (Mis) matches between their visions of future professional life and clerkship experiences influenced participants’ affective reactions, thoughts, and behaviors. Participants managed these reactions by drawing on a range of personal and social resources, which influenced the valence, strength, and nature of their reactions. This complex set of interrelationships was influenced by culturally determined values and norms, of which this report provides a thick description. Conclusion To avoid educational cultural hegemony, educators need to understand professional behavior in terms of complex interactions between culturally-specific attributes of individual students and learning environments. Trial registration The ethics committee of the National Taiwan University (NTU) Hospital gave research ethics approval (20130864RINB).

scholarly journals Exploring the perceived value of social practice theories for business-to-business marketing managers

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 751-768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sid Lowe ◽  
Michel Rod ◽  
Astrid Kainzbauer ◽  
Ki-Soon Hwang
Keyword(s):  
Social Practice ◽  
Structuration Theory ◽  
Business Networks ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Usefulness ◽  
Social Theories ◽  
Theories Of Practice ◽  
Practical Experiences ◽  
Business To Business

Purpose Drawing on sociological theories of Giddens, Bourdieu and Goffman, the purpose of this paper is to explore how different relationships are characterized between actors in interaction and determine whether social theories of practice resonate as being practical to managers. Design/methodology/approach In the empirical investigations, the authors employ the Delphi method whereby the authors “elevate” six highly experienced marketing practitioners in Dubai and Bangkok, each in different industries and from different cultural backgrounds, to designated “expert” positions in exploring the practical relevance of the practice-based theories of Bourdieu, the dramaturgy of Goffman and the structuration theory of Giddens in understanding practical experiences of managing in business-to-business networks. Findings The results show that aspects of these theories are consistent with practitioners’ experiences in many ways but the theories themselves do not appear to resonate with the modernist practical consciousness of the participants as being particularly pragmatic or practically useful except as resources they could selectively borrow from as bricoleurs of changing action. Originality/value Social practice theories appear rather too abstract and complex to practical actors. It is therefore paradoxical that social practice theories do not appear as sufficiently “handy” or “ready to hand” in Heidegger’s (1962) terms; being in need of translation into practical usefulness. It would appear that social practice theories can be a useful analytical vehicle for the academic analyst but cannot resonate with the modernist consciousness of the practical actor.

scholarly journals A sisterhood of letters

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Niineste
Keyword(s):  
Social Movement ◽  
Feminist Theory ◽  
Social Goals ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Apparent Lack ◽  
Contemporary World ◽  
Practical Usefulness ◽  
The Future ◽  
Feminist Theories

Solidarity has been a key topic for feminist thinkers of different times, schools and places. More than other disciplines, feminist theorists have dwelled upon the role of theory in the achievement of political and social goals. Calls for global sisterhood have incited proliferating debates as to the basis for solidarity between women and feminists. Theoretical disputes arising from the spread of deconstructionist ideas since the 1990s have led to a practical perplexity as to how to set feminist political goals if the category of woman is no longer straightforward. This article looks at how expectations for practical usefulness have resonated in feminist debates on solidarity and, drawing on Paul Ricoeur’s ideas of textuality and interpretation, reflects on the process of interaction between feminist theory and feminism as a social movement. It argues that in spite of the apparent lack of unanimity, or even outright hostility, that theoretical controversies might seem to indicate, the multiplicity of viewpoints and positions that various feminist theories collectively entail is a necessary vehicle for creating more solidarity between women in and outside academia in the contemporary world. Looking towards the future of feminist theory, the article invokes the metaphor of a sisterhood of letters to reflect on the value of shared intellectual endeavour in building solidarities between women of different social, racial, religious and cultural backgrounds.

scholarly journals A situation creation system to enable experiential learning in virtual worlds for developing cross-cultural competencies

2020 ◽  
pp. 233-239
Author(s):  
Maryam Sadat Mirzaei ◽  
Kourosh Meshgi ◽  
Toyoaki Nishida
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Competence ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Simulation Games ◽  
Cultural Competencies ◽  
Different Cultures

The emergence of virtual worlds and simulation games provide ample opportunities for developing cultural competence by offering a visual, contextual, immersive, and interactive experience. Learners can benefit from contextual interactions and develop cultural competencies by fulfilling quests or exploring the environment. However, most of the existing systems contain few pre-designed scenarios, inadequate for covering unique aspects of different cultures. This study introduces a situation creation toolkit for teachers and learners to design their culture-specific scenarios in a 3D environment and share it with others to experience such situations. In a preliminary experiment, 37 English learners with different cultural backgrounds created a scenario, specific to their culture, and provided proper/improper communicative choices as well as cultural-related notes. Scenarios were then exchanged to those of different cultures for role-playing and decision-making. Results highlighted the influence of L1 culture and stereotyping when facing an unfamiliar cultural context, thus leading to culturally unacceptable behavior. Findings suggest that through real-life scenario design and experience, our platform can prepare learners to interact in culturally appropriate ways and encourages them to gain cross-cultural competence.

scholarly journals The Significance of Time, Place and Traumatic Experience on at-Risk Youths’ View of their Well-Being: A Preliminary Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 2157-2180
Author(s):  
Silvia Exenberger ◽  
Stefanie Reiber
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Life Experience ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Traumatic Experience ◽  
Indian Ocean Tsunami ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Allocation Process ◽  
Preliminary Study

Abstract This preliminary study explores the perspectives of at-risk youths from different cultural backgrounds on their well-being. We propose that youths’ “well-being awareness” – i.e. what sources of well-being adolescents spontaneously become aware of when they are asked about – is strongly related to their socio-cultural context, their life experiences, and the time when they reflect about it. This study focused on the meaning of well-being sources, which were constructed by youths from different cultural backgrounds who faced different traumatic life experiences. We developed and applied a theoretical framework to understand youths’ well-being awareness. Focus group discussions were analyzed of 48 male youths aged 12–18 years. They either faced the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 (11 boys from South India), or severe intra-familial conflicts (17 European boys), or were unaccompanied minor refugees (20 boys of Asian and African origin). Youths were asked what makes them happy and sad and about their coping strategies, only followed by questions for clarification. First, the data were analyzed inductively based on grounded theory. Second, the gained well-being descriptions were deductively allocated to the most basic elements of human well-being according to White (2008): material, subjective and relational dimension. Through this allocation process the influence of the socio-cultural context (place), life-experience, and time on the meaning of well-being of each youth group became clear. Well-being should be viewed as a process: on the one hand youths conceptions of well-being are deeply rooted in their culture of origin, on the other hand the importance of well-being and its indicators change depending on youths’ traumatic experience and the time of asking about it.

scholarly journals The african theology as practical theology

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 121-135
Author(s):  
Pascal Habimana
Keyword(s):  
Practical Theology ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
African Continent ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
African Theology ◽  
Proper Method ◽  
Key Word ◽  
Gospel Message

The purpose of this article is to show that African theology is both a practical theology as well as a speculative theology. It is a theology which was born from the perspective of finding a proper method of evangelization on the African continent. To do this, this theology went through different stages which led it to its scientific maturity. Thanks to the efforts made, this theology has provided a way to a deeper evangelization in the african cultural context. Inculturation, as one of the ways of doing theology in Africa, has become a key word in African theology. Inculturation has the advantage of frank and uncompromising dialogue between the Gospel and cultures. This dialogue subsequently allows an appropriation of the Gospel message in various african cultural backgrounds.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document