Cross-cultural Analysis Research Articles

Breaking down entrepreneurial barriers: exploring the nexus of entrepreneurial behavior, innovation, and bank credit access through the lens of the theory of planned behavior

Access to finance is a primary concern for enterprises, serving as a critical component of tangible resources within the Resource-based View (RBV) framework and driving entrepreneurial activities globally. Bank credit stands as the preferred source of debt financing for enterprises, yet information asymmetry between lenders and borrowers poses significant credit obstacles. To address these challenges, we leverage the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), contending that entrepreneurs’ personal attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms influence bank credit access. Additionally, we argue that innovation performance, an intangible resource within RBV, facilitates credit access by enhancing firms’ quality and creditworthiness from lenders’ perspectives. This paper aims to examine the relationships between TPB constructs, bank credit access, and innovation performance, as well as the mediating role of innovation performance, through an analysis of 1367 enterprises across diverse European countries. Our findings reveal that innovation performance fully and inconsistently mediates the relationships between personal attitude-credit access and subjective norm-credit access, as the direct impacts of personal attitude and subjective norm on bank finance are found to be insignificant and negative, respectively. These results underscore the pivotal role of innovation performance in linking entrepreneurial behaviors to credit access, contributing to the uniqueness of this research within the entrepreneurship literature. Moreover, our study emphasizes the need for training initiatives that foster innovative and entrepreneurial attitudes among firm executives, thereby facilitating easier credit access. As highlighted by our cross-cultural analyses, these implications extend beyond national borders, offering valuable insights for enhancing credit accessibility across diverse contexts.

Parallel Horizons: A Comparative Voyage through Modernist and Postmodernist Waves in Australian and Indian Writing

This paper undertakes a comparative exploration of modernist and postmodernist movements in Australian and Indian literature, examining their transformative influence on the global literary landscape of the 20th century. Modernists introduced subjective expressions and disruptive narrative techniques, exploring psychic fragmentation, while postmodernists playfully challenged conventional literary representations. In Australian modernism, Patrick White's "Voss" (1957) critiques imperialism through surreal characterization, and Christina Stead's "The Man Who Loved Children" (1940) employs expressionistic symbolism to highlight marital oppression. Indian modernists, including Tagore and Anand, fused indigenous and Western influences in socially-conscious works addressing colonialism. Transitioning to postmodernism, Peter Carey's "Bliss" (1981) and Salman Rushdie's "Midnight's Children" (1981) utilize intertextual pastiche to interrogate post-Independence national identities. Modernists disrupt narrative continuity to unveil alienation, while postmodernists expose storytelling's artifice through self-referentiality. The paper argues that narrative shifts between movements reflect changing assumptions about identity and power relations during anti/post-colonial transitions. Australian postmodernists, like Carey, reframe national myths from marginalized perspectives. In Indian postmodernism, Rushdie's carnivalesque narration destabilizes post-Independence identity constructions. In conclusion, modern and postmodern literature document the reconstitution of identity amidst profound societal change. Cross-cultural analysis enriches understanding of how global aesthetic movements intersect with localized interpretations. This study contributes to the discourse on evolving identity in literature, underscoring the significance of narrative transformations across distinct cultural and historical contexts.

Pragmatic Perception of Sensationalism: A Comparison of British and Malaysian Online Newspapers Headline Constructions

This study examines the pragmatic features of sensationalist headlines in online newspapers, comparing The Times (UK) and The Star (Malaysia) in 2024. Using discourse analysis on 60 headlines, we investigate how sensationalism shapes public opinion in the digital age. The research addresses a gap in cross-cultural analysis of media influence and aims to enhance media literacy. Results indicate that headline writers employ various pragmatic elements, with speech acts being the most prevalent, to convey intended messages and engage readers. Both overt and implicit use of pragmatic features effectively express themes of victory and liberation across both publications. While the study provides insights into pragma-linguistic strategies in sensational headline construction, its limited sample size suggests the need for broader future research. The findings offer valuable insights for media practitioners, researchers, and consumers, highlighting the importance of critical media consumption in an era of increasing sensationalism.

Reform Strategies for the Popular Music Public Course Based on Key Competences

This study aims to explore the application potential of international music teaching methods in the reform of public basic courses of popular music in Chinese universities. Using mixed research methods, the applicability of Dalcroze, Kodaly, and Orff teaching methods was systematically evaluated through expert interviews, teaching material development, and a quasi-experimental design. The study found that these methods have high overall applicability in the Chinese higher education environment (average rating 4.183/5), but require localization adjustments. Based on this, the innovative textbook "Fundamentals and Applications of Popular Music" (IOC value 0.920) and a 12-week teaching plan (IOC value 0.880) were developed. The results of the 16-week teaching experiment showed that the students in the experimental group were significantly better than the control group in terms of music theory knowledge, appreciation ability, creative ability and learning interest (p<0.01). This study proposes a curriculum reform strategy that integrates innovation, technology empowerment, and interdisciplinary integration, providing theoretical basis and practical guidance for improving the quality of popular music education in colleges and universities. Future research directions include expanding the sample scope, conducting long-term follow-up studies, and deepening cross-cultural comparative analysis.

Восприятие родительского отношения и общая академическая успеваемость старшеклассников: российско-кыргызское исследование

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objective. </strong>Cross-cultural analysis of the perception of parental attitudes and its influence on the general academic performance of high school students from Russia and Kyrgyzstan. <br><strong>Background. </strong>The characteristics of parental attitudes are closely related not only to the child’s educational success during life in the family, but also to educational achievements in the future. At the same time, the sociocultural specifics of parent-child relationships, through the perception of a growing child, can change the direction and magnitude of such associations. <br><strong>Study design. </strong>The characteristics of the relationship between mothers and fathers – emotional acceptance and overprotection – by high school students from two countries differing in socio-economic status are analyzed. A cross-cultural analysis of the structure of associations between the characteristics of the perception of parental attitudes and academic performance is carried out. <br><strong>Participants. </strong>The study analyzed data from 528 students in grades 10–11 from Russia and Kyrgyzstan. Russian sample: 230 people (<em>M</em> = 17,31; <em>SD</em> = 0,7), 58,1% girls. Kyrgyz sample: 298 people (<em>M</em> = 17,21; <em>SD</em> = 0,7), 67,6% girls. <br><strong>Measurements. </strong>Russian-language version of the questionnaire “Parental Bonding Instrument” (T.N. Tikhomirova, D.A. Gaysina, S.B. Malykh, 2021). <br><strong>Results. </strong>At high school age, the perception of parental attitude has a culture-specific conditioning, most clearly expressed in the perception of emotional acceptance by the mother and the overprotective attitude of the father. <br><strong>Conclusions. </strong>Given the existence of a universal model of the influence of parental attitudes on the general academic performance of high school students, cross-cultural specificity of functional associations within the model is observed, which is more characteristic of the perception of the attitudes of fathers rather than mothers.</p>

Investigating the influence of perceived humanization of service encounters on value creation of chatbot-assisted services

PurposeWhile prior research has examined customer acceptance of humanized chatbots, the mechanisms through which they influence customer value creation remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the emerging concept of Perceived Humanization (PH), examining how hedonic motivation, social influence and anthropomorphism influence value creation through the serial mediation of PH and trust. The moderating roles of rapport and social presence are also explored.Design/methodology/approachBased on data from an online survey involving 257 respondents, this study employs Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling utilizing SmartPLS3 software.FindingsHedonic motivation leads to value creation via two routes: PH and affective trust; and PH and cognitive trust. Social influence and anthropomorphism also positively impact value creation through similar pathways. Rapport moderates the impact of social influence on PH, while social presence moderates the relationship between PH and both affective and cognitive trust. A cross-cultural analysis of China, India and New Zealand highlights varying cultural dimensions influencing PH and its effects on value creation.Practical implicationsFor practitioners in the tourism industry, the findings highlight the strategic importance of enhancing PH in chatbot interactions. By understanding and optimizing these elements, businesses can significantly improve their customer value-creation process.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the service marketing literature by generating a comprehensive framework for the comprehension and application of PH. Its cross-cultural perspective provides rich insights, offering valuable information for service marketers aiming to thrive in the dynamic and competitive tourism industry.

The relationship between corporate culture of SMEs and crisis response ability under the cross-cultural background

This research explores the critical influence of corporate culture on small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) crisis response abilities under varied cross-cultural environments. Amid the disruptive backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, SMEs globally have faced unprecedented challenges. This study addresses a gap in the existing literature by conducting a cross-cultural analysis of SMEs in China, Thailand, and Germany to understand how corporate culture affects crisis management. Utilizing a competitive cultural value model, the research categorizes corporate culture into four dimensions: group culture, development culture, hierarchy culture, and rational culture. These cultural dimensions are investigated in relation to their impact on crisis response abilities. Additionally, national cultural dimensions such as individualism and uncertainty avoidance are examined as moderating variables. The findings reveal that group and development cultures positively influence crisis response abilities, enhancing organizational resilience and adaptability. Conversely, hierarchy culture negatively affects crisis management, hindering flexible response strategies. Rational culture supports structured crisis response through goal-oriented practices. National culture significantly moderates these relationships, with individualism and high uncertainty avoidance impacting the effectiveness of organizational cultural dimensions in crisis scenarios. This study offers theoretical advancements by integrating cultural dimensions with crisis response strategies and provides practical implications for SMEs striving to enhance their resilience and adaptability in a globalized business environment.

The Impact of Perceptual Readiness and Neglect on Human Relationships: A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Cognitive Biases and Attachment Dynamics

Abstract: This paper delves into how the lenses of expectation and neglect shape our perceptions, relationships, and interactions with the world. Through the lens of expectation, individuals often fixate on objects or experiences that align with their desires, leading to a cognitive bias known as perceptual readiness. This bias results in a heightened focus on certain aspects of reality while potentially overlooking others. Conversely, the lens of neglect leads to the dismissal of stimuli that do not immediately attract our interest, often resulting in diminished engagement. These perceptual tendencies extend beyond inanimate objects to influence human relationships, where expectation can foster attachment to specific qualities in others, while neglect can erode potential connections. The study also examines the broader implications of these dynamics in cultural contexts, highlighting how our environment and cultural background shape our perceptual lenses. By acknowledging and understanding these biases, we can cultivate a more balanced and mindful approach to our interactions, fostering deeper and more meaningful relationships. Ultimately, this paper advocates for a mindset of tranquillity, where neither expectation nor neglect dominates our perceptions, allowing for genuine connections and personal growth.

Instrumental activities of daily living in neuro-oncology: International validation of the EORTC IADL-BN32 questionnaire

BackgroundNeurocognitive impairments are common in patients with a brain tumour, and may negatively impact on functioning in daily life, particularly on instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). The EORTC IADL-BN32 questionnaire was developed to measure IADL in this patient population. MethodsIn this international validation study, we evaluated the EORTC IADL-BN32 questionnaire on several psychometric properties in a large sample of patients with a primary or metastatic brain tumour. We administered the 32-item questionnaire three times: at ‘baseline’, after 2 weeks and after 3 months. Procedures were in accordance with EORTC Quality of Life Group module development guidelines. ResultsIn total, 326 patients participated in the study. A bifactor scale structure showed satisfactory model fit measures, with five multi-item scales and two single items, and an IADL sum score. The internal consistency of the multi-item scales ranged from good to excellent (range Cronbach’s α: 0.86–0.97). We found significant differences in scale scores between patients with and without neurocognitive impairments or complaints, supporting the construct validity. Initial cross-cultural validity analyses showed indications of item response biases for certain items. Analyses indicated moderate to good test-retest agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.70) between baseline and the 2-week follow-up assessment for all but one scale. Deterioration of EORTC IADL-BN32 scale scores were consistent with clinically relevant deterioration on other functional measures with small to large effect sizes, however, subgroup sample sizes were small. ConclusionOverall, the EORTC IADL-BN32 questionnaire exhibited adequate to excellent psychometric properties. Cross-cultural validity and responsiveness should be further explored.

Conceptual framework for enhancing project management practices among women entrepreneurs in event management

This paper develops a conceptual framework to enhance project management practices among women entrepreneurs in event management. By addressing unique challenges such as balancing work-life responsibilities, overcoming gender biases, and accessing resources, the framework leverages strengths like creativity and communication skills. It includes practical strategies and tools for effective planning, resource management, stakeholder engagement, risk management, and continuous evaluation. The framework's application in real-world scenarios is discussed, providing actionable recommendations for women entrepreneurs. The paper also identifies future research directions, including empirical validation, case studies, technology integration, cross-cultural analysis, and longitudinal studies, to further refine and expand the framework.

The impacts of emotional intelligence and IOT on operational efficiency in manufacturing: A cross-cultural analysis of Nigeria and the US

This review paper explores the dual impacts of Emotional Intelligence (EI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) on Operational Efficiency (OE) in the manufacturing sectors of Nigeria and the United States, providing a comprehensive cross-cultural analysis. In an era where manufacturing industries globally are undergoing rapid technological advancements and organizational transformations, understanding the synergistic role of human and technological factors is crucial. EI, which encompasses the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions, significantly influences leadership effectiveness, team dynamics, and overall workplace harmony. Concurrently, the integration of IoT technologies facilitates real-time data monitoring, predictive maintenance, and enhanced automation, leading to substantial improvements in OE. The paper first delineates the conceptual frameworks of EI and IoT, highlighting their individual contributions to manufacturing efficiency. Subsequently, it discusses the comparative analysis of the manufacturing environments in Nigeria and the US, examining how cultural contexts shape the application and impact of EI and IoT. In the United States, advanced technological infrastructure and a culture of innovation foster the widespread adoption of IoT and the integration of EI in organizational practices. Conversely, Nigeria's manufacturing sector, while facing challenges such as infrastructural deficits and skill gaps, shows potential for growth through targeted investments in technology and human capital development. Through this cross-cultural lens, the paper identifies key differences in the perceptions and applications of EI, the extent of IoT integration, and the resulting OEs. The findings suggest that while the US benefits from a mature ecosystem for both EI and IoT, Nigeria's unique socio-economic landscape necessitates tailored strategies to harness these tools effectively. The analysis concludes with policy and practical implications, offering insights for enhancing manufacturing efficiency through balanced and culturally sensitive approaches to technological and EI advancements. This comprehensive review underscores the importance of synergizing human and technological capabilities to drive sustainable growth and competitiveness in the global manufacturing sector. Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Internet of Things, Operational Efficiency, Manufacturing, Cross-Cultural Analysis, Nigeria and United States.

Overcoming engagement shortfalls and financial constraints in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMES) social media advertising through cost-effective Instagram strategies in Lagos and New York City

This research explores the challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in leveraging social media advertising, with a focus on engagement shortfalls and financial constraints. The study compares the strategies employed by SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria, and New York City, USA, to overcome these challenges, highlighting the impact of these strategies on business growth and customer loyalty. Through a cross-cultural analysis, this research identifies cost-effective practices that can enhance social media engagement and optimize advertising expenditures for SMEs in diverse economic environments. The findings reveal that while social media platforms offer significant opportunities for SMEs, success is often hindered by limited resources, inadequate content strategies, and the rapidly changing dynamics of social media platforms. This study provides actionable insights for SMEs seeking to maximize their social media presence, offering recommendations for improving engagement and overcoming financial barriers. Keywords: Social Media Advertising, Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs), Engagement Shortfalls, Financial Constraints, Cross-Cultural Study, Lagos, Nigeria and New York City, USA, Cost-Effective Strategies.

CONTEMPORARY THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP: CROSS-CULTURAL ANALYSIS

The relationship between leadership and culture and the influence of culture on leadership have been relevant to scholars for the last 50 years. Culture itself is one of the determining factors that directly influence the leadership model that is most effective in a particular culture, because even understanding the model of effective leadership depends on the culture and its underlying values. Different national cultures understand the model of effective leadership in different ways, because they have different basic values and models of behavior that are the basis of a specific effective model of leadership. According to the dominant values of a national culture, people subconsciously imagine their leaders as behaving in accordance with these ideals of leadership and value their leaders accordingly. The study of leadership in a cultural context has undergone significant transformations along with the evolution of leadership theories and the development of cross-cultural management. The purpose of this study is to analyze contemporary theories of leadership in the cross-cultural context and determine the influence of culture on modern models of effective leadership. The cross-cultural analysis of contemporary leadership theories determined that almost all theories emphasize a significant influence of culture on modern models of effective leadership. Behavioral theory and contingency theory of leadership emphasize that cultural norms play a key role in a cross-cultural context. The autocratic leadership style has been found to have significant cultural limitations to its effective use, whereas transformational leadership can be used and be effective in any culture. In transactional leadership is based subordinates are not self-motivated because they need to be closely observed and controlled. Servant leadership will now gain even more acceptance in different cultures, but has already proven to be effective primarily in cultures based on individualism, democracy, and egalitarianism. Contemporary leadership theories such as relational leadership, complex leadership, ambidextrous leadership, and adaptive leadership also emphasize the need to consider the interaction between leaders and the environment as influenced by culture.

Research on the motivation for viewer addiction to live streaming: a cross-cultural investigation of China and the USA

PurposeWith the increasing popularity of live streaming, the exploration of online behaviors on live streaming platforms has become a research hot spot in academia. However, the literature lacks cross-cultural investigations into live streaming addictive (LSA) behaviors among viewers. To address this gap, based on stimulus-organism-response (SOR) theory and motivation theory, this study investigates how information seeking, sensation seeking and community commitment (stimulus) affect hedonic and utilitarian motivation (organism), which in turn influence viewers’ LSA behaviors (response). This study also compares American and Chinese viewers to understand how LSA behaviors differ across national cultures.Design/methodology/approachWe surveyed live stream viewers in both nations, collecting 758 valid samples including 377 Chinese respondents and 381 American respondents for use with the research model. A partial least squares (PLS) approach is employed for data analysis.FindingsThe results show that information seeking increases utilitarian motivation, sensation seeking increases hedonic motivation, and community commitment strengthens both hedonic and utilitarian motivation. Both hedonic motivation and utilitarian motivation positively affect LSA behaviors. In addition, based on cross-cultural analysis, we found that there was a significant mediating path common to the respondents in China and the USA (i.e. sensation seeking ? Hedonic motivation ? LSA).Originality/valueThe findings of this study make theoretical contributions to live streaming research and offer practical guidance for live streaming firms to formulate proper marketing strategies. Last, this study outlines several limitations and possible directions for future research.

Understanding the effects of live streamers’ appearance and abilities in shaping consumer purchase: A cross-cultural empirical research

This research aims to investigate the comprehensive mechanism of streamers' attractiveness on consumer purchases in diverse cultural contexts. We confirmed the cultural differences between Douyin's and Tiktok shop's users through a pre-survey, and then collected live video data and viewer behavioral data from the two platforms. Based on the elaboration likelihood model framework, this research reveals that both appearance attractiveness and abilities attractiveness have positive effects on purchase behavior. Intriguingly, two types of attractiveness exhibit a substitutive relationship in Eastern cultural group, whereas they are complementary in Western cultures. Findings highlighted the complex impacts of streamers' attractiveness on consumer purchases, emphasizing the importance of cross-cultural analysis to comprehend consumer behavior in digital retail.

Association between internet exclusion and depressive symptoms among older adults: panel data analysis of five longitudinal cohort studies

Internet exclusion and depressive symptoms are prevalent phenomena among older adults; however, the association between internet exclusion and depressive symptoms remains limited. This study aims to investigate the association between internet exclusion and depressive symptoms among older adults from high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We conducted a comprehensive longitudinal, cross-cultural analysis, and the participants were adults aged 60 years and older from 32 countries participating in five nationally representative longitudinal cohort studies: the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), and the Mexican Health and Ageing Study (MHAS). Internet exclusion was defined as the self-reported absence from internet use. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies of Depression scale (CES-D) or the Euro-Depression scale (Euro-D). These five cohorts, being heterogeneous, were respectively conducted with panel data analysis. Logistic regression, implemented within the generalized estimating equations framework, was used to examine the association between internet exclusion and the likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms, adjusting for the causal-directed-acyclic-graph (DAG) minimal sufficient adjustment set (MSAS), including gender, age, education, labour force status, household wealth level, marital status, co-residence with children, residence status, cognitive impairment, and functional ability. Our study included a total of 129,847 older adults during the period from 2010 to 2020, with a median follow-up of 5 (2, 7) years. The pooled proportion of internet exclusion was 46.0% in HRS, 32.6% in ELSA, 54.8% in SHARE, 92.3% in CHARLS, and 65.3% in MHAS. Internet exclusion was significantly associated with depressive symptoms across all cohort studies: HRS (OR=1.13, 95% CI 1.07-1.20), ELSA (OR=1.22, 95% CI 1.11-1.34), SHARE (OR=1.55, 95% CI 1.47-1.62), CHARLS (OR=1.49, 95% CI 1.26-1.77), and MHAS (OR=1.48, 95% CI 1.39-1.58). Moreover, internet exclusion was found to be associated with all dimensions of depression in the SHARE, MHAS, and ELSA cohorts (except for sleep and felt sad) cohorts. A considerable proportion of older adults experienced internet exclusion, particularly those in LMICs. Internet exclusion among older adults, irrespective of their geographic location in HICs or LMICs, was associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms, which demonstrated the importance of addressing barriers to internet access and promoting active participation in the internet society among older adults. National Key R&D Program of China (grant number 2022ZD0160704), the Scientific Research and Innovation Team of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (grant number ZYCXTD2023005), the Collaborative Innovation Major Project of Zhengzhou (grant number 20XTZX08017), the Joint Project of Medical Science and Technology of Henan Province (grant number LHGJ20220428), and National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 82373341).

The Voice Mosaic of Ethnic Workers: A Cross-Cultural Analysis

The Voice Mosaic of Ethnic Workers: A Cross-Cultural Analysis

A cross-cultural analysis of spiritual transcendence and its impact on job satisfaction, job security, and life satisfaction in Bali and Türkiye: mediator effect of earthquake anxiety.

Earthquakes are considered as a major factor causing PTSD, anxiety, and depression across various age groups. Increased anxiety stemming from earthquakes may prompt individuals to turn to spirituality as a coping mechanism, with spiritual transcendence believed to be an effective way to mitigate anxiety. In this study, Bali, which has a Far Eastern spiritual tradition, and Türkiye, the majority of whose population is Muslim, are discussed comparatively. In fact, the underlying reason for this choice is to examine whether there is a difference between Hindu belief, one of the Far Eastern religions as a spiritual tradition, and Islam, one of the monotheistic religions, regarding individuals' ability to manage anxiety and some basic psychological reactions to the fear of earthquakes. An example of Bali's Hindu tradition has been considered a representation of the Islamic tradition, one of the monotheistic religions in Türkiye. Given this phenomenon, the study took a quantitative approach, giving a novel conceptual framework for understanding the relationship between spiritual transcendence, seismic fear, job satisfaction, job security, life satisfaction, and the moderating influence of optimism. Empirical data were acquired via surveys issued via Google Form to a total of 913 workers in Bali and Türkiye. The research data were analyzed using SmartPLS software and a structural equation modeling technique. Findings indicate that earthquake anxiety and the impact of spiritual transcendence on satisfaction and job security are stronger in Bali than in Türkiye. Additionally, spirituality holds greater significance for the Balinese sample compared to the Turkish sample. The study clarifies the implications of its findings and provides guidance for future research endeavors.

Aspirations, Goals, Dreams, and Future Pursuit of Basketball Athletes in the National College Athletics Association (NCAA): A Literature Review

This study offers insightful information about academic support programs for student-athletes, highlighting the necessity of all-encompassing assistance and utilizing technology to cater to their requirements. Aspects of academic support included in the evaluation include study halls, writing centers, technology, job transition, counseling, and bridging programs. It emphasizes how crucial customized solutions and a positive team atmosphere are. The necessity of a more comprehensive strategy to affect student-athletes’ conduct, the significance of specialized library education, and the requirement to ease their transition into the workforce are among the study gaps that have been found. To better meet the special needs of student-athletes and pinpoint best practices for various contexts, the abstract suggests that more research be done on the long-term effects of academic support programs, the efficacy of technology-based interventions, and cross-cultural analysis of academic support programs. In addition to offering suggestions for future research to improve academic assistance programs for student-athletes, the abstract contains insightful information about the difficulties and experiences faced by student-athletes.

Cross-cultural comparative analysis of student motivation and autonomy in learning: perspectives from Hong Kong and the United Kingdom

IntroductionThis research project examines student perspectives on independent learning in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. Independent learning describes learning undertaken by students outside of standard institutional learning environments. Prior research has suggested that motivations to undertake independent learning and the strategies involved may differ across cultural contexts, institutions, and individual learners.MethodsThis research employs primary qualitative research consisting of interviews with 16 students in Business Studies (eight British and eight Chinese). The study takes a social constructionist approach to better establish the ways in which culture may serve as a mediator for motivation to learn independently and the strategies pursued to this end.ResultsThe study’s findings note key differences in the motivations to complete independent learning across either cohort, as well as distinct conceptualizations of what strategies and practices facilitate effective independent learning.DiscussionThis research highlights significant cultural differences in the motivations, strategies, and skills related to independent learning between students in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. It also notes the potential for socioeconomic factors, institutional structures, and assessment methods, alongside culture, to contribute to these differences.