Cross-cultural Comparative Study Research Articles

The limitations of localization: A cross-cultural comparative study ofFarmer Wants a Wife

Despite globalization, television is still bound to the nation-state in several aspects. The international television industry meets the national in the cross-border exchange of television content. Canned programming can hereby run into cultural barriers, which TV formats presumably can overcome, due to localization. Formats are translated to local versions that presumably suit national culture and identity. In globalization debates, localization is being used as an argument against cultural homogenization. However, there is little comparative work reviewing the extent to which TV formats are culturally specific. By comparing linguistic, intertextual and cultural codes in the Dutch and the Australian version of the British reality TV format Farmer wants a Wife, we will argue that localization of TV formats might be overrated as protection of cultural diversity.

A cross-cultural comparative study of teacher effectiveness: Analyses of award-winning teachers in the United States and China

The purpose of this study was to develop a richer understanding of teacher effectiveness through cross-cultural analyses of the practices and beliefs of selected China and US teachers who have received national awards for their teaching. This study was based upon a phenomenological design that used semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and artifacts for data generation/collection. Sixteen China teachers and 16 US teachers participated in this study. This study revealed similarities and differences between US teachers and China teachers in their patterns of instructional practices and professional thinking. The major similarities found between them were (a) using a variety of instructional activities which spanned across different cognitive levels, (b) being opportunistic planners to maximize meaningful student learning, (c) having high student engagement, (d) presenting effective classroom management skills, and (e) maintaining a learning environment that was conducive to optimal learning. Primary differences between US and China teachers’ classrooms included the types of instructional activities used and their beliefs and practices in the areas of (a) instructional planning, (b) differentiation, (c) assessment, (d) classroom management, (e) relationships with students and parents, and (f) professional development.

Polarisation of the society: a possible outcome of the economic crisis?

PurposeThis paper aims to evaluate the results of an empirical research whose objective was the analysis of the impact of the actual economic crisis on the expectations, preferences and attitudes of the Hungarian people towards the purchase of food and household items in retail stores.Design/methodology/approachA review of literature is followed by the description and evaluation of an empirical research. A sample of 1,000 people was randomly selected and data were collected by a pre‐tested questionnaire. By main component analyses 12 main components were identified and a k‐component cluster analysis was performed.FindingsThe findings of the empirical research show that people of the same country react entirely differently to the crisis from a behavioural point of view and that in Hungary the economic crisis resulted in the social polarisation of the citizens.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper provides evidence for the social polarisation of the Hungarian people which has a serious impact on their purchases in retail stores and which makes the retail store managers rethink their actual strategy and positioning. As the crisis continues there is room for a longitudinal study in the country and for a comparative cross cultural study in the region.Originality/valueThe paper shows an original approach of analysing how the Hungarian people's purchases of food and household items changed after the break‐out of the economic crises by using behavioural and psychographic variables as the basis of evaluations.

The influence of sociocultural factors on the eating attitudes of Lebanese and Cypriot students: a cross‐cultural study

The present comparative cross-cultural study aimed to explore the relationship between eating behaviour and sociocultural influences with respect to appearance and body image in female university students from two cultural contexts, namely Cyprus and Lebanon. The Dutch Eating Behavior questionnaire (DEBQ) and the Perceived Sociocultural Influences on Body Image and Body Change Questionnaire were used to assess sociocultural influences and body image, respectively, in 200 students from each country. The results indicated that the Lebanese students were more likely to engage in emotional and external eating and their body image was impacted to a larger extent by sociocultural agents, including media influences, compared to the Cypriot students. Also, a positive relationship was found between emotional and external eating in both cultures. Finally, sociocultural influences correlated positively with external eating only in the Cypriot sample. Culture-specific factors, such as the societal values and norms, as well as the Westernisation history of each country, are discussed as underpinnings for the differences found. These findings are significant for understanding the rise of eating pathology in these two cultures and provide evidence for a need to consider cultural environment when designing public health policies addressing the negative aspects of nutrition transition.

A Cross-Cultural Comparative Study of Undergraduate Health Care Professional Students’ Knowledge, Definitions, Education, and Training Experience of Domestic Violence in Northern Ireland and Jordan

The purpose of this study was to examine the cross-cultural differences in the knowledge, definitions, and current training and educational experiences of domestic violence (DV) among third-year undergraduate nursing, dental, and medical students from two distinct universities in Northern Ireland and Jordan. A convenience sample of 774 undergraduate students was recruited. Analysis was based on gender, culture, and educational speciality, as seen through the integrated lens of a social ecological and feminist theory model. The results showed that a substantial percentage of all participants had never received any education or training on DV in their undergraduate programs. The majority of participants had good knowledge about DV, and half of the participants believed that DV is “common” in their respective countries. Significant gender and cultural differences in the definition of DV were also revealed, with Northern Irish students and female students in both cultures more likely to regard a range of behaviors as a form of DV. The research findings suggest several potential directions for change, emphasizing the importance of establishing a systematic evidence-based multidisciplinary and interagency approach to teaching and learning for student health care professionals on the topic of DV in their undergraduate programs.

A Cross-Cultural Comparative Study of Gratitude Strategies between Iranian and Malaysian Postgraduate Students

This study describes and compares the gratitude strategies utilized by Iranian EFL and Malaysian ESL learners in facing different situations. Data were cumulated from 20 Iranian and 20 Malaysian postgraduate university students having the same language proficiency through a Discourse Completion Tasks Questionnaire. Social status, size of imposition and gender are contextual and social variables which were investigated for two groups of learners in this study. Results of the study illustrated certain commonalities and differentials in terms of the strategies and type of gratitude used by Iranian and Malaysian students. A detailed analysis of the use of the gratitude strategies revealed significant differences in communicative ways of Iranian and Malaysian postgraduate students reflecting insights into understanding the differences in cultural values and norms in two non-western cultures. The results also illustrated that the two contextual factors and gender affect significantly on the type and frequency of the strategies.

The impact of sociocultural influences on the eating attitudes of Lebanese and Cypriot students: a cross‐cultural study

The aim of this comparative cross‐cultural study was to explore the relationship between eating behavior and sociocultural attitudes towards appearance and body image in female university students from two distinct cultural contexts, Cyprus and Lebanon. The Dutch Eating Behavior questionnaire (DEBQ) and the Perceived Sociocultural Influences on Body Image and Body Change Questionnaire were used to assess the different variables in 200 students from each culture. Results indicated that the Lebanese students engaged more in emotional and external eating and were impacted to a larger extent by sociocultural influences including media influences compared to the Cypriot students. In addition, a positive relationship was found between emotional and external eating in both cultures. Finally, significant correlations were found between sociocultural influences and eating scores only in the Cypriot sample. Culture specific factors such as the individualistic or collectivistic aspect of the culture, the societal values and norms specific to Lebanon and Cyprus as well as the westernization history of each are discussed as underpinnings for the dissimilarities found among the two samples. These findings are significant in understanding the high rise of eating pathology in these two cultures.

A comparative study on teacher leadership in special education classroom between China and Malaysia

This research study the teacher leadership style among special education teachers, so as to identify effective teacher leadership style in managing classroom which included managing classroom environment, teaching skills and children's performance. This is a cross cultural comparative study between China and Malaysia, and it employs the quantitative method to collect data from the participating schools. The study assessed the perception and the implementation of teacher leadership practice of special education teachers in creating energy in the classroom; building capacity; securing environment; extending the vision; meeting and minimizing crisis; and seeking and charting improvement dimensions. Respondents were 369 special education teachers from Malaysia and 380 from China. Data were analyzed and the results reveal that the special education teachers practice all the six dimensions of teacher leadership at high level in both countries. From the t-test analysis, there is a significant difference between the level of agreement and the level of implementing the teacher leadership practice in both countries, showing higher level of agreement. The study implies that special education teachers practice, implement, access and maintain high level of teacher leadership in their classroom management.

Preoccupation with Weight and Eating Patterns of Lebanese and Cypriot Female Students

This comparative cross-cultural study explores the prevalence of preoccupation with weight and eating patterns among female university students in two distinct cultural contexts, Cyprus and Lebanon. Data was collected by means of self-administered questionnaires to 200 students from each culture. To gather the data for this study, the Dutch Eating Behavior Scale was used for the assessment of eating behaviors. Body Mass Index (BMI) and Weight directed behavior were also calculated. The Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to determine whether there is a linear relationship between students’ BMI and eating behaviors. Findings suggested that with respect to culture and pre-occupation with weight, Cypriot students are more pre-occupied with their weight. However, Lebanese students received higher emotional and external eating scores. In addition, a positive relationship between Body Mass Index, restrained and emotional eating was found in both cultures Also, in both cultures there was a significant positive relationship between restrained and emotional eating, emotional and external eating. These findings suggest that in the Lebanese culture, eating dysfunction among women may be due to responsiveness to external and emotional cues while in the Cypriot culture may be due to an over pre-occupation with weight fuelled by sociocultural agents. Understanding the underlying causes of eating deviations and the existing elements in each culture which promote these deviations could lead to better prevention efforts in two societies where the rise in eating disturbances has been alarming.

Acculturative Stressors and Acculturative Strategies as Predictors of Negative Affect Among Chinese International Students in Australia and Hong Kong: A Cross-Cultural Comparative Study

There are few studies comparing cross-cultural adaptation of migrant groups in two different cultural settings. This study compares the level of negative affect and acculturative stressors between Chinese international students in Australia and Mainland Chinese students in Hong Kong. The predictive effects of acculturative stressors and acculturative strategies on negative affect were also compared between the two groups. A total of 606 graduate students were recruited for a cross-sectional survey in Melbourne, and Hong Kong, China. The measurement included the Acculturative Hassles Scale for Chinese Students, Acculturative Strategy Scale, and Chinese Affect Scale. Independent t-tests and hierarchical regression analysis were conducted for data analysis. Chinese international students in Australia were found to encounter more acculturative stressors and experience a higher level of negative affect than their counterparts in Hong Kong. The acculturative stressor of academic work and a marginalization strategy significantly predicted negative affect in both groups. The acculturative stressor of cultural difference predicted negative affect in the Hong Kong sample, and assimilation strategy predicted negative affect in the Australian sample only. It is more difficult for Chinese international students to adapt to a host society with greater cultural distance. Cross-cultural comparative study helps to find out culture-general and culture-specific predictors of acculturation and helps design tailor-made intervention programs for international students across cultures.

Culture and Gender Role Identity : Cross-cultural Comparative Study across Korea, China, Japan and US

Culture and Gender Role Identity : Cross-cultural Comparative Study across Korea, China, Japan and US

Ethical decision making of accounting students: a cross-cultural comparative study

The study investigates cross-cultural differences in ethical decision making for future accountants from different cultures. Instruments used consist of the Defining Issues Test which is used to assess participants' ethical development, and the Multidimensional Ethics Scales which is employed to measure participants' ethical awareness and ethical intention when facing ethical dilemmas. Undergraduate junior and senior accounting students from USA and Taiwan were selected and studied. The results indicate significant differences in ethical awareness, ethical development and ethical intention between US and Taiwanese accounting students. The differences in the relationships between ethical perceptions are situation-specific.

A Cross-Cultural Comparative Study on Interpersonal Conflict Resolution Strategies: Across Korea, Japan, and the United States

본 연구에서는 한국, 일본, 미국의 대학생을 대상으로 대인 간 갈등해결전략의 차이를 비교문화적 관점에서 살펴보았다. 특히 기존의 개인주의-집단주의 문화차원의 이분법적 논의에서 탈피하기 위해 동질 문화권 내의 국가와 성별에 따른 문화적 이질성에 대해서도 주목하였다. 설문조사 결과, 다음의 결과가 도출되었다. 첫째, Rahim(1983a)의 갈등해결전략 5차원 구조(회피/지배/양보/타협/통합)는 3개국에서 동일하게 나타났으나, 국가별로 각 갈등해결전략들에 대한 개념정의가 부분적으로 다르게 나타났다. 회피전략은 개인주의-집단주의 문화차원에 따라 서로 다른 의미로 해석될 수 있는 여지가 보였으며, 한국-일본 간에도 타협의 개념적 속성에서 차이가 있었다. 둘째, 갈등해결전략 사용정도는 국가별 차이가 있었다. 특히 한국은 지배 혹은 양보전략 사용이 높았으며, 미국은 타협, 통합전략 사용이 높게 나타났다. 셋째, 성별에 따라 전통적인 성역할기대에 부응하는 갈등해결전략을 더 많이 사용하는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과로부터 개인주의-집단주의 문화차원의 논의에 더하여, 비교문화연구에서 동질 문화권 내의 국가별 특수성이나, 성별을 비롯한 하위문화 카테고리에 대한 학문적 고려가 필요함이 시사되었다.

Cross-cultural Study on French and Chinese Managers’ Use of Power Sources

With more and more interactions between French and Chinese business people, to enhance their cooperation and improve leadership effectiveness, it’s necessary to make a cross-cultural comparative study on managers’ use of power sources in the two countries. With Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and French & Raven’s power taxonomy as the basic theoretical framework and questionnaire survey as the study method, this paper explores the differences in French and Chinese managers’ use of power sources and illustrates the deeper cultural reasons behind these differences.

Parental Support in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A Cross-Cultural Comparison between New Zealand and Japan

This is a cross-cultural comparative study involving both quantitative and qualitative data analyses. This study examines sources of parental stress in the two neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) located in New Zealand and Japan and explores how cultural norms of NICU care environments influence parental stress-related experiences and nursing support. The three main sources of data collection were the following: a NICU staff interview, parental interview, and parental questionnaire survey, the PSS: NICU. Thirty-one pairs of parents in each NICU (N = 121) participated in this study. The differences between the two NICUs in terms of the NICU care environment and sources of parental stress within the NICU contexts were identified, highlighting NICU characteristics associated with the sources of stress in the two NICUs. Recognition of the norms of NICU care environments that may hinder parent-staff communication is an important element of NICU nursing practice.

Emailing the Boss: Cultural Implications of Media Choice

This paper applies Media Richness Theory and Social Influence Theory in different countries where the significance of media is uniquely shaped by the culture. In particular, we focus on whether Media Richness Theory and Social Influence Theory hold for communication between subordinates and supervisors in different cultures. To test this hypothesis, a comparative cross-cultural field study with knowledge workers (n=120) in the telecommunication industry in the United States and South Korea was conducted. This study demonstrates that country, task equivocality, and communication direction are the factors that affect individuals' media choice. Communication direction was found to be the strongest factor influencing media choice for Korean employees, whereas task equivocality was the dominant factor influencing media choice for US employees. This study also demonstrates the influence of national culture on media choice among US and Korean employees. Implications for both theory and practice are discussed.

The Assessment of Optimism and Pessimism among University Students: A Cross-Cultural Comparative Study between Kuwaiti and Omani Students

The Assessment of Optimism and Pessimism among University Students: A Cross-Cultural Comparative Study between Kuwaiti and Omani Students

A Comparative Cross-Cultural Study of Depression and Help-Seeking Behavior Among Older Chinese Adults in Boston and Guangzhou, China

A Comparative Cross-Cultural Study of Depression and Help-Seeking Behavior Among Older Chinese Adults in Boston and Guangzhou, China

Acculturative Stressor and Meaning of Life as Predictors of Negative Affect in Acculturation: A Cross-Cultural Comparative Study between Chinese International Students in Australia and Hong Kong

The purpose of the present study was to compare the predictive effects of acculturative stressor and meaning of life on negative affect in the process of acculturation between Chinese international students in Australia and Hong Kong. Four hundred mainland Chinese students studying at six universities in Hong Kong and 227 Chinese international students studying at the University of Melbourne in Australia completed a questionnaire that included measures of acculturative stressor, meaning of life, negative affect and demographic information. The Australian sample was found to have a higher level of acculturative stressor and negative affect than the Hong Kong sample. Acculturative stressor had a positive impact on negative affect in both samples, but the impact of different domains of acculturative stressor on negative affect varied between the two groups. Finally, meaning of life partially mediated the relationship between acculturative stressor and negative affect in the Hong Kong sample, but no such effect was found in the Australia sample. Acculturative stressor is a critical risk factor for negative affect in acculturation for Chinese international students in Australia and Hong Kong. Meaning of life acted as a protective factor that mitigated negative affect for mainland Chinese students in Hong Kong, but not for the Chinese international students in Australia. The theoretical and practical implications for resilience-based and meaning-oriented intervention for Chinese international students are discussed.

Computer anxiety: A cross-cultural comparative study of Dutch and Turkish university students

The purpose of this study is to determine Dutch and Turkish university students’ computer anxiety levels and to find out whether their computer anxiety levels differ according to their culture, gender and computer experience (i.e., personal computer (PC) ownership, computer usage frequency, computer usage level). A total of 106 university students (30 Dutch female, 22 Dutch male, 26 Turkish female, 28 Turkish male) participated in this research. The data were collected through computer anxiety rating scale (CARS) validated by Heinssen et al. [Heinssen, R. K., Glass, C. R., & Knight, L. A. (1987). Assessing computer anxiety: Development and validation of the computer anxiety rating scale. Computers in Human Behavior, 3, 49–59]. The data were analyzed by t-test and one-way-analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results indicated that the Turkish students have significantly higher computer anxiety levels than the Dutch students. The students’ computer anxiety levels do not differ depending on gender. However, post-hoc analysis revealed that the Turkish female students have significantly higher computer anxiety levels than the Dutch female and Dutch male students. Also, results indicated that while the students’ computer experience increase their computer anxiety levels decrease significantly.