Cultural Complexity Research Articles

Cultural Sensitivity in AI Language Learning: Using NLP to Enhance Language Understanding Across Cultural Contexts

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the integration of cultural awareness into AI language learning systems using Natural Language Processing (NLP) models. Recognising that the traditional methods of language learning tend not to capture cultural variations, the studies focus on how culturally relevant NLP models (GPT-3, BERT, RNNs) promote language acquisition and cross-cultural integration. Data preprocessing, cultural data augmentation and model training was used to encode cultural variables such as greetings, politeness, and contextually relevant expressions into training datasets. Experimental results suggest that culturally sensitive models outperform the generic model on tasks that involve cultural awareness, such as politeness detection, cultural phrase recognition, and tone sensitivity. GPT-3 for example improved the accuracy of politeness detection tasks from 72.4% to 85.7%. These results highlight the need to bring cultural awareness into AI to develop engaging, context-sensitive language learning. It concludes that culturally based NLP models enhance learner capacity for real-world communication and foster global cultural awareness. Future work should focus on expanding culturally diverse datasets and refining AI models to address subtle cultural complexities

Visible and invisible cultural patterns influencing women’s use of maternal health services among Igala women in Nigeria: a focused ethnographic study

BackgroundExplicit and implicit cultural patterns are critical cultural norms, beliefs, and practices that determine women’s health-seeking behaviour. These cultural patterns could limit women’s use of maternal health services, resulting in maternal health complications. The study aims to provide an in-depth understanding of explicit and implicit cultural patterns, their meanings and how they influence women’s use of maternal health services among Igala women in Nigeria.MethodsRoper and Shapira’s (2000) focused ethnography was employed with 43 women aged 18–43 years recruited using the purposive and snowballing technique. The study was conducted with 21 women for one-on-one interviews and two focus group discussions with six women in the rural area and seven women in the urban area. In addition, participant observation of nine women from the third trimester to birth was conducted, yielding 189 h of observation in two primary healthcare facilities in rural and urban areas. Data analysis was conducted using Roper and Shapira’s (2000) method.ResultThree themes were generated using the PEN3 cultural model: perceptions, enabler, and nurturers. Subthemes generated under the theme of perception were, Belief in witchcraft, Pregnancy announces itself, I cannot tell people I am in labour, and Unspoken acquiescence to the culture. Under the theme of nurturer, Home birth was found to limit access to maternal health services. The theme of enabler yielded subthemes such as You are not woman enough; I want my placenta and Rising matriarchs.ConclusionImplicit and explicit cultural patterns significantly influence women’s use of maternal health services. Given the complexity of culture and its influence on women’s use of maternal health services, multifaceted strategies tailored to the cultural needs of communities are needed to enhance the realization of Sustainable Development Goal #3:1 in Nigeria.

Protracted Tuberculosis Outbreak in a Pasifika Diaspora in Western Sydney, Australia: The Importance of Community Engagement.

A prolonged tuberculosis outbreak, linked by whole-genome sequencing, occurred in a Pasifika extended family over 10 years (2013-2022) in Sydney, Australia. Despite Australia's low tuberculosis incidence, social and cultural complexities, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disruptions exacerbated transmission. Control required culturally sensitive, family-centered care and robust health system engagement.

A Case Study of Financial Integration in Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions

This paper focuses on the financial integration strategies used by Microsoft and Tesla in recent cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As), with a particular focus on their acquisitions of Nuance Communications and Maxwell Technologies, respectively, and analyzes and highlights the importance of strategic financial integration in achieving synergies, managing goodwill, and navigating regulatory and cultural complexities. For Microsoft, the acquisition of Nuance was intended to enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities in healthcare and enterprise services, while Tesla's acquisition of Maxwell was intended to secure a key technological advantage in electric vehicle (EV) battery production. In addition, both companies faced a range of challenges in aligning financial systems, managing cost structures, and ensuring compliance with international regulatory standards. Drawing on relevant literature to contextualize the case studies, this paper discusses how such companies conducted financial integration and how their experiences may impact future cross-border M&A transactions. The findings suggest that financial integration is critical to maximizing value in cross-border M&As, and that effective management of this process plays an important role in the long-term success of the firm.

Research on Empowering the Development of Traditional ‎Chinese Medicine with New Quality Productivity

The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) industry, deeply rooted in cultural heritage and complex production processes, has been advancing through technological innovations such as intelligent production systems, digital management, blockchain traceability, and personalized health services. Despite its historical and cultural significance, the integration of these modern technologies offers significant potential to enhance the industry’s modernization and internationalization. Empirical research and case studies indicate that adopting intelligent production systems, blockchain-enabled traceability, and data-driven resource management strategies can address industry challenges while promoting sustainable development. This paper examines the current state of new quality productivity in TCM, evaluates the challenges and opportunities of its application, and proposes strategic recommendations for the industry’s sustainable growth. The findings suggest that new quality productivity can improve production efficiency, ensure consistent product quality, and boost consumer confidence, particularly in global markets. These insights offer a theoretical foundation and practical strategies for applying advanced productivity models in TCM, with potential implications for other traditional healthcare industries.

From National to International Song: Sevdalinka in Transition

With the disintegration of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the existence of different forms of Yugoslav identity, primarily cultural, as the most complex among them, ceased to exist, at least formally. The cause of this complexity should be sought in the intertwining of cultural identity with two other important collective identities, ethnic and national, whose already intricate nature is further complicated by their redefinition in the ex-Yugoslav space, both during the conflict (1991‒1995) and in the post-war era. The search for new collective identities – intended to provide the peoples of the former Yugoslavia, burdened with traumatic memories of the recent past and at the same time torn between the former ideology and emerging ones, with a sense of tranquility in newly created circumstances - is further complicated by their simultaneous efforts to cope with the sweeping changes in the world caused by the process of globalization. The states that emerged from the former Yugoslav republics are going through an uncertain period of transition in which they have to deal not only with numerous internal problems, but also to respond to numerous external demands. In spite of their fragmented political realities, these states remain closely connected, bound not only by a shared history but also by a common cultural heritage. A small yet significant part of this heritage is represented by sevdalinka, a song that embodies the intricate interplay of cultural, national and ethnic identities. These layers converge within sevdalinka, making it a distinctive reflection of the region's cultural complexity. Hence, in this paper sevdalinka will be presented during its ‒ from a historical point of view ‒ the shortest, but at the same time the most turbulent period of its long history, tracing all the transformations it has undergone over a little more than three decades while crossing the thorny path from a national to an international song, in order to be finally confirmed as a universal cultural and artistic creation.

Innovations and Challenges in the Preservation of the Batak Language by the Protestant Batak Christian Huria Church (HKBP) among Youth in the Context of Urbanization in Jakarta

In the dynamic urban context of Jakarta, the preservation of regional languages faces significant challenges, especially among the younger generation. This study examines the role of the Huria Christian Batak Protestant Church (HKBP, a Protestant Batak Christian Church) in maintaining the existence of the Batak language in the midst of urbanization, by applying social identity theory to understand the dynamics of language preservation and cultural identity. Using a qualitative approach, the study involved in-depth interviews with 30 young congregations and 10 key HKBP figures, as well as participatory observation of church activities over a six-month period. The results of the analysis revealed that HKBP's main efforts in preserving the Batak language are centered on the use of the language in worship, with 75% of respondents stating the importance of this practice. The study also identified several additional initiatives, such as cultural seminars, cultural performances, and the use of traditional musical instruments in worship. The main challenges faced include the low enthusiasm of the younger generation (60% of respondents), the pressure of assimilation of metropolitan culture, and the limitations of effective preservation programs outside the context of worship. The findings emphasized the importance of developing more comprehensive and innovative strategies, including the potential use of digital technology and social media, to increase the appeal of the Batak language among urban youth. This research results in a religious community-based language preservation model that can be applied in urban contexts, offering a new perspective in urban sociolinguistic studies and cultural diversity management. The strategic recommendations are prepared to maximize the role of religious institutions as agents of cultural preservation, with a focus on synergy between churches, families, and urban Batak communities. This study highlights the potential and challenges of religious institutions in bridging tradition and modernity, as well as maintaining cultural identity amid urban social complexity. Although limited to the context of HKBP in Jakarta, these findings provide valuable insights for the study of minority language preservation in urban environments more broadly

Daily walking time effects of the opening of a multifunctional facility “ONIKURU” using propensity score matching and GPS tracking techniques

Urban design focused on improving walkability has received attention as a method of increasing physical activity among the population. However, only a few studies have examined the effect of walking time of opening multifunctional facilities as an architecture-scale intervention. This study aimed to clarify the effect of opening a multifunctional facility on residents’ daily walking time. In addition, this study analyzed the gender and age subgroups. The natural experiment was conducted using the case of the Ibaraki City Cultural and Childcare Complex “ONIKURU,” a public multifunctional facility. This study used GPS-trajectory data based on GPS tracking techniques, which is anonymized location data for smartphone users. The causal relationship was analyzed using propensity score matching and difference-in-differences analysis. The results showed that the opening of ONIKURU significantly increased the average walking time of visitors to 3.165 [− 1.697, 8.027] min/day compared with that of non-visitors. Specifically, visitors’ average daily walking time improved to a level comparable to that of non-visitors after the opening of ONIKURU. In addition, opening ONIKURU significantly increased female young adults’ average walking time to 3.385 [− 4.906, 11.676] min/day. Therefore, this study provides theoretical contributions to a health-promoting built environment significantly affecting walking at an architecture-scale intervention.

Archaeological mapping of the Verteba cave

Verteba Cave is an atypical archaeological site of the Cucuteni-Trypillia cultural complex. Based on years of research, a significant amount of information has been generated which has not yet been spatially represented. The main issue was the lack of a professional topographic map for the site. This article discusses the first attempt to create an archaeological map of the cave. It describes the methodological and practical process of mapping archaeological features both inside the cave and on the surface above the cave. A technological scheme for mapping using laser scanning of the cave’s interior is presented. The results of this work have provided new insights into the chronological periods of the cave’s occupation and its functional use.

Categorisation of social media influencers and determinants of their engagement effectiveness

Social media influencers have been a topic of interest for both practitioners and scientific community in recent years. Understanding their importance and explaining the mechanisms contributing to their success requires a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating insights from the fields of psychology, media, and economics. This paper explores the current classification of social media influencers based on various relevant criteria as content type, influence type, and followers’ count. Furthermore, this study aims to provide a synthesis of the fragmented findings related to the key determinants of their engagement effectiveness in order to understand the complexity of influencer culture and its implications for marketing science and consumer behavior.

The Working of Hard Animal Tissues in Eastern and Central Europe During the Last Glacial Maximum—Current Knowledge and Perspectives

The climatically unfavourable period of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; ca. 26–19 ka cal bp) is held responsible for a severe demographic crisis of hunter–gatherer populations, their retreat to a few refugial areas, the disruption of wide-ranging networks, and a considerable loss of cultural complexity in Eastern and Central Europe. The latitudes above 50°N appear to have been completely depopulated. Recent research has demonstrated a continuous occupation of the Carpathian Basin and the East Carpathian region during the LGM on one hand, and an ephemeral human presence in the Middle Danube, the Middle Rhine, and the Swiss Plateau on the other. The western part of the East European Plain, in particular the East Carpathians, is known for several large, Early Epigravettian open-air sites with well-preserved artefacts of antler, bone, and mammoth ivory. For Central Europe, the assemblage from Kammern-Grubgraben in Lower Austria is of pivotal importance. As osseous industries have shown to be an essential component of Upper Palaeolithic material culture, it is the aim of this contribution to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on the processing of hard animal tissues in Eastern and Central Europe during the LGM. Starting out with a reevaluation of one of the largest and most diverse assemblages from the site of Cosăuţi in the Republic of Moldova (ca. 23–19 ka cal bp), contemporary assemblages from the area between the Bug River in the east and the Rhine in the west are presented, discussed and compared with the situation in Western Europe. Based on that, it can be asked what information osseous industries can provide about the development of technological traditions and dissemination of concepts during the LGM from a local and supraregional perspective.

A Qualitative Analysis of the Socio-cultural Barriers to Intra-African Trade: Evidence from Nigerian Exporters

This study qualitatively analyzed the sociocultural barriers to intra-African trade, focusing on challenges faced by African businesses in cross-border markets, their impacts, and mitigation strategies. An exploratory case study design was adopted, using purposive and snowball sampling to select participants. Primary data were obtained through in-depth interviews with 10 members of the Association of Nigerian Exporters (ANE). Reflexivity and participant validation ensured research credibility, while Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis framework guided data analysis, with thematic maps aiding interpretation. The findings identified five key sociocultural barriers substantially inhibiting intra-African trade: cultural complexity, corruption and bureaucratic obstacles, trust gaps, unhealthy rivalries, and business network challenges. These barriers contribute to miscommunication, failed negotiations, weakened consumer demand, failed partnerships, and increased operational costs for intra-African trade. These findings underscored that sociocultural factors play a pivotal role in shaping the success or failure of intra-African trade, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to address these barriers. In particular, they emphasized that cultural complexity hampers communication and negotiations, while corruption and bureaucratic obstacles erode trust and create inefficiencies. Trust gaps weaken partnerships, unhealthy rivalries hinder collaboration, and business network challenges limit market access and increase operational costs. Tackling these issues is crucial for improving trade efficiency and fostering stronger economic integration across the African continent.

Factors Influencing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour Towards Engaging with Advance Care Planning: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Chinese Diaspora.

Advance care planning (ACP) is increasingly recognized as a public health priority globally, with cultural aspects influencing people's knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours toward ACP. Despite being one of the largest diaspora groups, the Chinese community remains under-researched in this area. This study aims to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and health behaviours related to ACP among Chinese diaspora within a region in the United Kingdom. A cross-sectional online survey based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour was conducted with 284 Chinese adults recruited from four social and voluntary organisations in the United Kingdom. The study found low awareness (15%) and knowledge (mean score: 2.26 ± 1.78) of ACP, with less than 5% of the participants engaging with ACP. This contrasted with participants' attitudes (17.24 ± 2.57) and behavioural intention (14.93 ± 3.26) toward ACP, which were generally positive. Behavioural intention was the strongest predictor of engaging with ACP (OR 3.29, 95% CI: 1.35-8.02, p = 0.01). Participants with previous end-of-life care experience had a better understanding of ACP; older age and higher knowledge of ACP were associated with more positive attitudes. Cultural beliefs associated with the level of family involvement, legal aspects, and the availability of information in one's first language was significant influences on engagement with ACP. Despite low awareness and engagement with ACP among the Chinese diaspora, positive attitudes and behavioural intention suggest potential for increased engagement. This could be achieved through culturally tailored interventions that address cultural influences and complexity surrounding legal requirements. Further research is needed to develop and test such interventions.

Harnessing AI to Illuminate the Soul of the Organization

Artificial intelligence and advanced analytics are emerging as promising new tools for gaining meaningful insights into organizational culture. Traditional qualitative methods for assessing culture are time-intensive and limited in scope, while AI offers data-driven, comprehensive approaches. This article reviews recent developments in using AI at both the macro and micro levels to enhance understanding of cultural dynamics. At a macro level, AI is powering new tools for conducting large-scale cultural assessments across multiple dimensions. More granularly, natural language processing, network analysis, and predictive modeling are illuminating sentiments, interactions, and influence within internal communications data. Examples from pioneering organizations demonstrate impactful applications of cultural insights derived from AI in areas like mergers and acquisitions, recruiting and onboarding, diversity initiatives, and efforts to nurture vibrant cultures. While the field is still evolving, innovative practitioners are beginning to harness AI’s potential to illuminate the complexity of organizational culture in compelling new ways.

Украшения из благородных металлов в погребениях кожумбердынской культурной группы Уральско-Мугоджарского региона

The paper presents the findings from the burials of the Kozhumberdy cultural group dated the Late Bronze Age. The burials are situated in the Ural-Mugodzhary region and contain precious metal jewelry among other tools and items. The study reviews 13 burials in 9 tombstones (6 kurgans and 3 fences) constituting 3 burial grounds, such as Ushkattinsky I, Aralcha II, Ishkinovka III. There the research found 34 items made of gold and silver. Their radiocarbon age was established in the range of 1740–1260 BC. Archaeometric data are evident of a highly developed metallurgy and metalworking of the carriers of the Kozhumberdy cultural complex. They regularly used two or more metals and complex multicomponent alloys. Metal production activities was on the own mineral resource base including local sources of gold and silver. The study reveals a significant standardization of jewelry process operations, the unified morphology of products, the widespread use of the technique of plating jewelry with precious metals and ornamentation with embossed patterns. These facts suggest isolation of jewelry in the blacksmithing industry. Precious metals were used to make tubular rings and grooved pendants in the shape of one-and-a-half ring spirals. They were used as ear embellishments. Paleoanthropological data confirm that funeral rites typically used precious metals jewelry for burials of women of reproductive age. In individual and paired burials of different sexes, precious metal jewelry is found only with women. There is no direct evidence of them belonging to the category of leaders or the elite, which emphasizes the egalitarianism of the Kozhumberdy society and the importance of gender and age. There are extraordinary burials such as double burials of women facing each other and accompanied by precious metal jewelry. This could be burials of siblings.

Negative attitude towards a doctor in society at the beginning of the formation of medicine as a cultural complex

The article examines examples of negative attitudes towards a doctor from literary sources: the invectives of Francesco Petrarch of the XIV century (artistic, documentary, historical and memoir genres of literature) and the play by Jean-Baptiste Moliere “Imaginary Patient” of the XVII century (artistic genre of literature). The main attention is paid to the content of the patient's claim to the doctor: what the authors accuse the doctor of, what they see his flaws in. The patient's negative attitude towards the doctor is expressed in such manifestations as the accusation of ignorance hidden by useless beautiful speeches, the accusation of ostentatious actions, ridiculous prescriptions, conscious, harmful lies, inconsistency and empty promises, greed and the pursuit of profit, obsequiousness, flattery and sycophancy, hypocrisy, the demand for complete submission, the desire to earn money in the first place. In addition, the article attempts to find objective reasons, to see the cultural and historical conditionality of such a patient's attitude to the doctor. As a result of the analysis and comparison of the accusations in the two sources, the author of the article notes that, if there is a difference in the tone of the appeal to the reader, many of the accusations of the two authors are strikingly identical despite the fact that they are separated by three centuries. The author concludes that these accusations are a reflection of those arosing at the very beginning of the formation of medicine as a cultural complex in the relationship problems between the patient and the doctor, which we can observe at the present time. Further investigation of these problems will allow us to trace in more detail the history of the genesis of the doctor-patient relationship, which can serve as an explanation for many ethical problems in modern medicine.

Exploring Operant Conditioning in Nella Larsen’s passing: Beyond Clash of Civilizations

Through the clash of civilizations, this study represents the ongoing negotiation and redefinition of personalities of their identities. This conflict between traditional values and personal ambitions highlights cultural tensions between ethnic and cultural identity. The study illustrates Skinner's behavioral theory, pointing out how external reinforcements and punishments affect characters' actions and decisions. In addition, the novel provides a commentary on social norms and the relentless pursuit of identity and belonging in a divided world, reflecting the ongoing struggles that individuals face with societal expectations and personal ambitions. The clash of civilizations shows the importance of cultural diversity and complexities in shaping identities in a multicultural society. Identity’s responses to reinforcement and punishment reveal the complex relationship between behavior, societal expectations, and individual choices in shaping a person's sense of self. After the study, it was discovered that Skinner's theory of reinforcement and punishment can be seen in the behavior of the two main characters in Larsen's novel. The novel reflects cultural and social tensions in early twentieth-century America and illustrates how the clash of ethnic and cultural identities can shape an individual's behavior and life decisions.

An Evaluation Model for the Firefighting and Rescue Capability of Cultural Relic Building Complexes in Forest Areas

Previous evaluation models for cultural relic buildings in relation to fire risk fail to consider the necessity for effective firefighting and rescue capabilities in complex forest environments. This paper incorporates variables, including those pertaining to forest fires and climatic conditions, into the assessment index system. The hierarchical analysis method and the local punishment-incentive variable weighting method are employed to introduce a compensation coefficient score. A model for the evaluation of firefighting and rescue capability in a continuous area of cultural relic buildings in conjunction with the surrounding forest environment has been developed. The firefighting and rescue capability of the Yuelu Mountain scenic spot was evaluated at 73.91 (level III) using the fixed weight method and 69.52 (level IV) using the variable weight method. The variable weight method proved to be a more accurate approach for evaluating the status and importance of dynamic targets, thus enabling a more precise evaluation of the comprehensive evaluation area. The evaluation results inform the formulation of targeted improvement measures for enhancing the firefighting and rescue capabilities of cultural relic buildings.

Research on the Translation of Du Fu's Poetry in the BBC Documentary "Du Fu: China's Greatest Poet" from the Perspective of Variational Translation Theory

Poetry is rich in cultural imagery and complex rhetoric, making cross-cultural translation extremely challenging. The BBC documentary "Du Fu: China's Greatest Poet" introduces Du's poetry into the Western cultural perspective, aiming to discuss how classical Chinese poetry can be disseminated and reconstructed in cross-cultural contexts, so that the world can have a deeper understanding of the poet and Chinese culture from Du Fu's original intention, thoughts and other aspects. Based on Professor Huang Zhonglian's "Variational Translation Theory", this paper analyzes the linguistic characteristics of Du Fu's poetry in the documentary, explores the translator's linguistic transformation, the subtleties of diction, and cultural recreation in the translation process, and discusses the role of the three elements of translation in Du Fu's poetry in terms of the connotation and emotion, the translator's subjectivity, and the translator's fidelity. We discuss the role of the three elements of translation in the connotation and emotion of the original work, the subjectivity of the translator and the diversity of faithfulness in Du's poetry, and explore the effective dissemination of Du's poetry in a cross-cultural context.

Perspectives of Digital Health Innovations in Low- and Middle-Income Health Care Systems From South and Southeast Asia.

Digital health innovations have emerged globally as a transformative force for addressing health system challenges, particularly in resource-constrained settings. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical importance of these innovations for enhancing public health. In South and Southeast Asia, a region known for its cultural diversity and complex health care landscape, digital health innovations present a dynamic interplay of challenges and opportunities. We advocate for ongoing research built into system development and an evidence-based strategy focusing on designing and scaling national digital health infrastructures combined with a vibrant ecosystem or "marketplace" of local experiments generating shared experience about what works in which settings. As the global digital health revolution unfolds, the perspectives drawn from South and Southeast Asia-including the importance of local partnerships-may provide valuable insights for shaping future strategies and informing similar initiatives in low- and middle-income countries, contributing to effective digital health strategies across diverse global health contexts.