Cultural Theory Research Articles

Gender inclusion: The practices of organizational development and human resource management

This study explores gender inclusion via practices of organizational development and human resource management from general managers in five-star hotels based on the gap between current practices, expectations, and typical general managers' characteristics. The study states the related theories of organizational culture, corporate policies, perceived organizational support, core competencies, and gender perceptions. A mixed method was applied in three stages. Quantitative research was conducted with 400 executive staff using 25 structured questionnaires via a Likert scale: Needs Assessment. The second stage is qualitative research conducted using five in-depth interview questions with 22 interviews conducted by the general manager. Interview transcripts collected the data, contents analysis inter-coding and triangulation of themes development. The last stage is the development of a model and guidelines, which are conducted by juxtaposing quantitative and qualitative data and expert reviews. The study discusses the implications for the literature and practice.

Childhood and Midlife Cultural Awareness and Activity Engagement Among Korean Married Couples.

Cultural reproduction theory posits that cultural resources are transmitted across generations, suggesting early parental influences on cultural experiences in adulthood. Further, cultural resources may be transferred within the same generation-through significant others, such as spouses. This study investigates cultural engagement among middle-aged adults, focusing on individual and spousal influences of childhood cultural engagement. A sample of 1,271 couples (age 49-66) from the 2012 Korean Baby Boomer Panel Study and the Korean Forgotten Generation Study was analyzed. Each respondent reported the number of arts and cultural activities (e.g., paintings, literature, and classical music) and levels of perceived cultural engagement (i.e., cultural awareness) during childhood and at midlife. Actor-Partner Interdependence Models (APIM) were estimated to examine how spouses' childhood and midlife cultural engagement were linked within couples. Findings showed that wives reported higher levels of activity participation and cultural awareness in childhood and midlife, compared to husbands. The APIM results indicated that beyond one's own childhood cultural engagement, spouse's childhood cultural awareness was associated with both levels of participation in arts and cultural activities (only for husbands) and cultural awareness (for both husbands and wives) at midlife. Cultural activities and awareness can be valuable assets to enhance overall well-being in later life. Given the cross-spousal associations in cultural engagement among Korean middle-aged couples, both spouses' cultural resources need to be considered for the design of interventions and policies to cultivate cultural competence and promote cultural engagement in adulthood.

Damaged Goods: Victimhood‐Survivorship and the Social Marking of Identity

This article offers a cultural cognitive theory of sexual violence: a Zerubavelian reading of its classificatory, attentional, perceptual, semiotic, mnemonic, and temporal dimensions. It maps the asymmetric syntactic contrasts between the cultural trifecta of “Victim‐Survivors,” “Victimizers,” and the hitherto unnamed, taken‐for‐granted “Unvictims,” arguing that those who experience sexual violence are marked in contrast to both those who victimize and those who have never been victimized. Suggesting that one need not be the actor of a marked act to be marked by it, a victimizing person's marked act crystallizes as a marked identity for the person they victimize, a process I call “semiotic ricochet.” Extending critiques of the victimhood‐survivorship frame, this article argues that the “rigid‐minded,” binary classificatory scheme of “Victim” or “Survivor” reifies, universalizes, derivatizes, and temporally displaces its attributed. It proposes hyphenating, encasing in scare quotes, and capitalizing the identity category of “Victim‐Survivor,” as well as referring to individuals as “those who experience sexual violence.” Using the Zerubavelian theoretico‐methodological practice of “concept‐driven” sociology, it identifies the “Victim‐Survivor” as merely one specific instantiation of the generic social type the “Damaged Good,” alongside other identities derived from marked non‐acts such as placement in foster care or undergoing a mastectomy for breast cancer.

Cinema Narration as Oral Performance: DJ Afro and East African Media Practices

ABSTRACT This article examines cinema narration in Kenya, a practice that involves artists known as DJs working with audiences in specific socio-cultural contexts. This study uses ethnographic methods to analyse the work of one such practitioner, DJ Afro, and the reflections on his performance by two sets of audiences in Eldoret and Narok respectively. For this purpose, three Hindi films in DJ Afro’s repertoire have been selected: Magadheera (2009, directed by S. S. Rajamouli), Bullet Raja (2013, directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia) and Shadow (2013, directed by Meher Ramesh). The choice is influenced by DJ Afro’s audiences’ responses to his narration and to the genre of the films. The analysis of DJ Afro’s oral texts is done using relevant theories of oral performance and popular culture. The article makes two linked arguments. First, in Kenya, cinema narration has evolved into one of the genres of popular culture. Second, this performance may have been initially understood as translation of meaning for local audiences, but it also works as an oral narrative performance involving local performers and their audiences, and in this process the meanings produced are determined in relation to local texts and contexts.

Voices from the Workplace: Exploring Communication Practices in an Engineering Firm through an Interview-Based Study

Effective communication is crucial for organizational success. This study explores communication practices within an engineering firm, to understand how communication models impact project dynamics and stakeholder relationships. We adopted a qualitative approach, conducting face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with employees and executives. The firm’s unique approach to construction projects makes it an ideal case study for understanding how communication influences this field. This research aims to unravel the communication culture within the firm, including formal and informal communication channels, and how these practices affect workplace stability and effectiveness using communication models from past researchers, such as Organizational Culture Theory, the Transactional Communication Model, and the Interactive Communication Model. The findings can help reshape communication strategies in construction, fostering better stakeholder relationships and project success. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on communication in engineering workplaces by providing insights into communication practices and their impact on an organization's efficiency and stakeholder dynamics.

LEGAL CULTURE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS PROTECTION OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE BUSINESS PERFORMERS

Purpose: Research on Jamu (traditional herbal medicine and herbs) in the protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) is important for several reasons: First, traditional knowledge in the form of herbal medicine and traditional medicine has economic value and needs to receive legal protection. Second, the local community's lack of understanding regarding intellectual property means they are not interested in taking economic benefits from traditional knowledge. Method: The theoretical framework used is legal culture theory, while the research method used is research methods socio-legal Results and Conclusion: The research conclusions obtained: First, the protection of intellectual property for traditional knowledge of herbal medicine as traditional medicine shows a strong legal culture concept. Second, the process of resolving disputes that occur between traditional herbal medicine business actors in Lamongan Regency shows a process of moving away from court mechanisms. Implications of research: Research on the legal culture of intellectual property rights protection of traditional medicine business performers has important implications in several aspects, including law, culture and business. The following are several implications that may arise from the research. one of them is Better Legal Protection.

Research on Cross-International Business Operation and Management Strategies of Enterprises

As globalization accelerates, the corporate realm finds itself amidst an unprecedented international business landscape. Conventional marketing paradigms and management strategies falter in such rapidly shifting environments, presenting both challenges and opportunities for multinational operations. This discourse delves into the myriad challenges facing multinational corporations, such as policy risks, legal framework disparities, cultural differentials, economic and monetary policy uncertainties, and disparate rates of technological advancement. Moreover, the article conducts a profound analysis of theories pertaining to international business and multinational management, cultural variance theories, as well as strategic management theories, with the aim of furnishing a robust theoretical foundation for multinational operations and management. Beyond mere theoretical exploration, this article also endeavors to elucidate various successful strategies in multinational operations and management, encompassing market entry strategies, marketing strategies, human resources management strategies, and financial and risk management strategies, in order to furnish enterprises engaging in international markets with reliable guidance and successful paradigms, thus encouraging the realization of both social value and commercial interests in tandem.

Parallel Narratives: Trauma, Relationality, and Dissociation in Psychoanalysis and Realist Fiction

The reciprocal relationship between cultural trauma studies and psychoanalytic discourse on the one hand, and trauma studies and fictional representations of trauma on the other, has been commented on by scholars within the field of literary studies. What connects the representation of trauma in cultural trauma theory, trauma fiction, and psychoanalysis is that it is regarded as something that overwhelms an individual’s capacities for processing and functioning. However, while cultural trauma theory has come under scrutiny for prioritizing too narrow a view of trauma and its representations, the considerable critiques of and revisions to Freud’s theories, developed in the 1980/90s, have been mostly ignored by cultural trauma theorists. In this interdisciplinary article, we draw on relational psychoanalytic perspectives to demonstrate how relational revisions to psychoanalytic theory and techniques, as well as views on dissociation, can offer new perspectives for approaching literary works of fiction, such as the realist novel, which engage with the subject of trauma outside of established trauma conventions. We demonstrate that trauma novels by Lisa Appignanesi and Aminatta Forna parallel these revisions to psychoanalytic theory and techniques, allowing for a more pluralistic and nuanced representation of responses to trauma and suffering.

Understanding Hawaiian Identity and Well-being to Improve Mental Health Outcomes for Hawaiian Young Adults.

The mental health crisis among Native Hawaiian young adults is exacerbated by colonization-related risk factors, yet cultural identity stands as a key protective element. This study explored the link between cultural identity and stress, employing cultural reclamation theory, and surveyed 37 Native Hawaiians aged 18-24 through the Native Hawaiian Young Adult Well-being Survey. Engagement with culture, the significance of Hawaiian identity, and stress were assessed, revealing significant correlations between cultural and demographic factors and stress levels. Participants displayed high cultural engagement and valued their Hawaiian identity, with gender and education levels playing a notable role in stress. These findings highlight the importance of including Native Hawaiian perspectives in mental health research and may guide the development of targeted interventions.

A study on a model of intercultural learning contents and methods

This study is a model study on the contents and methods of intercultural learning. Starting with a discussion of the intercultural learning model construct, it presents key contents important for intercultural learning and learning methods that can increase the effectiveness of intercultural learning. Also, we actually conducted the above learning program at the learning site and discussed the observations and results. It was a case study that allowed us to test the effectiveness of cultural intelligence theory, the latest theory that can improve intercultural competency. In addition, in order for the cultural intelligence theory to be effective in the learning process, it was found that the PBL method, which allows learners to solve problems on their own, rather than cramming education, is useful. Additionally, it was found that the ARCS model was also very effective in motivating and maintaining learners' continuous motivation. At this time, the instructor was also able to see that the effect increases when the role of catalyst becomes the main one.

Enchanted Backburner: Channeling Taylor Swift and Niki on Cegil Identity

This study chooses a transnational perspective to understand the practice of American culture in Indonesia. As this study discussed identity formed in social media and involved popular music singers, the theories applied in this study are the theories of identity, youth culture, new media, and popular music from the popular culture approach. In examining this study, the content analysis method was applied. After reviewing primary and secondary sources and find suppported theories for the data, it is find that the cegil identity is channeled through Taylor Swift and NIKI’s musicality due to the interconnection of youth culture and new media in treating popular music. The star and stardom of Swift and NIKI influence people's perspectives on their songs. The cegil community likes their lyricism in descriptive, imaginative, and poetic songs. Global access and media allow Spotify and X as the mediums to communicate and participate for cegil to express their feelings. They were also the place where the cegil term was coined. The last factor is a youth culture that treats music as the soundtrack of life and hence sees songs as a medium to express themselves.

Думи на водещия

Editor Words DOI 10.55206/EBMA3053 Prof. Dr Ivanka Mavrodieva, DSc Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” Email: mavrodieva@phls.uni-sofia.bg Issue 59 (April 2024) of the Rhetoric and Communication Journal includes eight publications, which announce the results of research, among which surveys of parliamentary rhetoric and communication, which has manifestations in media and on the Internet, in politics and in society. The section “Media and Internet Communication” brings together four articles that contribute to the derivation of concepts, the delineation of the boundaries of new fields of academic research and the renewal of the categorical and conceptual apparatus in several scientific fields, for example through the terms “media culture”, “media transformation”, “cultural software” and “infor¬mation aesthetics”, “cancel culture”, “digital oral histories”, “hybrid risks and threats”. Simeon Vassilev outlines various scientific approaches to the definition of the term “media culture”; he presents theories, concepts, approaches and ad¬vo¬cates the need for a coherent theory of media transformation and media culture; the author draws conclusions about the phenomenon of media culture as a social practice. Desislava Dobreva explores a topic that is characterized by topicality and social sensitivity and examines the notion of “cancel culture”; she studies the phenomenon theoretically and historically; the author analyses current events and identifies rhetorical aspects in this specific virtual communication. Nikolina Ivanova-Bell examines the development of digital oral histories, as well as the opportunities they offer in the field of university education and academic libraries; on the basis of analyses she establishes the potential for enriching research and teaching experience in an academic environment. Andrey Velchev examines hybrid warfare from an interdisciplinary perspective; he analyses the role of the media and the Internet; the author presents the activities of institutions in identifying and neutralising hybrid threats, and in formulating and implementing strategic tasks regarding hybrid warfare. In the section “Political Communication and Parliamentary Rhetoric” two articles are included; they are written on the basis of a theoretical observation and include results of research into concepts in the fields of political science, political communication and parliamentary rhetoric in contemporary Bulgaria. Atanas Zhdrebev’s publication is devoted to populism; he discusses Takis Papas’s concept of populism as democratic illiberalism; the author gives examples of contemporary political phenomena and processes from different countries. Sofia-Nikol Nikolova examines the argumentation and rhetorical figures used by MPs during debates on significant domestic political issues and votes of no confidence and presents the results of an analysis of parliamentarian rhetoric in the 49th National Assembly in Bulgaria. The issue has a section “Contemporary Studies” in which there are options for presenting not only books, but also their contributions at the theoretical, methodological and research levels. The review of Professor Danail Danov’s book “Foundations of Media Pedagogy. A guide to the world of digital culture and its tools” is metaphorically entitled “a guide to the digital modus vivendi” by Simeon Vassilev. Professor Angel Angelov introduces Radeya Gesheva’s book “Enigmas and Paradigms in Some Twentieth-Century Italian Women Writers”. Prof. Dr. Ivanka Mavrodieva is a lecturer in rhetoric, argumentation, PR and virtual communication at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. She is the author of 15 books (including “Virtual rhetoric: from diaries to social networks”, “Political rhetoric in Bulgaria: from rallies to Web 2.0 (1989 - 2012)”, “Rhetoric and Public Re¬lations”, “Online Course on Rhetoric”) and 120 articles. Her research interests are in the fields of contemporary rhetoric, virtual communication, argumentation, PR and business communication. Rhetoric and Communications Journal, issue 59, April 2024 Read the Original in Bulgarian and English

Медии, медийна култура, комуникации: процеси и трансформации

Abstract: This study aims to explore various scholarly perspectives on defining the concept of media culture and its significance for media, social, and cultural development. The theoretical review presents relevant theories, concepts, ap¬proaches, and important themes in the field of media culture. It argues for the necessity of a coherent theory of media transformation and media culture. The hypothesis posits that modern technologies utilizing artificial intelligence are not equivalent to human capabilities but are increasingly encroaching upon tradi¬tio¬n¬ally human domains such as language, religion, art, and politics. The conclusions drawn from the theoretical review and critical reading are applicable to several scientific fields. Media transformation often involves conflicts and is accom¬panied by crises. Therefore, media transformation can be seen as a process of transitioning from the old to the new. It expresses a new experience over time, accompanied by crises that arise from changes in technical, social, and political structures. These crises lead to a profound transformation in the media system and represent a turning point for the phenomenon of media culture as a social practice constructed by the media, through which meaning is created via different forms of communication. Keywords: transformation, media, media culture, media competence, culture, technology

The Influence of Cultural Background on Employment Behavior

Cultural background plays an important role in the organizational environment and has a wide and profound impact on employee behavior. Based on the cultural dimension theory proposed by Hofstede, this article attempts to explain more clearly from a theoretical perspective the predictable effects that different cultural backgrounds may have on cooperation in cross-cultural teams. This article also refers to a research report that investigated the cross-cultural after-sales team of "DM Company". It attempts to use this study as an example to explore the impact of different cultural backgrounds on sales work in cross-cultural teams, and to explore the impact of other cultural backgrounds on work. This paper aims to explore the impact of cultural background on employee behavior, including communication style, decision-making style, work attitude and so on. By analyzing how different cultural backgrounds shape employee behavior, it can help organizations better manage diverse employee groups and improve work efficiency and employee satisfaction.

Oppressed Become the Oppressor: Psychoanalytical Intersections of Trauma in Toni Morrison’s the Bluest Eye

This paper explores the intricate interplay of racism, trauma, and identity in Toni Morrison's novel The Bluest Eye. It delves into the challenges faced by African Americans within a predominantly white society by utilizing current trauma theory and Black feminist concepts. The theoretical framework includes cultural trauma theories, including the contributions from scholar Evelyn J. Schreiber, and insights from feminist thinkers like Bell Hooks and Patricia Hill Collins. Moreover, through an intersectional analysis, the study scrutinizes how gender, racial, class, and generational trauma intertwine to mold individuals’ experiences and self-perception. Therefore, by amalgamating trauma theories with feminist perspectives, the research provides valuable insights into the struggles of the characters and the societal dynamics portrayed in Morrison's novel, The Bluest Eye.

Cross-Cultural Differences in Food Preferences and Consumption Patterns

Purpose: This study sought to explore cross- cultural differences in food preferences and consumption patterns. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to cross- cultural differences in food preferences and consumption patterns. Preliminary empirical review revealed that cultural heritage profoundly influenced individuals' food preferences and consumption habits, with distinct culinary traditions and family influences shaping dietary behaviors within specific cultural contexts. Globalization and urbanization were found to impact food preferences, yet traditional dietary practices remained resilient. Additionally, socio-economic factors significantly influenced dietary behaviors, particularly in low-income communities. These findings emphasized the importance of recognizing cultural diversity and socio-economic disparities in promoting healthy eating behaviors and improving public health outcomes. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Cultural Anthropology theory, Social Identity theory and Ecological Systems theory may be used to anchor future studies on cross- cultural differences in food preferences and consumption patterns. The study offered valuable recommendations that contributed to theory, practice, and policy in the field of nutrition and public health. By identifying cultural influences on food preferences and consumption patterns, the study enriched theoretical frameworks such as cultural anthropology, social identity theory, and ecological systems theory. Its findings informed the development of culturally sensitive interventions and educational programs, empowering individuals to make healthier food choices while respecting cultural heritage. Additionally, the study's insights guided the formulation of evidence-based policies aimed at addressing diet-related health disparities and promoting food security and nutrition equity on a global scale.

Navigating through policy and process inflation by establishing cultural value in cultural sites: The case of the Philippine-Korea friendship center

The protection and development of cultural sites pose ongoing economic and social challenges for the state, necessitating a symbiotic relationship between cultural advancement and societal progress, yet facing a shortfall in support and funding. This paper aims to delineate the value of cultural sites and assess how evolving cultural policies influence their management. Despite legislative mandates requiring government backing, cultural site management often shoulders the responsibility amid policy and procedural complexities, resulting in what is termed as "policy and process inflation." The absence of consistent support due to shifting cultural policies aggravates this burden, compelling cultural sites to integrate economic imperatives alongside social objectives. Utilizing Cultural Value Theory (intrinsic, instrumental, institutional), this study examines the Philippine-Korea Friendship Center to elucidate its cultural value amidst policy dynamics. It underscores the necessity for cultural sites to not only embody intrinsic value but also cultivate instrumental and institutional values. This analysis sheds light on the interplay between cultural policies and the state of cultural sites, highlighting the imperative for holistic support and strategic management frameworks.

Hallsworth's manifesto through a cultural theory lens

Abstract Behavioural public policy (BPP) operates within one of four cultural models of public management, an illustration of an influential scheme set out by Christopher Hood. Even though BPP can be fatalist, individualist or egalitarian, so far it has been hierarchicalist. Hallsworth's manifesto is largely an expression of this hierarchicalist form of public management, with all its limitations and contradictions. As the manifesto pays relatively little attention to decentralist and egalitarian approaches, it misses a radical opportunity. Future work on BPP could incorporate entrepreneurial and egalitarian possibilities while recognising the difficulties of moving away from hierarchalism completely. Even though Hood cautions against a ‘public management for all seasons’, it remains a plausible path for the next generation of researchers and practitioners of BPP.

The role of cultural factors in green supply chain management practices: a conceptual framework and an empirical investigation

Purpose The purpose of this study is to contribute to the debate on the impact of organizational culture and national culture on green supply chain management (GSCM) adoption by empirically testing the developed framework, and ultimately pave the way toward potential areas for future research. Design/methodology/approach Using survey data from a sample of Moroccan manufacturing firms, 130 responses were collected and analyzed using SPSS 25 and Smart PLS v 3.3.3 software. The paper used a convenience sample, as it is required by the quantitative method, which legitimate making generalization under certain conditions. Findings The research results indicated that the national culture does not influence the GSCM implementation. The results contradict a number of prior works. As for the second direct effect measured postulated that organizational culture has a direct and significant impact on the GSCM. The results indicate that adhocracy culture, clan culture and hierarchical culture have a positive impact on the implementation of GSCM initiatives. To assess the impact of ownership type on GSCM, we underlined the difference between local and foreign firms. In fact, as argued, the foreign firms are more implementing GSCM initiatives than local firms do. Based on the arguments advanced on prior literature, the firm size does, as expected, exert significant control over the adoption of GSCM initiatives. Research limitations/implications The paper here is a starting point to understand how environmental sustainability and culture are interlinked; further research might contribute to this topic by empirically testing the model in similar or different contexts, using different cultural frameworks. Practical implications The practical implications for the paper are related to the necessity of adopting adequate organizational culture to build responsible behaviors for GSCM adoption by Moroccan firms. Recognizing the powerful role of organizational culture as a crucial factor responsible for GSCM’s success beyond the well-defined corporate strategies, including market presence and technological advantages, etc. Social implications This paper contributes to the establishment of codependent links between sociology and management fields as it helps to update the social theories present in the operations management area. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, few works have pursued to review and bridge cultural theories with the GSCM implementation.

Do Hofstede’s cultural dimensions moderate the CSR-firm performance relationship before and during the COVID-19 crisis?

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the impact of varying cultural dimensions, according to Hofstede, on corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance before and during the COVID-19 crisis. Design/methodology/approach This study examines the moderating impact of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions on the relationship between CSR and firm performance. The database comprises 36,295 firm-year observations from 2,135 firms operating in civil law countries. Findings The findings confirm that CSR investments have a positive impact on firm performance both before and after the COVID-19 crisis. Furthermore, it becomes evident that cultural dimensions play a moderating role in the CSR–firm performance relationship. The crisis has generated a shift in perspective, emphasizing the advantages of CSR in terms of reputation and financial well-being in the post-crisis environment. Originality/value The significance of this study lies in its examination of the relationship between CSR and firm performance within the framework of Hofstede’s cultural dimension theory, before and during the COVID-19 crisis.