Effects Of Cross-cultural Differences Research Articles

The effects of cross-cultural differences on HRM functions: the case of multinational corporations in Kuwaiti community

PurposeWith increasing globalization, the importance of referring to cross-cultural contexts is also amplifying in the contemporary era. The models, framework and dimensions devoted to such situations are increasingly mannered in practice today. With due consideration derivation to the input manner, an organization’s performance is also taken aside for its increasing marginality. The following study aims to examine the American multinational oil and gas company operating in Kuwait's oil sector to evaluate the respect. The branch has a total of 600 employees, which were all included in the data collection phase. Hence, the results derived with cumulative aspects of leadership, power distance and organizational value as their impact on human resource management (HRM) functions.Design/methodology/approachThrough the quantitative approach of a self-adapted questionnaire, 101 responses were collected, and through SPSS Version 22, results were discreet.FindingsThe results reverted with the manual that the cultural dimension of Hofstede, i.e. power distance, did not have an apparent impact on the HRM functions. Whilst leadership and organizational values had their dissolved set of effects on HRM functions of the chosen firm. However, HRM functions were apparent enough to have its impact upon leadership, power distance (PD) and organizational value accumulated. Opening to the opportunities where in the future studies, a greater extent of population as well as variables could be considered for a better impact.Research limitations/implicationsThe Major limitation of the study is related to the number of respondents as the research was conducted solely for the chosen branch of this private oil and gas firm in Kuwait, which makes its results limited and narrowed in the analysis phase. Moreover, the methodology selection did not do justice to the resulting research’s agenda, which was restricted due to the pandemic’s situation. Where with a better and respective methodology approach, better results could be attached.Originality/valueThe rationale of research refers to the gap concerning theoretical aspects within a field of business. As for the resulting study, in a cross-cultural management setting, the relevancy and implication of HRM functions concerning their transparency have not been explored. Globally, in different industries, the, study of similar nature has been conducted but has not examined, the fossil fuel industry particularly, which would be the focal point of this research.

Effect of cross-cultural differences on thickness, firmness and sweetness sensitivity

Sensitivity of the somatosensory system may be influenced by multiple physiological parameters. Variations in oral physiology can arise from cross-cultural differences which may potentially affect sensory sensitivity. The aim of this case study was to quantify texture and taste sensitivity in Dutch (Caucasian) and Chinese (Asian) adults living in the Netherlands. Eighty-five healthy subjects were recruited including 44 Dutch (Caucasian) adults (29 females, 22.8 ± 2.3 yrs) and 41 Chinese (Asian) adults (30 females, 24.5 ± 2.1 yrs) living in the Netherlands for less than 1 year. Three sets of stimuli were used to quantify sensitivity of thickness (maltodextrin solutions differing in viscosity), firmness (agar gels differing in fracture stress) and sweetness (sucrose solutions differing in concentration). The 2-Alternative Forced Choice (2-AFC) ascending staircase method was used to determine texture and taste sensitivity. Unstimulated and stimulated saliva flow rate, fungiform papillae density (FPD), lingual tactile threshold and PROP taster status were determined and are referred to as physiological and sensory consumer characteristics. No significant differences were observed between Chinese and Dutch adults for thickness (Dutch 2.60 mPas, Chinese 2.19 mPas), firmness (Dutch 10.5 kPa, Chinese 10.3 kPa) and sweetness sensitivity (Dutch 0.012 g/mL, Chinese 0.017 g/mL). No significant differences were observed between Chinese and Dutch adults for saliva flow rate, lingual tactile threshold and PROP taster status. The relationships between the three sensory sensitivities (thickness, firmness, sweetness) and five physiological and sensory consumer characteristics (unstimulated and stimulated saliva flow rate, FPD, lingual tactile threshold, PROP taster status) were analyzed. Only one out of 15 relationships, firmness sensitivity and FPD, was significantly and weakly related suggesting that inter-individual variation in these consumer characteristics is almost unrelated to sensory sensitivity. We conclude that in this case study thickness, firmness and sweetness sensitivities do not differ between Dutch and Chinese adults living in the Netherlands. Saliva flow rate, fungiform papillae density, lingual tactile threshold and PROP taster status do not explain inter-individual variation in sensory sensitivity between these consumers.

Effect of cross-cultural differences on industrial communication

This research deals with the important circumstances influencing cross-cultural communication and disagreements arising within it. Current social changes affect the world we live in and as a result the relationships between countries and individuals. Globalisation, economic integration and labour migration have a significant impact on industrial communication. The successful operation and development of an enterprise are heavily dependent on effective communication between co-workers who often come from different cultural background nowadays. The specificity of this type of communication is described in the article. The special attention is paid to the possible problems in cross-cultural interaction. The chain of causes and effects leading to miscommunication is determined. The article also provides analysis of the barriers to effective communication and describes the problems caused by them. The importance of cross-cultural competence is emphasised and the principles of effective management as a way of solving cross-cultural conflicts in communication are characterized.

Utilitarian or Hedonic? A Cross Cultural Study in Online Shopping

With the irreversible effect of globalization, a growing number of websites today sell their products to more than one country. The effects of cross cultural differences on buying behaviors are widely acknowledged. Therefore, a consideration about attracting and retaining online consumers from different countries and cultures is gaining importance. This paper examines the roles of hedonic and utilitarian values in online shopping by comparing cross culturally the Turkish and US consumers. A total of 264 students from Turkey and USA participated in the survey. The findings showed that the online shopping behaviors of Turkish and USA consumers differ according to their hedonic and utilitarian values. While Turkish consumers use online retailers to socialize with others, the USA people use online shopping for relaxation purposes.

General public reactions to carbon capture and storage: Does culture matter?

We scrutinise the controversial carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology from a cross-cultural perspective. The reaction of the public to CCS will considerably affect the development of the technology. Previous research has identified general and local mechanisms in how the general public reacts to CCS. Researchers have noticed that differences exist between countries, but the effects of cross-cultural differences have not been explored in detail. We argue that it is crucial to understand how public perceptions of the technology emerge and form in their individual contexts or embedded in large-scale cultural frameworks.Public reaction to CCS is structured in two dimensions—risk perception and benefit perception—and we design a model with individual and national cultural level predictors. We indicate that effects of individual level variables such as familiarity with technology, or sociodemographic variables such as education, are important but their effects are likely mediated and confounded by the cultural setting people operate in. The results show that, in parallel with other factors such as trust, risk perception is affected by cultural dimensions such as uncertainty avoidance and the society’s short-term or long-term orientation.We provide a framework to understand why and how societies challenge the technology.

Development of Methodology to Assess the Effect of Cross-cultural Differences in the Consumer Behavior

The article notes that globalization and the development of international trade leads to an increase in the flow of goods, services, and ideas across borders and cultures, as well as reduction of technological barriers that increases the relevance of cross-cultural research. The purpose of this study is to develop methodological tools to assess the effect of cross-cultural differences in the consumer behavior in the fish and seafood market. A cultural model, reflecting a set of cultural values, the characteristics of material environment (level of scientific and technological development and its potential, natural resources, the level of economic development, and the geographical location of the country), the institutional environment (the value of the family as a social institution, the effect of government regulation and the activities of environmental organizations, as well as the level of literacy and education). The study highlighted specific features of a culture-specific model development with due consideration of fish and seafood markets. The results of testing the proposed survey frame are presented through the example of Asia-Pacific (AP) region countries, such as China, Russia and South Korea.

Cross-cultural influences on e-value creation in supply chains

Purpose – This paper seeks to report the results of an empirical study examining the influence of cross-cultural differences on the value creation process from e-business systems in the supply chain. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was sent out to senior managers in companies operating in two culturally distinct national cultures. The effects of cross-cultural differences were examined by testing for between-group differences in the structural model using the multi-group partial least squares (PLS) statistical approach. Findings – Consistent with the resource-based view (RBV), contingency “fit” theory, and prior research, this study demonstrates that the value creation process from e-business systems is significantly enhanced in companies operating in national cultures that emphasize cooperation and interdependence, and promote group-level interests over individual interests. Originality/value – The mechanisms through which performance improvement is achieved from e-business systems are still not fully understood. Little is still known about how digital capabilities and environmental factors work together to influence e-business value creation along the supply chain. In addition, while contextual factors have been highlighted within the stream, the knowledge base is especially limited regarding the role of global factors in shaping the attainment of value from e-business systems in this context. Filling these gaps, this study simultaneously investigates the roles of intermediate capabilities and the macro-environment in creating value from e-business in the supply chain.

An Exploration of the History of Cross-cultural Negotiation: The First U.S.-Japan Trade Negotiation before Commodore Perry's Arrival

This working paper treats a relatively new and as yet largely unexplored area of research: The coming of the first Americans to Japan, on two merchant vessels, Lady Washington and Grace, sailing from Massachusetts in 1791, an attempt by the United States to establish commercial relations with the Japanese through negotiations some 60 years prior to the arrival of Commodore Perry in 1853, it describes how the first contacts were made between the Americans and the Japanese within a framework of the history of cross-cultural and cross-national negotiation. Incidental to the investigation, this paper also focuses upon: 1), conceptions held by the Americans and the Japanese with regard to the term negotiation and the connotative meanings attached to it; 2) aspects of behavioral patterns adopted by the Japanese and the Americans during the negotiation process; and, 3), whether the effects of cross-cultural differences inherited from the past are (and have been) pervasive and continual.