Collectivist Values Research Articles

A context-sensitive collectivism during the COVID-19 pandemic: Effect on the adoption of containment measures in China and the US.

This study investigates individuals' adoption of containment measures (e.g., wearing masks) from the perspectives of cultural values and trust in two countries-China and the US. Distinguished from previous definitions that characterise cultural values as rigid and fixed concepts, this study reconceptualizes collectivism to be a context-sensitive construct. With survey data from a collectivism-prevalent culture (China, n = 1578) and an individualism-prevalent culture (the US, n = 1510), it unfolds the underlying mechanism by which collectivism influences people's adoption of containment measures in both countries. Results indicate that institutional trust serves as a significant mediator in this relationship. In both countries, individuals who hold a collectivistic value on the pandemic are more likely to endorse the adoption of containment measures. This endorsement is driven by their trust in public institutions, which stems from their collectivistic values. Additionally, slight distinctions emerge, revealing that collectivistic values directly predict the behaviours among Chinese individuals, whereas such a direct effect is not observed in the US. Practical implications will be offered.

Reinforcement learning of altruistic punishment differs between cultures and across the lifespan.

Altruistic punishment is key to establishing cooperation and maintaining social order, yet its developmental trends across cultures remain unclear. Using computational reinforcement learning models, we provided the first evidence of how social feedback dynamically influences group-biased altruistic punishment across cultures and the lifespan. Study 1 (n = 371) found that Chinese participants exhibited higher learning rates than Americans when socially incentivized to punish unfair allocations. Additionally, Chinese adults showed slower learning and less exploration when punishing ingroups than outgroups, a pattern absent in American counterparts, potentially reflecting a tendency towards ingroup favoritism that may contribute to reinforcing collectivist values. Study 2 (n = 430, aged 12-52) further showed that such ingroup favoritism develops with age. Chinese participants' learning rates for ingroup punishment decreased from adolescence into adulthood, while outgroup rates stayed constant, implying a process of cultural learning. Our findings highlight cultural and age-related variations in altruistic punishment learning, with implications for social reinforcement learning and culturally sensitive educational practices promoting fairness and altruism.

Afrocentric triple helix: A communal perspective on addressing Africa’s economic and social challenges

ABSTRACT That collaboration has always been the foundation of human development as well as the coping strategy of some animal species is a view widely shared by scholars. In fact, no individual, organization or nation can produce everything it needs without collaboration. Therefore, nations and organizations use the concept of the triple helix as a collaborative tool to find solutions for commercial and social challenges. However, the main challenge of the model when applied has always been how to ensure its sustainability and its outcomes. Central to this challenge is the rationalist paradigm adopted in its conception and implementation, especially in an African context where communal and collectivist values are features of the society. Therefore, this paper advances a different model of collaboration. The African philosophy of Ubuntu is used as the framework for the conception and application of the triple helix. Our approach is grounded on the assumption that “culture” is one of the key determining success factors in sustainable collaboration. The approach requires a change in mindset and organizational structure and culture. Our practical approach to addressing the needed change is supported by renowned scholars in management.

Values as motivating factors for representatives of generation Z in the Czech Republic and Slovakia within the European context.

Generation Z is expected to officially surpass the Baby Boomers in the labor market by 2024 and to represent 30% of the global workforce by 2030. In the work environment, they are referred to oxymoronically as competitively ambivalent. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the reasons for this behavior and to identify initiatives that would facilitate understanding between Generation Z and other generations. The aim of the present study was to find out whether Generation Z in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which lives in conditions of deepening polarization of society and differentiated opportunities (e.g., in access to education, consumption of goods and services, work and entertainment), exhibits compatible value orientation or whether significant antagonisms exist in the value system. The study utilized the referential Schwartz's theory of values, which handles universal values dynamically. This theoretical framework was extended to include the dimension of instrumental values that were contextualized in the labor market environment. The results show that the representatives of Generation Z in the Czech Republic and Slovakia prefer collective values (Benevolence and Universalism) in the first two places. However, they subsequently lean toward two individual values (Hedonism and Self-Direction). The comparison of the results in the European context showed the same values being shared by the representatives of Generation Z with preference nuances. The comparison of Generation Z representatives with members of other generations in the European context showed consistency of sharing collective values (Benevolence and Universalism). Discussion: Intergenerational value congruence, as well as knowledge of the difference in preferred values across generations (the collectivism value of Tradition shared by Baby Boomers and Generation X, and Hedonism as an individualism value shared by Generation Y and Generation Z) can help the successful integration of Generation Z representatives in the labor market. A way toward intergenerational synergy can be the recommended strategies for managing Generation Z in the context of career paths: Flexibility of development; Gamification; Mentoring.

“Nilai-nilai Bawah Tanah:” Tinjauan Antropologis Tentang Anarkisme Dalam Paradigma Cultural Studies di Kalangan Anak Muda Kota Makassar

The anarchist punk subculture started with a spirit of resistance, but unfortunately the popular culture that absorbed this subculture has caused it to lose its resistance essence. Despite its spirit, the subculture has been integrated into the very system it previously resisted. This article focuses on the ways in which young people in Makassar City consume "underground values" and their anarchic forms of expression in adopting these values through creativity, especially in the form of music. This research uses Critical Ethnography as a cultural research approach that uses a critical paradigm, which criticizes and offers solutions to cultural injustice, marginalization, exploitation, and subordination. The Cultural Studies paradigm highlights conflicts, interests, and power in culture. The informants in this article are young people who join a group that consumes "underground values" on a daily basis. The data collection techniques used in this research are through interviews and participatory observation used in the context of qualitative research because it allows researchers to directly observe the actions, attitudes, and atmosphere that exist. The informants in this study were determined by purposive sampling with reference to the following criteria: Young people who join subcultures that consume “subteterranean value” and express them in their daily lives. The results show that political norms and culture influence individual experiences, even encouraging adaptation to expectations that may conflict with personal desires. The transformation of subcultures and "underground values" that originally focused on resistance to the dominant culture, but later integrated into the structure of the dominant culture. The influence of the dominant culture creates alienation and inequality, limiting the freedom of individuals to shape their identity. "Underground values" are a form of alternative and counterculture to the dominant culture, reflecting strong values of collectivism and anti-hierarchy. Despite the transformation, the essence of underground values continues to criticize capitalism and conventional norms in society. This subculture continues to offer a space for expression, despite the pressures and changes that occur over time.

Impact of perceived value in virtual brand communities on purchase intention of domestic electric vehicles

The consumption value seems to be insufficient to explain consumers' domestic electric vehicle purchase behaviour, especially in a highly competitive global environment. This study aims to investigate how consumer ethnocentrism and perceived interactivity influence consumption value and pro-environmental value, subsequently affecting attitude and intention. A total of 353 valid questionnaires were collected through convenience sampling in Xuzhou, China, and the partial least square (PLS) path modelling approach was performed to test the hypotheses. The results show that consumer ethnocentrism and perceived interactivity positively influence function value, emotional value, and social value; perceived interactivity also positively influences altruistic value, biospheric value, and collectivistic value. Function value, social value, and collectivistic value positively influence attitude; however, emotional value, altruistic value and biospheric value did not find a correlation with attitude. Furthermore, attitude positively influences intention to adopt domestic electric vehicles. Finally, the theoretical and practical implications, as well as limitations were discussed accordingly.

Discriminant analysis of ecological factors influencing sarcopenia in older people in South Korea.

This study aimed to investigate the ecological system factors that influence discrimination of sarcopenia among older individuals living in contemporary society. Data analysis included information from 618 older adults individuals aged 65 years or older residing in South Korea. To assess variations in ecological system factors related to SARC-F scores, we conducted correlation analysis and t-tests. Discriminant analysis was used to identify factors contributing to group discrimination. The key findings are summarized as follows. First, significant differences at the p < 0.001 level were observed between the SARC-F score groups in various aspects, including attitudes toward life, wisdom in life, health management, social support, media availability, sports environment, collectivist values, and values associated with death. Further, service environment differences were significant at p < 0.01 level, while social belonging and social activities exhibited significance at p < 0.05. Second, factors influencing group discrimination based on the SARC-F scores were ranked in the following order: health management, attitudes toward life, fear of own death, wisdom in life, physical environment, sports environment, media availability, social support, fear of the own dying, collectivist values, service environment, social activities, and social belonging. Notably, the SARC-F tool, which is used for sarcopenia discrimination, primarily concentrates on physical functioning and demonstrates relatively low sensitivity. Therefore, to enhance the precision of sarcopenia discrimination within a score-based group discrimination process, it is imperative to incorporate ecological system factors that exert a significant influence. These modifications aimed to enhance the clarity and precision of the text in an academic context.

Как удовлетворённость жизнью зависит от типа населённого пункта?

Life satisfaction is a multidimensional indicator that is influenced by many factors. Studies of national life satisfaction factors provide adequate estimates when countries are homogeneous “macroregions” with common social, cultural, and institutional foundations. However, within large and heterogeneous national states, of which Russia is one, internal regional differences in living conditions can be significant, which means that assessments of happiness levels are dominated by various factors, including the type of human settlement and its inherent characteristics. The conducted research is deepening the understanding of the factors that have a significant impact on subjective life satisfaction in various types of settlements in Russia - cities, towns, and villages. The Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey - Higher School of Economics (RLMS-HSE) was used as the data source. Econometric modeling is based on an ordered logit model with random effects using panel data. We discovered the high significance of subjective evaluation of wealth satisfaction, worried needs, and availability of paid vacations for all Russians, regardless of the type of settlement. The main differences in the set and degree of influence of factors lie along the line separating the values of collectivism and individualism, which are dominant in cities and villages, respectively. There is less concern about health and the possibility of job loss among rural residents reliant on the support of neighbors and family, in which men do not associate life satisfaction with the duration of the working day, and women do not associate life satisfaction with the amount of wage and maternity. In contrast, individualistically oriented residents of cities where nuclear families predominate and connections among people are weak tend to derive life satisfaction from self-realization through earnings, leisure, children, and health care.

European Family Patriarchy in the Past and Contemporary Developmental Inequalities

This paper aims to show that contemporary developmental outcomes in Europe vary with historical patterns of age and gender inequality. It builds on the authors' earlier work constructing the Patriarchy Index (PI), which measures age and gender inequality within households based on historical census data. The claimed relationships are tested in a regression framework in which the outcome variables are a set of development indicators (GDP per capita and the HDI), as well as contemporary gender equality indices such as the GII and the SIGI and survey responses from the WVS. The study shows that high scores on the PI consistently predict worse development outcomes (lower development, more gender inequality) and more collectivist values scores. To assess the channels through which this correlation works, we also examine whether the PI itself is persistent, and find that the historical PI is also generally associated with important facets of patriarchal behaviour in the present. Overall, while our study cannot infer causal relationships, our results provide evidence that familial patriarchal patterns at the grassroots of society may be one of the variables associated with contemporary cultural and developmental divergences in Europe.

Examining acculturation at the daily level: Adding nuance to acculturation scholarship

The present article reviews the growing literature on micro-level (daily or situation-specific) acculturation processes and provides new empirical evidence regarding the link between macro-level (general) and micro-level acculturation indices. The review covers the evolution of acculturation theory and research to focus on separate heritage and destination cultural dimensions and on specific domains (e.g., practices, values, identifications), to include longitudinal research designs, and to incorporate daily diary methodologies. The empirical study includes 824 Hispanic college students in Miami (76.1 % female) who participated in a 12-day diary study. General (macro-level) acculturation measures were administered on Days 1 and 12, and daily (micro-level) acculturation measures were administered on Days 2–11. Each of six acculturation components (dimension-domain pairings) – U.S. practices, Hispanic practices, individualist values, collectivist values, U.S. identity, and ethnic identity – was assessed using full scales on Days 1 and 12 and using single items on Days 2–11. Daily means and daily fluctuations, computed as the standard deviation of Day 2–11 scores, were included during the daily portion of the study. Analyses examined the extent to which earlier macro-level acculturation scores would predict daily means and fluctuations, as well as the extent to which these daily means and fluctuations would predict later macro-level acculturation scores. For each acculturation component, daily means were related to Day 1 and Day 12 scores, though the strengths of these associations varied across components. Daily fluctuations were negatively associated with Day 1 and 12 scores for U.S. and Hispanic practices, but these associations were less consistent for the values and identifications components. These results are discussed in terms of the overlap between micro and macro level acculturation processes, and in terms of the future of acculturation research.

Exploring factors influencing attitudes towards COVID-19 prevention measures and compliance with behavioral guidelines

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of how individual traits, political ideologies, and media perceptions influence attitudes and behaviors toward COVID-19 prevention measures. It highlights the significant positive impact of individual-level collectivism and uncertainty avoidance on adherence to these measures, emphasizing the effectiveness of public health communications that resonate with collectivist values and offer clear, structured guidance. The research also reveals a negative correlation between conservative political ideology and compliance with COVID-19 prevention, suggesting that political affiliations significantly shape public health responses. Additionally, the study examines the role of media, showing that favorable views towards traditional media correlate with better compliance. These findings underline the importance of tailored health communication strategies that consider psychological, social, and political factors. This study also points to the necessity for further research to explore these dynamics more deeply across different cultural contexts, enhancing the efficacy of global public health initiatives.

A study on why foreign-born East Asians but not US-born East Asians are underrepresented in leadership attainment in the U.S.

A recent study investigated the impact of culture of Asian groups on leadership attainment in the U.S. It revealed that East Asians (EAs) are less likely than South Asians (SAs) and white people (WP) to attain leadership positions, and SAs may even surpass WP in leadership attainment. The study explained that the underrepresentation of EAs in leadership positions in the U.S. (the so called bamboo ceiling) is partly because EAs communicate less assertively. Specifically, EA cultures value collectivism (e.g., humility and harmony), which are at odds with western cultures that value individualism (e.g., extraversion and assertiveness), whereas SA cultures are congruent with western cultures. However, the study did not distinguish the different impact of home culture (i.e., EA cultures) and host culture (i.e., western cultures) on US-born EAs versus foreign-born EAs. We argue that for US-born EAs (i.e., second generation EAs), host culture plays a more important role than home culture in their growth and they may not be underrepresented in leadership attainment compared to WP. The bamboo ceiling effect is mostly demonstrated among foreign-born EAs (i.e., first generation EAs) who are shaped mainly under the home culture. We support the argument by conducting analysis on one of the datasets in the original study and a new dataset from Fortune’s 40-under-40 list. Our study suggests that when studying the underrepresentation of leadership attainment for EAs, US-born EAs and foreign-born EAs should not be aggregated in one category. Considering the ethnic EA group, the bamboo ceiling phenomenon may exist mainly among foreign-born EAs because US-born EAs, with a median age of 21.3, are much younger than the general American population, who may not be experienced enough to be considered for leadership positions in established large companies.

Beyond Words

Beyond Words

THE REPRESENTATION OF INDIVIDUALIST AND COLLECTIVIST VALUES IN AMERICAN AND VIETNAMESE ADVERTISEMENTS THROUGH CREATIVE TACTICS

Advertising has been creeping into people's lives and affecting their behaviors. One of the effective strategies to attract customers is to incorporate cultural elements in advertising. This study focuses on examining creative tactics for expressing individualist and collectivist values to point out the similarities and differences in the representation of these values. A cross-cultural comparative method based on the content analysis approach was employed to analyze two datasets, including 131 selected American and 123 selected Vietnamese magazine advertisements. The results show that creative tactics for individualist values are found more in American advertisements, while those for collectivist values are used more in Vietnamese advertisements. This study has both academic and practical implications, helping advertisers have a more objective view of the outstanding advertising tactics in each data set, thereby creating more appropriate advertisements for their target customers.

Mask On, Barriers Off: How Face Masks Enhance Social Connection and Responsibility in Different Cultural Context

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing a mask not only serves a functional purpose in reducing the spread of the virus but also carries a symbolic value of social responsibility. There may be cultural differences in people’s understanding of such symbolic value. Results from three experimental studies have shown that wearing a medical mask increases other people’s willingness to have interpersonal contact with the mask-wearer. This is because people believe that the mask-wearer has a stronger sense of social responsibility (Experiment 1 and Experiment 2). However, such effect is moderated by cultural values of individualism/collectivism, and this moderating effect exhibits different patterns at the individual level and the group level of cultural values. Specifically, individuals with interdependent self-construal value the trait of social responsibility more in interpersonal communication than individuals with independent self-construal (Experiment 2), while groups with collectivistic values were further more able to recognize the social responsibility symbol value of wearing masks than those with individualistic values (Experiment 3). The research reveals how cultural values shape the mask’s symbolic value in group level and moderate people’s response in individual level.

The effect of organizational culture on territorial exclusivity in international marketing channels: a study of Japanese manufacturing exporters

PurposeIt is important for an exporting manufacturer to motivate its foreign channel partners to sell and promote its products. An excellent way to motivate such foreign channel partners is to give them exclusive territories. Unfortunately, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the determinants of territorial exclusivity. This study aims to investigate the relationship between organizational culture and territorial exclusivity and the moderating role of firm size in this relationship.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were collected from manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Japan. To test the hypotheses, a regression analysis was conducted using the ordinary least squares technique.FindingsEmpirical evidence shows that the cultural values of collectivism and uncertainty avoidance influence territorial exclusivity; collectivist exporters are likely to use territorial exclusivity, whereas exporters with high uncertainty avoidance are not likely to use it. Furthermore, the larger the firm size, the smaller the impact of cultural values on territorial exclusivity; this suggests that large SMEs do not rely on their organizational culture to make decisions about exclusive territories.Originality/valueThe export marketing literature emphasizes the advantages of exclusive territories. By contrast, the channel management literature suggests that exclusive territories also have disadvantages. As exclusive territories have both advantages and disadvantages, it is crucial to answer the following question: What kinds of exporting manufacturers grant exclusive territories to their foreign channel partners? By addressing this question, this study contributes to a better understanding of export channel strategy.

Navigating Pacific nutrition and health at Brown Buttabean Motivation (BBM): Process evaluation and systems dynamics research at a flax-roots organization

Brown Buttabean Motivation (BBM) is a Māori and Pacific-driven community-based organisation operating in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) and Tokoroa. It provides free community exercise bootcamps and other social and health support programs. BBM’s foundational mission was to reduce, among Māori and Pacific people, the prevalence of obesity in Auckland through exercise and nutrition programs.1 This study aimed to understand participants’ engagement with BBM, and the meaning it has had in their lives, with a focus on nutrition. Combining Pacific Fonofale and Te Whare Tapa Wha frameworks, this was a process evaluation to understand the impact of BBM’s services on the community using qualitative methods and a systems analysis to identify program sustainability and improvement. Semi-structured interviews explored the benefits and values of engagement with BBM. Followed by cognitive mapping interviews (CMI) and group model building (GMB) to identify the motivations and challenges of sustained engagement. Participants described holistic health benefits and impacts on community wellbeing. BBM responds to inequitable nutrition contexts, through its FoodShare (food bank), community kitchen, and BBM Kai (nutrition literacy). Engagement changed family nutrition patterns, and benefits included healthier spending habits, and addressing food insecurity. Social inclusiveness represented the Fonofale foundation (family) and the roof (culture) was described as ethnic cultural practices and BBM culture. Nutrition was not highlighted by BBM participants in CMI or GMB activities. However, participants suggested BBM increase nutrition initiatives to enable all members to improve their health journeys. BBM was seen as not just an exercise program but their own and their family’s new way of life, that health was a journey, not a destination. Moreover, although participants mentioned nutrition and health benefits, there was an overwhelming understanding that the values of BBM, Pacific culture, and social collectivism were the drivers of engagement, motivating healthier practices. BBM could leverage existing strengths by incorporating nutrition-enabling initiatives that are achieved collectively. Opportunities for systematic intervention will be presented.

Cultural Influences on Consumer Behaviour

This study examines the distinctions between consumer behaviour and individuality versus collectivism in regard to the buying of cars. The author of this study examined various stages of the decision-making process for consumers. Process and determined any potential distinctions between individualist and collectivist customers, as well as how it impacts the decision to buy. Drawing from a sample of 211 Australian-born individualist respondents, backgrounds that are collectivist (of Asian descent), a recognized scale (Cultural Values Scale: Singelis, Triandis, Bhawuk, If the respondents are in agreement, &amp; Gelfand, 1995) was utilized to validate the cultural values among the participants. With the specific group (for example, Australian-born individuals who value individuality and Asian-born individuals who value collectivism). The independent sample t-test was utilized to evaluate the hypotheses. The findings showed that there were no variations in There were distinctions in the individuality shown by respondents who were born in Asia and Australia. Between these two groups in terms of collectivism, with Asian-born individuals scoring higher on a collective mindset. The findings also revealed that Asian-born consumers involve several brands and are more brand aware. Friends and family before making decisions. Conversely, Australian-born customers don’t think that decisions should be made collectively. Creating and using the internet as the primary information source. The results will offer perception into How auto manufacturers should set themselves up in terms of their marketing approaches in various cultural contexts.

Representation of cultural patterns of individualism and collectivism in primary school textbooks

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to analyse the content of primary school textbooks in Iran for their cultural values and characteristics, based on the individualism-collectivism dimension. Six primary school Let’s Read Persian (LRP) textbooks were assessed using quantitative content analysis using two lists of individualistic and collectivistic values and cognitive tendencies derived from previous literature. The results showed that Iranian LRP textbooks emphasised themes of individualism, such as self-direction, success, and happiness, and manifested individualistic cognitive tendencies, such as focusing on central objects, making dispositional attributions, and expressing positive emotions. The findings suggest that Iranian LRP textbooks tend to teach children to be independent, strong, self-reliant, and unique individuals, rather than interdependent, cooperative, and harmonious members of a group. The implications of these findings for the education system and the cultural identity of Iranian students are discussed.

Патриотическая риторика как макростратегия в китайском масс-медийном дискурсе на английском языке

The aim of the study is to identify the regularities of verbal realization of patriotic rhetoric as a macro-strategy in Chinese media in the English language. The paper examines ways of expressing patriotic rhetoric taking into account the multi-variant and multilingual nature of the audience of English-language media information. The scientific novelty of the study is related to posing a problem potentially significant for comparative rhetoric when contrasting the PRC’s patriotic rhetoric in Chinese and in English. The results show that patriotic rhetoric in Chinese media in the English language differs in axiological, conceptual, and cultural specificity. The axiology of argumentative rhetoric is based on historically conditioned civilizational axioms and contemporary ideological concepts of China. The specificity of rhetorical strategies reflects deep civilizational values of collectivism, cyclical time perception, justice as a result of historical changes. The verbal realization of the macro-strategy in English-language Chinese media is influenced by historical and cultural traditions of speech behavior and features of Chinese communicative style. Explicit and implicit rhetorical formulas are realized through linguistic and discursive-pragmatic means.