Search Results (72)

In this study, we examine banks’ sustainability orientations (SOs) in the Baltic region, focusing on how institutional, stakeholder, national culture, and leadership factors influence strategic alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We assess how Baltic banks integrate sustainable development using a bibliometric review, financial performance analysis, Spearman’s rank correlation, and content analysis of sustainability-related disclosures for 2023, and interpret Hofstede’s cultural dimensions of the Baltic countries alongside these results. Our bibliometric review reveals limited research on SO and SD in banking, with a gradual annual increase of 14.8%. Our content analysis findings suggest that smaller banks are more broadly aligned with the SDGs; however, 36.4% of the largest banks in the region did not have a dedicated sustainability report a year before ESRS and CSRD requirements became mandatory. Notably, the reporting approach shows no statistically significant correlation with assets, size, global/local coverage, or the number of aligned SDGs. Furthermore, our content analysis findings reveal a persistent sustainability paradox: while economic and environmental goals are strategically prioritised, social SDGs are significantly underrepresented. We propose that this reflects a lack of demand for socially sustainable development rooted in regional contexts and national culture, which shape SO and organisational and leadership responses. Full article

This study examines the impact of Hofstede’s six cultural dimensions and institutional quality on financial development in the periods preceding and following the global financial crisis. The study analyzes data from 33 countries spanning 2001 to 2021 using a combination of OLS, two-stage GMM, and PVAR models and concludes that inflation and economic growth negatively, and exchange rate and institutional quality positively significantly enhance financial development. Countries characterized by low masculinity and uncertainty avoidance scores, alongside high individualism and indulgence scores, tend to exhibit greater financial development. The results also indicate that cultural factors ought to be regarded as dynamic modifiers of financial development. National culture and institutional quality have a consistent influence on financial development pre- as well as post-crisis periods. Policymakers must recognize the significance of both formal and informal institutions in fostering an environment that promotes financial development and growth. A strategic integration of diverse cultural identities and values will confer a competitive advantage to nations. The effective management of cultural diversity and openness is crucial for attracting new investment, fostering innovation, comprehending the needs and skills of the workforce, and promoting financial development. Full article

The advantages of mHealth applications have been widely recognized. However, the existing literature rarely explores how user interface (UI) design and individual cultural values influence elderly users’ mHealth application stickiness, particularly among the young elderly. This study examines how two UI design attributes (usability and aesthetics) and individual uncertainty avoidance (from Hofstede’s cultural dimensions) influence elderly users’ stickiness to mHealth applications. The study used PLS-SEM to analyze survey data from 492 elderly people in China. The research results indicate that uncertainty avoidance cultural values are negatively correlated with psychological engagement. The UI design attributes (aesthetic and usability) are positively correlated with psychological engagement, with learnability (usability sub-attributes) having the most significant impact. Furthermore, the study also reveals the serial mediation role of psychological engagement and user internal experiences (satisfaction and attachment). Notably, this study enriches the current literature on user behavior regarding mHealth applications by elucidating the process of user stickiness, incorporating UI design attributes and individual uncertainty avoidance cultural values. These findings offer valuable theoretical and practical insights. Full article

This research investigates the impact of cultural dimensions on service quality expectations in electric vehicle (EV) dealerships. Grounded in Hofstede’s cultural theory and employing a data-driven approach, the study utilizes a series of robust analytical techniques, including the SVM algorithm, factor analysis, and ANOVA. Through a comprehensive analysis of EV customers’ expectations for expertise, empathy, and responsiveness, the findings reveal that cultural dimensions significantly shape service quality expectations, regardless of the service provider’s gender. Notably, consumers with a stronger masculine orientation have lower expectations for expertise but higher expectations for empathy than those with a stronger feminine orientation. These findings challenge the traditional emphasis on gender as a key factor in service quality expectations and underscore the need to incorporate cultural values in service strategy design and quality improvement in the EV industry. Full article

In an era of rapid market shifts and technological disruption, the success of organizational change rests on the ability of leaders to navigate complex cultural dynamics. This study explores how culturally adaptive leadership can drive employee outcomes in Sierra Leone’s commercial banking sector during periods of change. By integrating transformational and transactional leadership styles with Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory, which focuses on power distance (respect for authority) and uncertainty avoidance (preference for structure), this research examines how these cultural values influence the relationship between leadership approaches and employee outcomes. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 820 employees across commercial banks in Sierra Leone, with data analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings reveal that transformational leadership significantly enhances employee outcomes, specifically in high power distance environments where authority is deeply respected, while transactional leadership proves more effective in high uncertainty avoidance settings, where clear structure and predictability are paramount. The study highlights the complementary nature of these leadership styles, suggesting that effective leaders must adapt their strategies to the cultural context to drive performance. While the cross-sectional design limits causal inference, this research underscores the critical importance of culturally adaptive leadership, recognizing how cultural dimensions shape behavior and promote sustained success during change. Full article

Prior research has called for the need to investigate how national cultural values can affect accountants’ interpretations of accounting standards. We focus on CAMs because they serve an important monitoring function, instilling credibility, trust, and confidence in the financial statements of emerging and international entities. Using a robust fixed effects regression on a sample of 1387 CAMs from companies who are listed on a US stock exchange with a non-US audit firm (2019–2021), we find that the number of CAMs reported is positively (negatively) associated with individualism and uncertainty (power distance). We also find a positive association between the strength of investor protections and the number of CAMs. Next, we find similar relationships between language (as proxied by the FOG Index) and the three measures of national culture. These findings contribute to the literature focusing on how the interplay of CAMs and culture can help investors manage investment risk. Full article

Delivering superior value in sustainable accommodation is critical for gaining a competitive advantage in the tourism market. However, till now, little is known about how individual cultural orientations impact tourists’ perceived value of sustainable accommodations. This study investigates the role of cultural orientations, based on Hofstede’s dimensions, in shaping perceptions of functional, social, and emotional value among 1402 tourists in Spain and Lithuania. Data were collected using a comprehensive survey and analyzed through descriptive statistics, bivariate correlation, and multiple regression. The findings reveal that cultural dimensions such as collectivism and uncertainty avoidance significantly influence perceptions of sustainable accommodation value. This study is unique in examining all five of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions at an individual level, offering novel insights for cross-cultural tourism research. Practical implications include designing culturally sensitive value propositions to attract diverse tourist segments and contributing to global sustainability initiatives in tourism. Full article

In the context of globalization, cross-cultural research is essential for understanding behaviors and values across different cultural backgrounds. The way audiences from diverse cultures interpret and accept film content significantly impacts the international dissemination and market performance of films. This study, grounded in Hofstede’s six cultural dimensions—power distance index (PDI), individualism vs. collectivism (IDV), uncertainty avoidance (UAI), masculinity vs. femininity (MAS), long-term vs. short-term orientation (LTO), and indulgence vs. restraint (IVR)—incorporates additional variables such as visual aesthetic appeal (VAA), narrative complexity (NCI), viewing motivation (VM), behavioral intentions (BIs), and brand loyalty (BL) to construct a multidimensional research framework. This framework aims to comprehensively examine the acceptance of American animated films among Chinese audiences and the cultural differences influencing such acceptance. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), this study analyzed the interrelationships between variables based on a sample of 507 participants with prior viewing experience. The findings reveal that different cultural dimensions significantly impact VM. PDI, UAI, and IDV exert significant negative influences on VM, with PDI being the most influential. Conversely, LTO and IVR do not demonstrate significant negative effects. In contrast, MAS, VAA, and NCI exhibit significant positive impacts on VM. Additionally, VM strongly influences audience acceptance, which, in turn, promotes the formation of BIs and repeated VM. This study extends the application of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions to the domain of cross-cultural media consumption, enriching the theoretical framework with additional dimensions and offering a novel perspective for cross-cultural research. Furthermore, the study uncovers the intricate interactions between cultural context and film content, proposing strategies to enhance the acceptance of cross-cultural films. These findings not only provide valuable insights for the production and marketing of animated films but also offer strategic guidance for filmmakers in diverse markets. Full article

The purpose of this research is to explore the fitting models for cross-border e-commerce by developing localized business strategies tailored to cultural factors. The study adopts Hofstede’s five cultural dimensions along with Sheth et al.’s five consumption value dimensions. A canonical correlation analysis is employed to identify the fitting relationships between cultural dimensions and consumer values. The targeting samples focus on the rapidly growing Southeast Asian economy. The results indicate differences in cultural dimensions among countries like Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar. The canonical correlation analysis reveals fitting combinations for each region: Taiwan’s higher individualism, masculinity, and long-term orientation align with demands for functional, conditional, and emotional values in e-commerce. Vietnam’s high risk-taking propensity fits demands for conditional and epistemic values. Malaysia and Indonesia, with similar cultural profiles, are highly correlated with consumer demands in functional and emotional values, with Malaysia additionally emphasizing epistemic value. Myanmar’s high masculinity and long-term orientation correlate with demands for functional, emotional, and conditional values, while its low power distance links to demands for social and epistemic values. Overall, the study shows that there is no fixed correspondence between cultural dimensions and consumption values in e-commerce. Optimal configurations vary, emphasizing the importance of tailored strategies to promote e-commerce development across different regions. Full article

This study examines the relationship between national culture, innovation, and sustainable competitiveness, addressing a critical gap in empirical research. This study engages in a rigorous investigation of the interconnections among national culture, innovation, and sustainable competitiveness, effectively addressing a significant void in the existing empirical literature. It offers a detailed and systematic analysis of the interrelationships among the three variables within the purview of an international economic framework. After conducting a comprehensive evaluation of data completeness and availability, it was determined that only 88 data points fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in the final sample. The analysis operationalizes national culture through Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, measures innovation using the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Global Innovation Index, and assesses sustainable competitiveness via Solability’s Sustainable Competitiveness Index, employing a quantitative path model across the selected countries. The findings reveal that national culture exerts a statistically significant, moderate influence on both innovation and sustainable competitiveness. Furthermore, innovation demonstrates a robust positive effect on sustainable competitiveness, indicating its crucial role in driving long-term national competitive advantage. Mediation analysis suggests that innovation partially mediates the relationship between national culture and sustainable competitiveness, though national culture retains a direct effect on competitiveness independent of innovation. These results underscore the multifaceted interplay between cultural and innovation-related factors in shaping national competitiveness. The study contributes to the literature by providing empirical validation of the complex interdependencies between these constructs and offers critical insights for policymakers focused on fostering innovation in alignment with cultural contexts to achieve sustainable competitiveness. Future research may explore additional mediating variables and employ longitudinal designs to further substantiate these findings. Full article

Objective: Although medically unexplained body complaints occur relatively frequently in adolescents, the causes are little-researched. This study examines the influence of cultural and family-related factors on somatic complaints. Methods and Measures: In a cross-cultural and cross-sectional study of 2415 adolescents from eight countries (Argentina, France, Germany, Greece, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, and Turkey), the associations of family variables with body complaints were tested and the cultural impact analyzed. Body complaints were assessed via self-reporting with a translated version of the body complaints scale of the Youth Self Report (YSR). In addition, Perceived Maternal/Paternal Behavior was assessed, as well as cultural dimensions of the eight counties. Results: Overall, females reported higher rates of body complaints than boys did. An additional negative impact of parental psychological control and anxious rearing was found that generalized across cultures, with a particularly strong impact on girls. Girls in stepparent families and boys in single-parent families reported more body complaints. Finally, body complaints were associated with Hofstede’s cultural factors in both genders, like individualism vs. collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity vs. femininity. Conclusion: These findings are particularly important for primary care providers, as they stress the relevance of taking into account family and cultural factors in body complaints which affect boys and girls differently, to provide adequate care. Full article

The current study highlights the significance of national culture in advocating sustainable development, aligning with the goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda. It draws upon theories from various perspectives, including Classical Marxism, System Justification, Weber and the Ethic of Protestantism, and Postmaterialism. By examining the relationship between national culture and sustainable development, particularly in emerging economies, it addresses a gap in existing discourse. Using data from The Culture Factor Group website and the Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index provided by Solability in 2023, this study investigates how six of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions relate to the sustainable competitiveness of emerging economies. The findings, based on a sample of 21 emerging economies sourced from diverse online platforms, indicate a significant relationship between national culture and sustainable development, particularly in terms of sustainable competitiveness. This study underscores the importance of recognizing culture as a key factor in achieving sustainable development goals, supporting its inclusion as a fundamental aspect in shaping policies and strategies aimed at fostering sustainable development in emerging economies. Full article

This paper aims to conceptualize the patterns of cultural change. Building on the seminal work of the German sociologist Tönnies and using eight cultural dimensions from Inglehart, Hofstede, Schwartz, and GLOBE, the study analyzes the patterns of cultural change at three distinct levels: (1) socio-economic development/modernization, (2) birth/migration, and (3) globalization/contact. The paper suggests that the path of cultural change is complex and dialectical. While socio-economic development shifts cultural values from traditional to modern, demographic pressures and migratory movements have opposite effects and reinforce traditional cultural values. Moreover, globalization and increasing contact between traditional and modern cultures create a constant blend and conflict. Full article

In recent years, some studies have explored the determinants of Building Information Modeling (BIM) adoption. However, the findings of these studies are varied and sometimes contradicting. Consequently, this study undertakes an in-depth exploration of the relationship between influencing factors and behavioral intention. This analysis is achieved through a synthesis of findings from prior empirical studies, considering the nuanced impacts of specific contextual factors, including sample size, national culture, and economic level, on these relationships. In total, this meta-analysis encompasses 57 articles, and as of 31 December 2023, incorporates 63 datasets comprising a collective sample size of 13,301. An extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model was developed based on the most frequently studied constructs relevant to BIM adoption. The analysis reveals that BIM adoption is primarily affected by performance expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, effort expectancy, and perceived value. The moderator analysis indicates that sample size statistically significantly moderates the relationships between facilitating conditions and use behavior. Moreover, the extent of individualism in each national culture significantly moderates the associations between facilitating conditions and user behavior. The research serves to enrich the existing body of literature on BIM acceptance by addressing contradictory and mixed results found in empirical studies. It represents one of the first attempts to explore the influence of sample size, economic level, and Hofstede’s six cultural dimensions as moderators in the field of BIM utilizing meta-analytic techniques. Full article

The increasing level of intelligence in automobiles is driving a shift in the human–machine relationship. Users are paying more attention to the intelligent cabin and showing a tendency toward customization. As culture is considered to be an important factor in guiding user behavior and preference, this study innovatively incorporates cultural and human factors into the model to understand how individual cultural orientation influences user preference for innovative human-machine interaction (HMI) features. Firstly, this study considered five Hofstede cultural dimensions as potential impact factors and constructed a prediction model through the random forest algorithm so as to analyze the influence mechanism of culture. Subsequently, K-means clustering was used to classify the sample into three user groups and then predict their preferences for the innovative features in the intelligent cabin. The results showed that users with a higher power distance index preferred a sense of ceremony and show-off-related features such as ambient lighting and welcome mode, whereas users with high individualism were keen on a more open and personalized in-vehicle information system. Long-term orientation was found to be associated with features that help to improve efficiency, and users with a lower level of uncertainty avoidance and restraint were more likely to be attracted to new features and were also more willing to use entertainment-related features. The methodology developed in this study can be widely applied to people in different countries, thus effectively exploring the personal requirements of different individuals, guiding further user experience design and localization when breaking into a new market. Full article