| Evolution of Culture Assimiators: Toward Theory-Based Assimilators |
| | Bhawuk, Dharm P. S. | U. of Hawaii | Bhawuk@busadm.cba.hawaii.edu | (808) 956 8732 |
| | A review of cross-cultural literature shows that culture assimilators have emerged as the most researched method of cross-cultural training, and that the theory of individualism and collectivism has begun to find many applications. Since resaerchers have generally disregarded the inclusion of culture, theories in assimilators, and theories are valued for both their explanatory and predicitiv functions, development of a culture assimilator based on the theory of individualism and collectivism may add to the gorwth of the field. In this paper, a mehtod for developing such an assimilator is propsed, and implications for future research and practice are discussed. |
| | Keywords: Assimilator; Individualism; Collectivism |
| Innovation in cross-cultural alliances: Institutional forces that can lead to a competitive advantage |
| | Eddleston, Kimberly-Ann | U. of Connecticut | KEDDLESTON@aol.com | (860) 486-6423 |
| | Cross-cultural firms are increasingly forming international alliances for the sake of research and development. These alliances may reduce the risks involved in conducting research in a technologically-based industry by bringing together complementary skills and critical resources, and accelerating the production to market process (Kogut, 1989; Eisenhardt & Schoonhoven, 1996; Powell, 1996). However, they do not ensure success. Due to the adverse legal environments and impact of cultural forces between many cross-cultural firms, there is greater likelihood for disappointing results from these alliances (Thompson, 1996; Meschi, 1994; Lee, 1995; Hagedoorn, 1996). In this paper it is proposed that recent work rooted in institutional theory, resource-based view of the firm and resource dependency theory may provide the needed conceptual extension to cross-cultural knowledge-based alliance and collaboration structuring. Each of these theories is applied and extended to develop a model that offers potential predictors of knowledge and innovation-based benefits in cross-cultural alliances. It is basically contended that the manner in which a firm deals with institutional forces explains whether or not the alliance will be a source of competitive advantage. |
| | Keywords: Cross-cultural alliances; Knowledge; Innovation |
| Work Goals in Israel: Change in Their Importance Among the Same People, Over the Course of Time |
| | Harpaz, Itzhak | U. of Haifa | iharpaz@econ.haifa.ac.il | +972-4-8240022 |
| | Sharabi, Moshe | U. of Haifa | sharabi@soc.haifa.ac.il | 972-4-8345998 |
| | This article discusses a unique longitudinal research which examines the changes in the importance of
work values of the same sample over the course of 12 years. The purpose of the research is to disclose
the changes in work goals that have occurred in Israel’s labor force during this period.
In comparing the importance of work goals between the years 1981 and 1993 a significant increase in
the importance of the instrumental goals of "high income" and "job security" was found.
There was also significant increase in the expressive goals of "interesting work" and "autonomy".
Ranking of work goals clearly reflects the rise in the importance of instrumental goals as opposed to
expressive goals. A new representative sample of the Israeli labor force in 1992/3(n=942), shows
similar rankings. An increase in the importance of income exists in all the age groups, including
young workers, hence, materialism does not seem to stem from the aging of the research
group (life course effect). The increase in the importance of job security may be attributed to a
period effect and is significantly related to life course effect.
The findings indicate that the labor force of the 1990’s became more materialistic, when
compared to the 1980’s. This finding seems to reflect the value changes occurring
in the Israeli society however, when compared to trends in other Western countries
Israeli society still seems less materialistic.
|
| | Keywords: Work Goals; Life Course Effect; Longitudinal Research |
| Reflections on Hofstede's Mas/Fem Dimension: New Evidence from China |
| | Erdener, Carolyn | Hong Kong Baptist U. | erdenerc@hkbu.edu.hk | (852) 2339-5214 |
| | Empirical research on business ethics often includes a focus on gender.
This study was designed to carry the analysis of gender and ethical thinking
forward by placing it in an international context, focusing on the US and
China. Because of its relevance to certain ethical issues in the instrument,
Hofstede's Mas/Fem dimension of national culture was used to frame the study.
However, the results of statistical analysis of data from 507 male and female
subjects located in Xiamen, Hong Kong and Los Angeles were not consistent with
Hofstede's Mas/Fem conceptualization. Upon relaxing key assumptions regarding
the relationship between gender and sex role identity, these discrepancies
were resolved. This slight modification is presented as an alternative for
researchers who may experience difficulty with Hofstede's Mas/Fem dimension as it was
originally defined.
|
| | Keywords: Hofstede; Ethics; China |