Capital services estimates in Portuguese industries, 1977–2003

Capital services, TFP, Portugal, O47, D24,

ICT Laws, Uncertainty Avoidance, and ICT Diffusion: Insights from Cross-Country Data

Part 1: Technology Adoption, Diffusion and Ubiquitous ComputingInternational audienceThe economic future of a country depends on the degree to which information and communication technologies (ICTs) diffuse among its key stakeholders—citizens, businesses, and government. Yet, there is a dearth of cross-country analysis of ICT diffusion jointly examining technology diffusion among these key stakeholders in a single research model. Further, while environmental factors are significant for ICT diffusion, there is limited understanding on the impact of ICT laws on ICT diffusion among these three stakeholders across countries. Drawing on the literature on ICT diffusion and Hofstede’s typology of national culture, this study contends that ICT laws in a country can positively influence the ICT diffusion among its citizens, businesses, and the government, and these relationships can be contingent on the national cultural dimension of uncertainty avoidance. The proposed research model is examined using publicly available archival data from 90 countries. The findings suggest that sound ICT laws are necessary for achieving a greater diffusion of ICTs among citizens, businesses, and the government in a country. Further, the study provides important implications that would encourage future research on the phenomenon

Avoiding uncertainty in Hofstede and GLOBE

This paper compares the Uncertainty Avoidance (UA) dimension of national culture across the Hofstede and GLOBE models, looking at relationships in both data and analysis. Rather than mutual support, we detail major differences and anomalies across the studies. We show how these anomalies are resulting in contradictory explanations in research on national differences across a range of individual-, firm- and country-level phenomena. We clarify the UA measurement in both Hofstede and GLOBE, and find that the two models are measuring different components of the UA construct. We propose a two-component model of UA, namely, UA-stress and UA-rule orientation, and confirm its validity with national culture data from the Hofstede and GLOBE studies, and economic data from the World Bank. We also explain the negative GLOBE UA practices-values relationship using motivational theories. A way forward in future UA-related research is suggested. The Hofstede UA index, the GLOBE UA practices scores and the GLOBE UA values scores should be used within the specific domains that they represent: that is, stress, rule orientation practices and rule orientation aspirations, respectively. Resolving the contradictions in UA between and within Hofstede and GLOBE will help cross-cultural researchers develop more robust theories and more practical recommendations for international business management