Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions and Tourist Behaviors: A Review and Conceptual Framework

This paper develops a conceptual framework for analyzing tourist behaviors and identifies three categories of behaviors based on the applications of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and the processes underlying these influences. Our findings indicate that tourist behaviors in the Before-Travel, During-Travel, and After-Travel stages differ significantly in terms of the applicability and process through which Hofstede’s cultural dimensions operate. The results of our analysis suggest three categories of behavioral patterns, namely, “Social Interaction Driven Travel Behaviors,” (SID), “Risk Tendencies Driven Travel Behaviors,” (RTD), and “Collectivity Orientation Driven Travel Behaviors,” (COD). SID relates to the evaluation of travel experiences in the after-travel stage. The dominant cultural values associated with SID are Individualism/Collectivism, Masculinity/Femininity, and Power Distance. These three values act either independently or in pairs or all three together. RTD relates to the consumption of travel products in the during-travel stage, and COD relates to the formation of travel preferences in the before-travel stage. Individualism/Collectivism and Uncertainty Avoidance are associated with both RTD and COD. However, the underlying processes differ for these two categories of travel behaviors. In addition to their independent influences on travel behaviors, these two values associated with RTD and COD also have an interactive effect. For RTD, the Uncertainty Avoidance motive determines the Individualism/Collectivism outcome, whereas, for COD, the opposite is true: the Individualism/Collectivism determines the Uncertainty Avoidance outcome. The paper also discusses the application of a fifth cultural dimension, Confucian Dynamism (short-term versus long-term orientation), for the study of tourists’ behaviors.Hofstede’s cultural dimensions; tourist behaviors; traveller’s behaviors; Confucian Dynamism

Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions and Tourist Behaviors: A Review and Conceptual Framework

This paper develops a conceptual framework for analyzing tourist behaviors and identifies three categories of behaviors based on the applications of Hofstede's cultural dimensions and the processes underlying these influences. Our findings indicate that tourist behaviors in the Before-Travel During-Travel and After-Travel stages differ significantly in terms of the applicability and process through which Hofstede's cultural dimensions operate. The results of our analysis suggest three categories of behavioral patterns namely "Social Interaction Driven Travel Behaviors" (SID) "Risk Tendencies Driven Travel Behaviors" (RTD) and "Collectivity Orientation Driven Travel Behaviors" (COD). SID relates to the evaluation of travel experiences in the after-travel stage. The dominant cultural values associated with SID are Individualism/CollectivismMasculinity/Femininity and Power Distance. These three values act either independently or in pairs or all three together. RTD relates to the consumption of travel products in the during-travel stage and COD relates to the formation of travel preferences in the before-travel stage. Individualism/Collectivism and Uncertainty Avoidance are associated with both RTD and COD. However the underlying processes differ for these two categories of travel behaviors. In addition to their independent influences on travel behaviors these two values associated with RTD and COD also have an interactive effect. For RTD the Uncertainty Avoidance motive determines the Individualism/Collectivism outcome whereas for COD the opposite is true: the Individualism/Collectivism determines the Uncertainty Avoidance outcome. The paper also discusses the application of a fifth cultural dimension Confucian Dynamism (short-term versus long-term orientation) for the study of tourists' behaviors.En este artículo se desarrolla un marco conceptual de análisis de patrones de conducta del turista e identifica tres categorías de conducta basadas en las aplicaciones de dimensiones culturales de Hofstede y los procesos subyacentes de estas influencias. Nuestros resultados indican que las conductas del turista en los estadios de Antes-del-viaje Durante-el-viaje y Después-del-viaje difieren significativamente en términos de la aplicabilidad y el procesos a través de los cuales las dimensiones culturales de Hofstede operan. El resultado de nuestro análisis sugiere tres categorías de patrones de conducta a saber “Conductas de Viaje Dirigidas a Interacción Social” (SID por sus siglas en inglés) “Conductas de Viaje Dirigidas a Tendencias de Riesgo” (RTD por sus siglas en inglés) y “Conductas de Viaje Dirigidas a la Orientación Colectiva” (COD por sus siglas en inglés). SID se relaciona con la evaluación de las experiencias de viaje en la fase posterior al viaje. Los valores culturales dominantes asociados con SID son Individualismo-Colectivismo Masculinidad-Feminidad y Distancia del Poder. Cada uno de estos tres valores actúa independientemente en pareja o los tres a la vez. RTD se relaciona con el consumo de productos de viaje en la fase de la travesía en sí y COD se relaciona con la formación de las preferencias de viaje en la fase previa al viaje. Las categorías Individualismo-Colectivismo e Incertidumbre-Prevención están asociadas tanto con RTD como con COD. Sin embargo los procesos subyacentes difieren de estas dos categorías de conductas de viaje. Además de las influencias independientes de conductas de viaje estos dos valores asociados con RTD y COD también ejercen efectos interactivos. Para RTD la motivación Incertidumbre-Prevención determina el resultado de Individualismo- Colectivismo mientras que para COD sucede lo contrario; es decir el motivo Individualismo-Colectivismo determina el resultado de Incertidumbre-Prevención. El artículo también argumenta la aplicación de una quinta dimensión cultural Dinamismo Confuciano (orientación a corto plazo frente a orientación a largo plazo) del estudio de las conductas de los turistas

How Super Are Video Supers? A Test Of Communication Efficacy

Interest in the role of video supers-superimposed video presentations of verbal information-has grouwn among consumers, advertisers, the television networks, and public policymakers, as supers have become prevalent in television commercials. The authors empirically address the communications efficacy of video supers in a sample of 200 different commercials that contain video supers Drawing on a theory of modality effects, the authors examine the comprehensive of video supers relative to commercial content. The authors develop hypotheses and analyze structural determinants of video super comprehension, such as presence of a voice-over, rate of presentation, and presentation size. The findings are supportive of the predictions and suggest that viewer opportunity to process information in a video super might be a critical element in any strategy to increase viewer comprehension rates

The financial services industry and society: the role of incentives/punishments, moral hazard, and conflicts of interests in the 2008 financial crisis

Purpose – This paper aims to present an analysis of the role of financial incentives, moral hazard and conflicts of interests leading up to the 2008 financial crisis. Design/methodology/approach – The study’s analysis has identified common structural flaws throughout the securitization food chain. These structural flaws include inappropriate incentives, the absence of punishment, moral hazard and conflicts of interest. This research sees the full impact of these structural flaws when considering their co-occurrence throughout the financial system. The authors address systemic defects in the securitization food chain and examine the inter-relationships among homeowners, mortgage originators, investment banks and investors. The authors also address the role of exogenous factors, including the SEC, AIG, the credit rating agencies, Congress, business academia and the business media. Findings – The study argues that the lack of criminal prosecutions of key financial executives has been a key factor in creating moral hazard. Eight years after the Great Recession ended in the USA, the financial services industry continues to suffer from a crisis of trust with society. Practical implications – An overwhelming majority of Americans, 89 per cent, believe that the federal government does a poor job of regulating the financial services industry (Puzzanghera, 2014). A study argues that the current corporate lobbying framework undermines societal expectations of political equality and consent (Alzola, 2013). The authors believe the Singapore model may be a useful starting point to restructure regulatory agencies so that they are more responsive to societal concerns and less responsive to special interests. Finally, the widespread perception is that the financial services sector, in particular, is ethically challenged (Ferguson, 2012); perhaps there would be some benefit from the implementation of ethical climate monitoring in firms that have been subject to deferred prosecution agreements for serious ethical violations (Arnaud, 2010). Originality/value – The authors believe the paper makes a truly original contribution. They provide new insights via their analysis of the role of financial incentives, moral hazard and conflicts of interests leading up to the 2008 financial crisis.Propósito – Este artículo tiene como objetivo presentar un análisis del papel de los incentivos financieros, el riesgo moral y los conflictos de intereses que llevaron a la crisis financiera de 2008. Diseño / metodología / enfoque – El análisis del estudio ha identificado fallas estructurales comunes a lo largo de la cadena alimentaria de titulización. Estos defectos estructurales incluyen incentivos inapropiados, ausencia de castigo, riesgo moral y conflictos de intereses. Esta investigación ve el impacto total de estas fallas estructurales cuando se considera su coexistencia en todo el sistema financiero. Los autores abordan los defectos sistémicos en la cadena alimentaria de la titulización y examinan las interrelaciones entre los propietarios de viviendas, los originadores de hipotecas, los bancos de inversión y los inversores. Los autores también abordan el papel de factores exógenos, incluidos la SEC, AIG, las agencias de calificación crediticia, el Congreso, la academia empresarial y los medios comerciales. Recomendaciones – El estudio sostiene que la falta de procesos penales de ejecutivos financieros clave ha sido un factor clave en la creación de riesgo moral. Ocho años después de que terminara la Gran Recesión en los EE. UU., La industria de servicios financieros continúa sufriendo una crisis de confianza con la sociedad. Implicaciones prácticas – Una abrumadora mayoría de estadounidenses, el 89 por ciento, cree que el gobierno federal hace un mal trabajo en la regulación de la industria de servicios financieros (Puzzanghera, 2014). Un estudio sostiene que el actual marco de presión empresarial socava las expectativas sociales de igualdad política y consentimiento (Alzola, 2013). Los autores creen que el modelo de Singapur puede ser un punto de partida útil para reestructurar las agencias reguladoras para que sean más receptivas a las preocupaciones de la sociedad y menos receptivas a los intereses especiales. Por último, la percepción generalizada es que el sector de servicios financieros, en particular, tiene un desafío ético (Ferguson, 2012); quizás habría algún beneficio de la implementación del monitoreo ético del clima en empresas que han sido sujetas a acuerdos de enjuiciamiento diferido por graves violaciones éticas (Arnaud, 2010). Originalidad / valor – Los autores creen que el artículo hace una contribución verdaderamente original. Proporcionan nuevos conocimientos a través de su análisis del papel de los incentivos financieros, el riesgo moral y los conflictos de intereses que llevaron a la crisis financiera de 2008

How claim specificity can improve claim credibility in Green Advertising: Measures that can boost outcomes from environmental product claims

This study establishes claim specificity as a conceptually distinct message characteristic and a robust antecedent of claim credibility. The relationship between the specificity and the credibility of green claims is examined by way of a 2 × 2 online experiment, with a broad sample of consumers. The results show that being specific increased the perceived credibility of green claims across a range of products, regardless of their perceived environmental relevance. Theoretical, practical, and research implications are discussed

Utility of Population-Level DNA Sequence Data in the Diagnosis of Hereditary Endocrine Disease

Context: Genetic testing is increasingly employed for clinical diagnosis, although variant interpretation presents a major challenge due to high background rates of rare coding-region variation, which may contribute to inaccurate estimates of variant pathogenicity and disease penetrance.Objective: To use the Exome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC) dataset to determine the background population frequencies of rare germline coding-region variants in genes associated with hereditary endocrine disease, and to evaluate the clinical utility of this data.Design, Setting, Participants: Cumulative frequencies of rare non-synonymous single nucleotide variants were established for 38 endocrine disease genes in 60,706 unrelated control individuals. The utility of gene-level and variant-level metrics of tolerability was assessed and the pathogenicity and penetrance of germline variants previously associated with endocrine disease evaluated.Results: The frequency of rare coding region variants differed markedly between genes and was correlated with the degree of evolutionary conservation. Genes associated with dominant monogenic endocrine disorders typically harbored fewer rare missense and/or loss-of-function variants than expected. In silico variant prediction tools demonstrated low clinical specificity. The frequency of several endocrine disease-associated variants in the ExAC cohort far exceeded estimates of disease prevalence, indicating either misclassification or overestimation of disease penetrance. Finally, we illustrate how rare variant frequencies may be used to anticipate expected rates of background rare variation when performing disease-targeted genetic testing.Conclusions: Quantifying the frequency and spectrum of rare variation using population-level sequence data facilitates improved estimates of variant pathogenicity and penetrance and should be incorporated into the clinical decision-making algorithm when undertaking genetic testing

BIG DATA IN MARKETING & RETAILING

Data is increasingly being created, stored, analyzed, and applied. Big Data is becoming an everyday phrase that appears in popular media and people’s daily conversations. This paper provides a framework to define Big Data from technical and business perspectives, to present its enormous value in different fields, to share its applications in marketing and retailing, market segmentation, targeting and positioning as well in developing marketing mix. We also provide some real life industry examples, to shed light on the challenges in harnessing the potential of Big Data, and to discuss its future. Big Data will separate the winners from the losers in the business field in the future. The leading companies in the Big Data field, such as Google, Amazon, and Wal-Mart, will continue to build their competitive advantage, both in marketing and other areas, by acting on the insights developed from Big Data analysis

Homelessness prevention interventions for single adults at risk of or experiencing MEH: A Systematic Review on their Effectiveness

Homelessness prevention for single adults at risk of or experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness (MEH) has received limited attention in research. This systematic review focused on the effectiveness of primary, secondary, and tertiary homelessness prevention interventions and strategies for this population. We searched four databases (Embasse, PsycInfo, Medline, and Allied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts [ASSIA]) for peer-reviewed empirically completed quantitative and qualitative studies and systematic reviews between 1992 and 2021. We identified ten categories of interventions based on the kind of support they provide: accommodation, financial assistance, case management, outreach, mental health care, joint mental health and substance use care, substance use care, other social support, policies and legal assistance. We found that research has principally focused on tertiary prevention, the prevention of chronic homelessness, and there is a lack of research on the effectiveness of upstream primary prevention strategies that would intervene before someone is at imminent risk of homelessness. However, within the secondary and tertiary prevention space, the best approach was a multifaceted cross-sector collaboration of different services. Many studies concluded that those at risk of or experiencing MEH require high intensity services combining a range of housing and support service options. Housing First, Assertive Community Treatment, Critical Time Intervention were high intensity services that were consistently found to be effective in preventing homelessness. Intensive case management had mixed evidence on effectiveness. Financial assistance was identified as important for preventing first-time, recurrent, and chronic homelessness in many studies and may be essential, but unlikely to be enough on its own. Finally, the prevention of homelessness after discharge from institutional care was found to be critical with several interventions showing to be effective here

A systematic review on the prevalence of, and risk factors for, eating disorders in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systematic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with significant physical and psychological challenges. Case studies have highlighted examples of eating disorders (ED) developing in patients with SLE, but little is known about rates of co-morbidity or reasons for this. This systematic review investigated the prevalence of, and risk factors for, EDs in individuals with SLE. Exploring 21 studies with 3,214 participants, most of which were cross-sectional with small sample sizes, findings indicated a similar prevalence of EDs in SLE populations as in the general population. However, individuals with SLE exhibited increased body image concerns, linked to higher disease activity, disease damage, and depressive symptoms. No studies explored risk factors for other ED symptoms (e.g., restriction, binge eating). This review emphasizes the need for further research to better understand the relationship between SLE and EDs, providing a basis for improved clinical practices and interventions for this population