Search

Hofstede and the GLOBE study explain Sweden as highly equal while men still hold a higher status, and the Philippines as more masculine highlighting the differentiation of men and women. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of barriers and challenges for women when trying to climb the career ladder in Sweden and the Philippines through the lens of women's experiences, grounded in the national culture of each country. A qualitative method using semi-structured interviews was used with twelve participants, six from each country, including women currently working in HR and recruiting. The research reveals that cultural expectations and societal norms continue to pose significant obstacles. In Sweden, even with supportive work-life balance policies, implicit biases and deep-rooted cultural expectations that prioritize men’s careers over women’s persist. Conversely, in the Philippines, although there are advantageous maternity benefits and strides toward equality, traditional gender roles deeply rooted in patriarchal values significantly slow the pace of visible change. While differences in expectations shape the cultural landscapes of these nations, shared experiences bind women in both countries, highlighting the universal struggle against gender inequality. Cultural expectations were found to explain the barriers and challenges women face when trying to advance in their careers in Sweden and the Philippines. This study highlights the need for awareness of one's expectations. Organizations should implement clear and structured equality policies and work procedures ensuring unbiased practices throughout the organization preventing the impact of expectations that might lead to discrimination.

Hofstede and the GLOBE study explain Sweden as highly equal while men still hold a higher status, and the Philippines as more masculine highlighting the differentiation of men and women. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of barriers and challenges for women when trying to climb the career ladder in Sweden and the Philippines through the lens of women's experiences, grounded in the national culture of each country. A qualitative method using semi-structured interviews was used with twelve participants, six from each country, including women currently working in HR and recruiting. The research reveals that cultural expectations and societal norms continue to pose significant obstacles. In Sweden, even with supportive work-life balance policies, implicit biases and deep-rooted cultural expectations that prioritize men’s careers over women’s persist. Conversely, in the Philippines, although there are advantageous maternity benefits and strides toward equality, traditional gender roles deeply rooted in patriarchal values significantly slow the pace of visible change. While differences in expectations shape the cultural landscapes of these nations, shared experiences bind women in both countries, highlighting the universal struggle against gender inequality. Cultural expectations were found to explain the barriers and challenges women face when trying to advance in their careers in Sweden and the Philippines. This study highlights the need for awareness of one's expectations. Organizations should implement clear and structured equality policies and work procedures ensuring unbiased practices throughout the organization preventing the impact of expectations that might lead to discrimination.

The influence of culture on design is reflected in many aspects, such as design creativity, communication within design groups, and individuals‘ creative performance. Culture has a profound impact on design. For example, studies have identified the positive effect of a higher individualism-collectivism value on design team performance. To examine the influence of individual cultural values on the experience of creativity in ideation, we experimented by recruiting participants from different counties to complete two ideation tasks. Moreover, we collected their cultural values and experiences of creativity through two questionnaires. We also examined the connections between individuals‘ cultural values and their experiences of creativity in ideation. The results show five correlations between individuals‘ cultural values and their experiences of creativity when the country setting was a control variable. Recommendations based on the findings include that explorations of cultural influence and the relationship between culture and design or other fields irrelated to the country or society level have to measure individual cultural values (with the country setting as a control variable) instead of adopting country cultural scores.

The study of places of memory is an expanding field in international geography, in which the concept of cultural memory by Aleida and Jan Assmann, which has its origins in German-language cultural studies, has received little attention. However, in a concentration of the concept on the specific concerns of a cultural-geographical study of places of memory lies the possibility – especially as an important intellectual style of German Theory – to explicitly ask about the mechanisms of origin and function of places of memory. The basic assumption of the concept is that cultural memory functions as a medial storehouse of experiences from the past. Based on the assumption that places of memory cannot be a storage, but only an anchor of memories, the article develops a space-oriented conception of cultural memory spaces derived from the basic features of cultural memory. The following four characteristics are elaborated: Cultural memory spaces are (1) dynamic and (2) present-related (3) supports of memory, (4) in which individual memories intertwine with cultural memory.

Japanese and South Korean attitudes toward each other have often been strained, in turn putting stress on formal relations between both countries. However, both countries are experiencing a growth in consumption of the other’s popular culture. This thesis asks: Does increasing popular culture consumption create more favorable attitudes in these two countries toward each other, as many analysts expect? Although citizens in both countries consume more of the other’s popular culture than might be expected, and all else being equal, this does appear to improve mutual attitudes although it has apparently not been enough to improve mutual overall impressions. Consumption is restricted to certain portions of the population, and any positive impact that it yields appears outweighed by other issues, particularly disputes over differing interpretations of Japan’s past colonial rule., Lieutenant, United States Navy, Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

This field study examined how customer-employee interactions are affected by the congruency between an employee's gender and the perceived gender image of the consumption context in one of the most gender equal cultures in the world (Scandinavia). Mystery shoppers had a service encounter with an employee across a set of physical commercial settings that were classified according to their gender image. The mystery shoppers noted the gender of the employee, provided employee evaluations, and indicated word-of-mouth (WOM) ratings. Shoppers who had a gender congruent service encounter (e.g., a female employee in a “feminine” consumption context) reported more favorable employee evaluations and WOM ratings than shoppers who had a gender incongruent service encounter (e.g., a female employee in a “masculine” consumption context), with the impact of gender congruency on WOM ratings mediated by employee evaluations, particularly with respect to competence inferences. These findings highlight the ethical dilemma of a positive gender congruency effect, as it can generate superior consumer responses but also risks resulting in gender occupational segregation.

The article reveals some problems which Chinese students face to while studying in Russia. It also highlights the influence of the Russian culture to Chinese students according to such options as climate, food, education and social life. In the article some recommendations to university staff can be found as well., В статье раскрывается ряд проблем, с которыми сталкиваются китайские студенты в период учебы в России. В ней также описывается влияние русской культуры на китайских студентов по таким направлениям, как климат, еда, образование, социальная сфера. Также в ней можно найти рекомендации для персонала университета для лучшего взаимодействия с китайскими студентами.

Aim: This study aims to investigate the factors that influence consumers' brand preferences for instant foods focusing on the graduate-level students of Sweden and Bangladesh. Methodology: The research applied a qualitative approach. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with ten graduate-level students from Sweden and Bangladesh. The collected primary data were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis by comparing with the literature reviewed within distinct themes. Findings and Conclusion: The main findings of the study are (1) culture, and religious values have a significant influence on Bangladeshi consumers compared to consumers in Sweden; (2) Quality plays a predominant role in determining instant food brands in both countries as it can have a direct effect on the health; (3) Eye-catchy packaging creates fascination among consumers' about a brand in both countries; (4) Price is considered as a critical factor due to limited purchasing power of Bangladeshi consumers'; whereas in Sweden, consumers' are ready to compromise with the price if they could get a superior quality. Theoretical implications: This study has developed a theoretical model that shows the effect of culture, marketing communication, brand elements, price of the brand, brand image and brand availability on consumers' brand preferences in Bangladesh and Sweden. The findings divulge the quality and packaging of a brand could play a tremendously important role in consumers' brand preferences apart from other factors. Managerial implications: The study could help managers to be accustomed to cultural values through standardization and adaptation. The research could add insights for the managers while setting the price of a brand as it has considered as a critical factor. Appropriate quality assurance is sufficiently necessary, which was reflected by the current study and will help managers while determining quality. Limitations: Only two countries were included in the study, whic

This study aims to bring clarity to a discussion of whether the Chinese relationship with Africa can be regarded as an act of Neo-colonialism or if it contains Neo-colonial elements. As China has increasingly engaged with the continent giving extensive amounts of foreign aid and loans as well as intensifying their trade relations, the question arises whether or not this can be connected to Neo-colonial dynamics. This study will use a newly constructed framework with the help of the Neo-colonial theory, different definitions by scholars will be used to create the framework, and the basis for this analysis. The research approach is a qualitative design and the research design is a case study with a focus on China's engagement in Africa. This study finds that there are Neo-colonial elements in the processes of engagement exercised by China on the African continent in some of the variables used in the constructed theoretical framework. Lastly, this study argues that African states must be increasingly cautious when exporting raw materials and in letting private Chinese companies invest and buy shares in important African domestic sectors.

In the interwar period, France was seen as the main military and diplomatic ally of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (SCS), later Kingdom of Yugoslavia, and the defender of the fragile Versailles Peace Treaty. This relationship resulted in a clear French influence in the realm of art and culture in Yugoslavia. Moreover, the triumph of the French cultural influence was also interpreted in the light of the simmering conflict between Serbian and Croat elites in Yugoslavia, as Serbian intellectuals traditionally gravitated toward Paris and France, unlike the Croat (and Slovene) ones, which had been part of the Central European and Austro-Hungarian cultural sphere. This article analyzes the French cultural influence through the musical activities of the Cvijeta Zuzorić Association of Friends of Art. The organization was established to promote modern art and the endeavors of young artists. It was firmly latched onto various mechanisms of state support, and participated in promoting the dominant ideology of the Karađorđević royal dynasty. The paper follows the association’s musical activates through its three phases: the initial period, marked by annual artistic soirées, the middle period and the activities of the Narodni konzervatorijum (National Conservatory), which included weekly concerts of varying quality, and the final period of open music competitions. The article maps a clear picture of French artistic influences, which notably included open modeling of certain commissioned and awarded compositions on famous French pieces.

Los casos de modificaciones dentales en el este y el norte de la península ibérica son de origen africano por una afluencia de esclavos o procesos coloniales. Sin embargo, ningún estudio previo ha documentado un influjo cultural similar en el sureste de España. Trabajos arqueológicos en Elche (Alicante) han recuperado restos humanos de cementerios islámicos que datan de los siglos XII y XIII d. C. Dos individuos adultos presentan signos de modificaciones dentales intencionales. Los incisivos centrales y laterales muestran evidencia de reducción significativa y simétrica de la corona y se examinaron macro- y microscópicamente mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido para determinar la modificación intencional. La modificación del diente implicó la eliminación de los ángulos mesial y distal de ambos incisivos. Los resultados microscópicos denotan que el patrón de reducción del esmalte de los dientes fue deliberado y se descartan factores no intencionales de tipo post mortem, traumatológico o no-alimentario. Los tipos en forma de V invertida son comparables con prácticas del África subsahariana, probablemente de grupos del norte o del este. Sin embargo, una inferencia sobre afiliación étnica específica no es posible. Estos hallazgos proporcionaron la primera evidencia de modificación dental en el Mediterráneo español durante el período islámico. La práctica cultural pudo introducirse durante la expansión musulmana de descendientes africanos o la influencia de la práctica africana., The dental modification cases reported in the east and north of the Iberian Peninsula originate in Africa due to the influx of slaves or colonial processes. No previous studies have documented a similar cultural influx in south-east Spain, though. Some archaeological fieldwork undertaken in Elche (Alicante) has recovered skeletal remains from Islamic cemeteries dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries AD. Two adult individuals (man and woman) show signs of intentional dental modifications. Central and lateral incisors, which evidence a significant and symmetrical crown reduction, were macro- and microscopically examined through scanning electron microscopy to verify the intentional modification. Tooth modification involved the removal of the mesial and distal angles of both incisors. The microscopic results show a deliberate tooth enamel reduction pattern, unintentional post mortem, trauma or non-alimentary factors being discarded. Inverted V-shaped types are comparable to sub-Saharan African practices, probably from northern or eastern groups. However, it is impossible to make inferences about their specific ethnic affiliation. These findings provided the first evidence of dental modification in Spanish Mediterranean areas during the Islamic period. This cultural practice might have been introduced during Muslim expansion, either from African descendants or due to the influence of African customs.

The present work reflects on the traditions of cultural resistance in Cuba and his value in last stage of the process of national liberation initiated with the events of the July 26, 1953 and his later development itself; The article, center the attention in three essential addresses; The political international relations, specially the state of war Cold existent and in the various interventions of EEUU's authorities: at the countries of Latin America to frustrate the progressive movements, second address the Cuban of a loud influence of EEUU's culture has something to do with the existence in one part of the society: sown during over a century; These previous addresses yielded the sham that those events did not have possibilities of triumph; And a third address relates with traditions cultural resistance of the revolutionary Cubans that freeloaders with wisdom for the principal leaders of the Revolution were, traditions capable to incorporate the society to the new emancipatory project and with it imposing oneself and expiring in front of the false omens of the impossibility of triumph. The previously expressed is a part of the thinking from Pedagogy, taking into account the treatment of imputed values in the history of Cuba., O presente trabalho se reflete sobre as tradições de resistência cultural em Cuba e seu valor na última etapa do processo de liberação nacional iniciada com os sucessos de 26 de julho de 1953 e seu posterior desenvolvimento; o artigo centra a atenção em três direções essenciais; as relações políticas internacionais, em especial o estado de Guerra Fria existente e nas diversas intervenções das autoridades do EE:UU nos países da América Latina para frustrar os movimentos progressistas, a segunda direção tem que ver com a existência em uma parte da sociedade cubana de uma forte influencia da cultura do EE:UU semeada durante mais de um século; estas direções anteriores davam a falsa aparência de que aqueles sucessos não tinham possibilidades de triunfo; e uma terceira direção se relaciona com as tradições resistência cultural dos revolucionários cubanos, tradições que aproveitadas com sabedoria pelos principais líderes da Revolução foram capazes de incorporar à sociedade ao novo projeto emancipador e com isso impor-se e vencer frente aos falsos augúrios da impossibilidade de triunfo. O anteriormente expresso forma parte do pensar da Pedagogia, tendo em conta o tratamento de valores implícitos na História de Cuba., El presente trabajo se reflexiona sobre las tradiciones de resistencia cultural en Cuba y su valor en la última etapa del proceso de liberación nacional iniciada con los sucesos del 26 de julio de 1953 y su posterior desarrollo; el artículo centra la atención en tres direcciones esenciales; las relaciones políticas internacionales, en especial el estado de Guerra Fría existente y en las diversas intervenciones de las autoridades de EE:UU en los países de América Latina para frustrar los movimientos progresistas, la segunda dirección tiene que ver con la existencia en una parte de la sociedad cubana de una fuerte influencia de la cultura de EE:UU sembrada durante más de un siglo; estas direcciones anteriores daban la falsa apariencia de que aquellos sucesos no tenían posibilidades de triunfo; y una tercera dirección se relaciona con las tradiciones resistencia cultural de los revolucionarios cubanos, tradiciones que aprovechadas con sabiduría por los principales líderes de la Revolución fueron capaces de incorporar a la sociedad al nuevo proyecto emancipador y con ello imponerse y vencer frente a los falsos augurios de la imposibilidad de triunfo. Lo anteriormente expresado forma parte del pensar desde la Pedagogía, teniendo en cuenta el tratamiento de valores implícitos en la Historia de Cuba.

The present work reflects on the traditions of cultural resistance in Cuba and his value in last stage of the process of national liberation initiated with the events of the July 26, 1953 and his later development itself; The article, center the attention in three essential addresses; The political international relations, specially the state of war Cold existent and in the various interventions of EEUU's authorities: at the countries of Latin America to frustrate the progressive movements, second address the Cuban of a loud influence of EEUU's culture has something to do with the existence in one part of the society: sown during over a century; These previous addresses yielded the sham that those events did not have possibilities of triumph; And a third address relates with traditions cultural resistance of the revolutionary Cubans that freeloaders with wisdom for the principal leaders of the Revolution were, traditions capable to incorporate the society to the new emancipatory project and with it imposing oneself and expiring in front of the false omens of the impossibility of triumph. The previously expressed is a part of the thinking from Pedagogy, taking into account the treatment of imputed values in the history of Cuba., O presente trabalho se reflete sobre as tradições de resistência cultural em Cuba e seu valor na última etapa do processo de liberação nacional iniciada com os sucessos de 26 de julho de 1953 e seu posterior desenvolvimento; o artigo centra a atenção em três direções essenciais; as relações políticas internacionais, em especial o estado de Guerra Fria existente e nas diversas intervenções das autoridades do EE:UU nos países da América Latina para frustrar os movimentos progressistas, a segunda direção tem que ver com a existência em uma parte da sociedade cubana de uma forte influencia da cultura do EE:UU semeada durante mais de um século; estas direções anteriores davam a falsa aparência de que aqueles sucessos não tinham possibilidades de triunfo; e uma terceira direção se relaciona com as tradições resistência cultural dos revolucionários cubanos, tradições que aproveitadas com sabedoria pelos principais líderes da Revolução foram capazes de incorporar à sociedade ao novo projeto emancipador e com isso impor-se e vencer frente aos falsos augúrios da impossibilidade de triunfo. O anteriormente expresso forma parte do pensar da Pedagogia, tendo em conta o tratamento de valores implícitos na História de Cuba., El presente trabajo se reflexiona sobre las tradiciones de resistencia cultural en Cuba y su valor en la última etapa del proceso de liberación nacional iniciada con los sucesos del 26 de julio de 1953 y su posterior desarrollo; el artículo centra la atención en tres direcciones esenciales; las relaciones políticas internacionales, en especial el estado de Guerra Fría existente y en las diversas intervenciones de las autoridades de EE:UU en los países de América Latina para frustrar los movimientos progresistas, la segunda dirección tiene que ver con la existencia en una parte de la sociedad cubana de una fuerte influencia de la cultura de EE:UU sembrada durante más de un siglo; estas direcciones anteriores daban la falsa apariencia de que aquellos sucesos no tenían posibilidades de triunfo; y una tercera dirección se relaciona con las tradiciones resistencia cultural de los revolucionarios cubanos, tradiciones que aprovechadas con sabiduría por los principales líderes de la Revolución fueron capaces de incorporar a la sociedad al nuevo proyecto emancipador y con ello imponerse y vencer frente a los falsos augurios de la imposibilidad de triunfo. Lo anteriormente expresado forma parte del pensar desde la Pedagogía, teniendo en cuenta el tratamiento de valores implícitos en la Historia de Cuba.

The present work reflects on the traditions of cultural resistance in Cuba and his value in last stage of the process of national liberation initiated with the events of the July 26, 1953 and his later development itself; The article, center the attention in three essential addresses; The political international relations, specially the state of war Cold existent and in the various interventions of EEUU's authorities: at the countries of Latin America to frustrate the progressive movements, second address the Cuban of a loud influence of EEUU's culture has something to do with the existence in one part of the society: sown during over a century; These previous addresses yielded the sham that those events did not have possibilities of triumph; And a third address relates with traditions cultural resistance of the revolutionary Cubans that freeloaders with wisdom for the principal leaders of the Revolution were, traditions capable to incorporate the society to the new emancipatory project and with it imposing oneself and expiring in front of the false omens of the impossibility of triumph. The previously expressed is a part of the thinking from Pedagogy, taking into account the treatment of imputed values in the history of Cuba., O presente trabalho se reflete sobre as tradições de resistência cultural em Cuba e seu valor na última etapa do processo de liberação nacional iniciada com os sucessos de 26 de julho de 1953 e seu posterior desenvolvimento; o artigo centra a atenção em três direções essenciais; as relações políticas internacionais, em especial o estado de Guerra Fria existente e nas diversas intervenções das autoridades do EE:UU nos países da América Latina para frustrar os movimentos progressistas, a segunda direção tem que ver com a existência em uma parte da sociedade cubana de uma forte influencia da cultura do EE:UU semeada durante mais de um século; estas direções anteriores davam a falsa aparência de que aqueles sucessos não tinham possibilidades de triunfo; e uma terceira direção se relaciona com as tradições resistência cultural dos revolucionários cubanos, tradições que aproveitadas com sabedoria pelos principais líderes da Revolução foram capazes de incorporar à sociedade ao novo projeto emancipador e com isso impor-se e vencer frente aos falsos augúrios da impossibilidade de triunfo. O anteriormente expresso forma parte do pensar da Pedagogia, tendo em conta o tratamento de valores implícitos na História de Cuba., El presente trabajo se reflexiona sobre las tradiciones de resistencia cultural en Cuba y su valor en la última etapa del proceso de liberación nacional iniciada con los sucesos del 26 de julio de 1953 y su posterior desarrollo; el artículo centra la atención en tres direcciones esenciales; las relaciones políticas internacionales, en especial el estado de Guerra Fría existente y en las diversas intervenciones de las autoridades de EE:UU en los países de América Latina para frustrar los movimientos progresistas, la segunda dirección tiene que ver con la existencia en una parte de la sociedad cubana de una fuerte influencia de la cultura de EE:UU sembrada durante más de un siglo; estas direcciones anteriores daban la falsa apariencia de que aquellos sucesos no tenían posibilidades de triunfo; y una tercera dirección se relaciona con las tradiciones resistencia cultural de los revolucionarios cubanos, tradiciones que aprovechadas con sabiduría por los principales líderes de la Revolución fueron capaces de incorporar a la sociedad al nuevo proyecto emancipador y con ello imponerse y vencer frente a los falsos augurios de la imposibilidad de triunfo. Lo anteriormente expresado forma parte del pensar desde la Pedagogía, teniendo en cuenta el tratamiento de valores implícitos en la Historia de Cuba.

The present work reflects on the traditions of cultural resistance in Cuba and his value in last stage of the process of national liberation initiated with the events of the July 26, 1953 and his later development itself; The article, center the attention in three essential addresses; The political international relations, specially the state of war Cold existent and in the various interventions of EEUU's authorities: at the countries of Latin America to frustrate the progressive movements, second address the Cuban of a loud influence of EEUU's culture has something to do with the existence in one part of the society: sown during over a century; These previous addresses yielded the sham that those events did not have possibilities of triumph; And a third address relates with traditions cultural resistance of the revolutionary Cubans that freeloaders with wisdom for the principal leaders of the Revolution were, traditions capable to incorporate the society to the new emancipatory project and with it imposing oneself and expiring in front of the false omens of the impossibility of triumph. The previously expressed is a part of the thinking from Pedagogy, taking into account the treatment of imputed values in the history of Cuba., O presente trabalho se reflete sobre as tradições de resistência cultural em Cuba e seu valor na última etapa do processo de liberação nacional iniciada com os sucessos de 26 de julho de 1953 e seu posterior desenvolvimento; o artigo centra a atenção em três direções essenciais; as relações políticas internacionais, em especial o estado de Guerra Fria existente e nas diversas intervenções das autoridades do EE:UU nos países da América Latina para frustrar os movimentos progressistas, a segunda direção tem que ver com a existência em uma parte da sociedade cubana de uma forte influencia da cultura do EE:UU semeada durante mais de um século; estas direções anteriores davam a falsa aparência de que aqueles sucessos não tinham possibilidades de triunfo; e uma terceira direção se relaciona com as tradições resistência cultural dos revolucionários cubanos, tradições que aproveitadas com sabedoria pelos principais líderes da Revolução foram capazes de incorporar à sociedade ao novo projeto emancipador e com isso impor-se e vencer frente aos falsos augúrios da impossibilidade de triunfo. O anteriormente expresso forma parte do pensar da Pedagogia, tendo em conta o tratamento de valores implícitos na História de Cuba., El presente trabajo se reflexiona sobre las tradiciones de resistencia cultural en Cuba y su valor en la última etapa del proceso de liberación nacional iniciada con los sucesos del 26 de julio de 1953 y su posterior desarrollo; el artículo centra la atención en tres direcciones esenciales; las relaciones políticas internacionales, en especial el estado de Guerra Fría existente y en las diversas intervenciones de las autoridades de EE:UU en los países de América Latina para frustrar los movimientos progresistas, la segunda dirección tiene que ver con la existencia en una parte de la sociedad cubana de una fuerte influencia de la cultura de EE:UU sembrada durante más de un siglo; estas direcciones anteriores daban la falsa apariencia de que aquellos sucesos no tenían posibilidades de triunfo; y una tercera dirección se relaciona con las tradiciones resistencia cultural de los revolucionarios cubanos, tradiciones que aprovechadas con sabiduría por los principales líderes de la Revolución fueron capaces de incorporar a la sociedad al nuevo proyecto emancipador y con ello imponerse y vencer frente a los falsos augurios de la imposibilidad de triunfo. Lo anteriormente expresado forma parte del pensar desde la Pedagogía, teniendo en cuenta el tratamiento de valores implícitos en la Historia de Cuba.

Los casos de modificaciones dentales en el este y el norte de la península ibérica son de origen africano por una afluencia de esclavos o procesos coloniales. Sin embargo, ningún estudio previo ha documentado un influjo cultural similar en el sureste de España. Trabajos arqueológicos en Elche (Alicante) han recuperado restos humanos de cementerios islámicos que datan de los siglos XII y XIII d. C. Dos individuos adultos presentan signos de modificaciones dentales intencionales. Los incisivos centrales y laterales muestran evidencia de reducción significativa y simétrica de la corona y se examinaron macro- y microscópicamente mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido para determinar la modificación intencional. La modificación del diente implicó la eliminación de los ángulos mesial y distal de ambos incisivos. Los resultados microscópicos denotan que el patrón de reducción del esmalte de los dientes fue deliberado y se descartan factores no intencionales de tipo post mortem, traumatológico o no-alimentario. Los tipos en forma de V invertida son comparables con prácticas del África subsahariana, probablemente de grupos del norte o del este. Sin embargo, una inferencia sobre afiliación étnica específica no es posible. Estos hallazgos proporcionaron la primera evidencia de modificación dental en el Mediterráneo español durante el período islámico. La práctica cultural pudo introducirse durante la expansión musulmana de descendientes africanos o la influencia de la práctica africana., The dental modification cases reported in the east and north of the Iberian Peninsula originate in Africa due to the influx of slaves or colonial processes. No previous studies have documented a similar cultural influx in south-east Spain, though. Some archaeological fieldwork undertaken in Elche (Alicante) has recovered skeletal remains from Islamic cemeteries dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries AD. Two adult individuals (man and woman) show signs of intentional dental modifications. Central and lateral incisors, which evidence a significant and symmetrical crown reduction, were macro- and microscopically examined through scanning electron microscopy to verify the intentional modification. Tooth modification involved the removal of the mesial and distal angles of both incisors. The microscopic results show a deliberate tooth enamel reduction pattern, unintentional post mortem, trauma or non-alimentary factors being discarded. Inverted V-shaped types are comparable to sub-Saharan African practices, probably from northern or eastern groups. However, it is impossible to make inferences about their specific ethnic affiliation. These findings provided the first evidence of dental modification in Spanish Mediterranean areas during the Islamic period. This cultural practice might have been introduced during Muslim expansion, either from African descendants or due to the influence of African customs.

The present work reflects on the traditions of cultural resistance in Cuba and his value in last stage of the process of national liberation initiated with the events of the July 26, 1953 and his later development itself; The article, center the attention in three essential addresses; The political international relations, specially the state of war Cold existent and in the various interventions of EEUU's authorities: at the countries of Latin America to frustrate the progressive movements, second address the Cuban of a loud influence of EEUU's culture has something to do with the existence in one part of the society: sown during over a century; These previous addresses yielded the sham that those events did not have possibilities of triumph; And a third address relates with traditions cultural resistance of the revolutionary Cubans that freeloaders with wisdom for the principal leaders of the Revolution were, traditions capable to incorporate the society to the new emancipatory project and with it imposing oneself and expiring in front of the false omens of the impossibility of triumph. The previously expressed is a part of the thinking from Pedagogy, taking into account the treatment of imputed values in the history of Cuba., O presente trabalho se reflete sobre as tradições de resistência cultural em Cuba e seu valor na última etapa do processo de liberação nacional iniciada com os sucessos de 26 de julho de 1953 e seu posterior desenvolvimento; o artigo centra a atenção em três direções essenciais; as relações políticas internacionais, em especial o estado de Guerra Fria existente e nas diversas intervenções das autoridades do EE:UU nos países da América Latina para frustrar os movimentos progressistas, a segunda direção tem que ver com a existência em uma parte da sociedade cubana de uma forte influencia da cultura do EE:UU semeada durante mais de um século; estas direções anteriores davam a falsa aparência de que aqueles sucessos não tinham possibilidades de triunfo; e uma terceira direção se relaciona com as tradições resistência cultural dos revolucionários cubanos, tradições que aproveitadas com sabedoria pelos principais líderes da Revolução foram capazes de incorporar à sociedade ao novo projeto emancipador e com isso impor-se e vencer frente aos falsos augúrios da impossibilidade de triunfo. O anteriormente expresso forma parte do pensar da Pedagogia, tendo em conta o tratamento de valores implícitos na História de Cuba., El presente trabajo se reflexiona sobre las tradiciones de resistencia cultural en Cuba y su valor en la última etapa del proceso de liberación nacional iniciada con los sucesos del 26 de julio de 1953 y su posterior desarrollo; el artículo centra la atención en tres direcciones esenciales; las relaciones políticas internacionales, en especial el estado de Guerra Fría existente y en las diversas intervenciones de las autoridades de EE:UU en los países de América Latina para frustrar los movimientos progresistas, la segunda dirección tiene que ver con la existencia en una parte de la sociedad cubana de una fuerte influencia de la cultura de EE:UU sembrada durante más de un siglo; estas direcciones anteriores daban la falsa apariencia de que aquellos sucesos no tenían posibilidades de triunfo; y una tercera dirección se relaciona con las tradiciones resistencia cultural de los revolucionarios cubanos, tradiciones que aprovechadas con sabiduría por los principales líderes de la Revolución fueron capaces de incorporar a la sociedad al nuevo proyecto emancipador y con ello imponerse y vencer frente a los falsos augurios de la imposibilidad de triunfo. Lo anteriormente expresado forma parte del pensar desde la Pedagogía, teniendo en cuenta el tratamiento de valores implícitos en la Historia de Cuba.

The present work reflects on the traditions of cultural resistance in Cuba and his value in last stage of the process of national liberation initiated with the events of the July 26, 1953 and his later development itself; The article, center the attention in three essential addresses; The political international relations, specially the state of war Cold existent and in the various interventions of EEUU's authorities: at the countries of Latin America to frustrate the progressive movements, second address the Cuban of a loud influence of EEUU's culture has something to do with the existence in one part of the society: sown during over a century; These previous addresses yielded the sham that those events did not have possibilities of triumph; And a third address relates with traditions cultural resistance of the revolutionary Cubans that freeloaders with wisdom for the principal leaders of the Revolution were, traditions capable to incorporate the society to the new emancipatory project and with it imposing oneself and expiring in front of the false omens of the impossibility of triumph. The previously expressed is a part of the thinking from Pedagogy, taking into account the treatment of imputed values in the history of Cuba., O presente trabalho se reflete sobre as tradições de resistência cultural em Cuba e seu valor na última etapa do processo de liberação nacional iniciada com os sucessos de 26 de julho de 1953 e seu posterior desenvolvimento; o artigo centra a atenção em três direções essenciais; as relações políticas internacionais, em especial o estado de Guerra Fria existente e nas diversas intervenções das autoridades do EE:UU nos países da América Latina para frustrar os movimentos progressistas, a segunda direção tem que ver com a existência em uma parte da sociedade cubana de uma forte influencia da cultura do EE:UU semeada durante mais de um século; estas direções anteriores davam a falsa aparência de que aqueles sucessos não tinham possibilidades de triunfo; e uma terceira direção se relaciona com as tradições resistência cultural dos revolucionários cubanos, tradições que aproveitadas com sabedoria pelos principais líderes da Revolução foram capazes de incorporar à sociedade ao novo projeto emancipador e com isso impor-se e vencer frente aos falsos augúrios da impossibilidade de triunfo. O anteriormente expresso forma parte do pensar da Pedagogia, tendo em conta o tratamento de valores implícitos na História de Cuba., El presente trabajo se reflexiona sobre las tradiciones de resistencia cultural en Cuba y su valor en la última etapa del proceso de liberación nacional iniciada con los sucesos del 26 de julio de 1953 y su posterior desarrollo; el artículo centra la atención en tres direcciones esenciales; las relaciones políticas internacionales, en especial el estado de Guerra Fría existente y en las diversas intervenciones de las autoridades de EE:UU en los países de América Latina para frustrar los movimientos progresistas, la segunda dirección tiene que ver con la existencia en una parte de la sociedad cubana de una fuerte influencia de la cultura de EE:UU sembrada durante más de un siglo; estas direcciones anteriores daban la falsa apariencia de que aquellos sucesos no tenían posibilidades de triunfo; y una tercera dirección se relaciona con las tradiciones resistencia cultural de los revolucionarios cubanos, tradiciones que aprovechadas con sabiduría por los principales líderes de la Revolución fueron capaces de incorporar a la sociedad al nuevo proyecto emancipador y con ello imponerse y vencer frente a los falsos augurios de la imposibilidad de triunfo. Lo anteriormente expresado forma parte del pensar desde la Pedagogía, teniendo en cuenta el tratamiento de valores implícitos en la Historia de Cuba.

In the interwar period, France was seen as the main military and diplomatic ally of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (SCS), later Kingdom of Yugoslavia, and the defender of the fragile Versailles Peace Treaty. This relationship resulted in a clear French influence in the realm of art and culture in Yugoslavia. Moreover, the triumph of the French cultural influence was also interpreted in the light of the simmering conflict between Serbian and Croat elites in Yugoslavia, as Serbian intellectuals traditionally gravitated toward Paris and France, unlike the Croat (and Slovene) ones, which had been part of the Central European and Austro-Hungarian cultural sphere. This article analyzes the French cultural influence through the musical activities of the Cvijeta Zuzorić Association of Friends of Art. The organization was established to promote modern art and the endeavors of young artists. It was firmly latched onto various mechanisms of state support, and participated in promoting the dominant ideology of the Karađorđević royal dynasty. The paper follows the association’s musical activates through its three phases: the initial period, marked by annual artistic soirées, the middle period and the activities of the Narodni konzervatorijum (National Conservatory), which included weekly concerts of varying quality, and the final period of open music competitions. The article maps a clear picture of French artistic influences, which notably included open modeling of certain commissioned and awarded compositions on famous French pieces.

Aim: This study aims to investigate the factors that influence consumers' brand preferences for instant foods focusing on the graduate-level students of Sweden and Bangladesh. Methodology: The research applied a qualitative approach. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with ten graduate-level students from Sweden and Bangladesh. The collected primary data were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis by comparing with the literature reviewed within distinct themes. Findings and Conclusion: The main findings of the study are (1) culture, and religious values have a significant influence on Bangladeshi consumers compared to consumers in Sweden; (2) Quality plays a predominant role in determining instant food brands in both countries as it can have a direct effect on the health; (3) Eye-catchy packaging creates fascination among consumers' about a brand in both countries; (4) Price is considered as a critical factor due to limited purchasing power of Bangladeshi consumers'; whereas in Sweden, consumers' are ready to compromise with the price if they could get a superior quality. Theoretical implications: This study has developed a theoretical model that shows the effect of culture, marketing communication, brand elements, price of the brand, brand image and brand availability on consumers' brand preferences in Bangladesh and Sweden. The findings divulge the quality and packaging of a brand could play a tremendously important role in consumers' brand preferences apart from other factors. Managerial implications: The study could help managers to be accustomed to cultural values through standardization and adaptation. The research could add insights for the managers while setting the price of a brand as it has considered as a critical factor. Appropriate quality assurance is sufficiently necessary, which was reflected by the current study and will help managers while determining quality. Limitations: Only two countries were included in the study, whic

This study aims to bring clarity to a discussion of whether the Chinese relationship with Africa can be regarded as an act of Neo-colonialism or if it contains Neo-colonial elements. As China has increasingly engaged with the continent giving extensive amounts of foreign aid and loans as well as intensifying their trade relations, the question arises whether or not this can be connected to Neo-colonial dynamics. This study will use a newly constructed framework with the help of the Neo-colonial theory, different definitions by scholars will be used to create the framework, and the basis for this analysis. The research approach is a qualitative design and the research design is a case study with a focus on China's engagement in Africa. This study finds that there are Neo-colonial elements in the processes of engagement exercised by China on the African continent in some of the variables used in the constructed theoretical framework. Lastly, this study argues that African states must be increasingly cautious when exporting raw materials and in letting private Chinese companies invest and buy shares in important African domestic sectors.

This paper examined, and reported the cultural influence, on health information seeking behavior, among rural dwellers, in Atakumosa West Local Government Area of the State of Osun. The article investigated cultural practices and their effects on information seeking behavior of rural dwellers and it aimed at highlighting the available strategies of meeting the health information seeking behavior of rural dwellers as demanded by their health information needs. The presentation started with introduction; followed by definition of culture, nature of rural dwellers and the area of study, cultural practices and their influence on information seeking behavior, and the ways of meeting the health information needs, as dictated by the seeking behavior of rural dwellers, were comprehensively dealt with, in this article. Literature studies have been conducted to determine the nature of influence, some cultural practices have on health information seeking behavior of rural dwellers. And an in-depth study with field visits provided information on real-life practices. A qualitative analysis and theoretical discussion have been carried out to match evidences from case studies and field visits with evidence in the literature. The review underlined cultural factors, influencing information seeking behavior of rural dwellers. It also explored how health information managers can improve their services to meet health information needs of rural dwellers based on their health information seeking behavior, which is usually predetermined by their health information needs. In conclusion, Health information services should be designed to identify and maintain contact with constituents, having variety of health information needs. These needs, direct their seeking behavior for specific health information, and health information managers should identify those health information needs, that impact the individual, group, and the community’s health; so that relevant health information can be locat

The text discusses the importance of the Hemos mountain range (nowadays including Pre-Balkan, Stara Planina and Sredna Gora massifs) which separated the core territory of the early medieval Bulgaria in the North from the Byzantine lands in the South (almost through the entire so-called pagan or barbarian period of the Bulgarian state, i.e. from the end of 7th to the middle of 9th centuries), and divided the state in two geographically separated territories during the rest part of the existence of the so-called First Bulgarian Empire (from the second half of the 9th to the end of 10th and beginning of 11th centuries). The source investigation shows that especially during the first half of the period in consideration – the mentioned pagan (barbarian) period – the mountains really acted, to a certain degree, as a barrier for the Byzantine influences on the Bulgarians. That was because of the ideological (political) and religious differences between both the states., Tekst omawia znaczenie górskiego łańcucha Hemosu (współcześnie odpowiadającego masywom Przedbałkanu, Starej Płaniny i Srednej Gory), który rozdzielał jądro terytorialne wczesnośredniowiecznej Bułgarii znajdujące się na północy od ziem bizantyńskich leżących na południu (prawie przez cały tzw. pogański okres państwa bułgarskiego, a zatem pomiędzy końcem VII. a połową IX. w.), i dzielił państwo na dwa geograficznie odrębne obszary przez pozostałą część istnienia tzw. Pierwszego Państwa Bułgarskiego (od drugiej połowy IX. do końca X. i początków XI. w.). Analiza źródłowa wskazuje, że szczególnie w pierwszej części omawianego okresu chronologicznego – w tzw. okresie pogańskim lub barbarzyńskim – góry rzeczywiście, do pewnego stopnia, odgrywały rolę bariery dla wpływów bizantyńskich na Bułgarów. Wynikało to z różnic ideologicznych (politycznych) i konfesyjnych pomiędzy oboma państwami.

The text discusses the importance of the Hemos mountain range (nowadays including Pre-Balkan, Stara Planina and Sredna Gora massifs) which separated the core territory of the early medieval Bulgaria in the North from the Byzantine lands in the South (almost through the entire so-called pagan or barbarian period of the Bulgarian state, i.e. from the end of 7th to the middle of 9th centuries), and divided the state in two geographically separated territories during the rest part of the existence of the so-called First Bulgarian Empire (from the second half of the 9th to the end of 10th and beginning of 11th centuries). The source investigation shows that especially during the first half of the period in consideration – the mentioned pagan (barbarian) period – the mountains really acted, to a certain degree, as a barrier for the Byzantine influences on the Bulgarians. That was because of the ideological (political) and religious differences between both the states., Tekst omawia znaczenie górskiego łańcucha Hemosu (współcześnie odpowiadającego masywom Przedbałkanu, Starej Płaniny i Srednej Gory), który rozdzielał jądro terytorialne wczesnośredniowiecznej Bułgarii znajdujące się na północy od ziem bizantyńskich leżących na południu (prawie przez cały tzw. pogański okres państwa bułgarskiego, a zatem pomiędzy końcem VII. a połową IX. w.), i dzielił państwo na dwa geograficznie odrębne obszary przez pozostałą część istnienia tzw. Pierwszego Państwa Bułgarskiego (od drugiej połowy IX. do końca X. i początków XI. w.). Analiza źródłowa wskazuje, że szczególnie w pierwszej części omawianego okresu chronologicznego – w tzw. okresie pogańskim lub barbarzyńskim – góry rzeczywiście, do pewnego stopnia, odgrywały rolę bariery dla wpływów bizantyńskich na Bułgarów. Wynikało to z różnic ideologicznych (politycznych) i konfesyjnych pomiędzy oboma państwami.

Background: This study investigated whether the body condition score (BCS) and/or culture influences the quality of life (QoL) of dogs, as evaluated by the owner, and whether the BCS is influenced by feeding and exercise and its owner’s culture. To this end, a questionnaire was administered to 355 selected dog owners (Thai and Dutch). Their dogs had a BCS of 3 (normal weight), 4 (overweight) or 5 (obese) but no other physical problems. Instead of using Likert scales, continuous scales were used. Further, data for the questionnaire items were transformed using an integrated z-score methodology. Results: The magnitude of factor loadings was similar to that reported in a previous study, indicating that the questionnaire is not culture specific. QoL scores for general sickness were significantly higher (worse) in dogs with a higher BCS. Thus even though the dogs were apparently healthy, the BCS influenced the perceived QoL of the dog. Immobility was seen more often in dogs with a higher (poorer) BCS than in dogs with a lower (better) BCS; however, there was no clear relationship between immobility and total activity. The higher the BCS, the less owners felt in control of feeding and exercise. The BCS was higher in the dogs of owners who did not like to exercise. The Thai dogs showed more separation-related behaviour problems when their owner left home than did the Dutch dogs. Conclusions: The QoL of overweight and obese dogs is mainly influenced by the dog’s physical status. The owners of dogs with a high BCS have less perceived control over feeding and exercise. Our findings indicate that owner attitudes and beliefs essentially cause obesity as a result of a lack of knowledge and perceived control.

Objective More than half of all cancer patients experience unrelieved pain. Culture can significantly affect patients' cancer pain-related beliefs and behaviors. Little is known about cultural impact on Chinese cancer patients' pain management. The objective of this review was to describe pain management experiences of cancer patients from Chinese backgrounds and to identify barriers affecting their pain management.Method A systematic review was conducted adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies were included if they reported pain management experiences of adult cancer patients from Chinese backgrounds. Five databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles published in English or Chinese journals between1990 and 2015. The quality of included studies was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institution's appraisal tools.Results Of 3,904 identified records, 23 articles met criteria and provided primary data from 6,110 patients. Suboptimal analgesic use, delays in receiving treatment, reluctance to report pain, and/or poor adherence to prescribed analgesics contributed to the patients' inadequate pain control. Patient-related barriers included fatalism, desire to be good, low pain control belief, pain endurance beliefs, and negative effect beliefs. Patients and family shared barriers about fear of addiction and concerns on analgesic side effects and disease progression. Health professional-related barriers were poor communication, ineffective management of pain, and analgesic side effects. Healthcare system-related barriers included limited access to analgesics and/or after hour pain services and lack of health insurance.Significance of results Chinese cancer patients' misconceptions regarding pain and analgesics may present as the main barriers to optimal pain relief. Findings of this review may inform health interventions to improve cancer pain management outcomes for patients from Chinese backgrounds. Future stu

The article considers the emergence and development of the Chinese text as a distinctive phenomenon of Russian literature. For this purpose, the method of historicism was applied that allowed to consider the development of the Chinese culture in chronological order. Besides, the comparison method was used in relation to the Russian writers, Russian-Chinese literary works and various literary movements in Russia. As a result, it was shown that the Chinese text attracted the Russian writers with its simplicity and elegance, whereas the Chinese works influenced the formation of the Russian spiritual-philosophic thinking, El artículo considera la aparición y el desarrollo del texto chino como un fenómeno distintivo de la literatura rusa. Para este propósito, se aplicó el método del historicismo que permitió considerar el desarrollo de la cultura china en orden cronológico. Además, el método de comparación se utilizó en relación con los escritores rusos, las obras literarias ruso-chinas y varios movimientos literarios en Rusia. Como resultado, se demostró que el texto chino atrajo a los escritores rusos con su sencillez y elegancia, mientras que las obras chinas influyeron en la formación del pensamiento espiritual-filosófico ruso

The article considers the emergence and development of the Chinese text as a distinctive phenomenon of Russian literature. For this purpose, the method of historicism was applied that allowed to consider the development of the Chinese culture in chronological order. Besides, the comparison method was used in relation to the Russian writers, Russian-Chinese literary works and various literary movements in Russia. As a result, it was shown that the Chinese text attracted the Russian writers with its simplicity and elegance, whereas the Chinese works influenced the formation of the Russian spiritual-philosophic thinking, El artículo considera la aparición y el desarrollo del texto chino como un fenómeno distintivo de la literatura rusa. Para este propósito, se aplicó el método del historicismo que permitió considerar el desarrollo de la cultura china en orden cronológico. Además, el método de comparación se utilizó en relación con los escritores rusos, las obras literarias ruso-chinas y varios movimientos literarios en Rusia. Como resultado, se demostró que el texto chino atrajo a los escritores rusos con su sencillez y elegancia, mientras que las obras chinas influyeron en la formación del pensamiento espiritual-filosófico ruso

The article considers the emergence and development of the Chinese text as a distinctive phenomenon of Russian literature. For this purpose, the method of historicism was applied that allowed to consider the development of the Chinese culture in chronological order. Besides, the comparison method was used in relation to the Russian writers, Russian-Chinese literary works and various literary movements in Russia. As a result, it was shown that the Chinese text attracted the Russian writers with its simplicity and elegance, whereas the Chinese works influenced the formation of the Russian spiritual-philosophic thinking, El artículo considera la aparición y el desarrollo del texto chino como un fenómeno distintivo de la literatura rusa. Para este propósito, se aplicó el método del historicismo que permitió considerar el desarrollo de la cultura china en orden cronológico. Además, el método de comparación se utilizó en relación con los escritores rusos, las obras literarias ruso-chinas y varios movimientos literarios en Rusia. Como resultado, se demostró que el texto chino atrajo a los escritores rusos con su sencillez y elegancia, mientras que las obras chinas influyeron en la formación del pensamiento espiritual-filosófico ruso

В центре внимания данного исследования находится разносторонняя личность архимандрита Паисия (Танасиевича) (1957-2003) с особым упором на его вклад в распространение афонского ифоса византийского пения в Сербии в конце ХХ и начале ХХI века. Приняв в ранней молодости монашеский постриг в сербском монастыре Високи Дечани, он потом отправляется на Святую Гору Афон, в монастырь Хиландар, и становится игуменом обители. В Сербию он возвращается в 1992-ом году и становится игуменом монастыря Прохор Пчиньский. Он обновил многие монастыри на юге Сербии и в этих обителях он установил афонский образ жизни и пения. Архимандрит Паисий оказал огромное влияние на возрождение византийского пения в Сербии на стыке двух тысячелетий, вдохновив своим пением многих молодых людей, живущих в разных городах Сербии. В данном докладе рассматрывается способ и стиль как его пения, так и пения его учеников в монашеских обителях и в мирских кругах., In the focus of this research is versatile personality of archimandrite Paisios (Tanasijevic) (1957-2003), with special reference to his contribution in spreading Mount Athos ethos of Byzantine chanting in Serbia in the late 20th and early 21st century. After becoming a monk at an early age in the Serbian monastery Visoki Decani he went to Mount Athos and Hilandar, where he became abbot. He returned to Serbia in 1992 and he was abbot of the monastery Prohor Pcinjski. He restored many monasteries in the Serbian south, where he established Mount Athos way of life and chanting. Archimandrite Paisios influenced rebirth of Byzantine chanting among Serbs at the turn of a millennium, inspiring with his chanting young people in urban areas throughout Serbia. This paper discusses the manner and style of his chanting, as well as, chanting of his students in the monastic communities and temporal environment.

With the technological development of e-commerce and the increasing necessity to use online transactions, more and more online electronic payments systems have appeared to meet global demand. Furthermore, user acceptance of these kinds of systems is different for individuals in different cultures, and culture could be a factor that has great potential impact on predictions of user acceptance. The world has evolved to a degree where transactions occur between different cultural environments. This study aims to provide an understanding of how culture affects users’ intentions of electronic payment systems. Based on the purpose of this study, a questionnaire has been conducted in the interest of collecting data for statistical purposes. To make more sense about the results, a case study on PayEx (an electronic payment system) in Linnaeus University has been conducted through analysing twenty users’ interview records. Finally, this study expands on user acceptance research through looking at the role of culture and social influence. In practice, the results of this study give the thought for accurate forecasting of user acceptance towards electronic payment systems with considering cultural influence.

Purpose: In the contemporary society in which companies operate there is increasing interest in understanding the effects and changes of culture on projects in connection to decision making. This is evident of the fact that most companies are using groups or teams composed of mixed culture to perform their tasks and develop their activities into different geographical regions by adopting project management as a “way of working” other than a tool or technique. The objective of this study is to explore the cultural influence decision making in project teams through a multi case study of applying Hofstede’s dimensions of culture model to selected Swedish firms., Research Questions: (a) How does culture influence decision making in project teams?

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate if culture influences a firm’s decision to implement enterprise risk management (ERM). It will examine which factors influence this decision on a worldwide level, how ERM implementation varies across countries and to what extent these differences are influenced by cultural dimensions. The study is based on 380 firm observations from 19 countries. ERM implementation is examined with a keyword search on annual reports and culture is measured with Hofstede’s dimensions power distance, uncertainty avoidance and individualism. This study supports that culture has an influence on ERM implementation which shows that culture has to be taken into account when analysing and comparing ERM implementation across countries. Furthermore, this worldwide sample allows to compare ERM variation between the observed countries and it shows that influences which have been examined on a country-level can also be found on a worldwide-level.

This thesis took a novel approach to examining factors associated with risky attitudes and risky road use in China by investigating the economic and political background status of a sample of young Chinese drivers. Using data from an online survey significant relationships are found between some family background factors and road safety variables. Correlation analysis, ANOVA, hierarchical regression analysis and structural equation modelling are applied in this study, with culture, personality and demographic variables as additional factors for a better understanding of the key findings. The findings are discussed in light of China's political management system and potential education opportunities for young drivers.

Purpose: In the contemporary society in which companies operate there is increasing interest in understanding the effects and changes of culture on projects in connection to decision making. This is evident of the fact that most companies are using groups or teams composed of mixed culture to perform their tasks and develop their activities into different geographical regions by adopting project management as a “way of working” other than a tool or technique. The objective of this study is to explore the cultural influence decision making in project teams through a multi case study of applying Hofstede’s dimensions of culture model to selected Swedish firms., Research Questions: (a) How does culture influence decision making in project teams?

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate if culture influences a firm’s decision to implement enterprise risk management (ERM). It will examine which factors influence this decision on a worldwide level, how ERM implementation varies across countries and to what extent these differences are influenced by cultural dimensions. The study is based on 380 firm observations from 19 countries. ERM implementation is examined with a keyword search on annual reports and culture is measured with Hofstede’s dimensions power distance, uncertainty avoidance and individualism. This study supports that culture has an influence on ERM implementation which shows that culture has to be taken into account when analysing and comparing ERM implementation across countries. Furthermore, this worldwide sample allows to compare ERM variation between the observed countries and it shows that influences which have been examined on a country-level can also be found on a worldwide-level.

With the technological development of e-commerce and the increasing necessity to use online transactions, more and more online electronic payments systems have appeared to meet global demand. Furthermore, user acceptance of these kinds of systems is different for individuals in different cultures, and culture could be a factor that has great potential impact on predictions of user acceptance. The world has evolved to a degree where transactions occur between different cultural environments. This study aims to provide an understanding of how culture affects users’ intentions of electronic payment systems. Based on the purpose of this study, a questionnaire has been conducted in the interest of collecting data for statistical purposes. To make more sense about the results, a case study on PayEx (an electronic payment system) in Linnaeus University has been conducted through analysing twenty users’ interview records. Finally, this study expands on user acceptance research through looking at the role of culture and social influence. In practice, the results of this study give the thought for accurate forecasting of user acceptance towards electronic payment systems with considering cultural influence.

Although overtly racist political discourse in Switzerland has receded, culturalist discourses continue to construct ideal immigrants. Policies define immigrants in terms of “cultural proximity” and contain an implicit distinction between “distant” and “proximal” foreigners. Culturally, distant immigrants have been stereotyped as aggressive and/or lacking interest in education and professional success and while scholars have examined immigrants from Switzerland’s “culturally-near” regions, the experiences of second generation immigrant populations from perceived culturally distant countries have largely escaped attention. Knowledge about girls and women is particularly scarce. Against this backdrop, this paper provides an examination of how six teenage girls living in a German-speaking Swiss city negotiate their perceived cultural distance. By combining interview material with elements of Foucauldian theory, the paper provides insight into (1) the diasporic experiences of girls with second generation immigration backgrounds and (2) the operation and influence of culturalist discourses. Foucault’s notion of dispositive—the discourses, institutions, laws, and scientific findings that, through various means of distribution (e.g., media texts, policies, education curricula), act as an apparatus that constructs and supports normative ideals—provides a generative analytic tool for this task. The analysis suggests that the ways girls learn to understand their social worlds is a collective process of discipline that places mechanisms of social control within each individual. This process involves the homogenisation and marginalisation of the immigrant population and is circular in nature in that the girls strengthen and maintain the power of existing culturalist knowledge that works negatively on them. The paper concludes with a consideration of how this situation might be challenged., Funding agency: Swiss National Science Foundation (grant number 100017-120380)

This study aims to examine the severe consequences of traffic crashes related to a special group of drivers in China, which is called the “Second Rich & Powerful Generation” (SRPG). The unique driving behaviors and attitudes of this special group are intertwined with the general cultural and social environment in China. To investigate the difference of traffic crash consequences between drivers who belong to SRPG and general driver population, injuries and fatalities in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 were compared. Results consistently showed that while no significant difference was detected between these two groups in terms of injuries, fatalities per crash caused by SRPG were significantly larger than that caused by general driver population. Findings from our study clearly demonstrate the complexity of road safety issues in developing countries, and can also be used to develop road safety improvement strategies tailored to SRPG.

The purpose of this study is to describe South Sudanese refugee women's perceptions of access to, use of, and their culture's influence on their access to and use of healthcare after resettling in the United States. Background: The prolonged civil-war and famine in the African nation of Sudan has displaced millions of women and children over the last two decades. Refugee women who are resettled to the United States must make adjustments to learn how to live in American society and culture. There is little known about healthcare access and use by South Sudanese refugee women in the United States. Conceptual Framework: The theory of Cultural Universality and Diversity was the conceptual framework guiding the study. Methods: Qualitative description method was used to describe Sudanese refugee women's perception of their access to, use of, and cultural influences on access and use of healthcare after resettling in the United States. Results: South Sudanese refugee women's perception of accessing healthcare is understood through themes: Women's means of accessing healthcare, types of healthcare institution. Perception of healthcare use is understood through the relationship between these themes: Care of self, concerns of the women, and the experience of using healthcare. Perception of cultural influence on accessing and using of healthcare is understood through these themes: Coping, South Sudanese healthcare culture, and role of family. Implications: The findings of this study may facilitate understanding healthcare access and use by refugee women. The knowledge from this study can lead to the development of culturally congruent interventions for resettled refugee women, in hopes of improving their access to and use of healthcare.

The aim of this study is to investigate how Rooke and Booth/Alsanea have translated culture specific words in Alsanea’s novel Banat ar-Riyad. The study focuses on three chapters from the Arabic novel and the same chapters in its Swedish and English translations. The study analyses if the translators, when translating the Arabic culture specific words found in the three chapters, have used two specific translation methods for cultural specific words found in Dickins, Hervey and Higgins (2002). The two translation methods chosen for the analysis are called cultural transplantation and cultural borrowing. The analysis focuses on ten cultural specific Arabic words and their Swedish and English translations. The result shows that Rooke and Booth/Alsanea have mostly used the method called cultural borrowing but when translating one of the ten words Rooke has used cultural transplantation. Moreover, in some cases the translators have been using other methods not presented by Dickins et al.

The role of Latin America in U.S. foreign policy has ebbed and flowed for over 100 years. Over the last 15 years, the relationship between the United States and Latin America has seen a precipitous drop in both cooperation and cordiality. The amicable relationships that the United States once enjoyed with Brazil and Venezuela specifically have become acrimonious. With the United States' increased interest in completing a Free Trade Area of the Americas agreement by January, relations with Brazil are vital. The United States' continued dependence on imported petroleum from Venezuela and America's concern over Venezuela's growing relationship with Cuba make this country also important to U.S. foreign policy. The thesis focuses on the United States' ability to use its cultural influence (soft power) to positively effect U.S. relations with Brazil and Venezuela. By analyzing past and present effects of U.S. cultural influence in these two countries, the U.S. can better understand and appreciate the influence it wields as the world's only remaining super power. This thesis finds that despite historic evidence, the U.S. has had and continues to have a propensity to use soft power influence tactically, diminishing the effectiveness of its innate power and influence as being the global leader in military, economic, cultural, and technological matters. Conversely, the U.S. attempts to use its hard power (military and economic) strategically, thereby only breeding anti-Americanism globally., http://archive.org/details/softpowernditsim109451276, Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy, Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

This article seeks to define and explain autobiographical memory from a functional standpoint. For this, definitions are analyzed from cognitive and sociocultural perspectives highlighting how they converge in relation to components assumed as constituent of autobiographical memory and tasks attributed to it. A theoretical model about its functioning is reviewed and allows us to understand how the memory systems that constitute it interacting with process control and cultural patterns to generate autobiographical memories essential to maintain a consistent image of the individual and a moderately accurate record of the experiences. Its functions are described: self-definition, social interaction and self-regulation. It raises that autobiographical memories are multimodal, are distributed among memory systems and executive processes, and are mediated by sociocultural contexts, Este artículo busca definir y explicar la memoria autobiográfica desde un punto de vista funcional. Para esto, se analizan definiciones desde perspectivas cognitivas y socioculturales, resaltando su convergencia con relación a los componentes asumidos como constituyentes de la memoria autobiográfica y sus funciones atribuidas. La revisión de un modelo teórico sobre su funcionamiento permite comprender cómo los sistemas de memoria que la constituyen interactúan con procesos de control y esquemas culturales para generar recuerdos autobiográficos, esenciales para mantener una imagen coherente del individuo y un registro moderadamente exacto de las experiencias. Sus funciones son precisadas: autodefinición, interacción social y autorregulación. Se plantea que los recuerdos autobiográficos son multimodales, distribuidos entre sistemas de memoria y procesos ejecutivos, mediados por contextos socioculturales.