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Following the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran revised its English language education strategy, customising English Language Teaching (ELT) resources to better align with local contexts. This study examines cultural representation in locally-developed (Eight, The ILI, and Merit) and internationally-published English language textbooks (World English, Top Notch, and Four Corners). Employing a mixed-methods design and frameworks by Moran (2001), Chao (2011), and Dahmardeh & Kim (2020), 58 textbooks were purposively sampled. Quantitative content analysis assessed the frequency and types of cultural elements, while qualitative thematic analysis provided deeper insights into the cultural dimensions represented. Findings indicate that locallydeveloped textbooks incorporate more local cultural perspectives, whereas international textbooks emphasise cultural products. Both types equally represent cultural practices and persons. The study underscores the importance of incorporating diverse cultural elements in ELT textbooks to promote intercultural competence, offering practical recommendations for educators, curriculum developers, and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of cultural forces that shape social influence with a look at Hofstede’s cultural dimensions of power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and individualism. The direct effect of these cultural dimensions on social influence is investigated. To measure social influence, this paper relies on the dimensions of Hofstede. A multiple regression analysis is applied to answer the hypotheses. The research design adopted for the research was quantitative, and the method used to collect data was an online survey. A self-administered questionnaire was developed and distributed to the targeted respondents for obtaining primary data.The respondents involved were 340 SMEs in the urban area of Harare province in Zimbabwe. A nonprobability convenience sampling method was used for the study. Hofstede’s cultural factors of power distance, individualism, and uncertainty avoidance were used as the independent variables that moderate social influence. The results show that power distance significantly predicts uncertainty avoidance and individualism but does not directly influence social influence. However, uncertainty avoidance is a significant positive predictor of social influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Scholars have suggested that leaders' ethical failures at the beginning of the twenty-first century have raised awareness about the importance of ethical leadership (EL). Yet, there has been no systematic effort to evaluate whether this awareness indeed led to changes in EL or how followers react to this leadership style over time. To address this gap, we examine the evolution in EL means, variability, and its associations with follower outcomes between 2004 and 2019. Our cross-temporal meta-analysis included 359 independent samples from 314 studies published between 2005 and 2020 and focused on followers' ratings of their leaders using the Ethical Leadership Scale (ELS; Brown et al., in Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 97(2), 117–134, 2005). Using cubic spline meta-regressions, our results indicated no global changes in EL mean levels and variability across the 15-year period. Nevertheless, country-level comparisons revealed different EL-trends in China (i.e. decrease) versus the United States (i.e. stable), and further moderation analyses highlighted the role of cultural value dimensions and national corruption rates. Finally, we also found that the relationship between EL and desirable follower outcomes (e.g. organizational citizenship behavior) became gradually stronger over time on a global level. These results provide a solid empirical basis to evaluate cross-temporal trends in EL and its (changing) impact on follower outcomes across the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Selcuk Communication / Selcuk Iletisim is the property of Journal of Selcuk Communication and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Gumushane Universty Electronic Journal of the Faculty of Communication / Gümüshane Üniversitesi Iletisim Fakültesi Elektronik Dergisi is the property of Gumushane Universitesi Iletisim Fakultesi Elektronik Dergisi (e-GIFDER) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We investigate the effect of cultural tightness-looseness on foreign bias in international equity allocation using data for 29 home investor countries and 37 destination countries for the period 2001–2018. We find that investors from a tight (loose) culture will exhibit less (more) portfolio diversification among foreign markets. Further, cultural tightness-looseness moderates the effect of Hofstede's cultural values on foreign portfolio allocation decisions differently and depending on the cultural dimension analyzed. The consideration of cultural tightness-looseness in the models diminishes the contradictory and inconclusive results regarding the relationships between cultural values and foreign bias from previous studies. These results hold for various robustness checks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: As a globally prevalent phenomenon, buying counterfeit products harms consumers, economies, societies, governments, and the environment. The study examined the hierarchy of injunctive normative influence (personal vs. societal) on counterfeit purchase intentions and trends in non-deceptive (known) counterfeit purchase behavior. The current research expands the hierarchical norms approach by examining how the cultural values of power distance and individualism-collectivism predict injunctive normative perceptions and counterfeit buying intention and behavior. Methods: A cross-sectional survey (N = 13,053) of consumers from 17 nations, administered in seven languages, explored cross-country differences in perceived social norms about buying counterfeits. Results: The findings of multilevel moderated mediation analyses showed that personal injunctive norms (perceived acceptance of buying counterfeits by close friends) mediated the relationship between societal injunctive norms (perceived acceptance for buying counterfeits by peers in the same country) and the outcome variables. Selected paths of the mediation model were moderated by the two cultural dimensions. Discussion: Theoretical implications are discussed within the context of cultural orientations' and social norms' roles in informing risky behavior, and practically, within the context of awareness-raising and behavior-change interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today's technology-enabled customer with instant access to a global marketplace has led to firms facing intense competition from around the world. As a result, customer engagement has emerged as an important marketing strategy and for more than a decade has fueled intense attention from academe and professionals. However, despite this focus, there is a paucity of research considering customer engagement in a cross-cultural context. This exploratory study provides empirical clarification as to whether culture at a national level impacts the manifestation of specific customer engagement behaviors exhibited by customers engaged with a brand. A conceptualization of customer engagement behaviors according to Hofstede's six dimensions of culture is presented, and a netnographic study focusing on an online brand community reveals that while national culture exerts no impact on the behaviors of engaged customers, the culture associated with a brand does. These findings serve as a foundation for future academic inquiry and present the opportunity for managers to foster and nurture a brand culture that encourages customer engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kültür bir toplumun asırlık birikimiyle oluşmaktadır. Kültürel farklılıklar bazen bir törende, bazen bir kelimede, bazen bir yemekte bile gözlemlenebilmektedir. Kültürel farklılıkları tespit edebilmek, ölçümleyebilmek, görebilmek adına önemli çalışmalar yapılmıştır. Bu çalışmalardan biri Geert Hofstede’in kültürel boyutlar araştırmasıdır. Onlarca ülkenin katılımı ve IBM desteğiyle gerçekleşen çalışma yıllardır kullanılmaktadır. Altı kültürel boyut, ülkelere dair önemli veriler sağlamaktadır. Çalışmada kültür ve reklam ilişkisi, marka aktivizmi perspektifinden irdelenmiştir. Bir reklam kampanyasının ülkelerin kültürel değerlerine göre oluşturulması örneklendirilmiştir. Araştırmanın problem kısmında markaların aktivist söylemlerinin samimiyeti sorgulanmaktadır. Fransız otomotiv şirketi olan Renault’un “hayat kadar beklenmedik” adlı reklam kampanyası örneği seçilmiştir. Reklam filminin Fransa ve Türkiye’de yayınlanmış olan versiyonları analiz edilmiştir. Çalışmada göstergebilimsel çözümleme yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Kültürel boyutlar dikkate alınarak, Fransa ve Türkiye’nin kıyaslamasına yer verilmiştir. Çalışmanın amacı, kültürün reklamlar üzerindeki etkilerinin kıyaslanması, marka aktivizminin samimiyetinin irdelenmesidir. Reklamların farklı ülkelerde kültürün etkisiyle farklılaşması, kültürel boyut araştırması dikkate alınarak, göstergebilimsel çözümleme yöntemiyle analiz edilmiştir. Markaların kültürel değerleri dikkate alırken, aktivist söylemlerde de kültürel değerlerden etkilendikleri görülmüştür.

This research explores the selection process for multicultural competence training programs to equip project managers for cross-cultural projects. Guided by theoretical frameworks, including Bennett’s Developmental Model, Sue’s Multidimensional Model, Hofstede and Minkov’s Cultural Dimensions Model, Helmreich and Merritt’s Cultural Intelligence Framework, and Henrie and Sousa’s Cultural Competence Model, the study examines intercultural sensitivity, multidimensional cultural competence, cultural dimensions, cultural intelligence, and the dynamic nature of cultural competence.

Today's world comes with numerous challenges, especially in the educational space. New technologies and the virtual environment bring changes in values, attitudes, and behaviors, creating the premises for redefining the educational process on the one hand, and on the other hand, generating interest in the use of game elements in non-play contexts through gamification. The specialized literature supports this orientation by presenting the benefits and the problems that need to be addressed for better integration of gamification in university environments. One of the important issues highlighted is the need to adapt to cultural specificity, which is related to resistance to change, the nature of motivation, and the degree of appreciation for cooperation or competition, among other factors.

This study examines the impact of organizational culture on employee engagement and retention across three distinct industries: technology, health care, and manufacturing sectors. In this research, quantitative questionnaires and quantitative regression analysis are employed to identify the clan, adhocracy, market, and hierarchy cultural dimensions influencing the employees. The study also reveals that firms in the technology industry with high clan and adhocracy cultures have the highest EE and the lowest TI. On the other hand, the manufacturing firms that have adopted the market and hierarchy culture have lower engagement scores and higher turnover rates. The healthcare sector has a balanced structure, which is more suitable for the development of the clan culture as compared to adhocracy. The study suggests that the employees who are engaged and retained are the ones who work under a supportive, flexible, and collaborative culture, though cultures that are rigid and performance-oriented are not easy to work with. The study therefore emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the cultural practices that are adopted in the organizations are in harmony with the sectoral needs with a view to improving the levels of employee satisfaction as well as organizational performance. Limitations include the fact that the study is confined to selected industries and relies on survey data; thus, further research is recommended in various industries and about temporal changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Ciencias Sociales (13159518) is the property of Revista de Ciencias Sociales de la Universidad del Zulia Venezuela and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Development & Capital / Majallah-i tusiah & Sarmāyah is the property of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Faculty of Management & Economics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Erciyes Communication / Erciyes İletişim Dergisi is the property of Erciyes University, Faculty of Communication / Erciyes Universitesi Iletism Fakultesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study investigates the impact of COVID-19 on the non-performing loans (NPLs) in Europe, distinguishing by European subregion, country-level prosperity, NPL type, and NPL economic sector. We utilized panel data analysis covering the period 2015Q1–2021Q4 while controlling for macro, bank-specific, and regulatory indicators. We derived that the COVID-19 deaths and the strictness of lockdown measures positively affected the NPLs, while the economic support policies exerted a negative effect. Profitable, capitalized banks fared better. The strictness of lockdown measures hindered the ability of SMEs to repay their loans, increasing their NPLs. Sectors involving physical work-related activities also experienced an increase in their NPLs. We also deduced that bank securitization and national culture significantly contributed to NPL reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article assesses the factors that may explain stakeholders' responses in public due processes carried out by the IPSASB. Seven ongoing projects were assessed, comprising 328 comment letters sent to IPSASB from 47 countries. The authors present a new approach which takes into account cultural values in public sector accounting and financial reporting. This article shows that factors that can explain stakeholders' responses in public discussions of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board's (IPSASB) standards may differ according to underlying cultural values. Respondents' affiliation, countries' level of development and their accounting framework can explain underlying cultural values. The article will help standard setters, governments and regulatory bodies to understand the differences in stakeholders' positions according to the cultural nature of issues proposed for public discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses a constructivist paradigm and a qualitative approach to analyze six elements of Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory. Data analysis was taken from four viral tweets collected with the keyword Karen's Diner on Twitter from December 15 to 22, 2022. The study results show that six elements of the Cultural Dimensions Theory are inherent in Indonesian consumers, so they oppose the concept of service presented by Karen's Diner. The element of power distance applies where most Indonesian people have been instilled with the idea that "the buyer is the king", so they do not tolerate the slightest bad action done by the seller. Uncertainty avoidance applies when the Indonesian people protest and urge Karen's Diner Indonesia to make clear written regulations and improve the restaurant's service procedures. The element of masculinity or femininity is represented by netizens who think the restaurant's existence will disappear quickly amid competition in the dynamic Indonesian F&B industry. The Long Term vs Short Term Orientation element applies where the public considers the concept of Karen's Diner Indonesia service intolerable and raises concerns about behavioral deviations in the future. The Indulgence vs Restraint element is represented by people who oppose things that can potentially offend Eastern norms, one of which is product marketing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the correlation between corporate financial ratios and cultural dimensions across countries in order to guide technology firms in adapting to the current financial landscape characterized by limited borrowing options and higher interest rates. Using Hofstede's subregional continental classification, it examines the relationship between capital structure and value among 4,237 publicly listed technology firms in 46 countries. The study analyzes financial ratios and connects them with Hofstede's subdimensions of individualism and uncertainty avoidance culture. The findings reveal a significant relationship between cultural dimensions and financial ratios, with individualism and uncertainty avoidance being influential factors. Countries emphasizing individuality tend to have higher borrowing rates, whereas those with a strong preference for uncertainty avoidance exhibit higher gross margins and total debt-to-equity ratios. The borrowing rate variable does not directly affect the dimensions of femininity versus masculinity and uncertainty avoidance; however, it impacts the dimension of individualism versus collectivism. Overall, this study provides valuable insights to enable technology firms to make informed decisions, manage financial structures, and effectively navigate the current financial landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nova Economia is the property of Nova Economia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of REMAH Journal is the property of Research & Development of Human Recourses Center (REMAH) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Orientation: Many shareholders rely on dividends for income. During crisis periods, managers, however, tend to retain rather than distribute earnings. Most prior research during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic focussed on company-specific factors and industry association that favour earnings retention. As far as could be ascertained, no studies to date have investigated the role that macro-level factors could have played. Research purpose: The authors hence examined the extent to which government efficiency, business efficiency, infrastructure, economic performance, uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation and indulgence influenced earnings retention at listed companies in 62 countries from 2019 to 2021. Motivation for the study: Additional insights were uncovered regarding the earnings retention decision during an economic crisis. Research approach/design and method: Earnings retention data were downloaded from Bloomberg database, and country-level data from the International Institute for Management Development, the World Bank, Hofstede Insights and the World Federation of Exchanges. Panel regressions were used to examine hypothesised relationships. Main findings: Contrary to expectation, earnings retention was negatively associated with the cultural dimension that measures uncertainty avoidance. The notion that less earnings would be retained in countries with high indulgence scores was, however, supported. Significant differences in earnings retention were observed across geographic regions and income groups. This descriptive study provides support for the dividend signalling theory in some countries. Practical/managerial implications: Shareholders who rely on dividends should be mindful of signalling behaviour during economic crises. Contribution/value-add: The findings enrich the extant literature on the earnings retention decision during an economic crisis by highlighting the importance of cultural dimensions, notably uncertainty avoidance and indulgence. Recommendations are offered to managers, shareholders and policymakers.

Abstract In recent years, higher education (HE) globally has witnessed extensive adoption of technology, particularly in teaching and research. The emergence of generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) further accelerates this trend. However, the increasing sophistication of GenAI tools has raised concerns about their potential to automate teaching and research processes. Despite widespread research on GenAI in various fields, there is a lack of multicultural perspectives on its impact and concerns in HE. This study addresses this gap by examining the usage, benefits, and concerns of GenAI in higher education from a multicultural standpoint. We employed an online survey that collected responses from 1217 participants across 76 countries, encompassing a broad range of gender categories, academic disciplines, geographical locations, and cultural orientations. Our findings revealed a high level of awareness and familiarity with GenAI tools among respondents. A significant portion had prior experience and expressed the intention to continue using these tools, primarily for information retrieval and text paraphrasing. The study emphasizes the importance of GenAI integration in higher education, highlighting both its potential benefits and concerns. Notably, there is a strong correlation between cultural dimensions and respondents’ views on the benefits and concerns related to GenAI, including its potential as academic dishonesty and the need for ethical guidelines. We, therefore, argued that responsible use of GenAI tools can enhance learning processes, but addressing concerns may require robust policies that are responsive to cultural expectations. We discussed the findings and offered recommendations for researchers, educators, and policymakers, aiming to promote the ethical and effective integration of GenAI tools in higher education.

Copyright of Polish Journal of Management Studies is the property of Czestochowa University of Technology, Faculty of Management and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Polish Statistician / Wiadomości Statystyczne is the property of State Treasury - Statistics Poland and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

IntroductionAs a globally prevalent phenomenon, buying counterfeit products harms consumers, economies, societies, governments, and the environment. The study examined the hierarchy of injunctive normative influence (personal vs. societal) on counterfeit purchase intentions and trends in non-deceptive (known) counterfeit purchase behavior. The current research expands the hierarchical norms approach by examining how the cultural values of power distance and individualism–collectivism predict injunctive normative perceptions and counterfeit buying intention and behavior.MethodsA cross-sectional survey (N = 13,053) of consumers from 17 nations, administered in seven languages, explored cross-country differences in perceived social norms about buying counterfeits.ResultsThe findings of multilevel moderated mediation analyses showed that personal injunctive norms (perceived acceptance of buying counterfeits by close friends) mediated the relationship between societal injunctive norms (perceived acceptance for buying counterfeits by peers in the same country) and the outcome variables. Selected paths of the mediation model were moderated by the two cultural dimensions.DiscussionTheoretical implications are discussed within the context of cultural orientations’ and social norms’ roles in informing risky behavior, and practically, within the context of awareness-raising and behavior-change interventions.

The current study attempted to explore the idea of convergence versus divergence of best Human Resource Management (HRM) practices in the context of Pakistan. In recent years, the businesses of multinational companies have grown immensely. This, in turn, has raised a debate of divergence vs. convergence of management practices in general and HRM practices, in particular, due to socio-cultural constructs that exist in a society. While, a major part of the international HRM literature has focused on the developed countries or the Western world. The current study, however, examined the convergence vs. divergence of the best HRM practices of a developing country, keeping in view the individual cultural values that people possess. The data was collected through a survey questionnaire technique from the telecommunications sector of Pakistan, which comprises Multinational Companies’ (MNCs) subsidiaries. The results showed that the best HRM practices should be carried out by incorporating the cultural values of the host country. However, there are certain practices that people prefer to follow in a standardized manner. Hence, the managers working in MNCs’ subsidiaries are suggested to incorporate and take into account the cultural variations while designing the HRM policies and practices. The current study also provided insights into the Pakistani culture for international research and the business community as well.

The subject of this paper is the examination of the connection between national cultural characteristics and urban safety, i.e. the safest cities, rated as such according to the Safe City Index. Namely, cultural differences determine the different functioning of states in many fields, so academic literature on urban security often investigates whether and in what way cultural variables reflect on the resilience of cities, urban planning, urban development, etc. The theoretical basis of the paper is the theory of cultural dimensions, developed by Geert Hofstede. Therefore, this paper aims to determine whether and to what extent the dimensions of national culture, according to Hofstede, are present in the safety plans of the safest cities according to the Safe City Index and whether the high level of urban safety of the examined cities, also implies the similarity of the national cultures of the countries in which they are located. In the methodological sense, the paper is based on a content analysis respectively qualitative analysis of the safety plans of three selected cities - Toronto, Sydney and Barcelona. The selection was made on whether the highly ranked cities have a safety plan or strategy to make a comparison possible and whether there are findings about the cultural characteristics of the countries in which these cities are located, i.e. whether they are included in Hofstede's research. The analysis showed that similar cultural characteristics characterize the safest cities. Namely, these documents are characterized by inclusiveness, civil participation, and predominantly collectivist orientation, as well as focus on citizens' quality of life. At the same time, the identified cultural dimensions in their safety plans are similar to the established national cultural characteristics, according to Hofstede, for the countries where the given cities are located. Of course, cultural factors are only one of many that should be considered when studying urban safety. Still, there is no doubt that approaches of different societies to risk, uncertainty, prevention, safety and quality of life, are largely culturally determined. Although Hofstede's theory also has limitations, there are undoubtedly many reasons for studying urban safety through the prism of cultural values, considering the potential of Hofstede's model and the theoretical implications that can be reached.

With its distinctive form and content, African dance stands apart, carving out a unique identity that sets it apart from other continents. Its inherent rhythm possesses a magnetic quality capable of compelling people to move, transcending language barriers—an attribute that has propelled African musicians, particularly those from Nigeria, to a dominating position on the global music stage. This paper delves into traditional African dance, explicitly focusing on the rhythmic opulence found in the dance of rattles, costumes, and water pots within Seki. This captivating dance drama pays homage to the vibrant culture of the Niger Delta in Nigeria, Africa. Authored by Yibo Koko, the Seki dance drama undergoes a transformative journey, skilfully repackaging the traditional village square theatre into a digitalized theatrical experience accessible both as a live performance and in the dynamic space of new media. The paper employs a robust methodology and theoretical framework, drawing on dance theories, historical surveys, and analytical reviews of Seki performances to unravel the nuanced layers of this artistic expression. In scrutinizing Seki, this paper not only sheds light on the captivating exploration of rhythmic elements, including rattles, costumes, and water pots, but also underscores the broader impact of Seki's performance. The dance drama is a compelling canvas that radiates colours and a flawless rhythm, capturing global attention and playing a pivotal role in restoring the splendour of African ancestry. Through this repackaged theatre experience, Seki becomes a vehicle for exporting African culture, offering a renewed perspective that transcends borders and celebrates the rich heritage embedded in the dance's vibrant tapestry.

This study examines the relationship between Hofstede’s six cultural dimensions and renewable energy consumption, considering global evidence from 99 countries using a panel data framework for the period covering 1991–2018. Employing a pooled ordinary least square model and Lewbel two-stage least squares technique, we find that the power distance index, uncertainty avoidance index, masculinity index, and long-term orientation index negatively influence renewable energy consumption. In contrast, the indulgence index has a positive impact on renewable energy consumption. Moreover, we find that the impact of the individualism index on renewable energy consumption is mixed. A battery of alternative econometric techniques, including the Driscoll–Kraay estimator, ensures the robustness of the results. Finally, the empirical evidence suggests policy reforms and global initiatives to integrate cultural traits into national strategies for renewable energy consumption, in order to achieve the sustainable development goals.

Copyright of Revista de Ciências da Administração is the property of Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Departamento de Ciencias da Administracao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)