The history of China is often broken down into dynasties or periods. The Chinese had believed the... more The history of China is often broken down into dynasties or periods. The Chinese had believed their land to be the best and have a very ethnocentric way of thinking. The Great Wall of China and China’s ethnocentric way of thinking may be an indication of why modern-day China is thriving as a communist nation. This conceptual paper on China consists of several dimensions which are critical for doing business in China namely: background; culture distance; foreign trade background; politics and political economy; direct investment and labor costs.
This study examined the ability of individuals to recall qualitative or quantitative information ... more This study examined the ability of individuals to recall qualitative or quantitative information contained in reading passages. The subjects’ scores on the Kolb Learning Style Inventory (KLSI) were analyzed to determine if an individual’s learning style preference affected his/her information recall performance. Demographic variables, including age, sex, grade level, employment status and length, and ethnicity were also included in the analysis. One-way ANOVA analysis was conducted to test two proposed hypotheses. Results indicated that there was significant relationship between individuals learning styles and their ability to recall qualitative information. However, for the quantitative information the results were inconclusive. Regression analysis also indicated that there was a significant relationship between the type of information recalled and recall performance. In addition to information type (qualitative/quantitative), the abstract-to-concrete AC-CE dimension score of the K...
BACKGROUND Mobile health services (mHealth) is an Australian government initiative aiming to impr... more BACKGROUND Mobile health services (mHealth) is an Australian government initiative aiming to improve the quality of health care services. However, little is known about Australian health consumers’ willingness to accept and use mobile health services (mHealth). OBJECTIVE While various factors may impact on users’ willingness to accept mHealth, this research investigates whether users’ demographics have any impact on the implementation of mHealth which has been rarely addressed in an Australian setting in the past METHODS The theoretical framework of this research is firmly rooted in extant technology acceptance frameworks. Data was collected using a survey questionnaire from the residents of the Australian Capital Territory and analyzed using multivariate data analysis techniques. RESULTS The results indicate that the proposed research model explains 13% of the variance in implementation and its associated F statistics indicated that it was significant at the P
Journal of Organizational Computing and Electronic Commerce
ABSTRACT This research investigates the impact of sociocultural determinants on people’s percepti... more ABSTRACT This research investigates the impact of sociocultural determinants on people’s perceptions and usage of smart systems in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This research used the Theory of reasoned action, Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and Frambach and Schillewaert’s framework. These theories which focus on the determinants of technology acceptance behavior of users have been widely used in contemporary technology acceptance research. Data were collected from the UAE Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health, and Economy using structured questionnaires. A total of 357 responses were analyzed using multivariate statistical techniques such as regression analysis and factor analysis. Multiple regression analysis helped to determine the direction of relationships between the constructs representing users’ sociocultural orientation, attitude toward smart systems and acceptable behavior. Factor analysis served to identify the underlying dimensions of the above constructs. The major finding of this research is that cultural values and peers’ influence significantly affect users’ perceptions and applications of technological innovations. Furthermore, the study reveals that users’ age and gender wield critical moderating effects on the relationship between cultural values and attitude toward smart systems. These findings have important implications for acceptance and implementation of smart systems in the UAE which are highlighted in this paper. This paper also identifies the limits of this research and explores the venues of further research in this field.
This study is an attempt to identify and analyze the factors that may influence local visitors to... more This study is an attempt to identify and analyze the factors that may influence local visitors to attend an international arts festival. Using primary data collected via surveys and employing the technique of logistic regression, the researchers identified four factors that significantly influence local visitors to various international performances at the Hong Kong Arts Festival. The factors found to significantly influence local visitors' interest in various show performances by international actors included education (p≤0.05), number of adults in the party (p≤0.01), number of children in the party (p≤0.01), and number of prior visits (p≤0.05). Also, the paired samples t test results show that some particular show performances were significantly correlated with local visitors' interest in the Hong Kong Arts Festival.
Major international arts festivals are responsible for attracting many international visitors to ... more Major international arts festivals are responsible for attracting many international visitors to a location. This study proposes that the high profile major international acts that are programmed within a particular festival play an important role in attracting international visitors to the event. This empirical study was conducted to predict the demographic, attitudinal, and behavioral factors of international visitors that could influence their interest in attending performances of international artists (i.e., those imported for the event) that had taken place at the Hong Kong Arts Festival. It employs descriptive statistics, paired samples t test, and logistic regression as analytical techniques in order to achieve the above objective. A total of 129 samples were drawn randomly from both male and female international visitors. The results from t tests, which generated two-variable correlation coefficient values with corresponding levels of statistical significance, suggest that t...
Argentina declared independence from Spain on July 9th, 1816 (Latin American Wars of Independence... more Argentina declared independence from Spain on July 9th, 1816 (Latin American Wars of Independence). From its creation Argentina has been shaped by immigration, political turmoil, and economic uncertainty. Despite its many challenges this country, rich in Spanish and Italian culture, has been slowly establishing itself in the world. Despite the recession experienced by Argentina in 2001, for the five years, its real GDP grew at an annual rate of approximately nine percent, with lower unemployment rate, and higher purchasing power parity of $558 billion. This paper aims to provide an overall insight to Argentina’s background from the administration of the Federalists and Unitarians, to Peronist populism that impacted on the culture and government of Argentina. A series of literature survey conducted in this paper discusses issues on Argentina’s human rights, freedoms, and ethics, its culture distance, foreign trade background, political economy, and financial/global markets. The descriptive analysis will in turn provide the information that one needs to begin a business relationship with Argentina and the many reasons why this interesting country could be viewed as an up and coming economic power (Argentina: the Challenges of Modernization).
This study presents data collected from students commencing an enabling program at an Australian ... more This study presents data collected from students commencing an enabling program at an Australian university in 2013. Students were asked to identify the three most important reasons for them undertaking the program. The responses identified focussed on four main factors: future educational and career aspirations; a desire to have new experiences; the need for new skills and knowledge; and academic and personal support needs. Results showed that younger students straight from school saw the program as an opportunity to secure entry to their degree of choice. Mature students who had a gap of some years in their education career saw the opportunity offered through the enabling program more in regard to gaining new skills and experiencing university study before embarking on their full degree program.
This comprehensive study discusses the demographics, freedoms, culture, foreign trade practices, ... more This comprehensive study discusses the demographics, freedoms, culture, foreign trade practices, political environment, and potential for investment in the land of the rising sun. At the crossroads between the East and West, Japan is positioned to reap tremendous rewards as the East Asian economic community booms. However, it will have to overcome obstacles associated with its decreasing population, a new political party in power, and continuing global economic uncertainty. Will Japan’s world-renowned innovation and business sophistication be enough to pull it out of this recession? With its “Lost Decade” in recent memory, Japan will have to strengthen its ties with China to avoid being left in China’s economic shadow.
<p>It is widely argued that industrial production contributes to the global greenhouse gas ... more <p>It is widely argued that industrial production contributes to the global greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO<sub xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub>) emissions in any countries whether industrialized or developing. This is mainly due to the industrial processes that combine scarce resources to produce tangible goods and intangible services. The industrial processes emit large amounts of CO<sub xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> because of the two reasons. First, many manufacturing facilities directly use fossil fuels to create heat and steam needed at various stages of production. Second, energy intensive activities at the manufacturing facilities use more electricity than any other sector so the energy that they use is responsible for vast amounts of CO<sub xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> emissions. Therefore, the per capita emissions in the industrialized countries are typically as much as ten times the average in the developing countries. Apparently, vast industrial activities are primarily thought to be responsible for such carbon emissions. There have been conducted a considerable number of studies forecasting industrial production and carbon emissions for the industrialized countries but no studies have thus far looked into this issue for the developing countries, most of which are primarily agriculture dependent. This study is thus an effort to forecast and analyze the causality and long run association between CO<sub xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> emissions and industrial production using Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). Other econometric techniques, such as unit root test and Granger causality test have also been used to achieve the objective in a comprehensive and convincing way. The empirical results reveal for Bangladesh that there is no Granger causality between industrial production and CO<sub xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> emission in any direction. The results from VECM reveal for Bangladesh that any disequilibrium between CO<sub xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> emission and industrial production could take approximately 54 years to converge to the long-run equilibrium. But the adjustment rate for the country’s industrial production is positive, as it should be, as well as relatively faster at the rate of 83 percent a year. So any disequilibrium will be corrected mostly by the adjustment in the country’s industrial production. The study concludes that the current CO<sub xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> emissions in Bangladesh are below the equilibrium level, which is an advantageous situation for the country. Therefore, it is expected that the Bangladesh’s industrial sector will not face stricter CO<sub xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> emission controlling policies and regulations in the near future.</p>
The history of China is often broken down into dynasties or periods. The Chinese had believed the... more The history of China is often broken down into dynasties or periods. The Chinese had believed their land to be the best and have a very ethnocentric way of thinking. The Great Wall of China and China’s ethnocentric way of thinking may be an indication of why modern-day China is thriving as a communist nation. This conceptual paper on China consists of several dimensions which are critical for doing business in China namely: background; culture distance; foreign trade background; politics and political economy; direct investment and labor costs.
Through individual narratives this study identifies and investigates culturally significant eleme... more Through individual narratives this study identifies and investigates culturally significant elements of human resource management (HRM) practices among employees of Multi National Corporations (MNCs) operating in Bangladesh, an emerging South Asian economy. The study focuses on how the cultural context influences the shaping of the employment relationship as identified by employee expectations (psychological contract). The study uses Hofstede’s work in regard to Pakistan and India as a framework to extrapolate the most likely cultural dimensions to be found in Bangladesh. A thematic analysis of interviews of management level employees from three major MNCs operating in Bangladesh identified four critical elements of HR practices that can affect employee expectations (psychological contract) significantly. These emerged themes are: work environment, family considerations, social recognition, and financial stability, and were found to be directly or indirectly affected by the cultural orientation of the employees.
The history of China is often broken down into dynasties or periods. The Chinese had believed the... more The history of China is often broken down into dynasties or periods. The Chinese had believed their land to be the best and have a very ethnocentric way of thinking. The Great Wall of China and China’s ethnocentric way of thinking may be an indication of why modern-day China is thriving as a communist nation. This conceptual paper on China consists of several dimensions which are critical for doing business in China namely: background; culture distance; foreign trade background; politics and political economy; direct investment and labor costs.
This study examined the ability of individuals to recall qualitative or quantitative information ... more This study examined the ability of individuals to recall qualitative or quantitative information contained in reading passages. The subjects’ scores on the Kolb Learning Style Inventory (KLSI) were analyzed to determine if an individual’s learning style preference affected his/her information recall performance. Demographic variables, including age, sex, grade level, employment status and length, and ethnicity were also included in the analysis. One-way ANOVA analysis was conducted to test two proposed hypotheses. Results indicated that there was significant relationship between individuals learning styles and their ability to recall qualitative information. However, for the quantitative information the results were inconclusive. Regression analysis also indicated that there was a significant relationship between the type of information recalled and recall performance. In addition to information type (qualitative/quantitative), the abstract-to-concrete AC-CE dimension score of the K...
BACKGROUND Mobile health services (mHealth) is an Australian government initiative aiming to impr... more BACKGROUND Mobile health services (mHealth) is an Australian government initiative aiming to improve the quality of health care services. However, little is known about Australian health consumers’ willingness to accept and use mobile health services (mHealth). OBJECTIVE While various factors may impact on users’ willingness to accept mHealth, this research investigates whether users’ demographics have any impact on the implementation of mHealth which has been rarely addressed in an Australian setting in the past METHODS The theoretical framework of this research is firmly rooted in extant technology acceptance frameworks. Data was collected using a survey questionnaire from the residents of the Australian Capital Territory and analyzed using multivariate data analysis techniques. RESULTS The results indicate that the proposed research model explains 13% of the variance in implementation and its associated F statistics indicated that it was significant at the P
Journal of Organizational Computing and Electronic Commerce
ABSTRACT This research investigates the impact of sociocultural determinants on people’s percepti... more ABSTRACT This research investigates the impact of sociocultural determinants on people’s perceptions and usage of smart systems in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This research used the Theory of reasoned action, Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and Frambach and Schillewaert’s framework. These theories which focus on the determinants of technology acceptance behavior of users have been widely used in contemporary technology acceptance research. Data were collected from the UAE Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health, and Economy using structured questionnaires. A total of 357 responses were analyzed using multivariate statistical techniques such as regression analysis and factor analysis. Multiple regression analysis helped to determine the direction of relationships between the constructs representing users’ sociocultural orientation, attitude toward smart systems and acceptable behavior. Factor analysis served to identify the underlying dimensions of the above constructs. The major finding of this research is that cultural values and peers’ influence significantly affect users’ perceptions and applications of technological innovations. Furthermore, the study reveals that users’ age and gender wield critical moderating effects on the relationship between cultural values and attitude toward smart systems. These findings have important implications for acceptance and implementation of smart systems in the UAE which are highlighted in this paper. This paper also identifies the limits of this research and explores the venues of further research in this field.
This study is an attempt to identify and analyze the factors that may influence local visitors to... more This study is an attempt to identify and analyze the factors that may influence local visitors to attend an international arts festival. Using primary data collected via surveys and employing the technique of logistic regression, the researchers identified four factors that significantly influence local visitors to various international performances at the Hong Kong Arts Festival. The factors found to significantly influence local visitors' interest in various show performances by international actors included education (p≤0.05), number of adults in the party (p≤0.01), number of children in the party (p≤0.01), and number of prior visits (p≤0.05). Also, the paired samples t test results show that some particular show performances were significantly correlated with local visitors' interest in the Hong Kong Arts Festival.
Major international arts festivals are responsible for attracting many international visitors to ... more Major international arts festivals are responsible for attracting many international visitors to a location. This study proposes that the high profile major international acts that are programmed within a particular festival play an important role in attracting international visitors to the event. This empirical study was conducted to predict the demographic, attitudinal, and behavioral factors of international visitors that could influence their interest in attending performances of international artists (i.e., those imported for the event) that had taken place at the Hong Kong Arts Festival. It employs descriptive statistics, paired samples t test, and logistic regression as analytical techniques in order to achieve the above objective. A total of 129 samples were drawn randomly from both male and female international visitors. The results from t tests, which generated two-variable correlation coefficient values with corresponding levels of statistical significance, suggest that t...
Argentina declared independence from Spain on July 9th, 1816 (Latin American Wars of Independence... more Argentina declared independence from Spain on July 9th, 1816 (Latin American Wars of Independence). From its creation Argentina has been shaped by immigration, political turmoil, and economic uncertainty. Despite its many challenges this country, rich in Spanish and Italian culture, has been slowly establishing itself in the world. Despite the recession experienced by Argentina in 2001, for the five years, its real GDP grew at an annual rate of approximately nine percent, with lower unemployment rate, and higher purchasing power parity of $558 billion. This paper aims to provide an overall insight to Argentina’s background from the administration of the Federalists and Unitarians, to Peronist populism that impacted on the culture and government of Argentina. A series of literature survey conducted in this paper discusses issues on Argentina’s human rights, freedoms, and ethics, its culture distance, foreign trade background, political economy, and financial/global markets. The descriptive analysis will in turn provide the information that one needs to begin a business relationship with Argentina and the many reasons why this interesting country could be viewed as an up and coming economic power (Argentina: the Challenges of Modernization).
This study presents data collected from students commencing an enabling program at an Australian ... more This study presents data collected from students commencing an enabling program at an Australian university in 2013. Students were asked to identify the three most important reasons for them undertaking the program. The responses identified focussed on four main factors: future educational and career aspirations; a desire to have new experiences; the need for new skills and knowledge; and academic and personal support needs. Results showed that younger students straight from school saw the program as an opportunity to secure entry to their degree of choice. Mature students who had a gap of some years in their education career saw the opportunity offered through the enabling program more in regard to gaining new skills and experiencing university study before embarking on their full degree program.
This comprehensive study discusses the demographics, freedoms, culture, foreign trade practices, ... more This comprehensive study discusses the demographics, freedoms, culture, foreign trade practices, political environment, and potential for investment in the land of the rising sun. At the crossroads between the East and West, Japan is positioned to reap tremendous rewards as the East Asian economic community booms. However, it will have to overcome obstacles associated with its decreasing population, a new political party in power, and continuing global economic uncertainty. Will Japan’s world-renowned innovation and business sophistication be enough to pull it out of this recession? With its “Lost Decade” in recent memory, Japan will have to strengthen its ties with China to avoid being left in China’s economic shadow.
<p>It is widely argued that industrial production contributes to the global greenhouse gas ... more <p>It is widely argued that industrial production contributes to the global greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO<sub xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub>) emissions in any countries whether industrialized or developing. This is mainly due to the industrial processes that combine scarce resources to produce tangible goods and intangible services. The industrial processes emit large amounts of CO<sub xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> because of the two reasons. First, many manufacturing facilities directly use fossil fuels to create heat and steam needed at various stages of production. Second, energy intensive activities at the manufacturing facilities use more electricity than any other sector so the energy that they use is responsible for vast amounts of CO<sub xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> emissions. Therefore, the per capita emissions in the industrialized countries are typically as much as ten times the average in the developing countries. Apparently, vast industrial activities are primarily thought to be responsible for such carbon emissions. There have been conducted a considerable number of studies forecasting industrial production and carbon emissions for the industrialized countries but no studies have thus far looked into this issue for the developing countries, most of which are primarily agriculture dependent. This study is thus an effort to forecast and analyze the causality and long run association between CO<sub xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> emissions and industrial production using Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). Other econometric techniques, such as unit root test and Granger causality test have also been used to achieve the objective in a comprehensive and convincing way. The empirical results reveal for Bangladesh that there is no Granger causality between industrial production and CO<sub xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> emission in any direction. The results from VECM reveal for Bangladesh that any disequilibrium between CO<sub xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> emission and industrial production could take approximately 54 years to converge to the long-run equilibrium. But the adjustment rate for the country’s industrial production is positive, as it should be, as well as relatively faster at the rate of 83 percent a year. So any disequilibrium will be corrected mostly by the adjustment in the country’s industrial production. The study concludes that the current CO<sub xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> emissions in Bangladesh are below the equilibrium level, which is an advantageous situation for the country. Therefore, it is expected that the Bangladesh’s industrial sector will not face stricter CO<sub xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> emission controlling policies and regulations in the near future.</p>
The history of China is often broken down into dynasties or periods. The Chinese had believed the... more The history of China is often broken down into dynasties or periods. The Chinese had believed their land to be the best and have a very ethnocentric way of thinking. The Great Wall of China and China’s ethnocentric way of thinking may be an indication of why modern-day China is thriving as a communist nation. This conceptual paper on China consists of several dimensions which are critical for doing business in China namely: background; culture distance; foreign trade background; politics and political economy; direct investment and labor costs.
Through individual narratives this study identifies and investigates culturally significant eleme... more Through individual narratives this study identifies and investigates culturally significant elements of human resource management (HRM) practices among employees of Multi National Corporations (MNCs) operating in Bangladesh, an emerging South Asian economy. The study focuses on how the cultural context influences the shaping of the employment relationship as identified by employee expectations (psychological contract). The study uses Hofstede’s work in regard to Pakistan and India as a framework to extrapolate the most likely cultural dimensions to be found in Bangladesh. A thematic analysis of interviews of management level employees from three major MNCs operating in Bangladesh identified four critical elements of HR practices that can affect employee expectations (psychological contract) significantly. These emerged themes are: work environment, family considerations, social recognition, and financial stability, and were found to be directly or indirectly affected by the cultural orientation of the employees.
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