...Ontario, Canada © Adriana Cordeiro Socha, September, 2012 ABSTRACT THE INFLUENCE OF THE CULTURE DIMENSION ‘POWER DISTANCE’ ON PRODUCT CHOICE: A CROSS CULTURAL EXPLORATION OF EFFECTS OF CULTURAL TRAITS ON THE CHOICE OF BRANDED FOREIGN PRODUCTS Adriana Cordeiro Socha University of Guelph, 2012 Advisor Dr. Brent McKenzie Committee Dr. Vinay Kanetkar Dr. Sara Mann This thesis investigates how cultural traits, such as the cultural dimension of Power Distance, influence preference for foreign made branded products. Cultural background influences several aspects of human behaviour, including the behaviours of consumers. In marketing, individual cultural differences affect consumers’ choice as well as their response to advertising message and brand associations. One example, impact on consumer choice, is related to the country of origin (COO) of the product. The effect of COO has been extensively explored in the literature. However, cultural frameworks like those of Hofstede (2001) have seldom been considered as a factor explaining the variability of consumers’ preference (or avoidance) for products originating in different countries. The objective of this research is to identify how cultural aspects affect product choice for foreign made branded products. A quantitative cross-cultural study was conducted to explore Hofstede’s cultural dimension of Power Distance. This study found that the replication of PDI measures within students samples from Brazil (UDESC) and from Canada (UoGuelph)...
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...+49-89-54525-537 klaus-peter.gushurst@booz.com New York Reid Carpenter Principal +1-212-551-6389 reid.carpenter@booz.com Riyadh Mounira Jamjoom Senior Research Specialist +966 1 249 7781 mounira.jamjoom@booz.com San Francisco DeAnne Aguirre Senior Partner +1-415-627-3330 deanne.aguirre@booz.com São Paulo Ivan de Souza Senior Partner +55-11-5501-6368 ivan.de.souza@booz.com Shanghai Sarah Butler Partner +86-21-2327-9800 sarah.butler@booz.com Stuttgart Christine Rupp Partner +49-711-34226-916 christine.rupp@booz.com Tokyo Akiko Karaki Senior Associate +81-3-6757-8709 akiko.karaki@booz.com Booz & Company Booz & Company 1 Booz & Company wishes to thank the experts who contributed their valuable time and insights to the Third Billion Index: • Rajnee Aggarwal, President, Federation of Indian Women Entrepreneurs (FIWE) • H.E. Fatima Al Jaber, Chairperson, Abu Dhabi Business Women’s Council • Dr. Haifa Jamal Al-Lail, President, Effat University • Kim Azzarelli, Vice President of New Ventures, Newsweek/Daily Beast Women in the World Foundation • Poyni Bhatt, CAO of SINE (Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship), IIT Bombay • Cherie Blair, Founder and Patron, Cherie Blair Foundation for Women • Elena Bonometti,...
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...of working time is as pertinent as it was at the inception of the 40-hour week. Not until now, however, has there been a global comparative analysis of working time laws, policies and actual working hours. Despite a century-long optimism about reduced working hours and some progress in legal measures limiting working hours, this book demonstrates that differences in actual working hours between industrialized and developing countries remain considerable – without any clear sign of hours being reduced. This study aims to offer some suggestions about how this gap can begin to be closed. Lee, McCann and Messenger trace the theoretical background of the concept of working time before examining recent trends in working time laws in developing countries and countries in transition. The study then shifts its focus to developments in selected countries, considering both broad trends in working time at a national level and the structure and dynamics underlying these trends. The authors provide a remarkable set of policy suggestions that preserve health and safety, are ‘family-friendly’, promote gender equality, enhance productivity and facilitate workers’ choice and influence over their working hours. This book will be of great interest to policy-makers engaged with working conditions or health and safety, labour market experts, trade union leaders and workers’ organizations, as well as academics and researchers in the fields of industrial relations, labour economics and labour law. Sangheon...
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...The differences in travelling preferences between postgraduate students in Poland and United Kingdom Module name: Research Methods Word count: 4978 January 2014 1. Abstract The purpose of this report is to determine the differences between travelling preferences among British and Polish postgraduate students. Moreover, the report aims to establish the patterns in which a cultural background influence travelling and to detect similarities between British and Polish attitudes. Therefore, the research is a comparative, cross-cultural study. In order to achieve the purpose, 5 structured interviews were carried out that helped to construct a questionnaire. The analysis of qualitative and quantitative data shows that the cultural background has an effect on postgraduate students' travelling preferences and that there are certain differences between British and Polish travelling tendencies. The particular aspects that affect those preferences are: language, socioeconomic status, geographic area and customs. However, owing to the global phenomena, the cultural backgrounds are disappearing and students' travelling preferences become more and more convergent. The author believes this research will form a valuable asset for tourism industry and it will be a base for future research. 2 2. Table of contents 1. Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................
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...that the real and potential impacts of inequality in relation to economic growth, poverty, social mobility, social stability and cohesion. KEYWORDS: Inequality, Economic Growth, Poverty, Social Mobility, Political Cohesion, Gender I. INTRODUCTION In relation to the worldwide gender gap, in so far as inequality also exist in political imbalance in the Philippines distinguished through the partisan move of a party, wherein, such intent, policies and term of their advocacy is their ultimate road map and reluctantly to engage in the opponent’s adherence. Colonial mindset, attributable to the Spanish era wherein their colonial stay in the country portrays the strictness and conservative ways in precluding to whom or to which is one’s belief will end up to, and upon the continuance of the American regime, where westernized ways has gotten in the minds of the Filipinos, that every choice of an American decision draws correct conclusion. Power and wealth elites also provides for the conclusiveness of a political group. Combining all these three key points will brings us the inequality on political cohesion. Thus, in this sense, we tackle how to understand and deduce this paper that is purposely created to elaborate and enhance balance by means of gender. Gender, a usual question as to whether the person is a boy or a...
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...phenomenon affecting every country. According the United Nations, poverty is the inability to seek basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter based on the incapability of not having enough money. However, it is not all about the inability to seek basic needs but beyond that. “It is about the denial of opportunities and choices that are widely regarded as essential to lead a long, healthy, creative life and to enjoy a decent standard of living, freedom, dignity, self-esteem and the respect of others” (United Nations- Global Teaching and Learning Project, 2014, 1). Poverty makes other major problems worse including slave labour, human trafficking and the spread of diseases. However, the root cause of these global issues is the relationship between poverty and the lack of education. The big question is whether increased education will reduce poverty or, is a lack of education a result of poverty? Increased education can lead to the reduction of poverty by providing people with learning skills to get a job and provide a source of income. Education has the most crucial role in eliminating poverty as with education there are many more opportunities. For the eradication of poverty, primary education is essential because with the increase in education, people will not lack cognitive skills- being able to progress better. (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2001; Brown, J., Pollitt, E. Malnutrition, 1996). A counter argument is that poverty is the main contributor...
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...A Comparative Study of Walmart Operations in Canada & Mexico Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary…………………………...………………………………...…...2 2. Introduction………………………………………………………………………….3 3. Walmart and the Canadian Marketplace……………………………..…………3 A. Country Competitiveness B. Cultural Environment C. Political and Legal Environment D. Entry Strategies 4. Walmart and the Mexican Marketplace……………………………..………….10 A. Country Competitiveness B. Cultural Environment C. Political and Legal Environment D. Entry Strategies 5. Summary Comparison of Canadian and Mexican Markets…………………….18 6. Recommendation…………………………………………………………………….19 7. References…………………………………………………………………………...21 1. Executive Summary This report closely examines the operations of the world's largest retailer, Walmart, in Canada and Mexico. Assessments of market conditions in both countries have been conducted in terms of country competitiveness, cultural, political and legal environments and the strategies used by Walmart upon entry. Tying into these international business factors, specific aspects of international economic integration, monetary systems, social responsibility and corruption have also been reviewed. While being part of one continent and a common trade bloc (NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement), considerable differences between Canada and Mexico are apparent. These differences are individually analyzed on the following pages. Inevitably, they...
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...CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW ON HOTEL INDUSTRY This chapter outlines the concept of hotel industry. It presents the overview of hotel industry, its history and it also discusses about the growth and trend of the hotel industry nowadays. When most of the tourists plan their trips, one of first steps is to look for the hotel and book the room at or near the place where they want to visit. These days, hotel is not as simple as the building; it becomes an industry that employs many people, especially the female. 1.1 What is hotel industry? Food, accommodation and dress are the three most essential things of human. Hotel or hotel industry alone provides two basic things: food and accommodation. So, what is hotel or hotel industry? Hotel is a part of the hospitality industry which is an umbrella term for a broad variety of service industries including, but not limited to, hotels, restaurants and casinos. Hotel is often referred as a “Home away from home”. If we consider meaning of hotel in the dictionary, a hotel is a building where you pay to have a room to sleep in and where you can eat meals (Cambridge dictionary) or a hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis (Wikipedia) According to A.M. Sheela, the author of the book “Economics of Hotel Management”, hotel is the place where the tourist stops being the traveler and become a guest. Hotel usually offer a full range of accommodations and services, which may includes suites, public dinning, banquet...
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...significance to U.S. companies, this thesis provides a comprehensive overview of prevalent business strategies of U.S. trading partners as well as a forecast of their international business policies. Diverse macro-environmental variables, such as economy, culture, and regulations result in varying barriers to entry for U.S. based firms to conduct business in U.S trading partners’ countries. This thesis will determine how these macro-environmental factors foster or stunt growth and strategies governments employ to attract businesses. Degree Type Open Access Senior Honors Thesis Department Marketing First Advisor Harash Sachdev Keywords International trade, Foreign trade regulation, Investments, Foreign China, Investments, Foreign India, Investments, Foreign Hungary, United States Foreign economic relations Subject Categories International Business This open access senior honors thesis is available at DigitalCommons@EMU: http://commons.emich.edu/honors/167 U.S. Business and Global Barriers to Entry Eastern Michigan University Honors College Senior Thesis By Caitlin Long Sponsored by...
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...publication. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2012 ISBN-13: 978-92-79-23283-1 doi: 10.2838/65541 © European Union, 2012 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. Printed in Luxembourg Women in economic decision-making in the EU: Progress report A Europe 2020 initiative Table of content Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 1 The economic importance of gender diversity in corporate boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 2 The gender imbalance on corporate boards: facts and figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 3 Initiatives to promote gender balance in business leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 3.1 Measures taken by the Member States and the industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 3.1.1 Legislative measures . . . . . . . . . . ....
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...en.wikipedia.org http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfinance Microfinance [hide]This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. This article may be too technical for most readers to understand. (January 2010) Microfinance is a source of financial services for entrepreneurs and small businesses lacking access to banking and related services. The two main mechanisms for the delivery of financial services to such clients are: (1) relationship-based banking for individual entrepreneurs and small businesses; and (2) group-based models, where several entrepreneurs come together to apply for loans and other services as a group. In some regions, for example Southern Africa , microfinance is used to describe the supply of financial services to low-income employees, which is closer to the retail finance model prevalent in mainstream banking. Community-based savings bank in Cambodia. There are a rich variety of financial institutions which serve micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses. For some, microfinance is a movement whose object is "a world in which as many poor and near-poor households as possible have permanent access to an appropriate range of high quality financial services, including not just credit but also savings, insurance, and fund transfers."[1] Many of those who promote microfinance generally believe that such access will help poor people out of poverty, including participants in the Microcredit Summit...
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...3. Economic growth is not a sufficient condition of development, because a) it does not help poverty reduction b) a country must also have an educated workforce c) there are several other aspects of development 4. a) b) c) Economic growth is pivotal, because it is easier to achieve than the other aspects of development it has a symbiotic link with the other aspects of development it helps generate savings for investment 5. a) b) c) GDP is not a sufficient indicator of development because, some economic activities are left out of the calculation large countries have bigger GDP it does not reflect how income is distributed 6. a) b) c) GDP per capita is a useful indicator because, it helps inter country comparison of living standards it helps to understand what each individual earns in a country it is a better indicator than total GDP 7. a) b) c) To make GDP per capita internationally comparable, they must be calculated in US$ they should be calculated in the strongest international currency they can be calculated in any currency adjusted for purchasing power in different countries. 8. a) b) c) The Lorenz curve is a good indicator of development since it tells you the percentage of poor people in a country the degree of inequality of income distribution the quality of life in a country 9. a) b) c) The Gini Coefficient is a better indicator of income...
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...Transactions: exchange of things of value * Domestic Business: business that transacts mainly in the country it was base din * ie owned by Canadians, in Canada, selling to Canadians (Rare) * International Business: economic system of transactions conducted between businesses in different countries * Domestic Transaction: between 2 Canadian companies * International Transaction: between Canadian + non Canadian company * Domestic Market: the customers of a business who are in the same country as the business * Foreign Market: the customers of a business who are in a different country as the business * 5 Ways for businesses to must be international * MUST own retailers or distributors in another country * MUST own manufacturing plant in another country * MUST export to other countries * MUST import from others * MUST invest in other country businesses * Trading Partner: Canada businesses make relationship with businesses in another country, so they would be Canada’s trading partner. History of Canadian Trade * European Trade * 1700s – trades grew fast after permanent Canadian settlement * Demand for raw materials (beaver pelts, fish, lumber) * Europe manufactured Canada’s raw materials * After 7 years war, England and Canada made trade agreements (help war torn France) * near-port cities used to facilitate trade import/exports * US trade * Late 1700s...
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...who they are. 65 108 166 55 34 82 3 14 91 51 40 138 29 62 6 99 161 134 114 66 128 72 33 56 175 173 130 141 4 105 169 167 43 94 73 136 144 168 45 163 48 52 30 32 Albania Algeria Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Dem. Rep. of the Costa Rica Côte d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic 17 154 95 98 100 120 103 109 156 36 170 81 13 16 122 155 97 19 131 24 93 121 160 172 104 153 115 23 38 7 127 111 101 10 22 21 79 9 90 78 148 28 44 110 135 50 80 Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Fiji Finland France Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong, China (SAR) Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran, Islamic Rep. of Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Korea, Rep. of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Dem. Rep. Latvia Lebanon 145 58 41 15 60 150 165 59 84 174 31 152 64 53 113 117 125 171 132 126 140 5 18 118 176 151 1 102 74 142 61 133 89 85 83 37 26 47 69 57 159 39 71 87 75...
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...because of the diverse cultures of employees, the development of friendship without discrimination, workers learn to cope up with the diverse environment, stereotyping is eliminated, retention of employees are more likely due to healthy competition. On the other side, there is are negative parts which includes communication gaps due to language barrier and resistance to change. Diversity is any dimension that can be used to differentiate groups and people from one another, in which these dimensions can be visible or invisible. The existence of workplace diversity, within an organization, indicates that the workplace is heterogeneous in terms of gender, race, and ethnicity, in which employees possess distinct elements and qualities, differing from one another (Robbins, 2003). Key words: Race, gender, inequality, ethnicity, organizations, discrimination, lifestyle. 1. Introduction Diversity is any dimension that can be used to differentiate groups and people from one another, in which the dimensions can be visible or invisible. The existence of workplace diversity, within a workplace, indicates that the workplace is heterogeneous in terms of gender, race, and ethnicity, in which employees possess distinct elements and qualities, differing from one another (Robbins, 2003, Buckingham, 2012 ). Also Hazard (2004) defines workplace diversity as a broad range of differences that influence how people...
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