Vasyl Taras

Culture as a consequence: A multi-level multivariate meta-analysis of the effects of individual and country characteristics on work-related cultural values

Culture as a consequence is a neglected topic. Addressing this, we explore what factors are related to and potentially shape culture, what explains cultural variations within countries, and what the relationship is between cultural values at the individual and national levels. To answer these questions, we use a multi-level multivariate meta-analysis of 508 studies. The findings indicate that national and individual cultural values may be determined by the micro characteristics of age, gender, education, and socio-economic status as well as the macro characteristics of wealth and freedom. This provides a basis for explaining cultural change, both at the individual and national levels. Also, up to 90% of the variance in cultural values is found to reside within countries, stressing that national averages poorly represent specific individuals.

The development and validation of the Business Cultural Intelligence Quotient

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a new instrument for measuring cultural intelligence in the business context (BCIQ). Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes the process of the conceptualization of the model and the development of the instrument, the sample, as well as the validation of the instrument. Directions on the use of the instrument and future research are discussed. Findings – The instrument shows good psychometric properties and good predictive power and outperforms other publicly available CQ measures on a number of dimensions. Originality/value – The unique features and advantages of the present instrument are as follows: first, a refined factor structure compared to existing CQ instruments; second, use of objective cultural knowledge measures; third, applicability in the business and workplace contexts, thus rendering the instrument suitable for assessing cultural intelligence among expatriates, employees, and global virtual team members; and fourth, improved relia...

Virtual Teams and International Business Teaching and Learning: The Case of the Global Enterprise Experience (GEE)

The increasing importance of global virtual teams in business is reflected in the classroom by the increased adoption of activities that facilitate real-time cross-cultural interaction. This article documents the experience of students from two Colombian universities who participated in a collaborative international project using virtual teams as part of the international business (IB) curriculum. The data reveals that in spite of challenges associated with time zone differences, technology limitations, and trust issues, the vast majority of students perceived that the use of virtual teams as a teaching tool facilitates cultural understanding and IB-relevant learning. The findings of this research suggest that online experiential exercises can be an effective approach in teaching and in the development of virtual collaboration skills.

The Happy Culture: A Theoretical, Meta-Analytic, and Empirical Review of the Relationship Between Culture and Wealth and Subjective Well-Being

Do cultural values enhance financial and subjective well-being (SWB)? Taking a multidisciplinary approach, we meta-analytically reviewed the field, found it thinly covered, and focused on individualism. In counter, we collected a broad array of individual-level data, specifically an Internet sample of 8,438 adult respondents. Individual SWB was most strongly associated with cultural values that foster relationships and social capital, which typically accounted for more unique variance in life satisfaction than an individual’s salary. At a national level, we used mean-based meta-analysis to construct a comprehensive cultural and SWB database. Results show some reversals from the individual level, particularly masculinity’s facet of achievement orientation. In all, the happy nation has low power distance and low uncertainty avoidance, but is high in femininity and individualism, and these effects are interrelated but still partially independent from political and economic institutions. In short, culture matters for individual and national well-being.

Scale Validation via Quantifying Item Validity Using the Dm Index

While most validity indices are based on total test scores, this paper describes a method for quantifying the construct validity of items. The approach is based on the item selection technique originally described by Piazza in 1980. Unfortunately, Piazzas P2 index suffers from some substantial limitations. The Dm coefficient provides an alternative which can be used for item selection and provides a validity index for a set of items. The index is similar to that of traditional criterion-related validity indices. Criterion-related validity is used to demonstrate the accuracy of hypothesized relations of the measure with outcome variables of interest in research and practice. This method may be useful when the sample of items or persons is small, rendering more traditional approaches such as factor analysis or item response theory inappropriate. An example of how to use the technique is provided.

Quantitative predictive capacity of human development index in wireless telephony operations

The present study explores effects of human development (as measured by the human development index, or HDI) on the wireless telephony operations. The novelty and contributions of the paper are: 1) HDI, as a proxy for human development, can be a predictor for analysing and forecasting wireless telephony use per capita; 2) the predictive capacity of HDI on wireless telephony expansion is found to be more than that of pure monetary indicators such as GDP per capita; 3) a lower density of fixed lines per capita is not associated with a higher mobile use per capita. The findings can be used both in academia for informing students about factors influencing mobile use, and in industry for analysis and decision making in companies in telecommunication sector as well as companies that rely on telecommunication technologies in their operations.

Direct Versus Indirect Compensation: Balancing Value and Cost in Total Compensation

The effect of compensation on employee performance, satisfaction and organizational commitment is hard to overstate. Designing an effective compensation structure may be a daunting task, in particular with respect of finding a balance between direct and indirect compensation. The paper discusses the challenges and offers best practices for incorporating non-monetary benefits in a compensation package.

CULTURE AS A CONSEQUENCE: A MULTILEVEL MULTIVARIATE META-ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS OF INDIVIDUAL AND COUNTRY CHARACTERISTICS ON WORK-RELATED CULTURAL VALUES.

This multilevel multivariate meta-analysis of 508 studies shifts the focus from cultures consequences to culture as a consequence. It addresses the limitations of the mean-based approach to cross-cultural comparison by showing that individual and national cultures are shaped by a set of individual and country level factors, providing a basis for explaining the within and between country variations in culture.