The Eight Universal Dimensions of Culture from a Synthesis of Cultural Taxonomies: A Compendium on Cultural Taxonomies and a Tool for the Universal Dimensions of Culture

Description

The crucial element of this book constitutes the synthesis of cultural dimensions from existing cultural taxonomies, extended by the operationalization of the eight identified Universal Dimensions of Culture (UDCs) into a questionnaire. First, an extensive Systematic Literature Review (SLR) is pursued to identify the current state of research, demonstrating the research gap on a unified approach for classifying national cultures into cultural dimensions. Eight assumptions displaying the eight UDCs are derived from the results of the SLR. Subsequently, an evaluation and selection framework for identifying the research base of comparable existing cultural taxonomies is developed. A research base of 11 cultural taxonomies and 50 cultural dimensions is retrieved. These serves as the basis for developing the eight UDCs, following a synthesis process and protocol. The eight UDCs are operationalized into a questionnaire, which is extensively pre-tested by experts and in the field. An example country study for Germany, Canada, and Brazil is conducted, and the corresponding country profiles for the eight UDCs are displayed. Preface Acknowledgment Contents List of Figures List of Tables 1 Introduction 1.1 Motivation, Problem, and Objective of Research 1.2 Research Questions (RQs) 1.3 Structure and Classification of Research 1.4 Contribution to the Field of Research 2 Current State of Research 2.1 Methodology and Systematic Literature Review (SLR) 2.1.1 Phase I—Preparation (Review Protocol) 2.1.2 Phase II—Selection and Evaluation 2.1.3 Phase III—Review and Synthesis of Data 2.2 Assumptions 3 Evaluation and Selection of Existing Cultural Taxonomies 3.1 Evaluation of Cultural Taxonomies 3.1.1 Introduction to the Selection and Evaluation Criteria 3.1.2 Selection of the 34 Cultural Taxonomies 3.1.3 Evaluation of the 34 Cultural Taxonomies 3.2 The Resulting Cultural Taxonomies 4 Introduction to the Synthesis of the Universal Dimensions of Culture (UDCs) 4.1 Premises and Analysis Protocol 4.2 Special Report on the Remaining Synthesis Dimension 4.3 Overview of the Eight Universal Dimensions of Culture (UDCs) 5 The Environment—One Connecting Concept? 5.1 Synthesis of the Universal Dimension of Culture (UDC) Distribution of Power and Status 5.2 Synthesis of the Universal Dimension of Culture (UDC) Relationship with the Natural Environment 5.3 Synthesis of the Universal Dimension of Culture (UDC) Social Organization 5.4 Delimitation Between the Concepts of Distribution of Power and Status and Social Organization 5.5 Delimitation Between the Concepts of Social Environment and Relationship with the Natural Environment 5.6 Results of the Syntheses 5.6.1 The Universal Dimension of Culture (UDC) Distribution of Power and Status 5.6.2 The Universal Dimension of Culture (UDC) Relationship with the Natural Environment 5.6.3 The Universal Dimension of Culture (UDC) Social Organization 6 Time—One Connecting Concept? 6.1 Synthesis of the Universal Dimension of Culture (UDC) Perception and Use of Time 6.2 Synthesis of the Universal Dimension of Culture (UDC) Traditionalism versus Secularism 6.3 Synthesis of the Universal Dimension of Culture (UDC) Uncertainty Avoidance and Coping Mechanisms 6.4 Delimitation Between the Concepts of Uncertainty Avoidance and Relationship with the (Natural) Environment 6.5 Delimitation Between the Concepts of Perception and Use of Time and Traditionalism versus Secularism 6.6 Results of the Syntheses 6.6.1 The Universal Dimension of Culture (UDC) Perception and Use of Time 6.6.2 The Universal Dimension of Culture (UDC) Traditionalism versus Secularism 6.6.3 The Universal Dimension of Culture (UDC) Uncertainty Avoidance and Coping Mechanisms 7 Human Behavior—One Connecting Concept? 7.1 Synthesis of the Universal Dimension of Culture (UDC) Human Orientation 7.2 Synthesis of the Universal Dimension of Culture (UDC) Gratification and Expression of Emotions, Feelings, and Desires 7.3 Results of the Syntheses 7.3.1 The Universal Dimension of Culture (UDC) Human Orientation 7.3.2 The Universal Dimension of Culture (UDC) Gratification and Expression of Emotions, Feelings, and Desires 8 Questionnaire for the Eight Universal Dimensions of Culture (UDCs) 8.1 Process and Methodology of Questionnaire Development 8.2 Pre-Test of the UDC Questionnaire 8.2.1 Pre-Test with Experts 8.2.2 Pre-Test in the Field 8.2.3 Qualitative Results of Field Pre-Test 8.2.4 Results of Debriefing Questions 8.2.5 Quantitative Results of Pre-Test 8.3 A Country Study for Brazil, Canada, and Germany 9 Conclusion 9.1 Implications 9.1.1 Theoretical Implications 9.1.2 Practical Implications 9.2 Limitations of Research 9.3 Outlook References