Unravelling the effects of cultural differences in the online appraisal of hospitality and tourism services

International travelling has increased the likelihood of service interactions between customers and providers of different nationalities, frequently speaking various language, and repeatedly experiencing issues with intercultural communication. By examining more than 700,000 online reviews written by hotel guests of 101 different nationalities, using 84 different languages in their reviews, this study unravels cultural differences and examines through a direct measurement approach the simultaneous influence of national and linguistic differences between service customers and providers on online review valence. After controlling for reviewers’ demographics, behavioral features, trip related factors and location of service provider, the study findings reveal that while the influence of national cultural distance on online ratings is country- and destination- dependent, the usage of a common language is positively associated with online review valence irrespective of the destination/country where the service provider is located. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.     

Global resilience to climate change: Examining global economic and environmental performance resulting from a global carbon dioxide market

In this study, we investigated global economic and environmental resilience in the presence of climate change. In particular, we examine the possibility of mitigating carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions without stressing standards of living. Here, we set up a cross-country CO₂ market constrained by a quota, where CO₂ is optimally re-allocated based on relative shadow prices of the pollutant. The objective is to stabilize global emissions without hindering global incomes and in the process achieve a single CO₂ price. We introduce a re-allocation model that takes into account each country’s underlying polluting technology. The model solutions are then used to investigate whether a single, global price for CO₂ is attainable. Our results suggest that global CO₂ emissions could stabilize without stressing global incomes, with a global CO₂ market achieving equilibrium. With a CO₂ market, countries would then have the incentive to consider adopting, improving, or investing in additional abatement technologies to move beyond current capabilities, while continuing to increase standards of living.     

Bank performance and convergence during the financial crisis: Evidence from the ‘old’ European Union and Eurozone

This paper investigates the process of banking integration in the EU15 countries and the Eurozone by testing for convergence in bank efficiency among commercial banks. We use a two-step approach: First we estimate efficiency by applying an innovative methodological approach that treats banks’ non-performing loans as an undesirable output. Second, we apply the Phillips and Sul (2007) panel convergence methodology to assess the convergence process in European banking. Our results indicate an overall decline in efficiency and no evidence of group convergence following the financial crisis. However, we find the presence of club formation with typically weak convergence. The heterogeneity displayed by the transition parameters for the individual countries and the notable decrease in competition levels post 2008 highlight the impact of the financial crisis on the integration process.     

Export quality differentiation under credit constraints

This paper studies the effect of credit constraints on the choice by small and medium-sized enterprises to export goods of higher quality relative to their domestically sold output (quality differentiation). The empirical analysis employs detailed firm-level data on product characteristics and credit scores. Credit constraints are found to be negatively associated with export quality differentiation. Firms reporting a deterioration of the credit score by a standard deviation are 36% less likely to pursue quality differentiation. The negative relation between credit constraints and quality differentiation is stronger for firms exporting to distant markets.     

职业探索与经理人职业成长的关系——领导者权力距离感与员工信任的影响

以资源保存理论和社会交换理论为基础,将中国特殊组织情境下的经理人职业探索、职业成长、领导者权力距离感与领导对经理人的信任整合到一个理论模型中。运用255组配对样本数据,采用层次回归分析方法实证探究了四者间的关系。结果表明:在低领导者权力距离感和高员工信任的组织情境下,注重职业探索的经理人能获得更快的职业成长;在高领导者权力距离感和低员工信任的组织情境下,经理人要注意自身职业探索的"度"和"方式"。     

Avatar-mediated experience in the metaverse: The impact of avatar realism on user-avatar relationship

This study aims to explore the role of avatars in mediating users with the metaverse environment. This study applies the construal level theory and source attractiveness model to understand the impact of avatar realism on the interaction between users and their avatars. Computer-simulated experiences were tested in realistic and abstract avatar conditions using serial mediation analysis. It was found that the user-avatar relationship and the intention to use the avatar were both increased by avatar realism. Specifically, psychological distance and social presence serially mediated these effects. Furthermore, the mediation of psychological distance and social presence was moderated by user familiarity with avatars. This study identifies the role of psychological distance to the user-and-avatar dyad in the metaverse by examining the multi-layered psychological mechanism behind the virtual interaction and relationship. It also provides implications for developing metaverse platforms by considering avatar characteristics and user familiarity.     

文化距离会阻碍文化服务输出吗？ ——基于2006~2012 年跨国数据的检验

本文利用2006~2012年216个国家间的文化服务贸易数据检验了文化距离对国家间文化服务贸易的影响。研究显示,以Hofstede国家文化维度测量的文化距离会显著阻碍国家间总体文化服务贸易的发展;互联网的普及和国家间说同种语言人口比例的上升会部分抵销文化距离带来的负向作用。具体来看,文化距离对文化信息服务存在显著负向作用,对文化产品再生产或分配许可贸易会产生正向作用;不同维度的文化距离对文化服务贸易的影响也存在显著异质性。     

Is the Magic of the Diaspora Fact or Fiction? A Study of Taiwan’s Trade Performance in the Bamboo Network

Abstract

In this study, we examine the relationship between the ethnic Chinese diaspora network (i.e., bamboo network) and Taiwan’s trade performance. The models are based on theories of international trade to examine hypotheses using panel data from the members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) from 1996 to 2012. The results indicate that the bamboo network has limited effects on Taiwan’s trade performance. Hence, the “magic” effect of the Chinese diaspora is debatable.     

The psychology of psychic distance: Antecedents of asymmetric perceptions

Already on its introduction into the international business literature, the concept of ‘psychic distance’ implied asymmetry in the distance perceptions between country pairs, a characteristic corroborated in subsequent empirical studies. However, predominant empirical operationalizations and their theoretical underpinnings assume psychic distances to be symmetric. Building on insights from psychology and sociology, this paper demonstrates how national factors and cognitive processes interact in the formation of asymmetric distance perceptions. The results suggest that exposure to other countries through emigrants and imports of cultural goods and services have asymmetric effects on psychic distance perceptions. The size of these effects appears to vary with the size of the home country – smaller countries tend, on average, to perceive psychic distances to the rest of the world as smaller than do bigger ones. The reputational status of target countries relative to that of the home country is found to have a non-linear, asymmetric effect on distance perceptions.     

Food Culture Distance as a Predictor of Foreign Market Selection: The Case of Swedish Food Exporters

The purpose of this article is to examine the impact of dissimilarity in food culture, “food culture distance,” as a predictor of foreign market selection by food exporters. The sample for this study consisted of 96 export ventures by Swedish food companies in 27 international markets. A composite index of the construct food culture distance was calculated and used as a predictor of foreign market attractiveness for food exporters. The findings indicate that food culture distance does positively impact the attractiveness of a foreign market for food exporters, implying that the greater the perceived distance in terms of food culture, the more attractive is the market for food exporters to enter.