Network ties and interaction rituals: an examination of social drinking

The use of rituals to bolster social cohesion is well-established theoretically, but alternative outcomes of rituals—when individuals or groups fail to gain, or actively lose, social capital – have been neglected. This research investigates a rarely studied but common interaction ritual—adult social drinking – to explore how network ties and interaction rituals interact producing variegated outcomes. A framework is introduced that, based on the strength of ties of participants (social network theory) and degree of synchronicity obtained (interaction ritual theory), demonstrates four outcomes of everyday rituals: bonding, bridging, blocking and breaching. The study demonstrates interaction rituals, with their attending norms and patterns, foster group identity and cohesiveness, and reinforce prejudices, distrust, and group isolation, which, in the end, can serve to produce or reproduce inequality.     

Gender and ethnic differences in factors that influence food intake

Abstract The objective of this research was to ascertain the gender-and ethnic-related factors that influence what one eats. This survey was conducted using a validated, pilot-tested questionnaire in 11 states and the District of Columbia, which were participating in the W-182 Western Regional Research project. The results indicated that the factors that influence what one eats differ by gender and ethnicity. Men were very much influenced by likes and dislikes, and by their spouse or significant other. Women were influenced by likes and dislikes, and health. Food likes/dislikes and concerns about health and weight were among the leading four factors for all ethnic groups. Food likes/dislikes were the top factor influencing what is eaten by 51% or more of Asians, Pacific Islanders, Caucasians and Hispanics. Concern about health was the top factor for 62% and 58%, respectively, of African Americans and Native Americans.     

Unbundling the differences between Psychic and Cultural Distance: An empirical examination of the existing measures

The diversity between the country-scores of Hofstede, Schwartz, GLOBE, Håkanson and Ambos and Dow and Karunaratna is the main focus of this study. To investigate the correlation between the country-scores of these CD (Cultural Distance), pPD (perceived Psychic Distance) and PDs (Psychic Distance stimuli) instruments we apply the Mantel test, a test predominantly used in anthropology and genetics, which can be particularly insightful when examining “distance” data. The matrix correlation findings provide evidence supporting the high diversity between these measures and their lack of consistent results for the same countries. Therefore, despite the similarity between the way of conceptualizing and operationalizing CD that Hofstede, Schwartz and GLOBE share, these CD measures do not report consistent findings. Consistently, the lack of correlation, between the PDs measure of Dow & Karunaratna and pPD of Håkanson & Ambos, indicates the diversity between PD stimuli measures and perceived PD measures. At the same time, while the two Psychic Distance (PD) measures indicate high correlation in some cases, overall they are highly diverse from the CD measures. We argue, therefore, that identical studies could reach significantly different conclusions by simply using different measures of CD,pPD&PDs which then denotes significant implications for the reliability of research findings. Additionally, we point out potential weaknesses of these measures when examining culturally proximate countries and multicultural nations.     

An examination of temporal patterns in meta-analysis

Meta-analysis has become increasingly popular as a technique for generalizing and exploring the moderators of a relationship between variables. However, few meta-analyses have explored the possibility that the relationships being studied change over time. In this study, we explore the possible theoretical reasons to expect a temporal change in a relationship under study. In addition, some methodological issues related to detecting these effects are discussed and illustrated using a sample of past studies. The paper shows that the temporal effects are easy to incorporate in the analytical plan and can add to the overall utility of meta-analysis.The authors thank Dr. Robert Peterson, University of Texas at Austin, for providing data used in the study. Dr. Naveen Donthu, Georgia State University, the editor, Dr. Donald Lehmann, and two anonymous reviewers for helpful comments.     

Party time: recreation rituals in the world of B2B

Abstract

We examine the role of business parties in business markets: why do B2B companies spend such large amounts of money to sponsor events meant for public consumption, such as sporting events, when most of their activity involves selling to other organisations? Drawing from extensive qualitative fieldwork in the world of tennis tournaments, we detail the specific universe of parties that happen backstage, between companies sponsoring these events. This context helps illuminate the critical role of business parties in business networks. Far from being mere recreation at the company’s expense, business parties are important opportunities for executives to develop and manage their relationships. We show that a business party functions as a particular kind of ritual by creating a distinct universe with its own language, gestures, and other modes of interaction.

Summary statement of contribution Our theoretical contribution to the literature on relationship marketing is to detail the unifying function of business parties in local business markets, where relationships with a variety of organisations are key to a company’s success. Our methodological contribution is to illustrate the relevance of anthropological approaches and concepts, such as rituals, to the world of B2B.     

An analysis of modern fashion designs as influenced by Asian ethnic dress

This study analysed modern fashion designs which show influences of Asian ethnic dresses focusing on China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. A total of 190 designs presented during 1982–97 were collected from seven magazines. There were 68 designs with Chinese influences, 49 for Japan, 35 for Korea, 21 for Indonesia and 5 for Vietnam. Twelve designs showed the influences of more than one country. Each design was content analysed in terms of eleven aspects (shape, garment type, silhouette, colour, feature of fabric, surface pattern, trimming, how to wear, accessories, hair‐style and make‐up). The degree of influence was measured on a 3‐point scale ranging from 1 (symbolic resemblance) to 2 (modification) and 3 (replication). The results confirmed that China and Japan have been the most well‐known sources of Oriental culture in fashion world. Influence of ethnic dresses were most evident in the aspects related to materials (surface pattern, feature of fabric and colour). The Indonesian sarong and the way to wrap skirts around the waist were also frequently adopted in modern fashion.     

An examination of measurement context effects in empirically based advertising research

The purpose of this research was to examine the issue of measurement context effects in advertising processing research. Based upon a review of the advertising processing literature and recent research focusingon measurement contexteffects, hypotheses were specified and empirically tested via a measurement context experiment. The results indicate that the cognitions measurement treatment procedures used in advertisement processing model tests produce small measurement context effects. However, these effects are not sufficiently severe to suggest a reinterpretation of previous findings or to result in drastic changes in future advertisement processing research methods. The results suggest the process of measuring respondents' attitudes towards advertisements did not result in statistically significant measurement context effects on the measures of attitudes towards brands or purchase intentions.     

An examination of the validity of direct product perceptions

The validity of a class of direct product perceptions is examined. Consumers recorded their perception of different products directly within exisiting spatial or treelike representations of the products' competitors. A conceptual model is developed that describes consumers' ability to provide direct perceptions within both space and tree representations for both brands and product categories. An empirical study is reported which supports the model and the validty of the recorded perceptions.     

An examination of predictable risk and return in UK stock returns

This paper examines whether conditional asset pricing models can explain the predictability in UK stock returns using the frameworks of Ferson and Harvey (1999) and Kirby (1998). The paper finds that the domestic Arbitrage Pricing Theory model is able to explain most of the observed time-series predictability in stock returns and tends to perform better than the domestic CAPM in explaining the predictability generated by the predictive instruments. The paper also finds that domestic asset pricing models tends to capture more of the time-series predictability in UK stock returns than international models. However none of the models are able to explain all of the predictability in returns.     

An examination of reference prices at factory outlet stores

The purposes of this research study were to (1) examine the use of reference prices by one segment of retailing – factory outlet stores and (2) explore related public policy considerations. The researchers found that there was a significant difference between advertised reference prices at factory outlet stores and the regular retail price found in department or specialty stores in the same market. Advertised reference prices in outlets were significantly higher – a 6.2 percent difference. For only two of the product categories studied were differences not significant – housewares and children's apparel. Since these comparative reference prices are not in line with the regular prices at traditional stores, there is a potential for deceptive price claims.     

An empirical examination of the informational content of credit ratings in China

We examine the certification effect of initial rating announcements and the signaling effect of rating downgrade announcements in China using a pooled time-series cross-sectional issuer rating data of 170 companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges from 2002 to July 2006. The empirical evidence supports our hypothesis of an asymmetric certification effect. Consistent with the literature, we also find some negative signaling effects in our rating downgrade sub-sample. Overall, although there are some qualitative arguments that credit ratings in China do not have information content, our empirical findings suggest otherwise. When a normally positively biased rating agency gives a low rating, it is valuable news to market participants.     

Alignment of strategy and structure in international firms: An empirical examination

It is increasingly recognized that many multinationals face dual global and local pressures. Foreign subsidiaries are thus expected to exhibit different needs in terms of their internal integration or responsiveness to local needs. This study examines the internal alignment of strategy and structure in multinationals when such dual pressures are recognized. The findings show a lower than expected level of internal strategy–structure alignment. A number of post hoc interviews suggest that contrary to the discussion of differences across foreign subsidiaries’ external environments, dual global and local pressures are frequently experienced within the same foreign subsidiary. The balancing act of aligning strategy and structure in MNCs is thus more complex than existing theoretical frameworks predict. Multinationals may choose to prioritize selective structural characteristics to achieve sufficient levels of both integration and responsiveness.     

Bank competition in Russia: An examination at different levels of aggregation

We analyze bank competition in Russia at different levels of aggregation. First, we compute a country-level measure of competition and compare it to that for similar-sized economies. Second, we contrast competition across different groups of banks in Russia. Third, we analyze bank competition across Russian regions. We find that banks in Russia are less competitive than those in Brazil, but more so than those in China and India. Large and state-owned banks exert more market power than others. Finally, competition is stronger in regions where there is less bank concentration, greater presence of banks, and greater financial and/or economic development.