Cultural Distance: How is it defined, how is it measured, and what is its relevance to international marketers?

This essay analyses the meaning of culture and in particular aims at reviewing different tools to measure differences between cultures — the so-called cultural distance. Two major tools are considered in detail: Hall's High Vs Low context culture(1977) and Hofstede's Five Cultural Dimensions(1991). The conclusion of this essay draws on the weaknesses of existing systems and suggests the introduction of a‘cultural distance segmentation'that would change global companies' tendency of uniformity in their messages to a more adaptive message amongst different cultures.

Novel Distance-Related Matrix Index and QSPR Research for Thermodynamics of Methyl Halides

A novel topological index W F is defined by the matrices X,W and L as W F=XWL.The topological index WF based on the distance-related matrix of molecular graphs is used to code the structural environment of each atom-type in a molecular graph.Good QSPR models have been obtained for standard formation enthalpy of methyl halides.The result indicates that the idea of using multiple matrices to define the distance-related matrix topological index is valid.

Resistance Distance and Kirchhoff Index in Corona and Edge Corona of Two Graphs

Let G_1 and G_2 be vertex-disjoint graphs with n_1 and n_2 vertices,m_1 and m_2 edges,respectively.The corona G_1° G_2 of G_1and G_2 was defined as the graph obtained by taking one copy of G_1and n_1 copies of G_2,and then joining the ith vertex of G_1 to every vertex in the ith copy of G_2.The edge corona G_1° G_2 of G_1 and G_2was defined as the graph obtained by taking one copy of G_1 and m_1copies of G_2,and then joining two end-vertices of the ith edge of G_1to every vertex in the ith copy of G_2.Kirchhoff index of G_1 ° G_2 was obtained in a much simple proof and the resistance distance of G_1 °G_2 is obtained.Furthermore,the Kirchhoff index and the resistance distance of G_1 ° G_2 were obtained.

Coupling coordination analysis of Mazu culture,socio-economy and ecological environment of Meizhou Island

Taking the pilgrimage,tourism and cultural island of Meizhou Island as an example,the evaluation index system of the coupling and coordinated development of“Mazu culture,socio-economy,eco-environment”(MSE)compound system was constructed.The index weights were determined by AHP-entropy method,and the coupling degree,coordinated degree,comprehensive evaluation index and grey correlation degree of MSE system of Mazu Island from 2012 to 2022 were measure.The results showed that:(1)the comprehensive evaluation indexes of the three subsystems was on the rise in general,but the evaluation index of the ecological subsystems increased relatively slowly.(2)The coupling degree was only in the running-in stage in 2012,and the other years were in the coordinated coupling stage.(3)The coupling coordination degree increased from 0.35 in 2012 to 0.82 in 2022,the coupling coordination level was changed from mild imbalance to good coordination.(4)Through the comparison of grey correlation degree,the 24 indexes in the evaluation index system had great influence on the coupling coordination degree of MSE system.The coupling coordination degree was closely related to the development of socio-economy and the spread of Mazu culture.With the rapid development of tourism brought about by the spread of Mazu culture,the pressure on the ecological environment will be increasing.Compared with the rapid growth of tourism and economy,it is equally important to strengthen environmental protection and pay attention to the quality of ecological environment development.

Cycles, the Degree Distance, and the Wiener Index

The degree distance of a graph G is , where and are the degrees of vertices , and is the distance between them. The Wiener index is defined as . An elegant result (Gutman;Klein, Mihali?,, Plav?i? and Trinajsti?) is known regarding their correlation, that for a tree T with n vertices. In this note, we extend this study for more general graphs that have frequent appearances in the study of these indices. In particular, we develop a formula regarding their correlation, with an error term that is presented with explicit formula as well as sharp bounds for unicyclic graphs and cacti with given parameters.

Indexing the bit-code and distance for fast KNN search in high-dimensional spaces

Various index structures have recently been proposed to facilitate high-dimensional KNN queries, among which the techniques of approximate vector presentation and one-dimensional (1D) transformation can break the curse of dimensionality. Based on the two techniques above, a novel high-dimensional index is proposed, called Bit-code and Distance based index (BD). BD is based on a special partitioning strategy which is optimized for high-dimensional data. By the definitions of bit code and transformation function, a high-dimensional vector can be first approximately represented and then transformed into a 1D vector, the key managed by a B+-tree. A new KNN search algorithm is also proposed that exploits the bit code and distance to prune the search space more effectively. Results of extensive experiments using both synthetic and real data demonstrated that BD out- performs the existing index structures for KNN search in high-dimensional spaces.

Research on the Calculation Model of Residents＇ Cultural Happiness Index from the Perspective of Public Culture

In order to measure the status quo of residents＇ cultural well-being, this paper adopts a combination of theoretical research and empirical research： According to the current relevant research results, the index system of residents＇ cultural well-being index is proposed. The determination of index weights is a combination of hierarchical analysis and expert opinions. And to build the evaluation model.

Resistance Distance and Kirchhoff Index of a Class of Join Graphs

For some complicated graphs obtained by graph operations,it is very difficult to compute resistance distance and Kirchhoff index.Define a new graph operation,and obtain a class of new join graphs:the subdivision-vertex-vertex join G_1* G_2.Then,describe the Laplacian matrix of the graph G_1 * G_2 and use generalized inverse of the Laplacian matrix to get formulas for resistance distance and Kirchhoff index.Through the obtained formulas,the resistance distance of any pairs of vertices and Kirchhoff index of the join graph can be computed.

pgi-distance:一种高效的并行KNN-join处理方法

KNN-join是一种新近才提出的操作,它在数据挖掘中有着广泛的应用.利用KNN-join的"一次一个集合"的性质,一些数据挖掘任务,例如分类、例外挖掘和聚类等,就会更加容易地进行.MuX和Goreder则是两种专为KNN-join设计的算法.为了综合利用这两种方法的优点,一种新的KNN-join并行处理方法——pgi-distance(parallel grid index-distance)——被提了出来.pgi-distance使用双层结构,可以对I/O和CPU进行同时优化;基于距离的索引能够让它更好地适应数据维度和分布的变化.由于采用的是各DBMS厂商广泛支持的B+树索引,这让pgi-distance得以成为一种更为实用的KNN-join处理方法.在合成数据集和真实数据集上的测试也表明pgi-distance是实用的和高效的.

China——A High-Power Distance Country

Intercultural communication is getting more and more important.Chinese culture is different from other cultures.It is a culture that attaches great importance to high-power distance. This concept is acceptable deeply in people’s heart.

Commercial Advertising and Its Translation Milieu:A Cultural Survey

Advertising, imbued with culture, becomes an inescapable part of modern life. This paper explores the cultural distance and universals existing in the international advertising, and concludes that the distance and universals govern the translator's choice of translation strategies and methods.

Occupational Safety Culture Index (OSCI)——measuring the community and employees awareness,attitude and knowledge towards workplace safety and health in Hong Kong SAR

Promoting occupational safety and health in Hong Kong,Special Administrative Region of China is an important and ongoing mission. As the major organization with statutory responsibilities,the Occupational Safety and Health Council understand the importance to strengthen and cultivate our safety culture. It is widely believed that numbers of occupational related diseases and injuries could be prevented with the improvement of the awareness and attitudes of the employees and the public. Therefore,a comprehensive and in-depth study to monitor the occupational health and safety level and status of the community and working population is needed. Objectives: Our Council has developed the Occupational Safety Culture Index ( OSCI) to measure the current level of community and workplace safety and health awareness,knowledge and attitude. Benchmarking measures of the key safety performance indicators are to be derived thereof. Methods: A territory-wide random telephone survey was conducted to assess the community and employees'awareness,attitude and knowledge in 2008. A structured questionnaire was designed with the content validity and reliability assessed before the survey administration. A series of quality control approaches were also applied to assure the quality of the fieldwork and the reliability of the data. Results: 1,531 eligible participants'data were collected and computed into 2 types of composite indices,Occupational Safety Culture Index ( Community) ( OSCIC) and Occupational Safety Culture Index (Workplace) (OSCIW) . With the maximum score of index at 100,the overall score of OSCIC is 66. 9 and the OSCIW is 61. 3 in Hong Kong. Achievements: OSCI served as an effective management tool to measure the safety culture in Hong Kong. With a representative sample and high quality study control and validated assessment approaches,the OSCI and the sub-indices are reliable indicators to assess the effectiveness of safety culture enhancement strategy and the OSH intervention measures.

THE MINIMUM SQUARED EUCLIDEAN DISTANCE OF MULTI-h PHASE CODES

The minimum squared Euclidean distance(MSED) of binary multi-h phase codes is presented. The signal segregation degree(SSD) has been put forward to determine MSED of multi-h phase codes. In order to maximize MSED, SSD should be as large as possible. The necessary and sufficient conditions of maximizing SSD are derived. Finally, SSD and the exact formulae for MSED of binary 2-h phase codes are also presented.

A Self-Organizing RBF Neural Network Based on Distance Concentration Immune Algorithm

Radial basis function neural network(RBFNN) is an effective algorithm in nonlinear system identification. How to properly adjust the structure and parameters of RBFNN is quite challenging. To solve this problem, a distance concentration immune algorithm(DCIA) is proposed to self-organize the structure and parameters of the RBFNN in this paper. First, the distance concentration algorithm, which increases the diversity of antibodies, is used to find the global optimal solution. Secondly,the information processing strength(IPS) algorithm is used to avoid the instability that is caused by the hidden layer with neurons split or deleted randomly. However, to improve the forecasting accuracy and reduce the computation time, a sample with the most frequent occurrence of maximum error is proposed to regulate the parameters of the new neuron. In addition, the convergence proof of a self-organizing RBF neural network based on distance concentration immune algorithm(DCIA-SORBFNN) is applied to guarantee the feasibility of algorithm. Finally, several nonlinear functions are used to validate the effectiveness of the algorithm. Experimental results show that the proposed DCIASORBFNN has achieved better nonlinear approximation ability than that of the art relevant competitors.

The Importance of Psychic Distance in the Internationalization Process of Polish Companies Pilot Research Results

Research objectives presented in the article are of theoretical, methodological, and empirical nature. The theoretical aim of the article is to present the different approaches to conceptualization and operationalization of psychic distance. The methodological aim of the article is to show the pilot research results of quantitative research planned in future. The paper aims at presenting the results of testifying the questionnaire, especially reactions of the respondents on the level of difficulty of questions included in it. The empirical aim of the article is to present the perceptions of managers about the importance of psychic distance stimuli （differences in culture, differences in economic and political systems, as well as differences in mentality and geographic distance） in the process of Polish companies＇ internationalization. The paper is based on the critical literature overview and on the field research conducted on the sample of 18 Polish companies with the technique of direct interview. In the first part of the article, the research design as well as methodological issues connected with psychic distance measurement is presented. The second part of the article is dedicated to the field research results on the importance of psychic distance in the process of internationalization. The conclusions of the current stage of the research will comprise the base of complete research. The conducted research enabled the author to answer the following research questions： What is the impact of psychic distance stimuli on the process of Polish companies＇ internationalization （the directions and forms of internationalization, the pace and amount of countries subject to foreign expansion of Polish companies, and the value of sales and foreign capital engagement of Polish companies abroad）？ What is the impact of psychic distance stimuli on managers＇ decisions connected with engagement on international markets （initiating business with foreign partners, leading business on international markets, and withdrawal business from international markets）？ What are the factors determining perceptions of psychic distance by managers？ What is the size of psychic distance among Poland and the foreign expansion markets of Polish companies？ The respondents stated that the managers＇ perceptions about psychic distance importance in the process of companies＇ internationalization depend on the managers＇ experience in activity on international markets, the knowledge of managers about international markets, the level of education of managers, and the level of stability and changeability of environment, in which the company operates. According to the managers, the most important factors having impact on decisions connected with internationalization are： cultural differences （especially differences in religion）, political differences （especially the level of democracy）, geographic distance （the differences in time zones）, the differences in economic systems （the level of economic development）, and the differences in mentality （different way of thinking of managers）. The factors having impact on companies＇engagement in international markets are： the level of democracy, the level of infrastructure development, different way of thinking of managers, and differences in time zones. The managers stated that the most significant differences in cultural systems are among Poland-China, Poland-Turkey, and Poland-Romania. The most significant differences in economic systems occur among Poland and the receivers of Polish export China, Ukraine, and the United States. The biggest differences in political systems are among Poland-China, Poland-Russia Belarus, and Poland-Ukraine. According to the managers, the biggest differences in mentality occur among Poland-China, Poland-Turkey, and Poland-the United States. Geographic distance is the most important factor in Polish export to the United States, China, Turkey, and Spain. There is applied a methodology stating that psychic distance （and its stimuli） should not be measured only with the use of objective constructs and statistical data, but also with the use of subjective data, such as the responses of decision makers of companies under internationalization. The value of the article is the presentation of the application of new research tool for psychic distance measurement.

A View on English Politeness from a Cultural Perspective

Politeness plays an important role in human communication.As a socio-pragmatic phenomenon,its actual manifestations and standards for judgment are culturally different due to the influence of cultural value orientations.This paper analyzes the characteristics of English politeness from a cultural perspective.It aims to improve our understanding of English politeness and cross-cultural awareness.

A Cultural Perspective on Chinese Politeness

Politeness is a universal phenomenon, but its actual manifestations and the standards for judgment are culturally different. This paper analyzes the characteristics of Chinese politeness from a cultural perspective. It aims to improve our understanding of Chinese politeness and our knowledge of Chinese traditional culture and undertake interpersonal communication successfully.

中国与东南亚国家的文化距离测量及其对中华文化传播的影响

东南亚地区是中华文化全球传播格局的重要组成部分,具有鲜明的区域特征。根据吉尔特·霍夫斯泰德(Geert Hofstede)的国别文化维度数据,可以发现东南亚六国和中国在6个文化维度上既有共性,又有差异。采用Kogut和Singh的文化距离测量公式测得的数据显示,东南亚六国与中国的文化距离普遍较近,这对中华文化在东南亚地区的传播格局有明显的影响,与孔子学院在各国的分布也有一定的联系。考察国际间语言文化的传播与互动应注重差异化研究。参考文化距离指数,关注东南亚国家当地中华文化资源的不同状况,有助于科学研判中华文化输入需求,总结出适应当地文化特点的高效传播模式。

东道国营商环境与中国对外直接投资:来自“一带一路”沿线国家的经验证据

基于“一带一路”沿线40个国家2008—2019年数据,利用修正后的投资引力模型考察东道国营商环境与中国对外直接投资之间的关系。研究表明:总体上,东道国营商环境的提高能够促进中国的对外直接投资。进一步研究表明:中国对“一带一路”沿线国家的对外直接投资存在地理区位异质性、发展程度异质性和营商环境子指标异质性;文化距离在东道国营商环境对中国对外直接投资的影响中存在负向调节效应。本文的研究为“一带一路”沿线国家优化营商环境,促进贸易投资提供了新的证据,并从政府与企业双重维度提出相应的政策建议。