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.

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.

Learning distance effect on lignite quality variables at global and local scales

Determining scale and variable effects have critical importance in developing an energy resource policy.This study aims to explore the relationships in heterogeneous lignite sites using different scale models,spatial weighting as well as error-based pair-wise identification.From a statistical learning framework,the relationships among the quality variables such as geochemical variables and the contributions of the coordinates to quality measures have been exhibited by generalized additive models.In this way,the critical roles of spatial weights provided by the coordinates have been specified at a global scale.The experimental studies reveal that incorporating the geological weighting in the models as the additional information improves both accuracy and transparency.Because relationships among lignite quality variables and sampling locations are spatially non-stationary,the local structure and interdependencies among the variables were analyzed by geographically weighting regression.The local analyses including spatial patterns of bandwidths,search domains as well as residual-based areal dependencies provided not only the critical zones but also availability of pair-wise model alternatives by calibrating a model at each point for location-specific parameter learning.The results completely show that the weighting models applied at different scales can take spatial heterogeneity into consideration and these abilities provide some meta-data and specific information using in sustainable energy planning.

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.

Mapping Distribution of Precipitation, Temperature and Evaporation in Seydisuyu Basin with the Help of Distance Related Estimation Methods

In this research, distributions of precipitation, temperature and evaporation in Seydisuyu basin were analyzed with the help of inverse distance weighted (IDW) method. Because real meteorological data of the basin (precipitation, temperature and evaporation) do not have normal distribution, precipitation, temperature and evaporation distribution maps are drawn after normalization process. The number of meteorological stations, in other words the number of samples, is low, so only IDW method is used in this research. In addition to the research, reliability of the results obtained with the help of inverse distance weighting method was examined with accuracy analysis. The purpose of this study, the spatial distribution of meteorological data on a basin or areas is to demonstrate the applicability of the statistical basis.

国有企业技术并购对企业模糊前端创新绩效的影响

基于多维邻近理论,探索技术并购对企业模糊前端创新绩效的影响,以及并购双方地理距离与收购方生产链位置的调节作用。利用2009—2019年国有企业并购数据进行实证检验,结果表明:并购双方技术相似性对企业模糊前端创新绩效具有显著负向影响,技术互补性对企业模糊前端创新绩效具有显著正向影响;并购双方地理距离、收购方所处生产链位置正向调节技术相似性与企业模糊前端创新绩效的关系以及技术互补性与企业模糊前端创新绩效的关系。采用工具变量法、替换样本研究区间和GMM估计法进行内生性与稳健性检验发现,上述结论依然成立。结论有助于深化对国有企业技术并购与模糊前端创新关系的认识,从而为企业通过技术并购实现模糊前端创新提供实践启示。

地理邻近性对专利技术转移速度的影响研究——基于新能源汽车行业转化专利的计量分析

[目的/意义]地理邻近性作为创新活动的关键变量受到重视,考察其对专利技术转移速度的影响,有助于提升专利转化效率,为完善技术转移政策和优化产业集聚布局提供参考。[方法/过程]以新能源汽车行业的转让和许可专利为样本,采用组间差异检验、相关和回归分析方法,分别借助空间距离和交通时长两类指标检验地理邻近性对专利技术转移速度的影响。[结果/结论]交易双方的空间距离和陆地交通时长越大,专利技术转移速度反而越快;最短交通时长没有影响。但疫情期间情况有所变化,地理邻近的积极作用得以显现,此时空间距离越小,专利技术转移速度越快。

考虑空间异质性的短距离上学方式选择机理

短距离出行是学生日常出行的重要组成部分,合理引导短距离上学群体交通方式选择对于促进学生健康发展和缓解高峰期间道路交通拥堵具有重要意义.本研究以中国南京市为例,利用贝叶斯分类法识别出南京市学生的短距离出行阈值为2.7 km,在此基础上,分别构建多项logit(multinomial logit,MNL)模型与地理加权多项logit(geographically weighted multinominal logit,GWMNL)模型,探讨个人属性、出行特征、家庭特征及建成环境对短距离学生群体上学方式选择的影响及其空间异质性.结果表明,相比MNL模型,GWMNL模型具有更好的拟合度和解释能力,说明学生上学交通方式选择行为因居住位置不同存在明显差异.与居住在学校附近的低龄学生相比,核心区与近郊区较短出行距离的高龄学生更倾向于乘坐小汽车上学,而远郊区(六合区和江宁区)的高龄学生更倾向于选择积极出行(步行和自行车)和电动自行车上学.小汽车数量对学生选择积极出行、电动自行车及公共交通上学均有消极影响,且这种消极影响从市中心向外围区域逐渐增强.最近公交站距离对居住在核心区与近郊区的学生选择公共交通具有明显促进作用,而对部分远郊地区的学生选择公共交通具有抑制作用,且在南京市的北部和东部地区尤为明显.研究结果可为不同区域学生群体短距离积极出行引导策略的制定提供参考.

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。

移民网络、制度距离与中国企业OFDI效率

提高企业对外直接投资(OFDI)效率是中国推进高水平对外开放的重要路径之一。基于2003—2021年中国A股上市公司数据,实证分析了移民网络对中国企业OFDI效率的影响及其机制。研究发现,移民网络显著提升了中国企业OFDI效率,且通过降低交易成本、提高合同执行效率、弥合文化距离促进了企业OFDI效率提升。异质性分析结果表明,移民网络对中国企业OFDI效率的提升作用仅显著存在于非国有企业、绿地投资企业以及向非接壤国家直接投资的企业中,且在向发展中国家直接投资的企业中更显著。进一步研究发现,制度距离在移民网络与中国企业OFDI效率的关系中发挥了调节作用,制度距离缩小,会强化移民网络对企业OFDI效率的提升作用。因此,政府应加强移民网络建设,加大对OFDI企业的政策支持力度,缩小双边制度距离,企业则应充分利用移民网络降低OFDI风险及不确定性,进而促进中国企业提升OFDI效率。

审计师与客户间地理距离对分析师预测的影响研究

区位作为制约信息传递的基础性因素,天然地影响着外部经济主体的信息获取成本及监督成本。审计与客户间地理距离差异如何影响审计监督效力一直颇受学者关注。本文基于2017-2021年事务所至企业注册地的距离数据,实证检验了审计与客户间地理距离差异对分析师预测准确度的影响。结果表明,审计师与客户地理临近能够通过提升审计质量、降低大股东侵占行为来提升分析师预测准确度。该提升效果在两权分离度越严重的样本中更加明显;在被审计单位和事务所交通便利、审计师具有行业专长的样本中,这种提升效果会被削弱。本文的研究从地理经济学视角丰富了审计与客户信息差异的经济后果研究。

多中心空间结构对城乡融合发展的影响研究

基于2008—2021年省级面板数据的二次项修正模型,以两种“借用规模”视角考察多中心空间结构对城乡融合的影响及其作用机制。实证结果表明:第一,多中心空间结构对城乡融合的影响呈先上升后下降的倒U形特征。当前除了山东、广东和内蒙古三个地区已出现超出最优多中心水平的现象外,全国大部分地区的城乡融合尚处于随着多中心水平发展而逐步提升的阶段。第二,对于东部地区来说,交通基础设施和市场一体化是多中心空间结构影响城乡融合的有效途径,而中、西部地区由于多中心空间结构发展并未达到最优规模,交通基础设施和市场一体化的作用并未凸显。第三,城市之间的地理距离在多中心空间结构的城乡融合效应中发挥着显著的正U形调节作用。

文化距离、友好城市对中国OFDI的影响——基于“一带一路”沿线国家的实证研究

在共建“一带一路”高质量发展的背景下,友好城市关系与文化因素成为独具影响力的关键一环。依据交易成本理论和“外来者劣势”理论,构建了拓展的引力模型评估文化距离和友好城市影响我国OFDI的作用机理以及两者之间的互动机制。实证结果显示,文化距离对我国OFDI有抑制作用,友好城市数量的增加弱化了文化距离对OFDI的负面影响,具有正向调节作用,通过分样本检验进一步发现在文化距离较大的国家中友好城市的正向调节作用不显著,反而在文化距离较小的国家更加有效。据此,中国应推进友好城市网络建设,加强文化交流,促进中国OFDI高质量发展。

文化相近与异地大客户关系的形成及其机制研究

中国“多元一体”的文化格局对跨地区供应链关系形成了隐性壁垒,而两地间的文化相近有助于异地大客户关系的形成与发展。方言距离体现了两地的文化相近程度,方言距离越小,上市公司对该地区大客户的销售占比越高;作用机制在于文化相近提高了公司与客户间的信息交流、促进了信任和认同、提供了先天性的社会资本积累。文化相近的作用存在异质性,在非国有控股上市公司、非国有客户和资产规模较小的上市公司中作用更显著。文化相近对于大客户关系的促进作用依赖于完善的外部正式制度环境,在契约环境较好和市场化程度较高的地区,其作用更显著。最后,文化相近的大客户关系的稳定性更高。

基于GIS的灌区土壤投入品残留污染监测预警系统

为了解决工业发展导致的灌区土壤投入品残留污染问题,给出一种基于地理信息系统(geographic information system,GIS)的土壤污染监测预警系统。该系统结合VOC-PF1型传感器、STM32主控芯片和GSM通信模块,实现了高效的数据采集和通信功能。通过反距离加权(inverse distance weighted,IDW)插值法进行空间分析,并设立预警阈值,实现对灌区土壤投入品残留污染的实时监测和预警。实验结果表明:该系统的监测精度高达98%,监测时长最高为49 s,具有很高的实用性和效率。研究结果不仅为灌区土壤投入品残留污染监测提供了有效手段,也为环境保护和农业可持续发展提供有力支持。

地理距离会影响债券发行定价吗?——基于信息不对称视角的分析

债券发行定价和违约问题一直以来都是学术界和实务界共同关注的热点问题。基于信息不对称视角,结合信息经济学和新经济地理学理论,以2003—2021年发行的信用债作为研究样本,实证检验了承销商与发行人之间的地理距离对债券发行定价的影响。研究发现:承销商与发行人之间的地理距离和债券信用利差呈正相关关系,即地理距离越近,债券信用利差越小。机制分析表明,地理距离主要通过信息的类型和成本渠道影响债券发行定价,表现为地理距离对于软信息不对称程度更高的非上市公司债券的信用利差影响更大,对信息获取成本更高的非银行承销商所承销债券的信用利差影响更大。此外,地理距离还能够对债券违约行为产生影响。因此,应加强金融基础设施建设,强化监管和信息披露要求,推动金融资源服务于本地,以促进我国债券市场健康发展。

地理环境因子对民航飞行“接地距离远”超限事件影响分析

“15 m(50 ft)至接地距离远”是民航客机在着陆阶段常发生的超限事件。研究机场地理环境因子对该超限事件的影响,能够为机场选址和飞行品质评估提供参考依据。使用飞机快速存储记录器(QAR)数据、机场的地形和气象数据,通过全局和局部相关性分析,确定“接地距离远”事件的主要地理环境影响因子;基于地理加权回归模型,建立“接地距离远”事件频率与高程、起伏度以及气温之间的回归模型;根据回归系数,采用Kmeans聚类算法将因子的影响模式分为五类,探究地理环境因子对“接地距离远”事件影响的空间格局及作用机制。结果表明:“接地距离远”事件频率与高程、起伏度、气压和气温有显著的相关性,各因子对“接地距离远”事件的影响强度和方向存在明显的空间分异现象,同一影响模式下的机场在空间分布上呈现出聚集性。

文化差异对流动人口环保行为的影响研究——基于方言距离的实证分析

方言差异对个体环保行为的影响主要依据是文化认同理论,个体对其所属文化群体的情感认同和身份认知,涵盖了对特定文化传统、价值观、信仰、习惯和语言的深刻认同感。该理论指出,文化认同不仅影响着个体对自我身份的认知,也影响着他们对他人、社会群体,以及整个社会的态度和行为。本研究基于中国综合社会调查(Chinese General Social Survey,CGSS)(2013)数据,使用普通最小二乘法(Ordinary Least Squares,OLS)和调节效应模型分析了方言距离对流动人口环保行为的影响及其作用机制。研究结果表明,方言距离总体上显著降低了流动人口的环保行为,且经过内生性和稳健性检验后,这一研究发现依然成立。异质性分析表明,方言距离降低私域环保行为要比公域环保行为更明显,且方言距离降低短期居住者和听说普通话能力较低者的环保行为也更显著。进一步的机制分析发现,较高的环境污染认知、环境重要性认知以及地区环境规制水平均能显著缓解方言距离对环保行为的负面影响。