Abstract
The following paper will argue that any description of cross-cultural similarities and differences is best founded on a consideration mainly of culture-specific dimensions rather than culture-general dimensions; beyond that (and just as importantly), if one wishes to be competent in cross-cultural communication and learning, a firm grasp of culture-specific dimensions is critical. With that in mind, the following paper will look at how emphasis upon culture-general dimensions can lead someone to overlooking the subtleties that distinguish various cultures. The paper will also, in the interests of fairness, highlight how knowledge of culture-general dimensions can allow someone to feel "more at home" in an alien culture - and it can humanize others in the minds of a person traveling to a new location for the first time. Lastly, the essay ends by returning to its support of culture-general communication by citing the time saved, by making it easier to distinguish the "real" commonalities between cultures, and because it makes possible more experiential opportunities.

From the Paper
Intercultural Study: Why Descriptions of Cross Cultural similarities and differences are best founded on consideration mainly of culture-specific dimensions rather than culture-general dimensions The following paper will argue that any description of cross-cultural similarities and differences is best founded on a consideration mainly of culture-specific dimensions rather than culture-general dimensions; beyond that (and just as importantly), if one wishes to be competent in cross-cultural communication and learning, a firm grasp of culture-specific dimensions is critical. With that in mind, the following paper will look at how emphasis upon culture-general dimensions can lead

Tags:specific, dimensions, culture

Abstract
The representation of popular culture is, it may be argued, as much revealing of the critic as of popular culture itself. While popular culture is, by definition, a culture created and shared by a large portion of the population, popular culture has also historically been criticized in gendered and condescending language. In this context, the thesis will be argued that the significance of David McGimpsey's collection Hamburger Valley, California lies in its deep, if sometimes critical and ambivalent, thematic participation in American popular culture.

From the Paper
Popular Culture in Hamburger Valley, California: The Poet as Participant The representation of popular culture is, it may be argued, as much revealing of the critic as of popular culture itself. While popular culture is, by definition, a culture created and shared by a large portion of the population, popular culture has also historically been criticized in gendered and condescending language. In this context, the thesis will be argued that the significance of David McGimpsey's collection Hamburger Valley, California lies in its deep, if sometimes critical and ambivalent, thematic participation in American popular culture.

Tags:literature, culture, poetry

Abstract
The question, What is popular culture and how does it relate to Eastern and Western societies? is an apparently simple query that conceals a complex range of social cultural and economic aspects. This essay examines this question, beginning with a provisional definition of popular culture and an attempt to distinguish it from other cultural forms such as high culture and mass culture. The thesis is argued that popular culture is, in its fundamental elements, a commercial culture that is dependent to an extraordinary degree upon the mass media as a technological vehicle for its messages and products.

Tags:pop, culture, asia

Abstract
This essay, "IS LAW TRANSCENDENT OR CULTURE DEPENDENT?" poses that question, based on a consideration of a number of cultural settings, ancient and modern, and finds that law is highly culture dependent. It is a study in the variables of cultural anthropology as much as law, and shwos that in every culture, including the subcultures of American society, there is a law unique to the vernacular of each culture.

From the Paper
IS LAW TRANSCENDENT OR CULTURE DEPENDENT? One of the greatest frustrations that those who approach law find about this subject is that while it seems emotional to cry out for simplicity and universality, it seems only to generate increasing particularity and complexity. Those social reformers who continually try to simplify and universalize law offer the contention that law is a universal phenomenon. However, in the light of reality, this argument must be refined if it is to retain any sort of meaning. Every culture has law. But the law of cultures varies radically from one culture to another. Consider an example of the

Tags:law, culture, universal

Abstract
The paper explains how every organization has its culture and like any other culture, the organizational culture is composed of group interactions within a structured framework. The paper discusses how an organizational culture possesses similar features to any other culture owning folklore heroes, communications network and rites and rituals. The paper notes that like any other culture, an organizational culture must be carefully maintained in order to prevent it from breaking down.

Tags:collaborative, educational, culture

Abstract
This paper addresses the two arguments about cultural change in an organization; some people argue that the culture of the organization cannot be changed, while other people argue that the culture of the organization can be changed. The paper posits that while both sides of the argument have valid points, studying the culture of organizations will show that change is possible. The paper asserts that when arguing the issue of changing the culture of organization, it is important to look at both arguments before deciding that the culture of an organization can indeed change.

From the Paper
""Basically, organizational culture is the personality of an organization" (McNamara). Every individual has a personality and the same can be stated about organizations with each organization having an individual culture (personality) that makes the organization what it is. Some people argue that the culture of the organization cannot be changed, while other people argue that the culture of the organization can be changed. While both sides of the argument have valid points, studying the culture of organizations will show that change is possible. When arguing the issue of changing the culture of organization, it is important to look at both..."

Tags:culture, organization, values

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses whether or not multiculturalism devalues the culture. The writer discusses that when a person moves to a new country, the culture as the person knows it begins to change as the person begins to accept the culture of the land where he or she moves. The writer maintains that multiculturalism devalues culture because people accept different languages, traditions, and habits of different cultures causing depreciation of the culture as they once knew it.

From the Paper
"Imagine the experience of coming to a new country to live. No doubt, this would be exciting. However, once the family has lived in the country for several years speaking the new language, what happens to their language? What happens to the traditions of the individual or family? Nino Ricci states, "Culture is life. It is a living, breathing, multi-faceted entity in constant evolution. It alters every day, is never the same thing from one day to the next." (81). When a person moves to a new country, the culture as the person knows it begins to change as the person begins to accept the culture of the land where he or she moves."

Tags:culture, devalue, multiculturalism

Abstract
The paper discusses how the media is the creator and perpetuator of celebrity culture and argues that when our fascination with the culture dies out we will see that it is lacking meaning. The paper looks at how
a certain amount of preoccupation with the rich and famous has been around for centuries and how Princess Diana was a key in the formation of the persistent and intrusive celebrity culture. The paper also points to Marilyn Monroe and how her death was a triggering event in the formation of a celebrity. The paper then contends that people who subscribe to celebrity culture don't follow celebrities because they care about them, but because they hope to be the first to know of the next big scandal. The paper further contends that the undeserved attention given to people who don't deserve the sort of merit they are receiving is the reason why our celebrity culture is turning into a cheap culture.

From the Paper
"Celebrity culture has changed drastically since the days of Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, or even Marlon Brando. At one time celebrities were the "untouchables"; not only could you not get close to them, but they seemed like something from another world as well. Celebrity culture is a relatively new thing in that the media has turned celebrity culture into a bit of a joke; before the media and the paparazzi became such insatiable hounds, celebrity culture - of course - existed, but it wasn't viewed as trivial and meaningless and as detriment to our society as a whole. Our increasing fascination with celebrity culture and status is an effect of globalization; as our worlds are becoming closer and smaller, we feel the desire to be closer. Globalization plays a significant role in celebrity culture; media fuels celebrity culture and if it weren't for the very people who purchased these forms of media, celebrity culture would cease to exist and it is these very forms of media that over the decades have turned celebrities like the eloquent and classy Princess Diana turn into the scandalous and taboo like Britney Spears."

Tags:Princess, Diana, Marilyn, Monroe, Madonna, scandals, media, culture

Abstract
The paper states that it is not complicated to find some globalized places such as airline terminals, international hotels or CNN business news revealing the effects of globalization and its repercussions on our understanding of culture in the modern world. The paper relates that through the growing of global interconnections and the processes of ideas and global goods crossing national borders, cultures fuse across the globe. The paper also discusses the presence of English as an international language, and a homogenization of culture. The paper confirms that, culture is a set of values and practices characterized by its particularity, which nevertheless needs universal criteria as a reference to justify this particularity. It is also crucial to define culture as an "encompassing" concept and to keep in mind that it is difficult to know what is cultural.

From the Paper
"In addition, a shared global culture is also relevant as a global dissemination of an American or Western culture. Indeed the processes of globalization are providing fuel for a cultural imperialism, that is to say a global culture liable to be a hegemonic culture. Thus the assertion of a shared global culture seems to be linked to what Friedman describes as "the increasing hegemony of particular central cultures, the diffusion of American values, consumers goods and lifestyles" (Friedman, 1994: 195). The diffusion of dominant standard icons and references such as MacDonald's, Coca-Cola leads to think about an obvious Americanization. In a word, cultures are both confronted by a global dominance of the western culture and by the practices of global capitalism. The result is probably a decrease of cultural differences: a process which undeniably worked to the advantage of the USA and others Western nations. A striking example of this tendency of cultural imperialism is the United Nations Educations Scientific and Cultural Organization's call for a "new world information and communication order" and its politics on global culture."

Tags:shared, global, culture, diversity, national, differences, cultural, homogenization, synchronisation, cultural, proliferation

Abstract
This paper examines how, as increasing numbers of businesses look to expand and develop their consumer and market base through the internationalisation of their operations, managers are recognising the importance of effective international marketing to counter the increased levels of uncertainty and complexity. It focuses specifically on the role of culture in the formulation of international marketing strategies, using a number of examples to highlight the points raised. Firstly, international marketing strategies are considered in more detail, followed by an exploration of the concept of culture and its influence on international marketing strategies.

Outline
Introduction
What are International Marketing Strategies?
Understanding Culture
The Role of Culture in International Marketing Strategy Formulation
Hofstede?s Five Dimensions
Hall and Hall?s High-Low Context
Direct Influence on Marketing Mix
Product
Price
Place
Promotion
Importance of Ethics
Critiquing the Role of Culture
Conclusions
References
Appendix 1

From the Paper
"Since value judgements vary between and within cultures, perceptions of what constitutes acceptable behaviour also differ: for example a gift in one country may be considered a bribe in another (Cateora and Ghauri, 2000; Doole and Lowe, 2001). Kotabe and Helsen (2004 p.171) highlight the significance of this for international marketers who "must understand and respect cultural subtleties, whilst finding the limits of ethical behaviour"; since a company's ethical stance may affect its ability to do business in some countries. For example, Motorola's lengthy "Code of Business Conduct", sets out standards for accepted behaviour throughout the organisation (see www.motorola.com). They recognise the "ethical legitimacy" of gift-giving in Japan, but decline to "participate in the practice" (Hamilton and Knouse, 2001 p.87). This allows the company to show respect for Japanese culture, whilst maintaining its own corporate values. Similarly, consideration should be given to product usage and production processes, which may not be appropriate in certain cultures or environments."

Tags:culture, hofstede, business