Studiens syfte är att se hur individualistiska och kollektivistiska värderingar kan förstås ur ett intersektionellt perspektiv med fokus på kulturell identitet. I ett bekvämlighetsurval hittade vi respondenter från Mellanstadskommuner i klasser för SFI (Svenska För Invandrare) och SAS (Svenska som Andra Språk) samt kollektivboenden för ensamkommande flyktingbarn. Genom att utföra studien på svenska studenter på två olika gymnasieskolor samt japanska individer erhölls referenspunkter i förhållande till Hofstede’s data gällande kulturella värderingar och dimensioner. Respondenterna fick svara på ett enkätformulär som är utformat av Ph.D. Reggie Pawle utifrån Hofstede’s identitetsdimension och översatt av uppsatsens författare till svenska, samt till Japanska av en japansk översättare. Resultatet utgör en samling tabeller och intressanta iakttagelser som t.ex. att ungdomar med utländska föräldrar svarat på enkäten utifrån olika kulturella värderingar vilket stämmer in med tidigare forskningars rapporter att dessa ungdomar slits mellan sina föräldrars kultur och den nya. Teoretiska jämförelser påvisar att det finns intersektionella tendenser. / The purpose of this study is to see how individualistic and collective values can be understood from an intersectional perspective, focusing on the cultural identity. In a convenience sample we found respondents from Middle sized municipalities in classes for SFI (Swedish For Immigrants) and SAS (Swedish as a second language) as well as collective homes for unaccompanied refugee children. By performing the study on Swedish students at two high schools and Japanese individuals we obtained reference points in relation to Hofstede's data on cultural values and dimensions. Respondents were asked to answer a questionnaire form designed by Ph.D. Reggie Pawle based on Hofstede's identity dimensions and translated by the essay writers into Swedish, and Japanese by a Japanese translator. The result is a collection of tables and interesting observations such as that young people with foreign parents responded to the survey based on different cultural values which fits in with previous research reports that these young people are torn between their parents' culture and the new. Theoretical comparisons indicate that there are intersectional trends.

The present paper aimed to study the culture in Sweden and Finland, by analyzing two research centers of one multinational organization in each location. Hofstede’s cultural framework was used as a benchmark for the research. Further, the study investigated the significant impact that culture has on innovation and job performance. To achieve the purpose, quantitative approach was adopted and a self-competition questionnaire was distributed to the employees of both research centers. Two hypotheses were tested concerning with the relationship between any of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and innovation, respectively job performance. After a regression analysis was conducted, two models were created which described the impact of the cultural constructs. All of Hofstede’s initial four dimensions indicated a relationship with innovation, while only individualism and uncertainty avoidance showed to be significant in predicting job performance. An unexpected result was discovered in the individualism index, which has drastically shifted, putting Finland in the collectivist societies, with Sweden following the same trend. The study’s results should be able to contribute to the better understanding of culture’s influence on innovation and job performance in multinational organizations and help practitioners by demonstrating the importance of considering culture’s effect.

Globalisering och den senaste tidens utveckling av CSR har föranlett ett behov av harmonisering av hållbarhetsrapportering likt rapporter av finansiell karaktär, för att på så sätt främja CSR-arbetet och underlätta vid investeringsbeslut. Idén bakom CSR är till stor del influerad av den anglosaxiska och europeiska syn på rättvisa, demokrati och sociala strukturer. Vad gäller rapportering kring hållbarhet finns ett flertal internationellt accepterade standarder och riktlinjer varav en är GRI. Trots allmänna riktlinjer så kvarstår dilemmat om harmoni då hållbarhetsrapporteringen i grunden skiljer sig åt länder emellan till följd av olikheter i kulturella värderingar. I studien undersöks två länder med olika företagskulturer, närmare bestämt USA och Japan. Utvecklingen av CSR har letts av västerländska länder och företag och är till stor del influerad av den anglosaxiska synen på sociala strukturer. Japan däremot började tillämpa CSR så sent som år 2003 och med dessa olikheter i åtanke är det rimligt att anta att ett universellt tillvägagångssätt av CSR inte existerar. Mot denna bakgrund resulterar studiens syfte i att undersöka om skillnader finns i hur hållbarhetsrapporteringen ser ut länderna emellan och om de i sin tur kan förklaras av de kulturella skillnaderna. I studien tillämpas först en kvantitativ innehållsanalys och därefter en diskursanalys. Utifrån studiens resultat kan det konstateras att båda företagen följer G4:s riktlinjer men de skillnader som framgick var att det japanska företaget rapporterar mer kring social hållbarhet än vad det amerikanska gör. Omvänt rapporterar det amerikanska företaget mer kring ekonomisk hållbarhet än vad som kunde tydas från den japanska hållbarhetsrapporten. Ett försök gjordes sedan att koppla dessa skillnader till kulturella dimensioner genom att analysera retoriken i CSR-rapporterna. Slutsatserna som kan dras av denna analys är att de starka kulturella dragen troligtvis suddas ut till följd av att stora företag blir mer och mer globala. / Globalization and the recent evolution of CSR has led to the need for harmonization of sustainability reporting, similar to the harmonization of financial reporting. This would both encourage the engagement for CSR and also facilitate decision making for investors. The idea of CSR is strongly influenced by the Anglo-Saxon and European views of justice, democracy and social structures. Regarding sustainability reporting, there are several internationally accepted standards and guidelines, one of which is GRI. Despite the existence of these guidelines, the dilemma of harmonization remains as sustainability reporting differs between countries due to differences in cultural values. In this study two countries with different corporate cultures will be examined, United States and Japan. The development of CSR has been led by western countries and organizations and is mainly influenced by the Anglo-Saxon view of social structures. Japan, on the other hand, started practising CSR as late as 2003 and with these differences in mind it is relevant to assume that a global course of action does not exist. With this background, the purpose of this study is to examine whether there are differences in sustainability reporting among the countries and if these differences can be explained by their cultural characteristics. The methods used for the study are a quantitative content analysis followed by a discourse analysis. The results from the study show that both companies examined are compliant with the G4 guidelines. The differences that could be found was that the Japanese organization reports more on the subject of social sustainability compared to the American one. Conversely the American organization reports more on the subject of economic sustainability than what could be read from the Japanese CSR-report. An attempt to connect these differences to cultural inequalities was made through an analysis of the rhetoric of the CSR-reports. The conclusion of this discourse analysis was that the strong cultural characteristics might have disappeared due to the fact that large companies become more and more global.

Avaliação de aprendizagem é um tema muito controverso. É um dos maiores problemas no desenvolvimento do processo pedagógico nos diferentes níveis e modalidades de ensino. A avaliação é classificada em diferentes tipos como diagnóstica, formativa e somativa (classificatória). O objetivo da avaliação diagnóstica é descobrir as causas dos problemas de aprendizagem e planejar ações corretivas. A avaliação formativa é usada para monitorar o progresso de aprendizagem do aluno durante a instrução com a finalidade de fornecer feedback contínuo aos alunos e professores sobre o sucesso e ou fracasso no processo de ensino/aprendizagem. A avaliação somativa é dada no final do curso ou unidade de instruções para descobrir qual aluno, até que ponto tem dominado os resultados de aprendizagem pretendidos. Avaliação é uma questão importante discutida também na aplicação de metodologias de ensino como a aprendizagem baseada em problemas (ABP). A ABP é uma metodologia de aprendizagem no qual os alunos encontram-se primeiro com um problema, seguido de um processo de investigação e reflexão sistemático centrado no aluno. Além disso, o ambiente cultural, em conjunto com a metodologia de ensino escolhida, pode influenciar a forma como os alunos aprendem. Desta forma, Hofstede (1980) apresentou um método de identificação de dimensões culturais: índice de distância hierárquica (PDI), individualismo versus coletivismo (IDV), masculinidade versus feminilidade (MAS), índice de aversão à incerteza (UAI) e orientação de longo prazo versus orientação normativa de curto prazo (LTO). Neste contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar se a ABP poderia promover a integração da avaliação formativa como elemento de redirecionamento e motivação para o processo de ensino-aprendizagem dos estudantes de biologia no ensino médio. Os perfis culturais de Hofstede dos alunos foram levados em consideração durante a aplicação desta metodologia. Esta metodologia foi aplicada para duas salas de aula diferentes durante três bimestres. Os alunos foram avaliados considerando suas atitudes durante a aplicação da ABP e testes escolares. A metodologia ABP integrada na avaliação formativa foi favorecida pela elaboração do formulário de acompanhamento do professor. Além disso, outro formulário auxiliar favoreceu uma rápida anotação do professor sobre o desempenho acadêmico do aluno em ABP. Cada aluno preencheu o seu formulário de autoavaliação, o que contribuiu positivamente para mudar a postura do estudante aumentando o seu interesse durante as aulas. Durante o período de aplicação da metodologia, observaram-se melhoras nas médias dos testes escolares dos alunos a um nível de 95% de confiança. A proposta de integrar a avaliação formativa com a aprendizagem baseada em problemas (ABP) no ensino médio melhorou o desempenho dos alunos também em aspectos comportamentais. Os formulários utilizados neste trabalho foram disponibilizados para serem incluídos no plano pedagógico de uma escola pública do estado de São Paulo para favorecer a avaliação formativa dos alunos. / Learning evaluation is a very controversial topic. It is one of the greatest problems in the development of the pedagogical process in the different levels and modalities of teaching. Evaluation is classified into the different types as diagnostic, formative and summative (classificatory). The aim of diagnostic evaluation is to find out the causes of learning problems and plan to take remedial actions. Formative evaluation is used to monitor student\'s learning progress during instruction with the purpose of providing ongoing feedback to students and teachers regarding success and failure of teaching/learning process. Summative evaluation is given at the end of the course or unit of instructions to find out which student, to what extent has mastered the intended learning outcomes. Evaluation is an important issue also discussed during the application of different teaching methodology as problem-based learning (PBL). The PBL is a method of learning in which learners first encounter a problem followed by a systematic, learner-centered inquiry and reflection process. Also, the cultural environment together with the chosen teaching methodology can influence the way of students learns. In this way, Hofstede (1980) has presented an identification method of cultural dimensions: power distance index (PDI), individualism versus collectivism (IDV), masculinity versus femininity (MAS), uncertainty avoidance index (UAI) and long term orientation versus short term normative orientation (LTO). In this context, this work aimed to ascertain if PBL could promotes the integration of formative evaluation as an element of redirection and motivation for the teaching-learning process for high school biology students. The Hofstede\'s cultural profiles of the students were taking account during the application of the methodology. This methodology was applied for two different classrooms during three set of bimester. The students were evaluated considering their attitudes during the PBL application and school tests. PBL methodology integrated into formative evaluation was favored by the elaboration of the teacher\'s follow-up form. Also, another auxiliary form favored a quick teacher annotation about the attitudinal student performance in PBL. Each student had it on self-evaluation form, which contributed positively to change student posture by increasing interest during the classes. During the period of the methodology was applied it was observed an improvement in the averages of the students school tests at a 95% confidence level. The proposal to integrate the formative evaluation into problem-based learning (PBL) for high school biology students improved student\'s performance also in behavioral aspects. The forms used in this work were made available to be included in the pedagogical plan of a public school in the state of São Paulo to favor the formative evaluation of the students.

Cultural Finance är ett relativt nytt forskningsområde som belyser att kultur kan vara en nyckelfaktor till att förklara individers investeringsbeteende. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka om kultur kan vara en förklarande faktor till individers investeringsbeteende.  En jämförandestudie genomfördes där svenska (n=124) och spanska (n=109) investerare undersöktes. Studien baserades på kvantitativa enkäter som publicerades i forum med inriktning på investeringar. Resultatet analyserades med hjälp av ett Mann Whitney U test i SPSS version 1.0.0.1275 för att testa om det går att urskilja skillnader i investeringsbeteende mellan Sverige och Spanien. Resultatet visade på att det gick att urskilja skillnader i investeringsbeteende i risktagande och individers motvilja att förlora pengar och att dessa skillnader kan bero på kultur. / Cultural Finance is a relatively new research area that highlights that culture can be a critical factor in explaining the investment behavior of individuals. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether culture can be an explanatory factor for individuals' investment behavior. A comparative study was conducted in which Swedish (n = 124) and Spanish (n = 109) investors were surveyed. The study was based on quantitative questionnaires published in forums focusing on investments. The results were analyzed using a Mann Whitney U test in SPSS version 1.0.0.1275 to test whether differences in investment behavior between Sweden and Spain can be discerned. The results showed that it was possible to discern differences in investment behavior in risk-taking and individuals' reluctance to lose money and that these differences may be due to culture.

Syftet med denna studie är att förstå hur organisationskulturen är uppbyggd i en globaliserad organisation med olika nationella kulturer och vidare hur motståndskraftig organisationskulturen är mot förändringar i en extern kris, för att svara på det framställdes två frågor. En fallstudie gjordes på ett globaliserat företag inom mjukvaruutvecklingsbranschen, stationerat i Sverige, USA och Singapore. Metoden som användes var semistrukturerade intervjuer, gjorda digitalt över Zoom med sex anställda från organisationen, två från varje land. De semistrukturerade intervjuernas struktur baserades på en semistrukturerad intervjuguide och det empiriska materialet kategoriserades senare genom en tematisk innehållsanalys. För att analysera det empiriska materialet användes två modeller från två olika forskare, Hofstedes kulturdimensioner för att jämföra de nationella kulturerna och Scheins isbergsmodell för att identifiera organisationens kultur. Resultaten visade att det fanns skillnader mellan de nationella kulturerna som påverkade organisationens kultur, men på organisationsnivån var man medveten om skillnaderna och arbetade proaktivt med frågan. Däremot hade inte coronapandemin någon påtaglig påverkan på organisationskulturen , trots de restriktioner som tvingade de anställda att arbeta hemifrån. En förklaring kan vara att organisationen redan innan pandemin använde digital kommunikation i stor skala och därför var förändringen inte lika omvälvande. / The aim of this study is to understand how organizational culture is structured in a globalized organization with different national culture and further how resistant the organizational culture is to changes in an external crisis. In order to answer that, two issues were raised. A case study was done at a globalized company within the software development industry, stationed in Sweden, USA and Singapore. The method used is semi structured interviews conducted digitally by Zoom with six participants from the organization, two from each country. The structure of the interviews was based on a semi structured interview guide and the empirical material was later categorized through a thematic content analysis. To analyze the empirical material, two models from two different researchers were used, Hofstedes cultural dimension to compare the national cultures and Scheins iceberg model to identify the organization's culture. The results show that there were differences between the national cultures that affected the culture of the organization, however at an organizational level one was aware of the differences and worked proactively with the matter. However, the corona pandemic did not have a significant impact on organizational culture, despite the restrictions which forced the employees to work from home. One explanation can be that the organization already used digital communication on a large scale before the pandemic and therefore the change wasn't as significant.

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Syftet: Syftet med denna uppsats är att se till de kulturella skillnaderna mellan Sverige och Ryssland. Utifrån Hofstedes fem dimensioner, kompletterat med Trompenaars studie, vill vi se om en förändring har skett i Rysslands kultur och hur etablerade företag på den ryska marknaden uppfattar Ryssland.   Metod: Studien är kvalitativ och utifrån en deduktiv ansats. Primärdatainsamling har gjorts med hjälp av tre respondenter samt har en sekundärdataanalys gjorts för att insamla empirin som sedan har analyserats utifrån det teoretiska perspektivet.   Teoretiska perspektiv: Uppsatsens teoretiska utgångspunkt är utifrån Hofstedes fem dimensionsmodeller av nationell kultur samt av Fons Trompenaars sex dimensioner som ett komplement till Hofstedes undersökning.   Resultat: Resultatet av vår primärdata och sekundärdataanalys visar på att de kulturella skillnader som finns mellan Sverige och Ryssland i stor utsträckning beror på historiens utformning av människors värderingar. Historian influerar mycket på hur ett lands kultur gestaltas. Värderingar tar tid att förändra och på grund av det återfinns mycket av kommunismens tankesätt i dagens Ryssland.

nternational market entry strategies gained increasing importance due to globalisation. Companies became multinationals. Therefore, new challenges arose due to different market and customer requirements. One topic, which gained importance in B2B context, is customer value. Customer value can be defined as the perceived benefits a company delivers its customers in comparison to the perceived expenses. Nevertheless, no uniform definition exist. In addition to that, if there is a direct connection between B2B customer value and international market entry strategies have not been investigated yet. Therefore, this thesisprojectdeals with the influence of B2B customer value on international market entry strategies. To determine the link, following research question guides this thesis: How does B2B customer value influence international market entry strategies in Northern Europe?The research isnot only focused on Northern Europe but also on the data centre segment. The investigated countries are Norway, Ireland, UK and Finland. These countries are highly interesting for the commission partnerdue to market developments and mega trends. Furthermore, the commission partneris represented by local subsidiaries in the four countries of interest. In order to answer the research question, deep insights are generated via semi-structured interviews. Three customer groups are investigated: Data centre operator as well as owner, constructors including panel builder and system integrators as well as design consultants. The interviews are conducted either face-to-face or if necessary via telephone in the four countries of interest. The interviews include questions about B2B relationships, brand and marketing.If culture influences B2B customer value is investigated indirectly bythe questions on B2B relationship.Market intelligence questions are added in order to create a deeper understanding of the market.Furthermore, these insights also help to interpret the answers of customers. Due to the interviews, a picture of the B2B customer value in Northern Europe is created. Northern European customers value reliable suppliers who can offer quality products as well as solutions. In addition to that, the importance of global brands andmarketing of competences is determined. Due to combining the findings with the cultural dimensions of Hofstede, it is concluded that customer value differs between other countries.Hence, customer value influences international market strategies, as different customer value require distinct international market entry strategies.

Doctor of Philosophy / Apparel, Textiles, and Interior Design / Kim Hiller / This study examined the effects of knowledge of apparel and textile (AT) manufacturing’s impacts on the environment, environmental concern, attitudes toward environmentally sustainable apparel (ESA), and the cultural characteristics of adult, female Kuwaiti nationals on purchasing behaviors of ESA. This study was conducted because Kuwait is a large consumer market for apparel goods and there was a gap in the existing literature on sustainable apparel with regards to Kuwait. To measure the independent variables of knowledge related to the environmental impacts of AT manufacturing, environmental concern, attitudes towards ESA, and the cultural characteristics of Kuwaiti women on the dependent variable of ESA purchase behavior intentions, a mixed methods approach was used. This mixed method approach included a survey instrument featuring five different scales to acquire data through quantitative methods on a population of Kuwaitis acquired through snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews were then utilized to acquire further data for a qualitative data analysis. The results were then analyzed through descriptive statistics, regressions, and coding. The data analysis of the quantitative survey responses of the female Kuwaiti nationals showed that their level of knowledge on the environmental impacts of the AT industry was low, their level of environmental concern was neutral, their ESA attitudes were neutral, and their ESA purchase intentions were slightly positive. Regression results found that environmental concern had no relationship with ESA attitudes, knowledge about AT related environmental issues positively influenced ESA attitudes, and both knowledge about AT related environmental issues and ESA attitudes had a positive influence on ESA purchase intentions. Additionally, the cultural dimensions of the surveyed population showed high power distance and collectivism, low long-term orientation and uncertainty avoidance, and intermediate levels of masculinity and indulgence. The qualitative interview revealed that Kuwaiti culture is strongly influenced by the Islamic religion, and the culture supports high levels of consumerism and ostentatious consumption. A majority of qualitative participants did not express any attitudes toward ESA, and none of the participants had purchased ESA products previously. This could be because female Kuwaiti nationals are limited in their knowledge related to AT environmental risks and are generally unaware of ESA and its purpose. The study’s data could be used to provide educators with information through which to tailor curricula towards the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of Kuwaiti nationals. Additionally, this information could be essential for manufacturers and retailers of ESA products, so that they can produce and sell ESA affectively in Kuwait.