Culture studies in international business: paradigmatic shifts

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to unfold the path of how the complexity of culture issues leads to a rising pressure for paradigm changes in the research on culture in international management. In terms of academic debate about culture, the crucial paradigm shift has not yet happened. Research and writing are still dominated by a mechanistic-rational approach which does not quite know to handle cultural phenomena which by nature are mutuable, often transient and invariably context-specific. Rising pressure is observed for paradigm changes through three main trends: integration of West-East dichotomy, coexistence of convergence and divergence; and dynamic vs static perspectives. It is argued that the unresolved debate on the culture construct and its measurement, the epistemological stance by researchers and associated methodological choices in culture studies reinforce these trends pressuring for a paradigm shift. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reviews the knowledge based on culture studies to establish the contributions of culture studies in international business and the foundation of its knowledge base. The conceptual foundation of culture, its multi-level and multi-dimensionality and critical issues in research epistemology and methodology are analyzed to discuss emerging trends in the process of an imminent paradigm change. Findings – By unfolding the nature of abstract and high-order definition of culture, the focus is on deciphering the complex construct and multi-level and multi-dimensionality in measurement, which, in turn, interact with the epistemology of culture researchers and the choice of methodology used to carry out culture studies. Eventually the interaction of the three studied elements drives the proposed three paradigmatic changes in the evolving business environment. Research limitations/implications – The identified trends in existing culture research keep the importance of culture studies in international business management thriving as we point to their relevance for the envisaged paradigm shift. Practical implications – The three paradoxes discussed challenge researchers who aim to contribute to the knowledge base of culture in international business. In addition, the debate cannot be ignored by international business managers as culture is a key informal institutional driver that influences international business performance. Originality/value – The review of the knowledge base on culture studies in management contributes to a better understanding of the envisaged paradigmatic shift of the discipline. The debate on the complexity of culture studies is extended to three tendencies for potential paradigmatic change, with implications discussed to suggest future research.

The Impact of Knowledge Documentation Process as an Intermediary Variable among Knowledge Acquisition Process, Organizational Culture and Human Capital

“…Considering that knowledge documentation improves the skills of problem-solving of employees, and it also adds certain value to the components of human capital of employees (Rohlfer and Zhang, 2016), also, knowledge documentation has considerably allowed knowledge storage, which is usually in the form of organizational memory (OM). In this form, knowledge can be transferred effortlessly aside from becoming accessible and usable as well.…”

How does culture influence innovation? A systematic literature review

“…As one of the factors that influence the innovation, culture has been paid more and more attention in the broader sphere of business and management in recent years. The influence of culture on innovation has been recognized as a critical factor in international management and organizational development given its relevance and contribution to business and economic development (e.g., Verspagen, 2006;Rohlfer and Zhang, 2016). A large number of researchers have conducted researches in exploring the relationship between culture and innovation in the business area (Barnett, 1953;Goncalo and Staw, 2006;Parveen et al, 2015).…”

Six Decades of International Business Research: Where Next?

“…However, the complexity of culture per se as a construct with multiple levels and dimensions (Fischer 2009;Gerhart 2009;Leung et al 2005) deserves its own theoretical development, which may potentially shift the paradigmatic tendency in management (Rohlfer and Zhang 2016). The national level of culture is only one among many other levels such as organizational, regional, professional, industrial, and team levels.…”

“…Indeed, study of the interplay between these two cultural levels is needed to further explore culture's role in the field of international business. Rohlfer and Zhang (2016) identify three trends in studying culture in the international business context that reveal rising pressure for this paradigmatic shift:…”