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Cultural diversity, Intercultural Competence, Tolerance and the Economy: a Review
98-109Views:203Cultural diversity is generally a controversial topic in the literature. Whereas some studies proved that it has economic benefits, others denied that. However, it is possible to avoid the costs related to that through enhancing each of intercultural competence, on the level of firms, and social tolerance, on the level of economies. To investigate that, the study used literature review analysis. Based on the literature, cultural diversity plays important role in enhancing innovation and entrepreneurship which are necessary for economic development. However, it may result in different challenges such as a lack of trust and conflict. Therefore, it could be feasible to manage and benefit from cultural diversity in the companies through cross-cultural training as well as cultural diversity management. On the other hand, economies can avoid cultural diversity's costs by adopting the policies and institutions which are necessary for enhancing the level of social tolerance among people.
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Investigating the Impact of Nature in Designing Cultural Environments for Children
244-256Views:216There is a tendency to communicate with nature in human beings as a set of emotional experiences. This study investigates the impact of organic architecture in creating cultural spaces for children. The concepts of nature, naturalist architecture and children educational psychology, from the perspective of scholars and researchers in this area are investigated. The children’s perception of nature and their feelings were assessed and one hundred forty respondents among the instructors of cultural centres in different regions of Tehran have answered the questionnaires. To investigate the hypotheses, Univariate T - test and F - test were applied. The results showed that the stimulation of the natural environment has a positive and meaningful effect on curiosity, participation, and fantasy in children, while they show their impressions of nature indirectly. Therefore, designing applicable spaces according to children’s physics, using appropriate colours and furniture as well as more environmentally-related spaces, can have positive effects on social participation, intuitive and verbal skills of the children.
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Perceived Barriers to Youth Entrepreneurship in Pakistan and Hungary
382-391Views:137Entrepreneurship brings enormous benefits. It generates employment and helps in social and economic development. Ventures created through the youth entrepreneurship have enormous benefits. They generate employment, reduce poverty and unequitable distribution of wealth. These ventures do also help in social, economic and technological development. However, the youth faces several barriers to entrepreneurship. This study explores the personal & psychological, family related, institutional & regulatory, cultural & social, financial and market & knowledge barriers faced by the youth of Hungary and Pakistan. Qualitative research methodology was applied. Interviews at micro and meso levels were conducted from the young entrepreneurs and university professors of Pakistan and Hungary. Results indicate that Pakistan and Hungary have almost similar levels of Personal & Psychological barriers, however, the fear of failure is higher in Hungary than in Pakistan. Family related, cultural & social and market & knowledge barriers are higher in Pakistan for the youth entrepreneurship than Hungary. Institutional & regulatory and financial barriers are at medium levels in Pakistan. For Hungary, these are at low levels. The study has important implications for researchers, academicians, policy makers and for the young aspiring entrepreneurs.
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Constantly Changing: Revitalization of Our Existing Building Stock with a User-centric Approach Through the Comparison of Three Hungarian Examples
94-110Views:558Our built environment’s community-oriented spaces are rapidly becoming obsolete in response to current social, cultural and economic demands. The renovation project of the tímárház Szárító műhely in Debrecen presents a new potentional transformation model in the region with a focus on community-creating and cultural awareness. The incremental, cost-effective small-scale intervention and adaptive reuse of the building’s spaces provide an opportunity to preserve its values and swiftly respond to evolving needs. In order to validate the underlying principles of the interventions proposed in the plan, it will be compared to two similar-minded examples, the Művészeti Ellátó in Eger and Szabadkikötő in Pécs. The projects were examined through the processes occuring within their respective life cycles, as their transformations exhibit recurring patterns. The analyses were conducted based on interviews with the creators, online articles, studies and on-site visits.
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Strategies and Effects of LEDS (Low Emission Development Strategy) in Fortaleza, Brazil
110-121Views:179When it comes to climate change, the built environment, together with transport, and waste and water management play a significant role as Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emitting sectors, reflecting the strong need to address such issues by local governments. A notable action that has been taken in this regard is the Urban Low Emission Development Strategies (Urban LEDS), which consists of a project implemented by the UN-Habitat and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) that selected eight model cities and twenty-one satellite cities around the world and aims to support integrated and ambitious climate action, encouraging low-carbon efforts in emerging economies through the collaboration among them. In addition, eight European cities also participated in the project in its first phase, contributing with their expertise and experience with climate change mitigation. Since 2012, the city of Fortaleza in Brazil is a model city of the Urban LEDS project and it has sustainably integrated and developed many projects, making it a more resilient city, stimulating its economic growth and improving its quality of life. This paper aims to present the milestones that Fortaleza has already met within Urban LEDS and its main priorities in the next years, identifying best practices in three European cities (Copenhagen, Zagreb and Hannover) that could also be implemented in its geographical, social and cultural context, as well as indicate lessons that other cities can learn from Fortaleza.
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The Landscape of Civil Society Organizations in the Economy of Kosovo
334-343Views:311Civil society organizations (CSOs) in the scientific literature have been studied broadly from various aspects such as cultural, political, social and economic. But as far as the last one is concerned, there is still a research gap because there is a lack of study about their contribution to economies under development, such as Kosovo, and which must be filled because of its importance. This paper tends to analyze the present situation of CSOs in Kosovo and their potential contribution to economic activity. Highlighting the activities, the structure and the place of these organizations in the economy will be the approach, in the beginning, to pave the way for further study of specific areas related to them. The methodology established contains analyses of secondary sources that are done by using data from the Ministry of Public Administration of Kosovo, Kosovar Index of Civil Society which is a regular report of the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF), and other supplementary data. However, this will proceed after the scientific conceptual issues of CSOs and their place within the economy. Finally, the results show that civil society in Kosovo is very diverse with organizations in different sectors, and the economic activity sector consists of mostly agricultural NGOs. In transition countries, CSOs are seen as an alternative that improves a particular sector. Thus far, there are over 10,000 organizations established in Kosovo, but relative studies suggest only 1000 to be active. Furthermore, their activity and contribution to economic development is little known so far, while the main problem of the economy remains unemployment.
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Inbound and Outbound Tourism in China: A Perspective Article
91-107Views:477The tourism industry in China has undergone significant changes due to globalization, technology, and changing consumer preferences. This perspective article, based on a systematic literature review, examines examines trends, challenges, and opportunities in inbound and outbound tourism in China, focusing on the industry's dynamism. Both inbound and outbound tourism have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has prompted new strategies and environmental adaptations. China has changed its priorities within the country to encourage domestic travel and support local firms. The rise in internationalisation and the growing middle class in China have led to an unprecedented rise in outbound travel. Chinese travellers are affecting travel habits and spending all around the world in the tourism sector. Language barriers, cultural differences, and safety concerns are some of the challenges that come with travelling abroad. To reach its full potential, China needs to adapt to the shifting global environment and take into account the specifications and preferences of both inbound and outgoing tourists.
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Requirements for Multicultural Competencies Defined by a Focus Group
44-56Views:217Globalization, the spread of multinational companies and the enormous development of information technology can lead to a new trend in employers’ requirements. However, being employed by an international company is a real possibility for any employee in any part of the world. Even if they do not have to work abroad, employees may have to function in a multinational environment in their home countries. A favourable combination of intercultural competencies is a key factor in the selection and development of employees. A possible way of measuring these competencies can be the Multicultural Personality Questionnaire (MPQ). First of all,on the employers’ part, it is important to clarify the exact requirements and competencies (dimensions) to be able to draw up an ‘ideal profile’. We prepared two versions of the MPQ (91-item; 5-dimensional) and used them to test employers’ requirements in the selection process regarding the dimensions of cultural empathy, open-mindedness, social initiative, emotional stability and flexibility. This study describes the results of a focus group interview, which took place in 2017, revealing the importance of multicultural competencies from the employers’ point of view and examining the conditions of the adaptability of the two questionnaires. We used the focus group method to find out in what conditions the questionnaires canbe used in a selection process. What possibilities and limits are therefor using the direct five-dimensional questionnaire? What aspects do we need to take into consideration in expressing and interpreting the requirements in the results of the test?
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Dimensions of Ethnocentric Emotions in Hungary
136-147Views:223The concept ot ethnocentrism appeared first in the literature in the early 1900s. Since then, several international and national studies have focused on defining this concept and have aimed at the investigation of its role in terms of national and international product opinion. The consumer’s decision is influenced not only by the different marketing effects (product, price, place, promotion), but also by the cultural, social, personal and psychological characteristics of the costumers. The examination of ethnocentrism – as a socio-psychological concept – is increasingly important in marketing research. This paper focuses on exploring the dimensions of ethnocentric emotions. My aim is to support the assumption that these dimensions have a significant influence on the thinking of the consumer society. As a result of my primary research, I introduce these dimensions and terminate consumer segments. Based on my research it can be stated that the ethnocentric emotions (such as patriotism, national superiority, national consciousness, national discrimination) are determinants of consumer thinking and demonstrate the fact that awareness of ethnocentric emotions can be the basis for marketing strategies to protect national products.
