Exploring the Relationship between Linguistic and Cultural Distance

초록

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between linguistic distance and the difference in cultural values, so as to explore whether linguistic distance can be used as a substitute for cultural values. In the previous study, the difference in cultural values is using the Hofstede model, but it is pointed out that there is insufficient theoretical background and data from only single enterprise. In addition, analysis of large-scale multinational values differences between countries is expensive and the comparative management methodology is also difficult. Under this context, this study extended West & Graham (2004)’s work. The surveyed countries were expanded to 95 countries. In addition, various measurement methods for measuring linguistic distance were applied to this study. Meanwhile, additional analysis was conducted by measuring the distance including German, Dutch, Arabic, Chinese and Japanese besides English. Research results have indicated that linguistic distance can be a proxy variable that reflecting differences in cultural values. Therefore, it has improved the utility of language distance in subsequent studies so that providing meaningful basic data for multinational enterprises expanding overseas.

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