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The making of a construct: Lessons from 30 years of the Kogut and Singh cultural distance index

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Abstract

The 30-year anniversary of Kogut and Singh’s (1988) groundbreaking study that introduced the concept of cultural distance and its accompanying measure provides the opportunity to take stock of what makes for a good construct. We organize our discussion around the issues of concept, algorithm, and data to clarify and gauge their contribution, before highlighting the impact of their work more generally. Many of the challenges raised by critical observers focus on one of these three dimensions. As there is value in looking systematically at the construct from concept to data, we set out the argument of the index and discuss the validity of selected lines of criticism. We identify a number of emergent and future directions for the conceptualization and measurement of cultural distance, to facilitate the continuing advancement of work on international business.

Résumé

L’anniversaire des 30 ans de l’étude novatrice de Kogut et Singh ((1988)), qui a introduit le concept de distance culturelle et la mesure qui l’accompagne, offre l’occasion de faire le point sur ce qui constitue un bon construit. Nous organisons notre discussion autour des questions relatives au concept, à l’algorithme et aux données pour clarifier et évaluer leur contribution avant de mettre en évidence l’impact de leur travail à un niveau plus général. La plupart des défis soulevés par les observateurs critiques se concentrent sur l’une de ces trois dimensions. Comme il est utile d’examiner systématiquement le construit du concept aux données, nous exposons l’argumentation sur l’index et discutons de la validité des lignes de critique sélectionnées. Afin de faciliter l’avancement continu du travail concernant l’international business, nous identifions un certain nombre d’orientations émergentes et futures pour la conceptualisation et la mesure de la distance culturelle.

Resumen

El aniversario número 30 del estudio pionero de Kogut y Singht que introdujo el concepto de distancia cultural y su medida que le acompaña da la oportunidad para hacer un balance de su contribución para construir un buen constructo. Organizamos nuestra discusión en torno a las cuestiones de concepto, algoritmo, y datos para clarificar y calcular su contribución, antes resaltando el impacto de su trabajo de manera más general. Muchos de los retos planteados por los observadores críticos se enfocan en una de estas tres dimensiones. Como es valioso mirar sistemáticamente al constructo desde el concepto hasta los datos, establecemos el argumento de índice y discutimos la validez de las líneas de crítica seleccionadas. Identificamos una serie de direcciones emergentes y futuras para la conceptualización y la medida de la distancia cultural, para facilitar el avance continuo del trabajo en negocios internacionales.

Resumo

O aniversário de 30 anos do estudo inovador de Kogut e Singh ((1988)), que introduziu o conceito de distância cultural e sua forma de mensuração, oferece a oportunidade de fazer um balanço do que contribui para um bom construto. Organizamos nossa discussão em torno das questões de conceito, algoritmo e dados para esclarecer e avaliar sua contribuição, antes de destacar o impacto de seu trabalho de maneira mais geral. Muitos dos desafios levantados por observadores críticos concentram-se em uma dessas três dimensões. Dado que há valor em olhar sistematicamente o construto desde conceito até os dados, expomos a discussão do índice e debatemos a validade de algumas linhas de crítica. Identificamos uma série de direções emergentes e futuras para a conceituação e medição da distância cultural, para facilitar o avanço contínuo do trabalho em negócios internacionais.

摘要

Kogut和Singh (1988) 开创性的研究30周年, 引入了文化距离的概念及其相应的量表, 为评估什么是一个好构建提供了机会。我们围绕概念、算法和数据问题组织讨论, 以澄清和测量们的贡献, 然后在更通用的层面突出他们研究的影响。持批评观点的观察者们提出的许多挑战都集中在这三个维度中的一个维度。由于对构建从概念到数据进行系统观察是有价值的,我们列出了指数的论证, 并讨论了所选批评意见的有效性。我们确定了文化距离概念化和测量的一些新兴的和未来的方向, 以促进国际商业研究的继续发展。.

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Figure 1

Note: We note that some studies have cited the Kogut and Singh article for reasons other than its cultural distance aspect (e.g., for entry mode choices). The data used for this figure is retrieved on the 28th of August 2018.

Figure 2

Note for abbreviations: J. = JOURNAL. INTL = INTERNATIONAL. BUS = BUSINESS. MKT = MARKETING. MGMT = MANAGEMENT

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Correspondence to Gokhan Ertug.

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Accepted by Sjoerd Beugelsdijk, Reviewing Editor, 6 September 2018. This article has been with the authors for two revisions.

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Cuypers, I.R.P., Ertug, G., Heugens, P.P.M.A.R. et al. The making of a construct: Lessons from 30 years of the Kogut and Singh cultural distance index. J Int Bus Stud 49, 1138–1153 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-018-0181-5

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