The objective is to analyse if international trade is affected by different national cultures. International trade of 21 World Bank listed countries is estimated as function of the Hofstede cultural dimensions, gross domestic product and population. First, we estimate the combined Hofstede culture dimensions and find significant positive effects on countries’ international trade. Secondly, we decompose the Hofstede culture dimensions and estimate the effects of each separate dimension on international trade, finding only the MAS dimension to significantly affect international trade. We estimate additional equation versions to account for occasional trade restrictions with no international trade, as well as estimating how international trade varies between years. These additional estimations further support our original findings, and therefore act as robustness check.

This paper conducts a systematic literature review and relates to how talent management (TM) and recruitment strategies are applied in the financial sector, and specifically in the banking sector. The goals of this paper are to provide a comprehensive analysis of TM research in the financial sector, identify and debate major research topics, and suggest future research possibilities. The study examines publications that were published between 2000 and 2021, which were obtained from the databases Web of Science and Scopus. According to the findings, academics are becoming more interested in TM in the banking sector, which appears to be linked to the severe scarcity of skilled people who possess required talents. The findings are relevant to both academia and the banking sector, as the paper provides data relating to what has already been researched in academia, while also highlighting the need for more research into how TM is understood, valued and implemented. Consequently, this paper paves the way for academics to conduct empirical research on TM and recruitment tactics in the banking sector and the financial sector as a whole. This paper is structured according to the PRISMA requirements for systematic literature reviews.

This research focuses on how cultural and geographical distance affect trade. The question is whether UK exports are similarly affected by Hofstede national culture distance and geographical distance. OECD data is applied to the United Kingdom’s exports as well as Hofstede cultural distance. The research also accounts for the trading countries’ economic size, as well as their market size, in order to account for economies of scale. Results indicate that exports are more impacted by geographical distance than the cultural distance between the UK and its main trading partners.

The importance of service quality and a positive reputation, individually leading to enhanced performance of hospitality organizations, is undisputed. However, little is known about their interplay and how they collectively explain the variability in performance. The purpose of this article is to contribute to the understanding of the individual and collective impact of service quality and reputation on variability in performance, categorized as customer satisfaction and loyalty. This study was conducted using quantitative research methods with data derived from hotel guests in Iceland in the summer of 2023. We gathered 1487 valid answers from guests staying at any of the 9 selected hotels, all belonging to the same Icelandic chain. The factor analysis revealed a credible four-factor model that consists of tangible service, performed service, reputation, and performance. All three independent factors had a statistically positive connection with variabilities in performance, and the collective explanation ratio for the model was strong. The independent factors were correlated to a satisfactory level, and tangible service had the strongest unique connection to performance.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between adjustment, social support and satisfaction with life for expatriate spouses. The sample consists of European diplomatic spouses, residing all over the world.Design/methodology/approach: This is a quantitative study. The sample consists of European diplomatic spouses, residing all over the world. The sample consists of 268 participants: 231 females and 44 males.Findings: The findings of this study reveal that there was a significant relationship between adjustment and emotional and instrumental support as well as satisfaction with life. Furthermore, a multiple regression was performed to predict the level of satisfaction with life. Both adjustment and emotional support were statistically significant and they explained nearly 50 percent of the variability in participant’s satisfaction with life.Research limitations/implications: The limitations of the paper include, for example, method bias, language and geographic location.Practical implications: Foreign Ministries within the European Union (EU) will be in a better position to improve their expatriate programs and policies. Furthermore, this study indicated that the well-being of diplomatic spouses can be enhanced by considering how social support is provided, the level of adjustment and satisfaction with life.Social implications: This study highlights the importance for diplomatic spouses to belonging to various groups, and group membership serves as a means to gain access to social networks. Therefore, being part of support groups of other expatriate spouses can aid cross-cultural adjustment.Originality/value: Little is known about diplomatic spouses. This paper will be an important first step in examining the relationship between adjustment, social support and satisfaction with life for the spouses of diplomats working for the Foreign Ministries within the EU and European Economic Area.