Adaptation of cultural content: evidence from B2C e‐commerce firms
Abstract
Purpose
To effectively target and reach consumers on the worldwide web, companies need to determine what level of web site adaptation is necessary. Explores how cultural differences affect adaptation of web content by B2C e‐commerce firms.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a content analysis framework to systematically analyze the cultural values depicted on the web pages of US, French and German web sites. To test for differences in the depiction of cultural values on different country web sites, a MANOVA was conducted, followed by a Tukey (HSD) post hoc analysis.
Findings
Evidence is found that local country web sites depict the cultural values of that country. Additionally, the study finds that companies adapt their foreign web sites to the cultural values of the target country, but that this adaptation is not yet extensive.
Originality/value
This research adds value by extending understanding of the issues of adaptation and standardization on the web in general, and by B2C e‐commerce firms in particular.
Keywords
Citation
Singh, N., Kumar, V. and Baack, D. (2005), "Adaptation of cultural content: evidence from B2C e‐commerce firms", European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 39 No. 1/2, pp. 71-86. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090560510572025
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited