Cite: Merkin, Middle Eastern Impression-Management Communication

Merkin, Rebecca. “Middle Eastern Impression-Management Communication.” Cross-Cultural Research 46.2 (2011): 109-132.

URL:

http://ccr.sagepub.com/content/46/2/109.abstract

 

Abstract

This study examines Israeli and Syrian impression management (facework), drawing on Hofstede’s theory of cultural dimensions. Using a MANCOVA design while controlling for social desirability and gender, it measured the influence of country on direct, aggressive, competitive, and harmonious facework strategies from self-report questionnaires (n = 176) collected in Israel and Syria. Consistent with the hypotheses, Israelis exhibit more direct, aggressive, and competitive facework strategies than Syrians. Israeli facework strategies corresponded to cultural individualism and a low power distance, whereas Syrian facework corresponded to cultural collectivism and a high power distance. Contrary to expectation, Israeli facework is more harmonious. A unique contribution of the present study is the identification of changes in facework necessary for avoiding a loss of face among two populations whose previous diplomatic efforts have not succeeded.

Cite: Sharabi, Meaning of Work: Jews and Muslims

 

 

Sharabi, Moshe. “Culture, Religion, Ethnicity and the Meaning of
Work: Jews and Muslims in the Israeli Context.” Culture and Religion 12.3 (2011): 219-235.

 

URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14755610.2011.605157

Abstract

The work values of Arabs in general, and of Muslims in particular, have not yet been studied in Israel. This study examines the meaning of work (MOW) of 1201 Jews and 219 Muslims, who work in the Israeli labour market. The findings reveal significant differences in the MOW dimensions and demonstrate different perceptions and internalisation of work values between the two ethno-religious groups. While the Jews have a higher economic and intrinsic orientation and a higher need for interpersonal relations than the Muslims, the Muslims have higher work centrality. The findings attributed to cultural differences, ethnic conflict, occupational discrimination and high degree of segregation.

Cite: Tartakovsky, Acculturation Narrative of Immigration from the FSU

Tartakovsky, Eugene. "Found in Transition: An Acculturation Narrative of Immigration from the Former Soviet Union to Israel," Culture & Psychology 16,3 (2010): 349-363.

URL: http://cap.sagepub.com/content/16/3/349.abstract

Abstract

This article presents a personal narrative exemplifying acculturation processes and their theoretical analysis. The author describes the development of his Jewish identity in the Soviet Union, emigration, and adjustment to Israel. The author’s affiliations with his ethnic group, the country of origin, and the country of immigration are described and analyzed as an ever-changing process. The role of family and society in creating a multifaceted ethnic identity is discussed. The validity of the theories on ethnic identity development (Camilleri & Malewska-Peyre, 1997; Phinney, 1990), acculturation (Berry, 1997), and the theories of culture shock and cultural learning (Ward, Bochner, & Furnham, 2001) are tested in light of the acculturation narrative presented here. The author argues that acculturation is a multidimensional process, which relates to the ethnic group, the homeland, and the receiving country. Each of these dimensions has its own dynamic of change in the process of immigration, which depends on the circumstances of the immigrants’ adjustment first in the homeland and after that in the receiving country.