Ashmore, DP;
Thoreau, R;
Kwami, C;
Christie, N;
Tyler, NA;
(2018)
Using thematic analysis to explore symbolism in transport choice across national cultures.
Transportation
pp. 1-34.
10.1007/s11116-018-9902-7.
(In press).
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Christie_ Ashmore Christie andTyler (2016) Symbolic transport choice across national cultures - theoretical considerations for research design.pdf - Accepted Version Download (610kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Symbolism, what people believe a transport mode tells others about them within the context of a hierarchical society, has been shown to be a significant driver of transport choice. However, despite the common practice of transferring transport policies between nations, no research has focused on how a mode’s symbolic connotations vary across national cultures and how this may affect individual and group transport choices. This paper describes research which utilised two aspects of the Hofstede cross-cultural indices—power differential, and individualism versus collectivism—to develop and strengthen theory through qualitative deductive thematic analysis. Forty-eight interviewees from four Hofstede cultural clusters were sampled horizontally, across equivalent income, occupational and educational levels, to attempt to lessen socio-demographic distortions. Semi-structured interviews were then undertaken. Interview transcripts were analysed manually using previously derived symbolic transport thematic codes. The significant differences between the Hofstede groups in both the density of thematic coding, and the quotes offered, suggest symbolism may strongly influence the potential outcomes of transport policies transferred between nations possessing significantly different cultural attributes and imperatives. Given this the authors believe there is sound justification for further deductive and inductive analysis on the existing dataset, and the extension of the theory to a broader population within each cultural cluster.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Using thematic analysis to explore symbolism in transport choice across national cultures |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s11116-018-9902-7 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-018-9902-7 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Symbolism, National culture, Latent motivation, thematic analysis, Hofstede indices |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Civil, Environ and Geomatic Eng UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10066077 |
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