This paper gives a short overview of the main concepts and theories in intercultural and cross-cultural communication, thus providing a brief introduction into the field of empirical research into culture-based value variations and providing a short outline of the major works in this area (e.g. the works of Hall, Hofstede, Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner, and Schwartz). Comparative and so called...

Studies in material culture specialize in exploring the designed object and the meanings we attribute to it (Pearce, 1994). These studies are conducted principally as a means of reaching conclusions about us, i.e. the society. Society, in material culture explorations can take various forms – it can be understood as a whole community or can be segmented into market niches for example. The aim o...