The experience of purchasing conflict between spouses was tested in four cultures: Austria, India, Turkey, and the USA. Spouses had to complete an interdependence matrix-type questionnaire, assessing their well-being in situations of conflict and agreement. Differences between well-being scores in situations of conflict and agreement were interpreted as reflecting the degree of spouses' interdependence. It was found that spouses in Western countries depend on each other more in personal decisions than do spouses in more traditional, non-Western countries. Specifically, spouses from traditionally patriarchal families in India and Turkey depended least upon each other. This was expected, due to culturally and historically prescribed differences in the degree of role segregation between spouses. The stronger the role-segregation in traditional societies, the less spouses depend upon each other in personal matters. It was also found that husbands are more autonomous in their decisions than wives, specifically in male-dominated Western families. Male dominance in Western families appears to be based on different mechanisms than patriarchy in traditional non-Western marriages.

Abstract-This study addresses the debate on whether job applicants with online bachelor degrees would be perceived to be equals of those with traditional bachelor degrees; and whether the nature of the degree has an impact on the hiring decision of managers. We focus on bachelor's degrees earned on line due to the fact that hybrid education is not being delivered prevalently. In this respect, data were gathered from 20 managers working in various sectors who have an impact on the hiring process of job applicants. Findings indicate gatekeepers prefer applicants with traditional degrees. Besides factors associated with the preference of traditional degrees are found to be in line with previous research findings. Education quality, gain of competencies, development of communication skills, personal growth and the importance of student-instructor interaction were mostly repeated factors associated with the preference of traditional university degrees. Implications for future research are discussed in line with suggestions to overcome negative perceptions towards distance education.

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