Abstract
Usability is becoming more widely known in different applications (e.g. interfaces, software, products) by the continued work of authors such as J. Nielsen, P. W. Jordan, N. Stanton and C. Barber, All these methods aim towards better design outputs through the improved knowledge of users. Recently, research on cultural differences in the 1970's has come back to the fore front (European Master's thesis award 98–99/ European Foundation for Quality Management, see also the Journal of Product Innovation Management / Vol. 16, March 1999) aiming at improving knowledge of people and their interactions in different fields such as management, communication etc. Based on one of our projects: re-designing the interface of a wheel balancer for the international market, we showed firstly, that there are very few books and articles which address the topic of usability in an international arena, and that the guidelines accepted and provided by general usability references, fail to give enough indicators for designers. Secondly, that cultural studies regarding some dimensions such as polychronism/monochronism, individualism/collectivism, from E. Hall and G. Hofstede can give revelant information, understandable by designers. Lastly, that this information can lead to a change of the interface not only on the display aspects, but also the task itself.
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