# Statistical Modeling of Cultural Differences in Adopting Autonomous Vehicles
## 4 Discussion  
With the advent of autonomous driving technology, the various modes of transportation to which autonomous driving technology can be applied are emerging, and sustainable transportation, such as autonomous vehicles and shared autonomous vehicles, are receiving much attention. A number of studies that have investigated public opinion about AVs have been conducted over the last decade. Recently, studies have been conducted on perceptions of shared autonomous vehicles and self-driving taxis, and on preferences among innovative modes of transportation [5; 6; 7; 8]. However, under and post-COVID-19 circumstances, people are more sensitive to sanitation and quarantine measures, so they prefer autonomous private vehicles to modes of transportation that require sharing a vehicle with others [8; 9]. In order for autonomous private vehicles to be accepted without any problems, in line with this pandemic circumstance, it is necessary to thoroughly identify public opinion on the innovative technology. Public opinion is an important factor in the adoption of innovation. Public opinion varies not only according to individual characteristics, but also according to cultural characteristics. In fact, studies are being conducted on how cultural differences affect the adoption of various technologies, including research on transportation technology [39; 40; 47]. However, in this regard, research on the adoption of autonomous private vehicles has not been conducted. Therefore, in this paper, we developed a regression model of cultural difference for adapting autonomous vehicles. We compared the dimensions of the Power Distance Index, Individualism, Masculinity, Uncertainty Avoidance Index, Long-Term Orientation, and Indulgence, included in [PERSON]'s 6-D model, with the public's concerns about AVs and their willingness to pay for AVs. Prior to statistical modeling, literature reviews were conducted to posit hypotheses about the relationship between the cultural dimensions in [PERSON]'s 6-D model and public opinion about AVs. The first hypothesis concerned the relationship between INDV and WTP. INDV is an individual's preference for a social atmosphere, and people in societies with high INDV behave more independently and accept technology regardless of their surroundings. On the other hand, in countries with low INDV, individuals are more likely to act in accordance with national goals [39; 40]. Autonomous driving is a technology that is being developed with interest from governments. Therefore, a society with a lower INDV will have a higher WTP, as it is more influenced by the social atmosphere. China and South Korea were among the countries with the lowest INDV, and their WTP was high compared to other countries. Additionally, there was a significant negative relation between INDV and WTP. These results support H1. Second, there was negative relationship between INDU and concerns and WTP (H2). A high INDU society allows relatively free gratification of the basic and natural human drives related to enjoying life and having fun [33]. In other words, high INDU societies indicate a tendency to optimism, and people in high INDU societies will be optimistic about new technologies [53; 58]. Therefore, in countries with high INDU, the values for concern and WTP were low. These countries had low concern and WTP values compared to other countries. Additionally, when investigating the relationship between INDU, concern, and WTP through correlation analysis, it was confirmed that there was a significant negative correlation. Moreover, the higher the value of PDI, the higher the concern and WTP. PDI expresses the degree to which the people of a society accept that power is distributed unequally. In a society with a high level of PDI, people accept a hierarchy and tend to follow the leader's opinion. As mentioned earlier, autonomous driving is a technology of interest not only to individuals but also to governments. Therefore, a country with a high PDI will have a high WTP.