Globalization
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, you are expected to:
1. Define communication
2. Describe the main purpose for communication
3. Discuss the communication process
4. Identify the different communication within the organization
5. Differentiate the levels of communication
6. Describe the communication channel
Communication and Globalization
“Globalization means we have to re-examine some of our ideas, and look at ideas from other
cultures, and open ourselves to them. And that’s not comfortable for the average person.”
(Herbie Hancock)
Globalization
“a process of interaction and integration among the people, companies, and governments
of different nations, a process driven by international trade and investment and aided by
information technology. This process has effects on the environment, on culture, on
political system, on economic development and prosperity, and in human physical well-
being and societies around the world.” (Globalization 2015)
Globalization is a popular way of maximizing the success of a company
It allows any company, small or large, to connect with others in a way that before the age
of the internet was unheard of.
The uprooting of human activities – political, cultural, economic, social;
Interconnectedness: interdependencies of many different parts in the world
The process by which people and goods move easily across the border.
The integration of markets, trade, and investments with few barriers to slow the flow of
products and services between nations
Communication Technology
Communication technology has made all of this globalization possible.
Everything from the invention of the internet to the creation of computers to allow
typing to become much faster.
Com Tech continues to grow
From a communication studies perspective: “Why globalization? – because it is possible to
communicate on a global scale.”
“Only in the past couple of centuries, as every human community has gradually been drawn into a
single web of trade and a global network of information, have we come to a point where each of
us can realistically imagine contacting any other of our six billion conspecifics and sending that
person something worth having: a radio, an antibiotic, a good idea.” (Appiah, 2006:x)
History if Globalization of Communication
Thompson, J. (1995). Media and Modernity – ch. 5 ’The Globalization of Communication
Main points:
Today communication is increasingly global
This promotes a ’reordering’ of time and space
This in turn, promotes global interconnections interdependencies = globalization.
Globalization is a progress, not an end state. Started mainly with three processes during
the 19th century:
History
1. 1830’s. The telegraph – electric communication via transatlantic underwater cables.
No more messengers.
1843 – Washington and Baltimore connected
1865 – Britain and India connected
1870s – Europe linked to large parts of the world
1924 – King George V sends a message to himself that circulated the glove in 80 seconds
2. 19th century. Emergence of global news networks.
Significant in three ways
a. News over large territories
b. Global in scope
c. Reached big audiences
3. Electro-magnetic waves. The emergence of organizations with the mission to disseminate
radio frequencies.
Dimensions of Globalization
1. Financial Globalization
World’s financial systems have become intimately interconnected
Stock market trading in New York stock exchange can affect Tokyo and Hong Kong
Wave continues in European markets then back to American markets
Important to note: reflects interconnectivity of network of world cities, not nations
2. Economic Globalization
In past, most corporations were linked/identified with a country, but today corporations
are now transnational
Companies move their production and capital to any market that will benefit the company
(increase profits and share values)
ie: Ford has plants in Mexico
Coca Cola and Nike are all over the world
Supporters: increased global wealth means increase in standard of living
Detractors (opponent)- economic globalization tends to increase difference between the
“haves and have not” and leads to the corporation having more than countries
3. Technological Globalization
Technological revolution has meant the “Global Village” has expanded to everything corner
of the globe with growth in travel communication and computer technology, and mobile
(smart) phones communications
I can be around the world live, in 1 second by internet or smart phone or 12 hours by
plane
The remotest village can now use hand crank computers to communicate via internet
some regions have no phone networks, they have jumped ahead to cellphone networks only
4. Political Globalization
As countries become more economically and technologically interdependent, there is
pressure to adopt uniform policies
NAFTA: Free trade between US, Canada & Mexico is example of free trade and
economics replacing nationalism and protectionism
5. Cultural Globalization
Harmonization of worlds culture at the expense of distinctly local cultures
We will eventually all listen to same music, watch the same TV, eat same food, have the
same values
Loss of worlds cultural diversity, replaced by primarily Americanized world cultures
Major issue for cultures where religion is directly connected to their culture, “western”
values can often come into conflict with tradition religious beliefs
6. Sociological Globalization
Idea that a single “world” society has evolved, replacing distinct national societies that
previously existed
ie: one set of moral beliefs (religious); reaction of the “west” to Islamic fundamentalist
countries and vice versa
7. Ecological Globalization
the planet must be treated as a single ecological system (ecosystem) rather than a
collection of separate ecological systems.
Ozone depletion, global warming impacts the world not just nation that did original
damage
The failed Kyoto Protocol and Montreal Protocol - Part of reason Kyoto failed was
because it allowed the “trading” of “carbon emissions”
8. Geographical Globalization
Geographers don’t see world in terms of relationships between countries anymore
: ie: trade, geopolitics, war
Now see a borderless world, dominated by worldwide concerns about: ecological concerns,
politics, culture, economics and other relationships existing; all influenced by networks of
world cities
Globalization Debate
Pro Con
Lower prices for goods and services Destroys manufacturing jobs in wealth
nations
Economic growth Wage rates of unskilled in advanced countries
decline
Increase in consumer income Outsourcing
Creates jobs Companies move to countries with fewer labor
and environmental regulations
Countries specialize in production of goods Loss of sovereignty
and services that are produced most
efficiently
Homogenized culture
Impacts of Globalization on Communication
Virtual interactions
Cultural awareness in speech
Cultural awareness in body language
Time difference
Impacts of Globalization on Global Communication (By: Danev 2017)
Impact on Global Communication
Availability of information
Business conduct
Social awareness
New Age Companies
o Facebook: wants to connect you with everyone
o Google: wants to connect you with information
o Zappos: wants to connect you with the perfect merchandise
New Idea of Business
Communication in business can sometimes be slow and almost nonexistent, depending on
the value of the information trying to be communicated
Some companies today are changing the idea of a connected workplace.
Companies such as those mentioned before all are changing the landscape of how
companies can run.
Some companies might benefit from having a fun, interconnected workplace for their
employees.
While others can benefit from having a much easier way for their customers to purchase
goods or contact the company
Potential Issues of Globalization
Loosing jobs for general public
The quality control was not placed on the top list
low quality because they were cheaper to produce
Loss of unique cultures
Short term gains over positive long-term consequences
Corporate profits before worker’s right
Loss of indiginous culture, replaced by homogeneity
Loss of jobs because of economic globalization
Environmental concerns over demands put on Earth’s resources.
Conclusion
Companies around the world are benefiting every day from globalization via
communication technology.
Companies large or small all are using technology every day.
Technology is always becoming faster and more efficient, making companies more
successful
“Globalization cannot be exclusive as it encompasses the world and it is important that
corrective actions are taken to ensure that weaker sections of the society are not
neglected” (Pandtia 2012)
Globalization has made it possible for companies to exist all thanks to technology.
