GNED 05 - Lesson 2 PDF

# Chapter II: Communication and Globalization ## Learning Outcomes - Explain how cultural and global issues affect communication - Appreciate the impact of communication on society and the world While communication has been in existence since time immemorial, globalization is relatively new. Co...

# Chapter II: Communication and Globalization ## Learning Outcomes - Explain how cultural and global issues affect communication - Appreciate the impact of communication on society and the world While communication has been in existence since time immemorial, globalization is relatively new. Communication is generally understood by most if not all, but globalization is not. ## What is Globalization? According to http://www.globalization101.org, globalization is a process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments of different nations. The process is driven by international trade and investment and aided by information technology. This process has effects on the environment, culture, political systems, economic development and prosperity, and human physical well-being in societies around the world. Heywood (2013) describes globalization as a slippery and elusive concept. Despite intensifying interest in globalization since the 1980s, the term is still used to refer to a process, policy, marketing strategy, predicament, or ideology. The problem with globalization is that it is not a single process but a complex of processes, sometimes overlapping and interlinking, but also contradictory and oppositional. It is difficult to reduce globalization to a single theme. Kenchi Ohmae (1989) proposed the idea of a borderless world, which refers to the tendency of traditional political borders to become permeable. It also implies that divisions between people previously separated by time and space have become less significant and are sometimes entirely irrelevant. ## Globalization is not Really New The globe has been globalized for thousands of years. For example, people bought and sold to each other across Central Asia on the Silk Road. People and corporations have invested in globalized enterprises for centuries. Many current features of globalization are similar to those prevailing before World War I. ### Policy and Technological Changes Policy and technological developments over the past few decades have spurred increases in cross-border trade, investment, and migration, and many observers believe the world has entered a qualitatively new phase in its economic development. Since 1950, the volume of world trade has increased 20 times, and from 1997 to 1999, flows of foreign investment nearly doubled from $468 billion to $827 billion. This current wave of globalization is farther, faster, cheaper, and deeper. ### Factors Driving the Current Wave of Globalization The current wave of globalization has been driven by policies that have opened economies domestically and internationally. Since World War II and especially in the past two decades, many governments have adopted free-market economic systems, which have vastly increased their productive potential and created new opportunities for international trade and investment. Governments have negotiated dramatic reductions in barriers to commerce and have established international agreements that promote trade in goods, services, and investment. Corporations have built foreign factories and have established production and marketing arrangements with foreign partners. A defining feature of globalization is an international industrial and financial business structure. ## Technology is the Other Principal Driver of Globalization Advances in information technology have dramatically transformed economic life. Information technologies have given economic actors new tools, including consumers, investors, and businesses, for identifying and pursuing new economic opportunities. The tools include faster and more informed analyses of economic trends around the world, easy transfers of assets, and collaboration with far-flung partners. ## Impacts of Globalization on Communication In an article entitled *The Impact of Globalization on Communication Skills Development*, David Ingram stated that communication skills development has always been an important factor of success in business, but the influence of globalization and cross-cultural interaction in recent decades has impacted the types of communication skills needed in dramatic ways. Entrepreneurs can no longer afford to just communicate well within their own homogenous cultures. Therefore, today people need to understand the dynamics of communication: ### Virtual Interactions Globalization has introduced virtual communication and collaboration as a major part of academic and workplace dynamics. We need to understand the strengths and limitations of different communications media, and how to use each medium to maximum effect. **For example**, communicating via email to distant team members requires a certain etiquette and nuance not necessarily required in face-to-face interactions. Holding virtual meetings requires a similar change in approach, and people who are unaccustomed to communicating in groups in virtual settings can find themselves lost, confused, or unable to share their input. ### Cultural Awareness in Speech Cultural awareness is a major impact of globalization on the required skillset of effective communicators. Cultural awareness has resulted in the evolution of communication skills development programs. We need the ability to catch subtle nuances of people's manner of speech when communicating across cultures. Even when two people are speaking the same language, cultural differences can affect vocabulary, colloquial expressions, voice tone, and taboo topics **For example**, in Japanese business culture, it can be considered rude to ask personal questions in an initial business meeting. In the U.S., asking personal questions and sharing personal information can display warmth and openness. ### Cultural Awareness in Body Language Awareness of cultural differences in body language is important. In schools, students are taught acceptable speaking distances, conflict styles, eye contact, and posture in different cultures, accepting that the physical expressions of their own culture are not universally accepted. Students are also taught how to address these differences to prepare them for face-to-face meetings with foreign suppliers, customers, or team members when they become professionals. ### Time Differences The advent of global collaboration introduces a new dynamic to communication skills -- the need to communicate and share information with people across several time zones. When people collaborate with others on the other side of the globe, their counterparts are usually at home asleep. Schools teach students to address the nuances of overcoming this challenge. ## Impacts of Globalization on Global Communication Danev (2017) stated that the process of globalization has widely increased the availability of information for people across the world. By the use of Internet and advanced mobile services, people are able to discuss business plans and proposals on an international level as well as exchange private data securely. Global communication services have also contributed to the enlightenment and development of the political process in a number of states. ### Impact on Communication Due to Globalization 1. **Availability of Information:** The availability of information is a major effect of the process of globalization. The World Health Organization has expressed the view that with the spread of businesses delivering the Internet, satellite TV, and mobile services, the costs of such information technologies drop. The decreased price makes it easier for people across the world to make use of the World Wide Web and the resources available. 2. **Business Conduct:** Globalization has influenced global communication by implementing new techniques for business conduct among workers at international corporations. Long-distance travels are no longer necessary for business people. 3. **Social Awareness:** The availability of information, which is a direct effect of the development of global communication systems, has led to increased social awareness of people across the world. Information technology and networks enable them to share opinions, views, work on projects and research different areas. These are the main reasons why the process of globalization is creating a sense of a global society. 4. **The Problem:** Despite its quick spread and continuous development, globalization has not reached the majority of people on all continents. The World Health Organization indicates that at least 70 percent of all people in Africa will never make a single phone call or use the Internet. This points out the need for a more extensive application of communication technologies as part of the process of globalization.