The Globalization

Phenomenon
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this lesson, student should be able to:
1. demonstrate knowledge about globalization
as an economic phenomenon;
2. discuss how globalization adversely affect
communication;
3. display an ability to understand the good and
bad about globalization; and
4. demonstrate an understanding of the impact
of globalization on communication.
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT IT?
Globalization has led to many millions of people being
lifted out of poverty.
For example, when a company like Starbucks buys
coffee from farmers in Rwanda, it is providing a livelihood
and a benefit to the community as a whole. A
multinational company’s present overseas contributes
to those local economies because the company will
invest in local resources, products and services. Socially
responsible corporations may even invest in medical and
educational facilities.
Globalization has not only allowed nations to trade
with each other.
WHAT’S BAD ABOUT IT?
While some areas have flourished, others have
floundered as jobs and commerce move elsewhere.
Steel companies in the UK for example once thrived ,
providing work for hundreds and thousands of people .
But when China began providing cheaper steel , steel
plants in the UK closed down and thousands of jobs
were loss.
Every step forward in technology brings with it new
dangers. Computers have vastly improved our lives , but
cyber criminals steal millions of pounds a year. Global
wealth has skyrocketed, but so has global warming.
While many have been lifted out of poverty, not every
body has benefited . Many argue that globalization
operates mostly in the interests of the richer countries,
with most of the world’s collective profits flowing back
to them and into the pockets of these who already own
the most.
Although globalization is helping to create more
wealth in developing countries, it is not helping to close
the gap between the world’s poorest and richest nations.
Leading charity Oxfam says that when corporations such
as Starbucks , one of the multinational companies,
was able to use complex accounting rules that enabled
it to have profit earned in one country taxed in another,
thus the latter country had a lower tax rate, as such
Starbucks benefited and legally avoid paying tax, thus
global inequality crisis worsens.
Basically , done wisely (in the words of the
International Monetary Fund) globalization could lead to
“unparalleled peace and prosperity”. Done poorly,
“to disaster”.
THE IMPACT OF GLOBALIZATION ON COMMUNICATION
In simple terms, globalization is the process by which
people and goods move easily across boarders.
Principally, it’s an economic concept – the integration of
markets, trade and investments with few barriers to slow
the flow of products and services between nations. There
is also a cultural element, as ideas and traditions are
traded and assimilated.
As more people cross boarders because of
globalization, more language contact happens, making
communication more challenging. Globalization’s effects
are felt not only in economic terms, but in social and
cultural aspects as well. Thus, globalization also impacts
communication.
HOW TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY
1. Express your ideas effectively in verbal, non-verbal, and
written forms in either digital or non digital environment or
both.
2. Use effective listening skills to evaluate arguments &
rationalize judgments, and improve job-effectiveness & work
relationship.
3. Communicate with purpose to a variety of audience.
4. Promote collaboration and cooperation with others.
5. Understand the concept of diversity and promote respect
all the time.
6. Use technology and social media responsibly.
Aside from the aforementioned guidelines, the context of
globalization requires effective communication skills from
students and workers to cope with the demands and
challenges brought about by this phenomenon.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
The input presented provides information about
globalization-how it works, how it happens and what
drives it, and what is good and bad about it. By then, let
me check on your understanding by answering the
following questions:
1. How is globalization impact communication? In what
specific ways does globalization affect communication?
2. What are the things that people do now which could
not be done before globalization?
3. Are the effects of globalization on communication
positive or negative? Support your answers with a
situation or an example.