Topics

I. Glocalization

1. Hyperglobalists, skeptics and transformationalists
2. Globalization vs Glocalization

II. Adoption of Globalization

1. Extent to which commercial activities at a local scale have become globalized
2. Reasons why the level and rate of adoption varies from place to place

III. Local Responses to Globalization

1. Civil society responses to globalization: the adoption, adaptation (glocalization) or rejection of globalized goods, services and cultural traits
2. Relative costs and benefits of local commercial production to the producer, the consumer and the local economy, compared with the costs and benefits of globalized production

IV. Alternatives

1. Role of civil societies in raising awareness of local and global environmental, social and cultural issues, and in supporting local economic activity and strengthening local cultural values
2. Evaluation of the quality of life of a contemporary non‑globalized society

Resources

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Definitions

Globalization
“The growing interdependence of countries worldwide through the increasing volume and variety of cross‑border transactions in goods and services and of international capital flows, and through the more rapid and widespread diffusion of technology” (source: IMF)
Glocalization
A term that was invented to emphasize that the globalization of a product is more likely to succeed when the product or service is adapted specifically to each locality or culture in which it is marketed. The increasing presence of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide is an example of globalization, while changes made to the menus of the restaurant chain, in an attempt to appeal to local tastes, are an example of glocalization
Globalization Indices

• The AT Kearney Foreign Policy index measures twelve variables, which are subdivided into four “baskets”: economic integration, personal contact, technological connectivity and political engagement. Nations are ranked according to a calculated globalization index.
• The KOF index measures three main dimensions of globalization: economic, political and social, and nations are ranked accordingly. It is designed by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology on a yearly basis

Civil Society
Any organization or movement that works in the area between the household, the private sector and the state to negotiate matters of public concern. Civil societies include non‑governmental organizations (NGOs), community groups, trade unions, academic institutions and faith‑based organizations
Cultural Imperialism
The practice of promoting the culture/language of one nation in another. It is usually the case that the former is a large, economically or militarily powerful nation and the latter is a smaller, less affluent one
Trans-National Corporation (TNC)
A firm that owns or controls productive operations in more than one country through foreign direct investment.
Outsourcing
The concept of taking internal company functions and paying an outside firm to handle them. Outsourcing is done to save money, improve quality or free company resources for other activities.