IB Geography
Topics

I. What is Globalization?
  1. Definition of globalization
  2. Causes of globalization
  3. Manifestations of globalization
  4. Debates surrounding globalization
II. Measuring Globalization
  1. The A.T. Kearney Globalization Index
  2. The K.O.F. Globalization Index
III. Global Core and Periphery
  1. The Core-Periphery model
  2. Spatial pattern of global interactions: mapping of core areas at the focus of interaction (network of hubs/nodes), peripheries and areas relatively unaffected by global interactions

Ex 1 - Impact of Globalization

You can review the example done in class (download file below). Note that I've changed my personal choice to "Lord of the Rings", which actually I did prefer to "Sex and the City"! And you'll also see that it tips the results for the entire class...

Then try with a different example: download the survey on Globalization and Religion in Pakistan and use the ChiSquare test of independence to determine if the 100 individual who were surveyed associate globalization with religious identity crises. You may use Excel to calculate the values in the tables but must be able to explain all your calculations (you should not  use the "CHITEST" Excel formula for this exercise). Go to the Chi Square page of this site to learn more about this test and to find the critical table required.
Example done in class: gender and movies
File Size: 19 kb
File Type: docx
Download File
Globalization and Religion in Pakistan
File Size: 12 kb
File Type: xlsx
Download File
Resources

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Definitions

Globalization
The growing interdependence of countries worldwide through the increasing volume and variety of cross-border transactions of goods and services and of international capital flows, and through the more rapid and widespread diffusion of technology.
Measures of wealth
  • Gross Domestic Product (GDP): total value of goods and services produced within the borders of one given country
  • Gross National Product (GNP): total value of goods and services produced by businesses belonging to one given nation, wherever they are
  • Gross National Income (GNI): GDP +/- balance of payments
Trans-National Corporation (TNC)
A firm that owns or controls productive operations in more than one country through foreign direct investment.
A.T. Kearney Globalization Index
Composite index created by A.T. Kearney Inc. and Foreign Policy Magazine, measuring the evolution of interconnectedness compared to the base year 1998. The A.T. Kearney Index ranked 72 countries in 2007, combining 12 indicators grouped into 4 categories:
  • Economic integration (e.g. foreign trade)
  • Personal contact (e.g. international phone calls)
  • Technological connectivity (e.g. internet users)
  • Political engagement (e.g. participation in international treaties)
K.O.F. Globalization Index
Composite index created in 2002 by the Swiss Institute for Business Cycle Research (KOF in German) to measure economic, social and political dimensions of globalization compared to the base year 1970. The K.O.F. Index ranked 181 countries in 2010, using 24 indicators grouped into 3 categories:
  • Economic globalization (e.g. foreign direct investment)
  • Political globalization (e.g. foreign embassies in the country)
  • Social globalization (e.g. international tourism)
Core-Periphery Model
The concept, based on the World systems theory (Wallerstein, 1974), of a developed core surrounded by an undeveloped periphery. The concept can be applied at various scales.
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.