Coming to Terms

The World is flat. Unlike global warming, globalization is one phenomenon whose validity cannot be denied.

"People have accused me of being in favor of globalization. This is equivalent to accusing me of being in favor of the sun rising in the morning."
Clare Short

What are the implications of this buzzword? I like to use personal experience to explain it. I am from the state of Maryland. In case you weren’t sure, it’s that odd sliver next to Washington, D.C. In 2006 I spent a summer in Hong Kong. I met all sorts of expats: Aussies, Brits, Portuguese, Spaniards, Ghanaians, you name it. I once mentioned to a group of friends a crab seasoning from home called Old Bay. A Canadian in the group knew immediately what I was talking about. I would doubt whether someone in North Carolina knew what it was, nevertheless a Canadian in Hong Kong. It turns out the company he worked for back in Canada used to be an Old Bay distributor. Illustrations like this one lead to the conclusion that the geographical, cultural, and economic divides in this world are shrinking. Is globalization a threat or an opportunity? More importantly, how can we thrive in this highly interactive, highly competitive environment? Exposure to globalization’s affects at home, such as the loss of jobs due to outsourcing, popularization of Japanese animation, or tech support in India only lead to a passive of understanding of the forces at change around the world. In today’s world, the only way an individual can truly stay competitive is through foreign travel and exposure to unfamiliar cultures.

The joys of globalisation. One can enjoy a Liverpool-Chelsea match on the Fox Soccer Channel, wearing their preferred club’s scarf- bought off the official team website-while drinking an Irish stout, but never having set foot on English turf. Today we have the technology, the information, and the exposure to foreign cultures that inhibit a greater knowledge of the world around us. However, this idea of cultural globalisation does not provide a full enough understanding of foreign culture. One measurement of cultural globalisation is mass communication such as films, television programming, and print publications. However, what ultimately makes it through the filter can be surprising, and can provide an extremely distorted understanding of the values of others.

Superman in Hong Kong

Take for example the censorship of American produced film in the Chinese market. It was only with China’s negotiations for entry into the World Trade Organization that it allowed twenty American-films to be imported into the country. With government censorship and restrictions on film as a cultural import, it is flawed to say that American culture is portrayed accurately. Authoritarian governments shouldn't be blamed for cultural censorship entirely. The same phenomenon happens in less politically restrictive country, but instead of the government being the arbiter of communication, it is the free-market and consumer demands.

Additionally, those shows, films, and books that are being viewed aren’t always understood for their cultural idiosyncrasies. Jokes and statements made about current events in the country, cultural icons, or country specific attitudes can be lost upon the viewer. More often, the entertainment value comes from the more obvious differences in interpersonal relationships of the characters or in strange and misunderstood behaviours. While in Italy I watched the cult classic "A Night at the Museum" dubbed over in Italian. Aside from not understanding Owen Wilson the entire movie, the jokes that I laughed at were culturally ground, but the rest of the audience laughed at scenes that weren't meant to be amusing. A friend of mine was astounded by how much content in the Chappelle Show went straight over his friends' heads in Holland. They just don't get it. These two examples of passive exposure to cultural globalisation are not substitutes for a global perspective. Spending time abroad is the only way to understand the cultural nuances lost on those who are affected, rather than involved, in what they are exposed to.

If you want to see examples of cultural exchange you can sit at home and watch L'Auberge Espagnole on on-demand with your hot pocket in hand, or you can go to Europe. The European Union’s ERASMUS and ERASMUS Mundus programmes encourage and support university students to study outside of their native country. The programme ensures that the student’s home university recognizes the time spent abroad. This provides the framework for an interconnected higher educational system in those countries. Students can spend three months to one year studying in a foreign city. An added incentive for students is that their tuition fees are not altered for their different location. German political scientist Stefan Wolff predicts a shift in European identity and leadership in this so-called ERASMUS generation.

“Give it 15, 20, 25 years, and Europe will be run by leaders with a completely different socialization from those today.”

Stephen Wolff interview with the International Herald Tribune

One argument I have heard time and time again is that it is simply easier to travel throughout Europe. With states the size of some European country, the geographic differences seem to be in their favour for international travel. The European Union’s facilitation of mobility through the Schengen nations makes it even easier for EU citizens to cross borders. This argument of distance and isolation however, is a weak one. With extremely favorable relations with many countries, U.S. citizens enjoy privileged travel without specified visas. A look into a parallel country is Australia. In every country I have traveled to I have met Aussies-without question. Maybe it’s the fact that they're a country, a continent, and an island, but the Aussies spread across the globe like cicadas. I say if the Aussies can do it, why can’t, and why shouldn’t we?

Not only are students going abroad, but so are universities. Countries like Singapore are wooing American universities to establish campus there to provide their students with the university’s degree. In a mutually beneficial relationship, Singapore attracts top-ranked U.S. schools such as Cornell, MIT, the University of Chicago, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins so its students can essentially receive brand named degrees. The reputation associated with degrees from these schools assumes a high-rigour of education, and can make the students more competitive in the global job market. In return, American universities gain research facilities in the markets and regions that they are studying. This provides their research with a competitive advantage that other universities doing proxy research cannot achieve. The development of a global model of education through collaborations such as those in Singapore will favour students and academics with a global perspective, thus highlighting the need for cultural uprooting to keep up with the change.

Where is the incentive to travel if it is likely that international opportunities will present themselves in the workplace? In a study conducted by the Mercer consulting group, 38% of companies increased the amount of international transfers from headquarters abroad between 2004 and 2006. Global experience and a desire to work abroad are key for today’s workforce. Texas A&M professor S. Kerry Cooper notes that students with prior experience are looked upon favorably by companies today.

“Quite simply, recruiters see students with experience living overseas as more mature and having better communication skills. They are perceived as more desirable employees. They are more competitive in the workplace.”
Professor S. Kerry Cooper, Texas A&M

Although companies seem to be looking more for local managers and talent, it is often difficult to find skilled locals to take over traditionally expatriate jobs. This still leaves many positions open for company nationals to go abroad. Many companies offer career advancement as an incentive to go abroad. PricewaterhouseCoopers, the global accounting and auditing firm has a Life Experience Abroad Programme that sends young promising workers abroad with the promise of advancement in the company.

Then there are the others. That global workforce in emerging markets like China, Brazil, and India who are unapologetically climbing their way up the global ladder. In an Economist article, it is noted that

“Well educated Indians, Chinese, Brazilians or Mexicans-often armed with degrees from foreign universities-are perfect candidates for many European or American firms that want them to gain experience in the head office before they take on greater responsibility in their home markets.”

Those foreign posts and country manager positions that are common in the business world today could be shrinking. As developing countries continue to improve education and foreign markets become more attractive, these jobs could be lost to qualified local managers. This idea glocalizing, like outsourcing, could threaten the job market of the company’s headquarters.

How can the threat be hedged in order to stay ahead of these new competitors? The answer is by continually learning and developing new skills. Traveling abroad and learning different production, managerial, and interpersonal methods can allow employees and companies to acquire best practice methods. Whether it be Japanese supply-chain methods, or Italian ceramic production, there is much to learn through direct contact with foreign businesses and practices.

Globalisation is not a thing to be feared. From the Silk road, to the great explorers, to maritime trading routes, the spread of culture, wealth, and politics is not a new concept. However, this global integration throughout history could not have occurred by sitting in a charting room guessing what was out in the abyss. It was only by traveling and seeing the world that it was finally understood. While technology and communication have changed the rules of the game, the way it must be played still stays the same. Get out. Travel. See the world, and it might make a little more sense.