Globalization

What is Globalization?

Globalization refers to the process of increasing the connectivity and interdependence of the world’s markets and businesses. (Investor Words- Globalization)

Main Factor in Globalization

Communication

Globalization has greatly affected communication through the use of long distance calling, cell phones, internet, email, video chat (skype, etc.) and many others.

                Letter vs. Email

Of course anyone can still use the old fashioned written or typed letter to be sent by mail but now-a-days this method is used mainly for communications between family and friends because it is not necessarily in a rush to be sent or received. Emailing is a much quicker form of communicating but not as personal as paper mail which seems perfect for the business world. Most businesses prefer email because of the rapid response and it is considered professional if the emails are written appropriately.

Travel

New technology has revolutionized the design world and opened up easy communication for designers working on projects abroad so that they are no longer constrained by borders. (31, Jenny Gibbs)

Even though globalization has made traveling to different parts of the world easier, with other forms of technology increasing, it is becoming just as easy to work for a business or on a project from another country. So with the ease of travel and the numerous ways of communicating, it is far less difficult to conduct business internationally.

                Local vs. International

As in most professions, there are a number of people who possess critical skills that companies need. Sometimes these people are not conveniently located in the same town as the company or business. In the design industry, in a situation like this, the person needed for the job may be asked to work at the location forcing him to move to the town, or, seeming how the industry has become so international, it may be possible to work from another location.

Flexibility

One of the greatest characteristics of interior design is its flexibility. Throughout the world there are thousands or even millions of various styles and materials used in a variety of different ways and applications yet the fundamental design skills always apply. (31, Jenny Gibbs) It almost seems as if the basic principles of interior design serve as a universal language providing everyone a way to communicate with each other.

Debate

There are debates discussing the positive and negative impacts of globalization on the design industry so how about we go over a couple starting with the positives.

Positives:

-          Increases opportunities for almost everyone. These opportunities result in competition, making production more efficient. It also provides companies with the best choice of employees. Between the efficiency of production and finely selected employees, a successful business can be made.  

-          There are two pro-globalization organizations, the World Trade Organization and the World Economic Forum. The World Trade Organization puts together a set of rules to manage global trade and capital flows through the process of member agreement and to supervise their member countries to ensure that everyone is following the rules.

Negatives:

-          The anti- globalization group argues that certain groups of people who are deprived in terms of resources are not currently capable of functioning within the increased competitive pressure that will be brought about by allowing their economies to be more connected to the rest of the world. (Investor Words- Globalization)

Stand Up For What you Believe

There are cases where people, businesses, civilizations, or countries are feeling threatened and/or belittled by others who are becoming larger and ‘spreading their wings’ in a since. Although I hate to see those who are less likely to shout above the crowd and stand up for themselves to suffer, no one can be afraid to fight for what they want and how they want to live no matter how difficult it may be for someone.

Trust me, I know this first hand. I am an ‘S’ and proud of it but it can be challenging at times. Now most of you think I’m crazy and have no idea what I mean when I say ‘S’, and basically it just describes someone who is more reserved than others.

So if there are countries who are feeling left behind because everyone else is stepping up and developing into a more advanced society, they should do something about it not expect everyone to stop what they are doing because they feel uncomfortable.

Someone very wise once told me,

                “If you diminish yourself and your abilities to make someone else feel better, you are hurting both yourself and the other person. If you strive to be your best, those who feel less about themselves will have some kind of motivation and someone to look up to if they want to do better for themselves.”

 

References Provided By:

Interior Design, Jenny Gibbs, Laurence King Publishing, Ltd. 2005
http://www.investorwords.com/2182/globalization.html