What is Globalisation?

Globalisation has been around for a long time and there are many, many definitions. When we 'blab' about globalisation we are communicating, communicating through media. I share my opinions and you, who may be on the other side of the world, can respond back to me. I can share with you my Italian and Maltese heritage and you can share yours. We can share the political happenings of our countries or even start a business together. Through the technological change that has occurred in recent years anything is possible. To me, globalisation means exactly this, the whole nation as one, sharing and working together to benefit each other.

My thoughts about globalisation are very similar to those of Terhi Rantanen, Professor in Global Media and Communication. She believes that ‘globalisation is a process in which worldwide economic, political, cultural and social relations have become increasingly mediated across time and space’ (2005, p. 8). In her text ‘The Media and Globalisation’ it is established that many globalisation theorists neglect media and communications in their definitions of globalisation.

When first thinking about globalisation, before reading Rantanen’s text, I believed that globalisation meant the whole world connecting and working together as one and this means media and communications is essential. With today’s technology globalisation has increased and this is evident through the growth in trade, Australian companies moving internationally and overseas organisation coming to Australia. I believe that capital flow has had the most global growth due to technological advances, with things like Outlook, Facebook and Skype, economics has soared. 

Outlook
(Image: https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkCZB2Une8aYfLAMA1_ugfIq-NmyljEmaivytwHnlAlDziaKSyeqyg2OOe)

Facebook
(Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcopako/) 

Skype
(Image: http://citycynic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/skype.jpg)

These technological products are global products and can be accessed in every country through internet access. Many products that individuals consume have also been made in multiple countries. For example, KFC’s mayonnaise is now made in Malaysia by Kerrie Ingredients. It was once made in their Altona factory in Victoria, Australia and as of August 2012 all products made in this plant have been sent to Malaysia. This movement is an example of the increase in economic globalisation. Media and communications are involved in multiple aspects of this example; communications facilitated the move with technological advances making it easier than it was in the past and the media informed the public of this move. Is this a negative or positive example of globalisation? Well, for my father in law who was one of the 105 people who lost their jobs, the increase in globalisation has affected him negatively. For Kerrie Ingredients and Malaysian workers, this movement is positive. Therefore, to me, globalisation is not positive or negative; globalisation is the connection of countries through media and communications.

Kerry Ingredients
(Image: http://www.fdbusiness.com/2011/12/kerry-group-completes-230-million-acquisition/)

Reference List

City Cynic, 2009, ‘Skype sheds it’s corporate parent, but can it adapt?’, 26 July 2013, http://citycynic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/skype.jpg

Flickr, 2013, ‘Macro Pakoeningrat’, 26 July 2013, http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcopako/

Food and Drink Business Europe, 2011, ‘Kerry Group Completes $230 Million Acquisition’, 26 July 2013, http://www.fdbusiness.com/2011/12/kerry-group-completes-230-million-acquisition/

Google Images, 2013, ‘Outlook 2013 Logo’, 26 July 2013, https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkCZB2Une8aYfLAMA1_ugfIq-NmyljEmaivytwHnlAlDziaKSyeqyg2OOe

Rantanen, T 2005, The Media and Globalisation, Sage, London.