Globalisation: Homogenisation or Diversification?

Globalisation: Homogenisation or Diversification? Yannick Buitenhuis Introduction Globalisation has brought changes and has increased global interaction. This growing interconnectedness has led to the movement of ideas, values, ways of living and attitudes across the world. Despite that the interaction between culture and globalisation is not a new one, this process of cultural globalisation has brought forth a relatively recent debate about its outcomes for the world (Hassi Storti, 2012, p. 3 7). The debate revolves around two diverse trends that cultural globalisation can bring, namely if the globalisation is homogenising, or differentiating the world. In line with Nederveen Pietserse (1996, p. 137), these are not the only trends that can be distinguished, but are probably two of the main ones. This paper will therefore focus itself on this debate by discussing both sides and will keep the following question in mind: Is globalisation cultural homogenising or differentiating the world we live in? The discussion brings the arguments of both sides to the light and will be elaborated on the basis of some worldwide and local holidays. Subsequently, my own opinion about the matter of cultural globalisation is given in the conclusion to answer the above question. Discussion As earlier mentioned, the discussion will focus on two different views in the debate of cultural globalisation. The two views can be seen as each other opposites. The first that will be discussed will be the idea of homogenisation. Subsequently, the idea of differentiation will be discussed. Both views will be elaborated at the hand of holidays that are celebrated across the world. Homogenisation The first interpretation of the process of cultural globalization is the idea that as a cause of technological innovation, commercial and cultural synchronisation arising from the ‘West’, the world is becoming more the ‘same’, more standardised and more uniform (Nederveen Pieterse, 1993, p. 265). Homogenisation brings about a world that is becoming overwhelmed by forces making for sameness that is the global standardisation of culture and institutional structures (Robertson White, 2003, p. 15). This concepts argues that the connections between geographical places and cultural experience are being weakened by the dynamics of globalisation and that the feeling of spatial distance is wearing down (Hassi Storti, 2012, p. 9). A key assumption is that of cultural imperialism, the idea that a few Western societies or the society of the United States carry out their culture upon the world (Ritzer as cited by: Kuhn, 2009, p. 56). The transnational expansion of common codes and practices is the cultural element of this process and can be related to the concept of consumer culture. By adopting the Western/American example, cultures and consumption practices are becoming globally more the same (Kuhn, 2009, p. 56). This can also be related to the spread of some holidays. For example, people worldwide buy a rose for their love on Valentine’s Day in February. This (commercial) aspect of this holiday blown over from the Anglo-American world is now part of many cultures in the world. Another example is Halloween. People worldwide dress themselves in costumes and are decorating their houses with pumpkins and cobwebs. Special events are also organised revolving around Halloween, for instance the Halloween Fright Nights in amusement park Walibi in Biddinghuizen. So in this case, one could indeed argue that some aspects of (western) culture are being spread across the world and are carried out upon other cultures. The same holidays are being celebrated and their practice is the same worldwide. Differentiation The second interpretation is the opposite of homogenization. Differentiation assumes that the world is becoming diverse and focuses on the diversification between places. Individuals and groups have influence on globalisation and globalisation copes with and is characterised by a diversity of reactions. The idea rejects that this process establishes a homogenisation of cultures resulting from one way interaction from Western cultures (Hassi Storti, 2012, p. 7; Kuhn, 2009, p. 58). Also, Ritzer (as cited by: Hassi Storti, 2012, p. 7) argued that differentiation relates to barriers which prevent flows that contribute in making cultures look the same. Cultures will therefore stay different form each other and cultural differentiation will stay in a globalising world. Practices of other cultures are present in different cultures, but will stay within the margins of local and national cultures. Thus, different global and local cultures will coexist next to each other. Only the criteria t hat cultural groups use to define their identity and to differentiate from others can change (Hassi Storti, 2012, p. 8). The intensification of flows across cultures causes a more inwardly appearing world. Local cultures can indeed be affected by globalisation and its flows, and this can influence the transformation of cultures, but the core of the culture will remain intact (Ritzer, 2010. Cited by: Hassi Storti, 2012, p. 7). Even so, these multi-directional global flows and world processes do not wipe out local cultures, but they modify some of their characteristics and strengthen others (Hassi Storti, 2012, p. 8). The strengthening of some characteristics can come hand in hand with an attempt to differentiate from the global or a form of resistance against the forces of globalisation (Kuhn, 2009, p. 59). Link to this, the fact that Valentine’s Day is banned in the Middle-East since 2008, because it does not fit in the Islamic world (BBC News, 2008). Also, cultural groups will react differently to these forces and will develop differently, different environments ask for different efforts to a dapt. Just like that there are holidays that are global, there are also national and local holidays. For instance, only in the Netherlands and Belgium people celebrate ‘Sinterklaas’. Even with the debate revolving around ‘Zwarte Piet’ and reactions from other countries, a lot of people in the Netherlands embrace the holiday as part of their culture. Reactions were mixed, when it came to the public attention that the UN, a global institution, came to investigate this cultural heritage for racism in 2013, which even strengthened the will for some to celebrate Sinterklaas even more. Another holiday that connected to a culture is the celebration of New Year in the Asian world. Instead of the first of January, many Asians celebrate New Year according to the lunar calendar. Or another example, Thanksgivings Day in Northern America. These examples show that despite the flows of globalisation, some holidays do not cross over and are related to specific cultures, because o f the deep historical roots and context. So, globalisation cannot fully eradicate a culture and its core features which characterises it and does not always spread certain cultural aspects out across the world. Conclusion Two different views are present in the debate revolving around cultural globalization. At the one hand, the view that globalisation is homogenising, and at the other hand the view that it is differentiating. Therefore, in the introduction was asked if: globalisation is cultural homogenising or differentiating the world we live in? In my own opinion, cultures can be seen as dynamic and therefore undergo certain changes over time and are exposed to external forces. Globalisation, time-space compression and technological innovation have made global interaction easier and, thus, interaction between different cultures is taking place. Indeed different characteristic of cultures, mostly Western, are being copied al around the world and some facets in cultures are becoming the same, look at Valentine’s Day or Halloween. So, there are indeed some homogenising effects of globalisation. But my opinion is also in line with what Hassi Storti told, namely that the core of cultures will not let itself as easy influenced. A culture can be seen as concentric circles. The outer rings of a culture can be influenced easier, like some consumption patterns, but this is different for the core. Some aspects are not so easy changed or blown over to others, because they are historical rooted and/or do not fit in other cultures, like Sinterklaas, New Year in Asia or Thanksgiving. There are still cultural differentiations in the world. Thereby, I reason that just like cultures differ, their reactions on aspects of other cultures also differ. Aspects that are recognisable and stand close to their own culture will be embraced, but other aspects can be cast away. People can influence globalisation and there is, like Kuhn said, a diversity in reactions. In this way globalisation can be seen as ‘the wind’ in a Chinese proverb, and when it blows, some build walls, while othe rs build windmills (European Commision, 2013). References BBC News (2008), Saduis Clamp Down on Valentines. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7239005.stm. Last used on: 5 October 2014. European Commision (2013), The Commissioners (2010-2014): Connie Hedegaard’s articles. http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/hedegaard/headlines/articles/2013-07-05_01_en.htm. Last used on: 5 October 2014. Hassi, A. Storti, G. (2012), Globalization and Culture: The Three H Scenarios. In: H. Cuadra-Montiel (ed.), Globalization: Approaches to Diversity, pp. 3-20. Rijeka (HR): InTech. Kuhn, K. (2009), Consumerist Lifestyles in the Context of Globalization: Investigating Scenarios of Homogenization, Diversification and Hybridization. In: H. Lange L. Meier (eds.), The New Middle Classes, pp. 49-64. Dordrecht: Springer Science+Business Media businesses Nederveen Pieterse, J. (1993), Globalization as Hybridization. Working Paper 152. The Hague: Institute of Social Studies. Nederveen Pieterse, J. (1996), Globalisation and Culture: Three Paradigms. In: Mansbach, R.W. E. Rhodes (eds.), Introducing Globalization: Analysis and Readings, pp. 135-144. London: Sage. Ritzer, G. (2004), The Globalization of Nothing. Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press. Robertson, R., White, K. E. (2003), Globalization: An overview. In: R. Robertson, K. E. White (eds.), Globalization: Critical concepts in sociology, pp. 1–45. London: Routledge. Tomlinson, J. (2003), Globalization and Cultural Identity. In: Held, McGrew, Goldblatt Perraton (eds.), The Global Transformation Reader, pp. 269-277. : Cambridge (UK): Polity Press. Xincus (2014), A National Study: Becoming the Chamber of the Future. http://www.xincus.com/Survey. Last used: 5 October 2014.

Management Information Systen Use by Kfc

Management information system use by KFC Management Information Systems (MIS) is the term given to the discipline focused on the integration of computer systems with the aims and objectives on an organization. Each KFC outlet use MIS in accounting, knowing production, and very useful in formulating HR policies which helps them to rate their employees. The development and management of information technology tools assists executives and the general workforce in performing any tasks related to the processing of information.MIS and business systems are especially useful in the collation of business data and the production of reports to be used as tools for decision making. With computers being as ubiquitous as they are today, there's hardly any large business that does not rely extensively on their IT systems. However, there are several specific fields in which MIS has become invaluable. MIS systems can be used to transform data into information useful for decision making. Computers can provide financial statements and performance reports to assist in the planning, monitoring and implementation of strategy.MIS systems provide a valuable function in that they can collate into coherent reports unmanageable volumes of data that would otherwise be broadly useless to decision makers. By studying these reports decision-makers can identify patterns and trends that would have remained unseen if the raw data were consulted manually. MIS systems can also use these raw data to run simulations – hypothetical scenarios that answer a range of ‘what if’ questions regarding alterations in strategy.For instance, MIS systems can provide predictions about the effect on sales that an alteration in price would have on a product which is very useful for KFC future development. These Decision Support Systems (DSS) enable more informed decision making within an enterprise than would be possible without MIS systems. Not only do MIS systems allow for the collation of va st amounts of business data, but they also provide a valuable time saving benefit to the workforce.Where in the past business information had to be manually processed for filing and analysis it can now be entered quickly and easily onto a computer by a data processor, allowing for faster decision making and quicker reflexes for the enterprise as a whole. Management by Objectives While MIS systems are extremely useful in generating statistical reports and data analysis they can also be of use as a Management by Objectives (MBO) tool. MBO is a management process by which managers and subordinates agree upon a series of objectives for the subordinate to attempt to achieve within a set time frame.Objectives are set using the SMART ratio: that is, objectives should be Specific, Measurable, Agreed, Realistic and Time-Specific. The aim of these objectives is to provide a set of key performance indicators by which an enterprise can judge the performance of an employee or project. Benefits o f MIS The field of MIS can deliver a great many benefits to enterprises in every industry. Expert organizations such as the Institute of MIS along with peer reviewed journals such as MIS Quarterly continue to find and report new ways to use MIS to achieve business objectives.KFC ‘s Core Competencies Every market leading enterprise will have at least one core competency – that is, a function they perform better than their competition. By building an exceptional management information system into the enterprise it is possible to push out ahead of the competition. MIS systems provide the tools necessary to gain a better understanding of the market as well as a better understanding of the enterprise itself. Enhance Supply Chain Management Improved reporting of business processes leads inevitably to a more streamlined production process.With better information on the production process comes the ability to improve the management of the supply chain, including everything from the sourcing of materials to the manufacturing and distribution of the finished product. Quick Reflexes As a corollary to improved supply chain management comes an improved ability to react to changes in the market. Better MIS systems enable an enterprise to react more quickly to their environment, enabling them to push out ahead of the competition and produce a better service and a larger piece of the pie.These factors help KFC to work smoothly and efficiently as we already known that they are the only fast food chain which is selling fried chicken in which they are specialized. MIS systems let the KFC management: †¢ To capture information and store it, whenever they are making bills it helps them to count sales per day, per week and per month because a copy of the bill is stored in the computer. †¢ Access stored information easily and manipulate it for the needs of their clients’ while billing or taking order they just enter the code of the product requested at t hat time and the quantity demanded.Eg-Product code Product name Product price (in Rs. ) 01 Small Coke 20 02 Medium coke 35 03 Large coke 45 04 Small coke+ Lollipop Chicken 65 05 Fried Chicken tub(small) 105 06 Small French Fries 25 07 Large Fries 45 08 Chicken Burger 25 09 Fried Chicken tub(large) 145 10 Veg. Burger 20 In KFC the above mentioned kind of information is stored in each computer that they use to maintain is SAP-sale module . They given codes to their 45 products just by entering the code the product name comes out with cost on the screen. †¢ Control flow of information into, around and out of the systems. Work within legislation such as the Data protection Act. †¢ Manage resources this is a very important function as every day inventory is recorded and therefore resources could be managed. †¢ Produce reports for themselves so that they can compare their own performances with their own and other. †¢ Maintain records needed for quality control so that the success story of all the employees can be appraised. †¢ Respond confidently to the demands of the Common Inspection Framework MIS help them because they now easily check when the last stocking was done. Manage and track employee records of work, achievement and progression for promotions. †¢ Record and track outcomes. †¢ Manage marketing information to further improve sales.. †¢ And a host of other information related functions. If Management Information Systems are flexible, and relate to the needs of the organization, the clients and the curriculum that they are delivering, then they work well and effectively. One has to be sure that, whatever systems you use, they suit your purposes and can be customized to do so, are easy to use and allow rapid data entry with rapid and flexible access for reporting purposes.

A Study on the Impacts of Noise Barrier in Construction Site Communication Essay

Construction industry is a complex and risky of work, the people in construction industry should have a better understanding of the need to practice good communication to ensure the better work quality and performance with a good communication (Vasanthi R.Perumal and Abu Hassan Abu Bakar, 2011). Good communication enables the members of the project for archiving the centre goal where the construction project complete in time with expected budget. In construction industry, communication can be achieved through letters, drawings, symbols, signs, posters, and word for ensure the information able to send and receive by each other. With the good communication, the workers especially in construction site find it easily and greatly productive to work together. Instruction and order are given and they are carried out as expected once they are well understood and acted upon correctly. Hence the communication in construction site shall be in clear, concise, accurate and well-planned. A good communication can enable an organization in better of work quality and performance, and also in decision making. Besides, an organization can achieve a better relationship with each other without any misunderstanding and misconception. So, the organization will be successful in any project without problems arise due to the poor communication. Other than that, good communication will also bring some advantages (Paul, 2008), such as: – Reduce conflict within an organization – Stronger and better relationships between each other – Improve the teamwork of an organization – Stronger controlling and problem-solving – Well coordinated work plan For instances, a good communication can benefit an organization for achieving better work quality and performance. Either in verbal or non verbal, communication should be practice well in an organization to prevent any misunderstanding or misconception occur. Problem Statement According to the BRE guidance on construction site communication (2010), UK construction industry cost at least  £20 billion to repair and reconstruct the incorrect work due to poor communication such as instructions or orders given incorrect, technical information not available and etc. Such defects occur resulted of the workers’ poor workmanship or misunderstood the instruction from site agent. One of the main factors of verbal communication is employment of foreign labour. According to Philida Schellekens & Judith Smith (2004), define that most of the construction project will employ foreign labour as worker due to their low salary. Those foreign labours have their own native language, so they may not able to communicate with site agent and other Malaysian workers. Hence, it finds out that there is language barrier between site agents with foreign labours at construction site. Besides, according to Ravi Jain (2012), mentioned the construction site creates noise through the use of vehicles, construction equipment and power tools. Those noises can affect the verbal communication between the site agents with foreign labours. A negative personality such as impatient, distrust, bad temper, fear (Asma Zaineb, 2010) happen on workers may be a barrier for them to communicate with others either in verbal or non verbal communication. Since construction industries had involved so many workers that came from different country with different education level, different cultural and etc (Nurul Azita Binti Sallet et al, 2012). There will be a huge impact on communication will be occurred with different personalities. Aim and Objectives The aim of the research study is to identify the factors affecting the verbal communication between site agent and foreign labour at construction site. Whereas, the objectives will be the following, – To identify the language barrier between site agent and foreign labour is a factor for verbal communication at construction site – To identify the noise barrier at construction site is a factor for verbal communication at construction site – To identify the personality barrier is a factor for verbal communication at construction site Hypothesis 1. Language barrier between site agent and foreign labour is a factor for verbal communication at construction site 2. Noise barrier at construction site is a factor for verbal communication at construction site 3. Personality barrier is a factor for verbal communication at construction site Scope of Study There are 4 main communication forms which are verbal communication, non-verbal communication, written communication and visual communication (Aarti R, 2011). Communication of information, messages, opinions, speech and thoughts can be made via different forms of modern communication media, like Internet, telephone and mobile. Besides, some of the basic ways of communication are by speaking, eye contact, sign language, body language, touch and singing. †¢ Verbal Communication – Verbal communication includes sounds, words, language and speaking. – Example: face to face communication, telephone, site meeting, etc †¢ Non Verbal Communication – Non-verbal communication involves physical ways of communication, like, tone of the voice, touch, smell and body motion. – Example: Short Message Service (SMS), Email, etc †¢ Written Communication – Written communication form is writing the words which used for communication. Good written communication is essential for business purposes and practiced in many different languages. – Example: Short Message Service (SMS), Email, etc †¢ Visual Communication – Visual communication is visual display of information, like topography, photography, signs, symbols and designs. – Example: Photo, Presentation Slide, etc In this research study, it focuses on verbal communication between two or more people at construction site. For the most part of the communications example, is between a site agent and foreign labour. This research study also will talk about factors that considered as barrier for good communication at construction site. Research Methodology Literature Review For literature review, journal articles and journal review were read up as much as possible to be cited in order to collect the useful data which were proved descriptively. This is a process of reading, analyzing, evaluating, summarizing and gathering information and data from book, article, journal, internet, newspaper, magazine and etc. All information relate to communication in construction site industry will be study and summarize in this research study. Questionnaire Survey A list of questions about the factors affects the verbal communication between site agent and foreign labours in construction site will be distributed to the respondents which are the parties involved in the construction site for more data and information for this research study. Questionnaire was designed in several sections and categories, the construction sites were randomly chosen and distributed in Kuala Lumpur. All the responses will be collected on individual basis and also a simple interview will conduct with respondents in respects of questionnaire earlier distributed. Definition of communication Communication is the interaction between two or above people and the interaction may in various form such as body motion, speaking, tone of the voice, touch and etc (Paul, 2008). It is the process of transmitting and receiving this information. A common objectives hardly to get done in a work place unless people able to share their ideas and information with others in a way to produce a common understanding. A successful communication in the workplace environment is very important. An employer shall create a good working situation which helps to increase the quality of work and increase the ensure quality control while the employee, it allows personal growth and development and contributes to satisfaction on the job. What is verbal communication? All humans need to interact. There are 4 main communication forms which are verbal communication, non-verbal communication, written communication and visual communication (Aarti R, 2011). The most obvious and common form of communication is verbal communication. Verbal communication includes sounds, words, language and speaking and it is one way for people to communicate face to face. According to Beth Lee (2010), verbal communication involves using speech to exchange information with others. It is generally defined as spoken language. Tone, enunciation, pauses, loudness, emphasis, word choice, these can all be used while speaking to enhance the spoken word. As a type of face-to-face communication, body language and different tones play an important role, it may cause greater impact upon the listener than informational content. For an example, a simple phrase like, â€Å"You did a wonderful job† may implicate different meanings and intentions. A genuine and sincere tone may su ggest praise and commendation, but a mocking tone can be offensive and sarcastic.

The Effects Of Hepatitis C Virus On Health Care And...

Medical insurers exist in the uncomfortable realm of providing support for health care and ensuring healthy profit margins. The payor system has evolved to dictate the care its members receive through, at worst, a rationing of services. This has frequently been the case when new medication and experimental treatments become available. The most recent instance is the case of newly released drugs with astounding success rates for the cure of Hepatitis C Virus. The rulings of past civil cases requiring insurers to cover medical treatment despite contract clauses has set the stage for Hepatitis C Virus curative treatment. Hepatitis C Virus and Treatment Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) was officially discovered in 1989 at the National Institutes of†¦show more content†¦Initial curative treatment in the early 1990’s used interferon and the antiviral ribavirin with a cure rate of 50% (Watson, n.d., p. 1). 2011 saw the invention of two antiviral medications, telaprivir and boceprevir, that increased cure rates to 70%. In 2013 newer drugs, simeprevir and sofosbuvir, were introduced with the later creating 90% cure rates in patients (Watson, n.d., p.gs. 1-2). Simeprevir (Sovaldi) was created for administration once per day over a minimum of a year (Gilead, 2014). Eradication of the disease in patients is effective in patients co-infected with HIV with low rates of side effects (Sulkowski, et al., 2014), highlighting its efficacy in complex patient populations. The cost of such treatment is $1,000 per day with an average cost for curative course exceeding $94,000 (Venteicher, 2014). The medication is FDA approved and prescribed re adily, but patients are not receiving access to the medication through their insurers. Current Issues of Access Patients with HCV treatment including Sovaldi are experiencing life changing medical prognosis in a disease that had low cure rates. Physicians are prescribing the medication appropriately to patients but there exists a disconnect between the number of patients accessing the drug and the number it is medically indicated for (Venteicher, 2014). Insurers and Managed Care Organizations (MCO’s) administering Medicaid contracts for multiple states across the United States are denying access to the