Globalization is the spreading ideas, goods, and services throughout the world which leads to a process of integration and interaction among the people, companies, and governments of different nations. This process is driven by international trade, investment, and information technology. It can have effects the environment, culture, political systems, economic development, and physical well being of each and every society around the world. The KOF Globalization Index measures the three main dimensions of globalization:
Globalization can be a bit of a controversial subject, particularly when it comes to the economic part. Economic globalization can offer cheaper products, but it also leads to many job losses. For example, while outsourcing to a different country could lead to cheaper products sold here in America, the jobs for Americans that were originally here are now gone. Furthermore, the workers in other countries often face unsafe, unfair working conditions and get paid measly salaries - which is why the products are so cheap. However, this is not always the case, especially in smaller countries like Denmark. Smaller countries have to be global in order to survive. So while many Americans would say that economic globalization is “stealing jobs”, a poll in 2006 found 76% of Danes to support globalization (Fox). For the overall Index of Globalization, Denmark is number 6 on the list (Measuring Globalization). “The Danish government has set up a commission for globalization to formulate a strategy that will lead to extensive reforms of education programs, research and development as well as substantial improvements for growth and innovation in all sectors of the society, including entrepreneurship and innovation policy” (Augustin). By taking action to create a group to reform education, support research and technology, entrepreneurship, they are in effect ensuring the success of Danes moving out into the world to compete and participate with their businesses and know-how. Studies have show that, economically, globalization is an opportunity and not a threat to Denmark – “the negative consequences of globalization have been very limited, whereas the advantages are tremendous” (Growth Through Globalization). Examples of Globalization in DenmarkSince this question is a little vague, I have found 3 Danish companies to represent my examples of globalization. Lego In 2006, Lego, an internationally known Danish company, announced that it would be outsourcing most of its manufacturing to Eastern Europe and Mexico. Maintenance man and union steward Poul Erik Pedersen told Time magazine that he wasn’t upset about the outsourcing. “We thought it was the best way to keep as many workers’ places in Denmark as possible. We aren’t against the management. We want to make sure that they make money and we make money […] There are some good things about outsourcing; where the jobs go, the standard of living is growing, and then they can afford to buy more Legos or other things from the West,” said Pedersen. Outsourcing as well as being a well known product around the world is an example of economic globalization. Strand Consult John Strand is the owner of this wireless consultancy firm in Denmark. Strand Consult gets 95% of its revenue from outside Denmark, and therefore could be based almost anywhere. When a company makes more or most of it's revenue from places outside of the country like Strand Consult, it is another example of economic globalization. Danske Bank In 2011, Danske Bank made the Fortune Global 500 list as one of the world’s largest corporations. While it’s headquartered in Copenhagen, it is a major retail bank throughout entire northern European region and has over 5 million retail customers (Danske Bank Group). Since it is prominent throughout all of European region and other parts of the world, it is an example of economic globalization. Works Cited:Augustin, V. (2011, November 30). Denmark, Globalization and Welfare State. Retrieved October 27, 2016, from http://valeryvalou.blogspot.com/2011/11/denmark-globalization-and-welfare-state.html?m=1
Danske Bank Group. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2016, from http://www.danskebank.com/en-uk/Pages/default.aspx Fox, J. (2007, December 1). Weekend reading: Denmark and globalization, the director’s cut | TIME.com. Retrieved October 27, 2016, from http://business.time.com/2007/12/01/weekend_reading_denmark_and_gl/ Growth Through Globalization. (2004, February). Retrieved October 27, 2016, from http://www.statensnet.dk/pligtarkiv/fremvis.pl?vaerkid=29656&reprid=0&filid=7 KOF Index of Globalization. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2016, from http://globalization.kof.ethz.ch/maps/ Measuring Globalization. (2011, March 10). Retrieved October 27, 2016, from http://www.mrglobalization.com/globalisation/292-measuring-globalization
1 Comment
Tyler Zgombic
11/2/2016 04:59:47 pm
I looked at your country because at first I thought Denmark was part of the Netherlands (who kind of "own" my country since Curacao is like a part of the Netherlands). But then I found out it isn't. I think it is great that Denmark is using the globalization to increase education. That is one problem in Curacao- they need to improve education more, even though the globalization has helped some. I didn't know Lego was from Denmark. That was a good piece of info!
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Author: Alex Schuler20 years old, from Arizona. Studying Special Education & Elementary Education (BAE). Archives
November 2016
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