Think Globally, Act Locally

The concept of glocalization and the idea to "think globally, and act locally" is spreading across nations and corporations everywhere. According to McPhail in our "Global Communication" textbook, "many powerful non-US global corporations are extremely active in the global communication marketplace" (202). He goes on to say that "all global media firms rely heavily on foreign customers" (203).

In the article, "Dubaization vs. Glocalization: Arab Cities Transformed," Alrouf explains the impact that modern-city Dubai has had on the rest of the Arab region. He states that "the most positive aspect of the phenomenon of globalization for our developing world is the fact that different regimes, cultures and people of the developed world have a hunger towards understanding the other" (8). He dives into the concept of glocalization by noting the value of being aware of the nations around you. In the exposure of local architectural and cultural products from different nations, it's important that they are "coming from deep and original local vision, which makes the ultimate balance between past, present and future" (9). As a result, "think globally, act locally", according to Alrouf, becomes the most relevant slogan in our contemporary time.

In the book, "Glocalization: The Human Side of Globalization as if the Washington Consensus Mattered," the author states that "with the movement of people, ideas, capital, and other resourcs across national borders, the interaction among countries have increased "(1).  The increasing interactions and movement of people has started to affect cultures and initiate globalization, and the way we respond to this change at different localities is the process of glocalization. He notes that "glocalization is likely to empower local communities through strategic linking of global resources to address local issues" (2).

In conclusion, Glocalization is an emerging and widespread process. A hybrid of globalization and localization, it influences the local and global communities of our time. The impact of glocalization is seen all over the globe, from Dubai to Cairo and beyond. In "Dubaization vs. Glocalization: Arab Cities Transformed, " the author notes that "today, the collective ability of people to shape the future is more powerful than any past time in the history of mankind" (10).

Alrouf, A.A. (2005). Dubaization vs. Glocalization: Arab Cities Transformed. Kuwait: University of Bahrain. Found at http://www.kfupm.edu.sa/crp/Kuwaitconference/Papers/540-Kuwait%20final%20Paper.pdf.


Mendis, P. (2005). Glocalization: The Human Side of Globalization as if the Washington Consensus Mattered. Sri Lanka: LuLu Press. Found at http://books.google.com/books?id=yMT7MkXVLcMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=glocalization&source=bl&ots=4O0h1uSxs4&sig=NUMDhbQvwqVkN9cKyvKqxKc7GTg&hl=en&ei=z3a4TPLxFoGC8ga3kNn1Dg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&sqi=2&ved=0CFwQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q&f=false


McPhail, T.L. (2010). Global Communication: Theories, Stakeholders, and Trends. Massachusets: Blackwell Publishing.