Globalization, glocalization, hybridization...

Hi all

Some of you seem to have a problem with gloc and hybd especially...

Here are three recent email queries I received... (my responses in red)

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#1

Firstly, whilst searching for examples on either hybridization and glocalization, I came across a couple egs I wasn't sure how to really categorize. For example, the disney movies Mulan and Kung Fu Panda. Whilst in a sense it's globalization because it has been marketed to parts of the world in the original that it was made, but the story lines (at least for Mulan) originates from another country. Being a folk tale from China, but yet taken and adapted by the West and then marketed, I'm unsure if it's considered globalization or glocalization or even any of these terms. could you help clarify?

> probably just globalization; there is no localizing actually done, and the focus is purely on the "global market".

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#2

I am a bit confused if the following examples are examples of glocalization, or are they merely part of the effects of globalization?
- Idol series: Singapore Idol, American Idol from the original Pop Idol in Britain - Next top model series: Holland's Next Top Model, Britain's Next Top Model from the original America's Next Top Model
Glocalization would refer to taking a global product and making it local, and in doing so perhaps in instances changing the language to suit the local market. But if Singapore Idol is in English, is it still considered glocalization? Does this mean that Holland's next top model is an example of glocalization but Britain's next top model is then not?

> the language is not the key point. what is impt is "how do you get to your audience?" all your cases should be glocalization because it shows the large corporation (whoever owns the franchise) adapting their show FOR THE LOCAL AUDIENCE. this is why in most cases, in UK, they get American Idol (globalization) and Pop Idol (glocalization) on tv, in Sg, we get American Idol and Sg Idol etc. THE MAIN THING IS THE AUDIENCE...not the language alone.

Also, is the main difference between hybridization and glocalization the fact that in hybridization, a new form of the product is created whereas in glocalization the 'global' product is still being retained with only minor adjustments? And would it be fair to distinguish the 2 based on whether capitalism is involved? Both hybridization and glocalization could actually have capitalist roots right?

> yes. to me, hybridization is when locals take a global product, while glocalization is when the large corporation adapt to the local. globalization is when the large corporation just has ONE global product (coca cola or big mac everywhere)

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#3

this website http://www.bangladeshsociology.org/Habib%20-%20ejournal%20Paper%20GlobalizationHHK,%20PDF.pdf states that the main difference between glocalization and hybridization is that in hybridization there is no need for the "local". the use of perhaps a technological system that is a mixture of the UK and American types used in Singapore would be considered hybridization. This would kinda contradict with hybridization as being the local changing the global product in the conclusion ppt. the source is bangladesh?! i'm not sure if it's credible but is his concept hybridization ( that excludes the local) valid?

> actually, if you read the source reading by pieterse carefully, you will see that hybridization has been taking place forever.

technically hybridization means any mixing of 2 (or more) cultures

so in theory, if i -- a singaporean -- take elements of american and japanese food to make japanican food, it is still hybridization (i.e. no Singapore local element) why not?

but from our perspective, what is most important is PEOPLE'S REACTION TO HYBRIDIZATION (or glocalization, or globalization).

so with regard to my japanican food, if Singaporeans (or Americans or Japanese, or anyone else) don't like it...then it won't sell, and i will go out of business. and it will be forgotten.