Asian Popular Culture - Coursework Example

Asian Popular Culture Name: University: Course Title: Instructor: Date of Submission: Asian Popular Culture Introduction The world is full of diverse cultures with different sets of beliefs. Asia is one of the continents that host numerous people with diverse cultures. Culture can be defined in numerous ways. However, all the definitions of culture revolve around the patterns of beliefs and behaviour of people of a given cultural background. As such, culture is a learned way of life usually shared by a group. A given cultural group shares common interests, with regard to religious beliefs, political systems, gender, race and ethnic origin among others factors (Kochan, 2003, p.4). This paper aims at examining how a popular Asian culture relates to processes of regional integration and/or globalization. Moreover, it seeks to explore how this popular culture is affected and how it affects the transnational flows of people and products within and outside of Asia. The chief focus of this paper will be on cricket playing culture in South Asia. Popular Culture According to Khondker (n.d, p.2), popular culture unifies by providing common ground to talk about. Asia is an expansive continent with diverse culture. In the context of culture, there are those that are restricted while there are those that cut across the board. One unique thing is that finding a beyond the borders culture is difficult. Most of these cultures are geographically restricted either into sub regions like South Asia, East Asia among others. The popular cultures that have emerged out of these continents are like belief in Karma as result of religious influence, Indian movie industry popularly known as Bollywood, South Korean pop culture and cricket playing culture among South Asia people. The countries that are known for this obsessive culture include India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Majumdar (2006) sums up the whole feeling of this region about cricket by noting that “Cricket, religion at home and a symbolic flexed muscle in the international arena, is thus South Asia's best-known brand name.” To indulge with the topic of popular culture and why cricket was chosen in this paper as a popular culture especially in South Asia is based on the definition given by Raymond Williams as quoted in Williams (1999, p.xiii) cited in Khondker (n.d, p.4 & 5) that gives four parameter for definition. However, the most important parameter in identifying popular cultures is tied to the first three parameters. The first parameter that he outlined was about culture being autonomous. Under this view, he notes that culture curves outs its province and sphere of influence. Further, this means culture is not tied to economy but to the hearts and passion that one has for it. The second parameter is about fluidity of culture. Under this context, a culture can’t be tied to one social or economic class. Culture has ability to transcend above these borders. This means a culture can become mass and popular. The third is the fact that culture has ability to transcend beyond geographical and political boundaries. Exactly this is the same for cricket culture where these South Asians have other different culture politically and religiously, but cricket still dominates. The last perspective is that culture future dies out as they can be created, revived or transplanted. The Origin of Cricket Playing Culture and its Adoption in these Countries The origin of this game is traceable from the British colonial government by then. These countries (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) were colonised by Britain. In the earlier years, the game was mostly for the elites as envisioned by its pioneers. Moreover, the locals abhorred it since it was seen as representation and continuation of colonialism (Appaduarai, 1996, p.96 cited in Khondker, n.d, p.2). However, as noted earlier, there are distinct characteristics that allow culture to diffuse from one point to another. Moreover, has been indicated culture at a time does not observe geographical and class boundaries. Cricket means much to the South Asian nations as what foot ball is to Brazil, basket ball and base ball is to America or rugby to Australia. This game acts as a unifying factor since it is played by both social classes. In addition, this game draws enthusiasm amongst its followers in these countries. In India, the game was first adopted by Parsi Community before spreading out to other communities (Appaduarai, 1996, p.92 cited in Khondker, n.d, p.4). It’s Popularity In his discourse, Sandiford (1994, p.1) cited in Khondker (n.d, p.2) notes that the culture of cricket playing was bequeathed by the British colonial masters even though at the initial stages most of the nationalists opposed it. Indeed to corroborate the popularity of this culture, Majumdar (2006) observes that over 90% of tickets available were sold days before the actual game that involved India and Bangladesh. Khondker (n.d, p.3) observes that the culture of cricket in these countries has attained a certain degree of universality by becoming a global culture. Moreover, he notes that presently, the game has moved out of being an elite engagement to a common man game where children play with improvised balls and equipments in back streets of disadvantaged settlements of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Majumdar (2006) indicates in his reporting that cricket to India is like a “illusion of a national consciousness, inconceivable otherwise, were not entertained.” To show the popularity of this game, he contradicts it with a survey by then which showed that at least 50% of Indians if given chance would migrate out of their country as a result of various reasons. The thought above is reinforced by (Appaduarai, 1996, p.92 cited in Khondker, n.d, p.4). to directly quote him, he posits that “With time, other communities began to adopt cricket making it the very symbol of Indian modernity. Cricket in some sense played a role in both creating a sense of community and in time a larger sense of solidarity across classes. Cricket in India today is coterminous with nationalism.” According to Nandy (1989) cited in Khondker (n.d, p.6) the game is now more Indian than English. This lies on the level in which they have perfected it over time more than the pioneers. The popularity of this game can’t go unnoticed especially in India where the concept of merging it with movie industry in India popularly known has Bollywood has dramatically picked. Despite of the movie being an indication of anti colonialism, it showed the status bequeathed to cricket (Lal & Rajan, 2007, p.87). Cricket Culture and Processes of Regional Integration and/or Globalization Societies are dynamic and not static. Societies are bound to change over time as a result of interaction with outside societies. Societal change at any level is through diffusion and globalization. The reason for societal change in any way is tied to the fact that societies are like open systems that interact with their internal and external environment. This case holds true even in conservative societies (Sztompka, 1994, p. 3). The only difference would be the degree or magnitude of change. Agents of change in a society include social institutions such as families, and religious organizations. The second is economic systems and institutions. The third is the political institutions and the last is urbanization. Moreover, concepts like globalization has greatly lead to diffusion of ideas from one point to another due to improved transport and communication system globally thus, allowing for cross cultural interaction and exchange (Etzioni-Halevy, 1981, p. 87). In many circles it now a common phenomenon to hear people saying that the world is becoming a small village to signify globalisation. Over the years since the emergence of industrialisation international interaction between countries have phenomenally increased. In this process barriers to trade have been reduced, cultural exchange and diffusion of ideas has increased tenfold and standardisations of process have significantly expanded. Expansion in transport and communication are one of the phenomena that can be attributed to the growth and acceleration of globalisation. Khondker (n.d, p.11) advances an interesting view and discourse on the concept of culture and globalisation. He narrows down on the cricket and cultural globalisation by using Indi as his case subject. In his conceptual framework out of the theoretical reviews, he adopts the word cosmopolitan which means “citizen of the world”. He notes that cricket formed one of the avenues of India in the process of cultural globalisation. To me, this equally applies to other countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan that have become synonymous with cricket more than any other thing at the global arena. On the other hand, he sees nationalisation as a means to sense of belonging and thus more ethnocentric. Thus, from the discourse, nationalism is the opposite of cosmopolitan in the conventional sense, but in cultural sense it is called parochialism. In connection with the above paragraph, Khondker (n.d, p.11) brings a new conceptual framework of what he calls cosmopolitan nationalism. In this view he sees an approach that is not harmful to anyone. Does cricket not display these characteristics? It is a common knowledge that at political level, Pakistan and India are usually at loggerheads, but when it comes to cricket the fans are always united in cheering for the good of the game. Thus, helping these countries achieve regional integration. Moreover, in particular instance how cricket can make one be a globalised individual is best captured by Majumdar (2006). Majumdar (2006) notes that while India as country is playing cricket her citizens are united behind her, but 50% of the same people said if given chance they would move out of India. Globalisation in this sense is thus seen as ability by individuals to transcend above their sense of belonging to a nation and secede it to global level. Majumdar (2006) sums up the feeling about South Asia’s cricket and its role in globalising the constituent of these countries. He first indicates that cricket is no longer an obsession. The game has become transnational which obsesses the cosmopolitan global South Asian who transcends the geographical boundaries of the nation. Further, from the public discourse he deduces that Indian or a Bangladeshi is less national and more global. To substantiate this statement he states that these people are capable of casting a critical eye on the tribulation confronting contemporary economic and political life. In a nutshell he equates this culture of playing cricket as a religion at home and a flexed muscle in the international arena. Consequent.ly, this culture acts as South Asia’s well known brand name. Adequately this would act as a referencing point at global level as long distance athletics is to Kenya and Ethiopia. Rumford and Wagg (2010, p. 1 & 2) adds an interesting twist in globalisation of cricket. The first thing that they note is that sports personalities involved in this game are equally well known all over the world. Moreover, to show how this game is bringing two diverse worlds together is based indicated by slumdog movie. Apart from the above, this game was pioneered by the Britain’s but it has moved out of their domain and they no longer control the politics and economic aspects of the game. In fact it is now Indian Premier League that is well known for this game. In addition, the game has moved out from being an elite and being regionally restricted to an expanding game. To show the future of this game as a globalised culture and agent of globalisation is best capture by Rumford and Wagg (2010, p. 4). The essence of this is based on the franchise concept which he notes can have a global reach than a country or state based team. How this can help in regional integration and globalisation is best analysed with BBC News of February 8 2010 cited in Rumford and Wagg (2010, p. 4) where one of the Indian Premier League team Known as Rajsthan Royals is in the process of crafting the first cricket global franchise with teams from England, South Africa, Australia and Trinidad & Tobago. Under this engagement, players would wear same jersey and have the opportunity to switch teams. This is a real process of globalisation and regional integration since it is an approach that reduces barrier to interaction at global levels. The globalisation factor of the cricket from the IPL perspective has been seen from the terms of payment where players are willing to forego playing for their national teams and play for the league clubs. Moreover, countries like India have been able to attract big stars from developed countries like England (Rumford and Wagg, 2010, p. 9). The culture of playing cricket has had a major role of in uniting foes in South Asia. Pakistan and India have had a long standing dispute on territorial and security issues, but during the last cricket world cup, Indian president and Pakistan President Mr. Singh and Gilani had an extended chart during the match. In this context the game aided diplomacy and thus, regional integration. The match between these two countries allowed Pakistanis to visit India and exchange with the Indians. Moreover, this 2011 event was co-hosted by three South Asian countries of Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh. Apart from this, in 1996, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan hosted the same event together (Sen, 2011, p.22). This kind of mutual relationship enhances flow of people and cultural interaction and thus, regional integration. Impact of Cricket Culture on Transnational Flows of People and Products Within and Outside of Asia With the current economic dynamics, no single country or region can claim to be economically independent and hence, can self sustain and stand alone. Moreover, this has brought to the limelight the concept of globalisation. With the development of business concepts like supply chain management, specialisation and diversity of work place, flow of people and product are crucial (Cousins, Lawson and Squire, 2006, p. 757). In business perspectives people are seen in terms of being wealth creators/ entrepreneur, prospective customers and employees. On the other hand, flow of goods is important in terms of reaching the intended final customers or for other companies for value addition. The nexus that culture has with flow of people and goods is a two way relationship. A culture can inhibit the flow of goods and people by secluding the owner of that culture of creating a bad perception about them. On the other hand, culture can act as a catalyst that enhances s relationship and flow of goods by being a brand name that is worth marketed. This will allow people to invest in the country or purchase their products. Apart from flow in business or economic perspective, culture can enhance exchange from political angle by easing tension and increasing cohesion since culture is fluid and does not adhere at a time to political boundaries (Sen, 2011, p.22). To understand the above perspectives of the role of culture in flow of people and goods especially cricket in south Asia, the author will engage in a discourse that ties culture & business and culture & marketing. Flow of People The first group that cricket culture can be able to attract are the enterprenuers. Globalization has great influence on how international organizations conduct their business in the contemporary world. As a result many global organizations find themselves in environments that are full of cross cultural ethical considerations (Sims & Gegez, 2004). Such cross cultural ethical considerations or perspective affect how global organizations with global presence transact business and interact on the international arena. Cross cultural ethical issues such as ethical leadership, integrity, social community responsibility and ethical awareness affect the interaction and operation of such organizations in the international business environment (Resick et al., 2006). Ethical leadership is described as leading in a way that does not interfere with or jeopardize the rights and dignity of others (Resick et al., 2006). One of the best known brand names that can be used to attract people in India is cricket. The same applies for other South Asian countries. In marketing brand name is one of the ultimate answers to locking in customer and attracting more investors. The contribution of cricket as a sport can’t go unnoticed in these South Asian Countries. These countries have been able to host cricket world cup even jointly in two occasions (Sen, 2011, p.22). These attracted sports enthusiasts who were not only going there to watch cricket, but also to buy products, souvenirs and build business connection. Moreover, Khondker (n.d, p.4) notes that with emergence of India has a dominant player in this sport it has been able to attract players far and wide even from developed nations like Australia and England. Currently the country controls 70% of the game’s revenue (Rumford and Wagg, 2010, p. 6 ). Apart from the above, the airtime that these countries get during live televised coverage gives them a milestone by exposing them to global arena. This can attract potential tourists. Flow of Goods One way in which a firm can increase their profitability and market leadership is by reduction of operating cost through cost cutting measures. One key area of cost cutting measures is by concentrating on core functions of the firm. This can only be achieved by efficiently integrating suppliers, manufacturers, warehouses, and stores so that merchandise is produced and distributed at the right quantities to the right location and at the right time (Simchi-Levi, Kaminsky and Simchi-Levi, 2004, p. 2). However, this kind of arrangements normally faces numerous challenges which are dynamic and complex (Simchi-Levi, Kaminsky and Simchi-Levi, 2004, 4, 5 & 6). Moreover, the suppliers of these good are located in different parts of the world. According to Simchi-Levi, Kaminsky and Simchi-Levi (2004, p. 7), in the 1980, companies discovered new manufacturing technologies and strategies that allowed them to reduce costs and better compete in different market segments. However, in the recent there has been a paradigm shift towards supply chain management so as to increase profit and market share. From the above introductory remarks one sees the importance of product flow from one economy to the other and also the flow of products to the final consumer who might not necessarily be members of the country of product origin. One of the contributions of cricket to flow of good is by attracting investors as a result of publicity it gives to these countries (Rumford and Wagg, 2010; Khondker). These investors produce numerous goods to be shipped to other countries. Apart from the above, corporate groups that deal with sport franchises have invested in these countries. The essence of this culture to product flow is based on the concept of forward and backward linkages where an industry survival is dependent on another one (Mentzer, 2001, p. 9). Such contribution can be seen with the massive investment India has received and the kind of revenue it receives out of this investment. Conclusion Perspectives on cultures are very interesting discourse. One prominent issue that emerges is that culture can be both detrimental and integral in building peace, integration and eases flow of goods and services. The concept of globalisation is here with us to stay and societies should be ready to embrace it. As noted earlier, at a time cultures do not adhere to prescribed geographical/ physical and political boundaries, but to a large extent a mental boundary. Moreover, culture is fluid and prone to modification as seen in cricket that was developed by Englishmen and adopted by South Asians and perfected by Indians. Cricket as a unique culture of this part of Asia should be encouraged as a means of strengthening further regional integration and globalisation. The need for regional integration is called for as a result of territorial and military disputes that India and Pakistan normally have. Further cricket as a culture has proved to be a uniting factor as seen in 2011 cricket word cup when the president of Pakistan and India met and had a chart for over three hours. Lastly, but not least this culture has given south Asian nations a land mark position in the world map thus, helping in globalising their other related cultures. From the above discussions also, one can prudently deduce that culture is an integral mix in aiding the flow of people and goods by acting as a magnate that attracts tourists, employees, academicians/ ethnographers and business investors to that hot spot. However, at a time culture when used as a tool for extreme and ethnocentric view can be retrogressive. One importance that has been noted as a critical contribution of culture is acting as a brand name. This situation is enhanced when sports personalities of cricket like Tendekular are used. Apart from the above, south Asian countries have had a privilege of hosting cricket world cup twice while India has had three opportunities. These events have always given people opportunity to visit these countries and even explore non related cricket factors. Apart from the above, with commercialisation of sports, these country gain an advantage of being marketed at global arena and thus, standing chance of attracting more foreign investors. Hence in a nutshell, progressive popular Asian culture like playing cricket at all levels of the society is an important means in achieving globalisation, integration and ease of product and people flow. References Cousins, P. D., Lawson, B. and Squire, B. 2006. Supply chain management theory and practice: the emergence of an academic discipline. International journal of operations and production management. Volume 26 Number 7, ISSN 0144-3577 Etzioni-Halevy, E. (1981). Social change: the advent and maturation of modern society. London: Taylor and Francis. Khondker, H. H. (N.D). Cricket, Colonialism, Culture and Cosmopolitanism. Retrieved on 13th May, 2012 from: www.socsc.smu.edu.sg/events/Paper/habib.pdf Kochan, T. et al. (2003). The Effects of Diversity on Business Performance: Report of the Diversity Research Network, Human Resource Management, 42(1): 3-21. Lal, V. & Rajan, G. (2007). Ethnographies of the popular and the public sphere in India. South Asian Popular Culture, 5:2, 87 – 95. Majumdar, B. (2006). South Asia’s Cricket Obsession. Retrieved on 13th May, 2012 from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6171549.stm. Mentzer, J. T. 2001. Supply chain management. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage publication Inc. Resick, C. J et al. (2006). A Cross-Cultural Examination of the Endorsement of Ethical leadership, Journal of Business Ethics. Vol. 63 pp. 345-359. Rumford, C. & Wagg, S. (2010). Cricket and globalisation. Newcastle: Cambridge Scholar Publishers. Sen, R. (2011). The passion that unites. Institute of South Asian Studies, Issue 2. Retrieved on 13th May, 2012 from:www.isas.nus.edu.sg/1SAL_Issue_No2_online.pdf. Sims, R. L. & Gegez, A. E (2004). Attitudes Towards Business Ethics: A Five Nation Comparative Study, Journal of Business Ethics, Vol. 50 pp. 253–265 Sztompka, P. (1994). The sociology of social change. Oxford: John Wiley and Son. Read More

The Origin of Cricket Playing Culture and its Adoption in these Countries The origin of this game is traceable from the British colonial government by then. These countries (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) were colonised by Britain. In the earlier years, the game was mostly for the elites as envisioned by its pioneers. Moreover, the locals abhorred it since it was seen as representation and continuation of colonialism (Appaduarai, 1996, p.96 cited in Khondker, n.d, p.2). However, as noted earlier, there are distinct characteristics that allow culture to diffuse from one point to another.

Moreover, has been indicated culture at a time does not observe geographical and class boundaries. Cricket means much to the South Asian nations as what foot ball is to Brazil, basket ball and base ball is to America or rugby to Australia. This game acts as a unifying factor since it is played by both social classes. In addition, this game draws enthusiasm amongst its followers in these countries. In India, the game was first adopted by Parsi Community before spreading out to other communities (Appaduarai, 1996, p.

92 cited in Khondker, n.d, p.4). It’s Popularity In his discourse, Sandiford (1994, p.1) cited in Khondker (n.d, p.2) notes that the culture of cricket playing was bequeathed by the British colonial masters even though at the initial stages most of the nationalists opposed it. Indeed to corroborate the popularity of this culture, Majumdar (2006) observes that over 90% of tickets available were sold days before the actual game that involved India and Bangladesh. Khondker (n.d, p.3) observes that the culture of cricket in these countries has attained a certain degree of universality by becoming a global culture.

Moreover, he notes that presently, the game has moved out of being an elite engagement to a common man game where children play with improvised balls and equipments in back streets of disadvantaged settlements of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Majumdar (2006) indicates in his reporting that cricket to India is like a “illusion of a national consciousness, inconceivable otherwise, were not entertained.” To show the popularity of this game, he contradicts it with a survey by then which showed that at least 50% of Indians if given chance would migrate out of their country as a result of various reasons.

The thought above is reinforced by (Appaduarai, 1996, p.92 cited in Khondker, n.d, p.4). to directly quote him, he posits that “With time, other communities began to adopt cricket making it the very symbol of Indian modernity. Cricket in some sense played a role in both creating a sense of community and in time a larger sense of solidarity across classes. Cricket in India today is coterminous with nationalism.” According to Nandy (1989) cited in Khondker (n.d, p.6) the game is now more Indian than English.

This lies on the level in which they have perfected it over time more than the pioneers. The popularity of this game can’t go unnoticed especially in India where the concept of merging it with movie industry in India popularly known has Bollywood has dramatically picked. Despite of the movie being an indication of anti colonialism, it showed the status bequeathed to cricket (Lal & Rajan, 2007, p.87). Cricket Culture and Processes of Regional Integration and/or Globalization Societies are dynamic and not static.

Societies are bound to change over time as a result of interaction with outside societies. Societal change at any level is through diffusion and globalization. The reason for societal change in any way is tied to the fact that societies are like open systems that interact with their internal and external environment. This case holds true even in conservative societies (Sztompka, 1994, p. 3). The only difference would be the degree or magnitude of change. Agents of change in a society include social institutions such as families, and religious organizations.

The second is economic systems and institutions.

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