Internet and National Boundaries - Research Paper Example

Internet & National Boundaries Name Institution Course Lecturer Date Topic: Question 5 The
Internet
as
a
Global
Medium
that
challenges
national
boundaries

 The current media ecology encompasses an interdependent system with local, national and international actors. The introduction of the Internet has led to removal of barriers and opened a space for individuals, non-state actors and civil society organizations. This discussion aims at unraveling the importance and centrality of Internet in modern society. Internet has been a medium for news outlet and the argument will demonstrate its role in expanding cross-borders interactions. It will show how Internet has impacted on different environments allowing various perspectives to develop as well allowing decision makers to feel more accountable in diverse cultures. In the current global environment, people’s ability to communicate in an effective way has been significantly affected by the advent of the Internet. According to Beamer & Varner (2008), in the business sector, poor communication can adversely affect the human performance and outputs. Internet has promoted trans-border communication and particularly with the current trends of globalization. Organizations that target to expand and take advantage of global market have to ensure that their internal communication capacity is effective. Additionally, recent economic challenges have highlighted the need to control and monitor the threats in the environment by working on communication efficacy between interdependent nations (Morley & Robins, 2013). Global businesses have realized the need to competently use communication channels to bring their employees, existing and new customers closer. As Morley & Robins (2013) observes, one of the most important aspect of competent communication is how it enables nations to engage in dialogue to come to an understanding in search for and making critical decisions in nonstandard situations and times of crisis. There are threats that a nation cannot solve alone including financial, internal rivalry, promotion of human rights, climate and environmental challenges. In economic contexts, recent G-20 summit have had great debates of sustainability, climate change and promoting development in all parts of the globe (Berger, 2009). Countries with diametrically opposing viewpoints on climatic change, economic crisis are brought together by the Internet in such debates and have to find a consensus through communication to have a common approach to a solution to worldwide problems (Thorne, 2010). Berger (2009) further observes that, international diplomatic ties, United Nations and countries that form the Security Council have discussed issues like nuclear weapons and missile crises through the use of Internet to access and disseminate information. On the other hand, trans-national business communication has exploited Internet and its various media for faster, efficient and effective communication. A tidal wave brought about by development in informational technologies has ushered fundamental changes in business community where national companies have claimed international markets through effective way to reach international market segments. Kluver (2008) on the other hand points out that, there are new communication platforms with wider opportunities for business professionals. Berger (2009) observes that, Internet has promoted communication and highly impacted on the use of mobile communication devises, teleconferencing, social media, personalized messages and on-line supply chains to do business. There are myriad advantages in the use and effectiveness of Internet which has been confirmed in developed nations. Internet has shaped and reshaped the way these business are carried in order to be effective for instance the development of e-commerce that has reduced reliance on supply-outlets in international markets (Morley & Robins, 2013). According to Beamer & Varner (2008), Internet affects aspects of global business and impact free trade policies, advertising, business relationships, brand effectiveness, consumer behavior, international negotiation, management and marketing. Businesses have profusely used communication mix in advertising, sales, service sectors, commercials, trade shows and promotion due to effectiveness of Internet. Impacts of Internet Morley & Robins (2013) observes that, Internet development have made the media to be an effective tool and immediate in influencing platform humankind understanding. It has influenced opinions in the industrialized world and its impact is felt in the developing world. Internet has been a powerful tool that has continually encouraged global awareness which has ultimately promoted cross-cultural understanding, acceptance and tolerance of ethnic, cultural, gender and religious differences among global communities. As Berger (2009) argues, unfortunately, the use of Internet as a potential force to promote the good of trans-border relationship can backfire. People may use it to disseminate messages which create, advance or reinforce negative stereotypes as well as perpetuating misconceptions that people hold against those who are different from them. Internet can therefore frustrate dialogue which ends up working against the desired mutual understanding. However, there are existing rules and ethical standards that are promoted in every context of human interactions and the current media platforms are not an exception. As Ohler (2013) argues, the past crash that existed between the West and the Muslim World is a good example of how traditional media was used to develop negative sentiments by use of powerful media weapons. Communism and capitalism ideas were supported with a lot of propaganda that the then society accepted from authoritative media. However, it is not the case today where after people have been exposed to different ideas and reality of the world issue through the Internet, they rarely support a party or pledge allegiance to subjective criticism. As Vitkauskaitė (2011) observes, the Internet and participation of audiences in critical debates about the conflicts and conducts of others has led to avoidance of criticism in the domain of the media. The trend in the use of Internet has seen an objective approach in the search for understanding cultural differences and appreciating other people values and orientations. Extremism has been reduced by encouraged constructive action of the audiences from different societies. Morley & Robins (2013) observes that, Al Jazeera, BBC World and CNN have bridged the gap of distance among communities by having a 24-hour news cycle. The pervasiveness of event, issue and cultural coverage has eliminated distance from West to Middle East bringing communities in a global sphere of interaction. The development has in the last decade been accelerated and amplified by the advent of Internet. The growing segments in the general population have therefore had access of global issues through the use of new media. The media has through that way been able to challenge the prevailing attitudes people hold about others across the globe (Chang, Himelboim & Dong 2009). According to Warschauer & Matuchniak (2010), the strong emotional responses people had about others are neutralized through the spread of news and influential media ideas. One of the ways the media has created cultural understanding is the possibility of instant feedback. As Spencer-Oatey & Franklin, 2009 observes, in the past, there was one-way flow of information from the media to audiences. The audiences would not participate due to lack of technological capacity to do so. However, today, the use of tweets, messages, chats and voice has allowed constructive criticism, opened up an arena for healthy debates that promote understanding for those engaged. The phenomena have sensitized the media owners and to avoid extremist ideas that perceive others in the lenses of stereotypes and subjective perceptions. Sawyer (2011) further argues that, new social media has impacted a lot in international interactions and relationship since it has been a popular component of everyday life in a globalized society. Social media platforms are contexts where people from the world and across cultures communicate, share knowledge and interact regardless of the distance which separate them. Adaptation has been a process promoted through understanding brought about by interaction. According to Vitkauskaitė (2011) the increase of fitness among people helps them meet the cultural demands in the business environment. Social media have been used by people to be more integrated in another culture and maintain the connections with those people. As Thorne & Reinhardt (2008) observes, the trend in the current use of Internet, where millions of new users is increasing, will make cultural interaction a routine and day-to-day pattern. Interactive dialogues have emerged in the contexts where people have build understanding due to acceptance of different viewpoints. The society in the new social media is seen to interact in a “new media where everyone publishes and everyone critics” (Georgetown University, 2010). As people get opportunity to express their opinions, participate in conversations and dialogue in virtual media, they develop strong ties that promote intercultural understanding (Thorne, 2010). Thorne & Reinhardt (2008) points out that, the new technological advancement has responded to people’s need for connection and interaction. People have fulfilled the desire of their sense of belonging through the emerging virtual relationship and support with others. Social media has provided an arena where people have continued to communicate with others from different social networks (Gilboa, 2009). Apart from interaction in these platforms, people have increased their knowledge and understanding of different opinions, events, topics and perspectives of issues. The social media has been an effective tool for socializing allowing people to converse and have dialogue without face-to-face interactions with others. Through such communications, people have been able to note the differences in communication, values, behavior and differences of various cultures. Based on national and international understanding, the Internet has promoted compatibility and interconnectedness among global societies (Sawyer, 2011). As Vitkauskaitė (2011) observes, networking sites and web-based services allow individuals to construct semi-public and public profile within the communication system. The people in such virtual interactions promote ethics and articulate rules that other users adopt to share in the connection. The rules connect and act as the defining factors to maintain interactions. According to Chang, Himelboim & Dong (2009), there are major four popular social media that promote networking including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and iPhone. They have greatly facilitated exchange of messages and promoted awareness and understanding across cultures. Every platform has its policies that the users agree on and adhere to avoid sanctions. In the platforms, the participants have also promoted the standards that define interactions and help in avoiding competing interests based on cultural differences. One of the advantages of the use of the current communication technologies is the distance. As people are far apart, the fear and cultural shock that people encounter in meeting with new people dissipates (Sawyer, 2011). Internet and learning Morley & Robins (2013) have argued that, intercultural dynamics has been an important focus area that has increasingly promoted research in relationships, negotiations trends and solutions to tensions. When operating between different world cultures, fostering intercultural contact and exploration of cross-borders culture becomes a matter of importance. Intercultural contact promotes perspectives that strengthens and involves people from different fields in different globalization programs. The focus in intercultural communication has been endeared due to the need of working together in political, social and economic areas. As Caganova, Cambal & Weidlichova Luptakova (2010) further observes, scholars working in different areas like philosophy, literary studies, urban planning, architectural development and environmental sciences have seen the need for partnering to achieve the global objectives in those fields. Looking at the past interconnections, it is possible to say that Internet has led to constructive ideas and trend that will shape the current and future inter-border communication and interaction. The preference for responsible and developing communities generates solutions to problems in contemporary situations that require involvement through communication. Accordingly, the intercultural awareness and understanding mediated by communication has opened opportunities to appreciate others and modify behaviors. Countries have engaged diplomats who are skilful and equipped to deal with the practices, perceptions, customs and identities of others. Organizations that have been expanding internationally have also used the most capable managers to mediate the situations abroad and reduce the challenges brought about by cultural differences (Thorne, 2010). According to (Thorne & Reinhardt, 2008), the notion of cultural difference is reduced when such managers are prepared for expatriate jobs. As a matter of fact, organizations do not haphazardly take individuals that cannot potentially exploit in the market. They therefore have to prepare such manager through exposure to international meetings, training on cultural competencies and involvement with Internet that emphasis on the culture where they will have to work. According to Warschauer & Matuchniak (2010), interactions across the current media do not wholly constitute appreciation of other cultures by adopting them. It has been more of compromise. The people who interact across these platforms bridges their differences by creating a culture that is neutral and desirable for every context. The effect of globalization and particularly with modern day Internet technologies has simply merged global societies (Chang, Himelboim & Dong 2009). As the societies interact through intellectual, cultural, political moral and in other fundamental aspects, it is possible to see that globalization will eventually eliminate cultural diversity. Caganova, Cambal & Weidlichova Luptakova (2010) observes that, the unity of all these different aspects is seen as the people strive to promote their well-being as well as those of others. The ease of international communication brings people closer together to create a civilized human society. The common ground rules in the process calls for the participants to overlook the cultural, ethnic and religious differences that have adversely affected communication in the past. Destruction of existing cultural diversity will promote easiness in understanding one another without considering the differences in backgrounds. The need to solve global common problems will lead to creation of a single society. Internet has promoted exchange of information, ideas and learning and allowed different countries to learn to understand fundamental differences between cultures (Spencer-Oatey & Franklin, 2009). The more countries increase in dialogues, the more they will be able to work on their problems. The answer to most of intercultural communication problems is education. In a world where people have to interact with many people from different cultural backgrounds, it would be good to understand their precipitating history and goals. Apart from the school which has in the past been used to learn about cultures, better information promoted by recent development of Internet will make the world to become more cohesive. The processes of media interactions will create a world with an understanding of interacting with other peoples besides themselves (Caganova, Cambal & Weidlichova Luptakova, 2010). Thorne & Reinhardt (2008) observes, it is possible to recognize that media has become a pervasive tutor of the children and the masses at large. The increase in filmmaking, pop culture, advertising and shows that bring different personalities will highly influence and shape intercultural communication in future. According to Chang, Himelboim & Dong (2009), the need for ‘something new’ in a consumerism system has allowed the world to be open to other people’s values which also allow communication across these societies in need to reinforce understanding. As Gilboa (2009) points out, instant information in the Internet, Wikipedia and millions of blogs have availed information across societies. The new platforms of learning have complemented schools and academic learning about culture in a great way which promotes inter-border interactions. On-line and virtual learning have also brought community of scholars together to address learning issues, programs and influence one another across world cultures. The positive approach to culture has increased the need for inclusion in the world-class institutions of learning and major contemporary campaigns. As Ohler (2013) noted, when people from different cultural backgrounds interact, they increase the potential for innovation and development. In conclusion, the advent of Internet has brought about cross-border interactions across different sectors of life. The trends have made it essential to develop interconnectedness through reduction of intercultural communication barriers. The past challenges identified with traditional media; TV, radio, newspapers and others have drastically been reduced. Business organizations have assumed the effectiveness in trade due to availability of the right way to carry out organizational activities like advertising, education, training and expansion to different trade segments. Inter-cultural understanding has been facilitated by communication and there are actual effectiveness and outcomes seen by different organizations. Internet has therefore brought a revolution in the way societies interact. The Internet through World Wide Web, new social media; Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, iPhone and on-line/virtual learning have increased intercultural awareness and allowed people to communicate freely. To a larger extent, the new media technologies have bridged the gap of communication between different societies across the globe. The trend will impact on organizational effectiveness in those important areas considered in day-to-day activities in the organization. There are national and international goals that have been achieved across social, economic and political arena which are inarguably improved the global societies as well as their well-being. References Beamer, L., & Varner, I. I. (2008). Intercultural communication in the global workplace. McGraw-Hill. Berger, G. (2009). How the Internet Impacts On International News Exploring Paradoxes of the Most Global Medium in a Time ofHyperlocalism'. International Communication Gazette, 71(5), 355-371. Caganova, D., Cambal, M., & Weidlichova Luptakova, S. (2010). Intercultural management–trend of contemporary globalized world. Electronics and Electrical Engineering, (6), 102. Chang, T. K., Himelboim, I., & Dong, D. (2009). Open Global Networks, Closed International Flows World System and Political Economy of Hyperlinks in Cyberspace. International Communication Gazette, 71(3), 137-159. Gilboa, E. (2009). Media and conflict resolution: a framework for analysis. Marq. L. Rev., 93, 87. Kluver, R. (2008). Globalization, informatization, and intercultural communication. Morley, D., & Robins, K. (2013). Spaces of identity: Global media, electronic landscapes and cultural boundaries. Routledge. Ohler, J. B. (2013). Digital storytelling in the classroom: New media pathways to literacy, learning, and creativity. Corwin. Sawyer, R. (2011). The Impact of New Social Media on Intercultural Adaptation. Spencer-Oatey, H., & Franklin, P. (2009). Intercultural interaction: A multidisciplinary approach to intercultural communication. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Thorne, S. L. (2010). The “intercultural turn” and language learning in the crucible of new media. Telecollaboration, 2, 139-164. Thorne, S. L., & Reinhardt, J. (2008). “Bridging Activities," New Media Literacies, and Advanced Foreign Language Proficiency. Calico Journal, 25(3), 558-572. Vitkauskaitė, E. (2011). Cultural adaptation issues in social networking sites. Economics and Management, 16. Warschauer, M., & Matuchniak, T. (2010). New technology and digital worlds: Analyzing evidence of equity in access, use, and outcomes. Review of Research in Education, 34(1), 179-225. Read More

On the other hand, trans-national business communication has exploited Internet and its various media for faster, efficient and effective communication. A tidal wave brought about by development in informational technologies has ushered fundamental changes in business community where national companies have claimed international markets through effective way to reach international market segments. Kluver (2008) on the other hand points out that, there are new communication platforms with wider opportunities for business professionals.

Berger (2009) observes that, Internet has promoted communication and highly impacted on the use of mobile communication devises, teleconferencing, social media, personalized messages and on-line supply chains to do business. There are myriad advantages in the use and effectiveness of Internet which has been confirmed in developed nations. Internet has shaped and reshaped the way these business are carried in order to be effective for instance the development of e-commerce that has reduced reliance on supply-outlets in international markets (Morley & Robins, 2013).

According to Beamer & Varner (2008), Internet affects aspects of global business and impact free trade policies, advertising, business relationships, brand effectiveness, consumer behavior, international negotiation, management and marketing. Businesses have profusely used communication mix in advertising, sales, service sectors, commercials, trade shows and promotion due to effectiveness of Internet. Impacts of Internet Morley & Robins (2013) observes that, Internet development have made the media to be an effective tool and immediate in influencing platform humankind understanding.

It has influenced opinions in the industrialized world and its impact is felt in the developing world. Internet has been a powerful tool that has continually encouraged global awareness which has ultimately promoted cross-cultural understanding, acceptance and tolerance of ethnic, cultural, gender and religious differences among global communities. As Berger (2009) argues, unfortunately, the use of Internet as a potential force to promote the good of trans-border relationship can backfire. People may use it to disseminate messages which create, advance or reinforce negative stereotypes as well as perpetuating misconceptions that people hold against those who are different from them.

Internet can therefore frustrate dialogue which ends up working against the desired mutual understanding. However, there are existing rules and ethical standards that are promoted in every context of human interactions and the current media platforms are not an exception. As Ohler (2013) argues, the past crash that existed between the West and the Muslim World is a good example of how traditional media was used to develop negative sentiments by use of powerful media weapons. Communism and capitalism ideas were supported with a lot of propaganda that the then society accepted from authoritative media.

However, it is not the case today where after people have been exposed to different ideas and reality of the world issue through the Internet, they rarely support a party or pledge allegiance to subjective criticism. As Vitkauskaitė (2011) observes, the Internet and participation of audiences in critical debates about the conflicts and conducts of others has led to avoidance of criticism in the domain of the media. The trend in the use of Internet has seen an objective approach in the search for understanding cultural differences and appreciating other people values and orientations.

Extremism has been reduced by encouraged constructive action of the audiences from different societies. Morley & Robins (2013) observes that, Al Jazeera, BBC World and CNN have bridged the gap of distance among communities by having a 24-hour news cycle. The pervasiveness of event, issue and cultural coverage has eliminated distance from West to Middle East bringing communities in a global sphere of interaction.

Read More