Globalization is necessary in our current society because it brings many benefits to both the economy and culture. However, it also poses challenges in adapting to multiple cultures and locales compared to localization.
Globalization may increase productiveness and competitiveness, while localization may be motivated by a desire for cultural preservation. Globalization helps us approach a wide range of goods and services from all over the world, as well as the diversity of cultures. For example, globalization helps us easily approach various kinds of food all over the world. Now, consumers in Viet Nam can enjoy Topoki from Korea or Spaghetti from Italy. Globalization has also created many opportunities for businesses that can bring their local food to bigger markets and increase their profits. However, globalization can cause economic inequally or losing unique cultures. Local farmers and food producers may face competition with Internation corporations, resulting in job losses and the potential loss of special local food cultures. On the other hand, localization can lead to cultural isolation and monopoly economic which can bring discrimination against outsiders or hinder the economic process. When local food cultures are too common and take much time for old processes, new ideas and technology from outside the community are needed.
A balanced approach between globalization and localization is very important due to their affection for each other. Localization focuses on a specific culture, location, or audience while globalization takes into multiple cultures, locations, or audiences. Otherwise, the development of the global economy must consider the impact on local communities and the equality of benefit sharing between these groups. For example, the necessary trade policies ensure that multinational corporations can not exploit local labor or resources for their own benefit instead of contributing to the development of local economies. One of the known policies is AEC (ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY)[1], which aims to build integrated policies, and rules for ASEAN countries. This helps the economy of these countries grow up together while promoting cultural exchange, preserving local traditions, and preventing the control of big businesses. Furthermore, ASEAN also makes efforts to provide interactive events for scientists, technologists, and researchers such as ASEAN Next, ASEAN Science, Technology & Innovation Week, etc.[2]
Both globalization and localization have many barriers. For globalization, these barriers can include policies from governments to protect local traditions and the economy. Other barriers can relate to communication language or trade tariffs that can limit the flow of goods between countries. In the case of localization, the barriers can include a lack of access to technology advancements or global markets and resources, as well as limited funding or investment opportunities. As proof, being a member of ASEAN since 1995, VietNam has a chance to join a market with 420 million consumers. Attending to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)[3] forum brings many opportunities for Vietnam which ensures goods, services, investment, and even people can move easily across borders. On the other hand, many challenges come together with these benefits such as the required certification for export goods, the competitive job for employees in the area
All in all, globalization and localization face many barriers that limit their effectiveness and impact. Both globalization and localization require balanced policies that promote cultural exchange and provide opportunities for economic growth.
References:
[1] ASEAN Secretariat, 2020, Vietnam in ASEAN : Toward Cooperation for Mutual Benefits, https://asean.org/vietnam-in-asean-toward-cooperation-for-mutual-benefits/
[2] ASEAN Secretariat, 2020, ASEAN Science, Technology & Innovation, https://asean.org/our-communities/economic-community/asean-science-technology-and-innovation/
[3] The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, September 2021, About APEC, https://www.apec.org/about-us/about-apec