globalization – education and management agendas

352 Pages·2012·4.04 MB·English

by  Intech Prepress 0

GLOBALIZATION –
EDUCATION AND
MANAGEMENT AGENDAS

Edited by Hector Cuadra-Montiel
Globalization – Education and Management Agendas
http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/3256
Edited by Hector Cuadra-Montiel

Contributors
Douglas E. Mitchell, Selin Yildiz Nielsen, James Campbell, Verónica López, Romina Madrid,
Vicente Sisto, Donata Francescato, Minou E. Mebane, Manuela Tomai, Maura Benedetti,
Veronica Rosa, Elsa Estrela, Gabriel Awuah, Richard Vahrenkamp, Asta Savaneviciene,
Zivile Stankeviciute, Philemon Kazimil Mzee, Virgil Popa, Ioan-Constantin Dima, Mariana Man,
Ştefan Vlăduţescu, Delia Mioara Popescu, Constanta Popescu, Ana Lucia Ristea,
Daniel Dumitru Stan, Lowell C. Matthews, Bharat Thakkar

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Typesetting InTech Prepress, Novi Sad
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First published August, 2012
Printed in Croatia

A free online edition of this book is available at www.intechopen.com
Additional hard copies can be obtained from [email protected]

Globalization – Education and Management Agendas, Edited by Hector Cuadra-Montiel
p. cm.
ISBN 978-953-51-0702-6

Contents

Preface IX
Section 1 Globalization and Education 1
Chapter 1 Internationalization and Globalization
in Higher Education 3
Douglas E. Mitchell and Selin Yildiz Nielsen
Chapter 2 Higher Educational Reform Values and the Dilemmas
of Change: Challenging Secular Neo-Liberalism 23
James Campbell
Chapter 3 “Red Light” in Chile:
Parents Participating as Consumers
of Education Under Global Neoliberal Policies 45
Verónica López, Romina Madrid and Vicente Sisto
Chapter 4 Promoting Social Capital, Empowerment
and Counter-Stereotypical Behavior in Male and
Female Students in Online CSCL Communuties 75
Donata Francescato, Minou E. Mebane, Manuela Tomai,
Maura Benedetti and Veronica Rosa
Chapter 5 From Prescribed to Narrative Curriculum – An Attempt
to Understand Educational Change in Portugal 109
Elsa Estrela
Section 2 Globalization and Management 151
Chapter 6 Acting in a Globalized World: Marketing Perspective 153
Gabriel Awuah
Chapter 7 The Rise of Transportation and
Logistics in Europe 1950 – 2000 165
Richard Vahrenkamp
VI Contents

Chapter 8 Human Resource Management and Performance: From
Practices Towards Sustainable Competitive Advantage 179
Asta Savaneviciene and Zivile Stankeviciute
Chapter 9 The Context of Globalization and Human Resource
Need and Strategy for Developing Countries –
The Case of African Countries 207
Philemon Kazimil Mzee
Section 3 Globalization and the Firm 231
Chapter 10 Global Standards for Supply Chain Management
in Consumer Packaged Goods Industry 233
Virgil Popa
Chapter 11 The Company's Logistic Activity in
the Conditions of Current Globalisation 263
Ioan-Constantin Dima, Mariana Man and Ştefan Vlăduţescu
Chapter 12 Strategic Dimensions of the SME System in Romania in
the Context of the European Strategic Framework 295
Delia Mioara Popescu, Constanta Popescu,
Ana Lucia Ristea and Daniel Dumitru Stan
Chapter 13 The Impact of Globalization
on Cross-Cultural Communication 325
Lowell C. Matthews and Bharat Thakkar

Preface

Globalization is such a contested term. Not only it has been considered a cliché of our
times, but at the same time it has been criticized for its lack of a precise definition. Still
it holds such an appealing and powerful voice. By the sole mention of the concept it
was able to attract the research efforts of leading specialists throughout the world,
each one of them making a contribution to the academic debate.
Among the myriad of globalization faces, several different emphases on economic
process and education issues have been associated with the global agendas, clearly
two of the most significant global challenges and trends. For the economic realm,
globalization is transforming the way firms operate and how management is
approached. However, far from universal convergence, crucial strategies in
increasingly competitive markets focus on local demands. Think global, act local sums
it up. At the same time that awareness of the global market niches, technological
resources and scientific developments are needed, we must not forget local process,
flows and networks.
Far from being determined by structural systems, actors either firms or individuals,
must take into account the contexts in which they are situated. Agency awareness is no
doubt crucial for managers, students, workers and teachers alike. Realizing where they
stand is key to all their endeavours. Thus, ideas, perceptions and approaches on
globalization vary according to their particular circumstances.
This collective enterprise acknowledges and celebrates such diversity of positions on
globalization issues and processes. We are convinced that it is plurality that enriches
debates, strengthens arguments and forges understanding. This book does not
privilege a particular definition or approach on globalization. Rather, diversity of
approaches on research agendas regarding globalization, management, education and
the firm are presented in this volume.
A key concern presented on the first part of this book focuses on education and
change. It is not only the perspective that education works as a vehicle of change in the
globalization processes, but also how the global tendencies push teachers, students
and institutions to adapt to new and challenging environments. The centrality of
education cannot be highlighted strong enough as it renders possible alternative
X Preface

scenarios via social and human capital empowerment. Its emancipatory potential
seconds none towards a more inclusive and egalitarian future ahead.
Having acknowledged education as a key issue on globalization, the centrality of
individuals is also present in the second part of the book. Human resource and
management are of utmost importance in the global era. Business flows and networks
have reached unprecedented density and intensity, especially among various regions
of the globe. All that is involved in business firms, from transportation and logistics to
marketing faces increasingly tougher demands and challenges.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that firms are central actors on economic
globalization. Market requirements and standards are constantly bringing up to date
novelties that increase efficiency in their procedures, aiming to satisfy demanding
customers of goods and services as well as international standards and regulations.
Challenges arise at every step. Innovation and flexibility within such changing
environments retain a nodal profile that builds on the capabilities and competences
that only education could shape. It is for the above stated reasons that the present
volume on globalization focuses on education, management and the firm.
Finally, I would like to show my gratitude to the InTech staff whose professional
enthusiasm and efficient commitment made the editor task far easier than it would
have been otherwise. To each and all the Authors I greatly appreciate their exemplary
work, true and authentic evidence of globalization. I dedicate this volume to the
loving memory of my grandparents, Eloisa and Leonardo.

Hector Cuadra-Montiel
El Colegio de San Luis,
México