MODULE

A World of Ideas
10 Globalization of Technology

Lesson Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Define technology
2. Discuss theories of technology diffusion
3. Describe the digital phenomena; and
4. Determine the advantages and disadvantages of technological globalization.

Definition of Terms

 Technology - a technique, a process, or a material good emerging from the use of science in
addressing human problems
 Technology diffusion - flow of technologies across borders

INTRODUCTION
If there is something so profound in our experience of the modern world, that is the seemingly
indispensable role of technology in our daily lives. Technology, as we have been taught in our science subjects
as that which refers to the application of science, is something that comes forth from using the systematic body
of knowledge we possess to respond to pressing issues and problems that we face. Wahab, Rose, and Osman
(2012) have surveyed literatures on the matter and found that there are quite a number of definitions and
characteristics of technology. Some of these definitions are as follows (Wahab, Rose, & Osman, 2012, p. 62):
possessing a physical and an informational component (Kumar et al. 1999), configuration/system (Sahal, 1981),
and knowledge (Dunning 1994). Hence, the authors concluded that technology, in essence, is either a
technique or a way of doing things.
Historically, we can glean that technological advancement has trodden a long, winding, and often turbulent
road-a process commonly referred to as the industrial revolution (IR)-wherein humanity has found a way to
maximize the available resources that they can tap toward the advancement of their aspirations individually and
collectively. Priescaru (2016), as cited by Xu, David, and Kim (2018), summarized the industrial revolution and
divided the eras into four. People in the first I used coal as their primary source of energy and created the steam
engine. Those in the second IR discovered oil and electricity and designed the internal combustion engine.
Computers and robots are the main achievements of the third IR, where nuclear energy and natural gas were
found as potential source of energy. And, nowadays, we are in the era of the fourth IR where the goal is to
maximize the use of green energies, amidst the proliferation of the Internet.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution

Klaus Schwab has used the term "Fourth Industrial Revolution” to refer to the era when people navigate
between their online and offline selves (Xu, David, Kim, 2018). In this era of industrialization, people can expect
the following:
 emergence of creator-entrepreneurs (technology allows us to create more and to produce our ideas)
 artificial intelligence (AI)
 fusion (integration of disciplines)
 robotics (more daring inventions that are geared toward making our lives more efficient)
 Internet (remote and real-time interconnectedness)

All these are presumed to make our lives easier and more convenient. But then again, we can also
anticipate challenges (Xu, David, Kim, 2018, p. 93) such as:
 changes in the job market, in terms of competencies required from people and in terms of preference for
machines than people in tasks that are performable by robots,
 changes in the nature of threats and vulnerability (cyber security issues) as we become more reliant to
digital technologies,
  changes in the way we do things, and
 unanticipated impacts to basic services and sectors (education, health, and environment).

CONTEMPLATE.
Look around you. Pick three of the recent technologies you have access to and which you frequently use.
Reflect on the affordances, opportunities, and advantages of possessing such technology. Conversely, reflect
upon the risks or disadvantages.

Technology Affordances Risks

What insights did you gain from this exercise?

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Technological Diffusion and Globalization

In the age of globalization, technology also flows in and out across borders, this process can be referred to
as technology diffusion. It is essential to look at technology diffusion because, the inflow and outflow of
technology is simultaneous to economic, political, and cultural flows.
Technologies are goods that are bought and sold in the market. Think about the cars that you see on the
streets, which are mostly produced in China, USA, Japan, and India (International Organization of Motor
Vehicle Manufacturers; OICA', 2018). Think about the raw materials from other territories which are required to
produce particular technologies, and thus are imported/exported (e.g., minor metals are being imported to
China in large quantities to produce steel; OECD, 2011). Some technologies in the market also have political
undertones. From 2014 to 2018, for example, US, Russia, France, Germany, and China were found to be the
top five arms exporters in the world, while Saudi Arabia was among the topmost importers, based on a report by
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) (Deutsche Well, 2019).
Many may be oblivious to the link between technology and the economy and politics. This issue may even
be beyond the immediate sphere of concern of the ordinary citizen. However, we easily recognize the cultural
value of technology, especially in the context of those technologies we use in our daily lives. Digital
technologies such as smartphones, laptops, and other computing device are very well within our reach.

COMMUNICATE.
Find a partner. Discuss an instance in your life when you were exposed to a new technology. Share your
experience. What was your response? What did you feel/think? How did you cope? What did you do? Write the
output of your conversation in the space below:
 Remarkably, people have different responses when exposed to these new technologies. According to the
diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory (Rogers, 1962), some would try new technologies even if these are still
crudely developed, e.g., some beta-users of newly developed apps or users of 1st generation technologies
(innovators). Others would adopt earlier than the average user but would need some systematic support to be
able to navigate using a new technology (early adopters). But then, there are those few who are skeptical and
would rather use tried and tested methods and tools (laggards).

The Diffusion of Innovation

Nowadays, we also hear the term digital natives which refer to people who have been accustomed to digital
technologies. There are also those referred to as digital immigrants, people who were not born into the digital
world but are coping and adopting new technologies.

CREATE.
Interview your parents or grandparents. Ask them to tell you how life was before computer technologies
prevailed in the modern society. Let them tell a story on how they spend their day, what leisure activities they
do, and how they do things without digital technologies.
Write your interview output in the space below:

Technological Trends in the Age of Globalization

The following are just some observable technological trends in the age of globalization. While some of these
trends have been scrutinized in scholarly works, many are potential subject of inquiry.

Information and Communication

The emergence of the Internet of Things (IOT) makes human-computer interaction speedier and more
reliable, making it possible to manage very important services such as transportation, healthcare, and security.
We see nowadays, for instance, that we can already watch over our home even when we are far away from it
through security cameras that are linked via the Internet. A doctor from another country can provide
professional advice or, in some cases, can even conduct medical procedures to a service user in another place
(telemedicine). Even interviews, meetings, and educational activities can be done via Skype, Zoom, and other
teleconferencing technologies. Because of technology, we are already capable of doing synchronous (real-time)
communication even amidst distance. At the same time, when the one we need to talk to is not available, it is
possible for us to engage into asynchronous communication such as when we leave messages through emails
and messengers that our friends and families can respond to later on.

Transportation
Transportation technologies have become more prevalent, with more people being able to avail of their
own private vehicles. Some countries were also able to establish reliable and efficient public transportation
system.
Aviation technology has also become more dependable in recent years, allowing more and more people to
travel long distances at a cheaper rate than in the past. There are four major developments in aviation
technology, according to Martin (2018): (a) digital twin, which is a digital and virtual replica of the physical
aircraft engine which enables efficient monitoring of the aircraft; (b) use of artificial intelligence (AI) for predictive
maintenance, i.e., predicting possible issues that may arise in the aircraft; (c) use of mobile computing in
aviation; and (d) use of drones in aircraft maintenance procedures.

Architecture, Energy and the Environment

There is a movement toward green architecture as an impact of the recent clamor to address ecological
breakdown. People are beginning to realize that our environment is at the tipping point and if we do not do
something about it, everything that we do haphazardly to our environment may boomerang. Alongside the
movement toward environment-friendly infrastructures is the preference for green energy or renewable sources
such as wind, hydropower, geothermal heat, etc. With the pressing issue on the environment, there emerges
also new currencies such as for instance the carbon credits-the allowable amount of carbon emission that a
country can have, which can actually be used in the carbon trade.

New business models have also emerged in recent years. Entrepreneurs bring in their businesses into the
electronic world, thus, the birth of e-commerce. Online platforms such as Lazada, Amazon, and Shopee are
made available where you can buy and sell products. Even businesses with physical stores are putting up
online platforms to extend their reach. Social network media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are
used as marketing and advertising tools. Banks have also put up electronic platforms where clients can hold
transactions (i.e., bills payment, money transfer) without having to appear physically in a physical banking
infrastructure. In travel and transportation services, there are platforms where clients can book tickets, manage
their bookings, and even cancel and perform other transactions related to their trip. Business processes in a
territory can also be done overseas through business process outsourcing (BPOS), facilitated by reliable
Internet connectivity and dependence communication technologies.

Space Science
Since the first wave of space explorations in the 1960s, much has changed in our space technologies, as
nation-states invest in research and development on this issue. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA, 2018), the US agency responsible for space explorations, revealed that, in succeeding years, there will
be attempts and efforts to: (a) know the possibility of life in Mars, (b) get closer to the Sun, (c) explore Jupiter's
moon, (d) send humans deeper into space, and (e) test and develop more advanced space navigation
instruments.
Even the Philippines is aligning with the technological trajectory toward space exploration with the
launching of Diwata-1 in 2016 and Diwata-2 in 2018, two micro-satellites with the aim of supporting earth
observation missions that will be useful in climate studies and disaster risk management (PHL Microsat, n. d.).
According to PHL Microsat, this program is a foundation to Philippines' vision to create its own space agency.

COLLABORATE AND COMMUNICATE.

After discussing recent technological developments in various industry and sectors, form groups with your
classmates and reflect collectively what are the issues which might arise as innovations in existing technologies
developed. Further, going back to our discussion on the various manifestations, processes, and issues on
globalization, what issues should be looked into?
Area Important Issues Remarks
ICT
Transportation
Architecture and Engineering
Commerce
Space Science
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology

Reflect:
In 20-25 years, what kind of technologies do you think the world will have?

AI, Robots, and Nanotechnology

Most importantly, the contemporary world has also witnessed how technology nowadays can afford to
simulate some of human capacities through the use of computer and machines-i.e., artificial intelligence. When
Sophia-bot, an almost humanoid robot, came to the fore, it has triggered discussion as to what would be the
direction of humanity in the era of Al (see Urbi & Sigalos, 2018). What used to be found only in the figment of
our imaginations, as reflected in movies, are now becoming more real and possible. As we are able to
manipulate particles at the atomic-molecular levels (nanotechnology), we are also able to create very minute
particles that may influence and alter substances found in living cells (e.g., use of nanoparticles in delivering
drugs).

SUMMARY
Humanity is the creator of technology. As humans realize that there are problems and obstacles to their
aspirations for a better life, technologies will continue to emerge. In the age of globalization, where new needs
and concerns are being recognized and realized, it is expected that new technologies will also come to the fore.
Facilitated by the flows of goods and services which is characteristic of globalization, technology diffusion is a
probable occurrence. In this lesson, we have discussed various technological developments and reflected on
the implications of these advancements in the age of globalization. In the end, humans, as we are, capable of
rational thinking, should continually reflect: are these technologies we bring forth into the world going to help us
really achieve the kind of future we desire? We should also ask: As we enjoy the affordances of technology,
how can we remain faithful to basic and fundamental concepts such as goodness, beauty, dignity, and rights?

ASSESSMENT
1. Using a free/open source platform (WordPress, Blogger, Wix, etc.), produce a static blog or website
summarizing what you learned from this lesson.
2. Write an essay: What will be the implication of technological globalization on people in developing countries?