The Impact of Globalization's Metaphors on Expatriation: An Essay

This essay delves into the effects of globalization, specifically focusing on the metaphors of the 'shrinking world' and 'global village' and their influence on expatriation. It explores how advancements in communication, transportation, and technology have reshaped the experiences of expatriates, making global interaction and mobility easier. The essay examines both the positive impacts, such as enhanced communication and expanded job opportunities, and the potential negative consequences, like reduced pay scales and cultural adjustments. Furthermore, it analyzes how these trends are likely to impact the future of expatriation, considering factors like medical tourism, transportation advancements, and changes in cultural integration. The essay highlights the evolving dynamics of the globalized world and its implications for individuals living and working abroad, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

ESSAY

The metaphors such as “Shrinking world” and “Global village” are often used in the
present scenario because of the globalization. In this context, it can be stated that because of the
globalization whole world seems like the single village where each individuals can interact or
communicate with each other very easily. However, before the era of globalization the thing was
not the same (Shrinking world, 2015). This is because; earlier people have to face many
complications or problems when they have to communicate with the other individual who live in
some different country. Here, expatriations are the individual who permanently or temporarily
live in some other country as an immigrant.
In this regard, it can be said that the world is shrinking because of advancement in
communication, transportation and computer technology. The presence of modern mean of
communication such as email, video conferencing and internet etc has provided ease to the
expatriation (Jen, 2015). Here, with the help of given means only the people who are living far
from their country can communicate with their relatives and friends in an effective manner. With
an aim to present or formulate this essay a very structured format will be used. Here, the essay
will give the information about the metaphors such as “Shrinking world” and “Global village” .
After that, this essay will depict the importance of “Shrinking world” and “Global village”. In
addition to this, the essay will also showcase the effect of these metaphors on future of
expatriation (Schwenniger, 2015). Here, in the given section both positive and negative impact of
these given metaphors will be discussed among the expatriation.
According to the view point of Ho (2012) shrinking world is the practice in which the
world is transforming into one single place. In addition to this, Lans (2012) have depicted that
shrinking world means that the world or village which is economically linked with each other.
This means that any kind of changes in the one specific country will seem to affect the whole
world. This thing has been experienced by countries during global crises. Thus, it can be said
that the metaphors such as “Shrinking world” and “Global village” which are used in the current
business environment is correct. It is due to the fact that, at present the whole scenario of
conducting the business has drastically changed. Now days due to the presence of advance
computer technologies, it has become easier for firms to establish or start its business in some
other market which is completely unknown to them (Wang, Bullock and Oswald, 2011).
The given thing has been performed by various famous corporations such as Sainsbury,
Tesco and The Body Shop etc. Here, it has been analysed that in some countries these companies

have physical presence through store. However, in many countries they have online presence.
These firms are able to present their online presence in global market because of the significant
advancement in communication technology only. In addition to this, the advancement in the
communication technology has provided platform to the given companies with regard to perform
significant improvement in their market share in an effectual manner. Furthermore, the given
thing has also provided opportunity to the firm to develop the new target base of customers for
their respective product in an effectual way (Kaim, 2012). Thus, it can be said that the metaphor
which are applied to today's world is correct.
Besides this, the shrinking world is not only providing benefit to citizens of the country
but it is proving as the beneficial aspect to the other individual who live in some other country.
The individual who resides in some other country in spite of their citizenship is popularly called
by the name of expatriation. In addition to this, in future also the activities of the expatriation
will be affected due to metaphors such as “Shrinking world” and “Global village”.
In the future, the connectivity between two individuals will become easier. In this
context, in future more advancement will occur in the communication technology. This will
provide opportunity to the expatriation to establish the connection with different type of
individuals in the faster and easier manner (Zietman, 2014). Here, due to the advancement in
communication technology, expatriation will get benefit in the form of using hospitality services
at very limited cost. In this context, it has been analysed that there are some expatriation that
travel to some other country with an aim to get rid of some diseases. For example, an Indian
citizen who is living in United Kingdom is undergoing through with some kind of treatment
under the examination of some Indian doctor who live in India. In the given process, that specific
individual has to travel to India for the examination and with an aim to review the progress
related to its treatment (Crockin, 2013). In this given activity, that particular expatriation has to
invest lots of money. However, that money will be saved by the individual due to the
advancement in the communication technology. Here, at present varied modern means of
communication are available which respective person can use. For instance, with the help of
video conferencing an individual can communicate with the respective doctors in an effective
manner. In addition to this, the given mean will also provide opportunity to the expatriation with
respect to make the consultation about the diseases from all the professionals who live in
different countries (Kumar, 2014).

Moreover, due to the advancement in the communication technology there is a significant
reduction will also being seen in the number of expatriation in the future. In this context, it has
been analysed that medical tourism is the most common reason which forces individual with
regard to perform the travel and tourism activity. Here, it is assessed that around 6 million
Americans travel to abroad for medical treatment or surgery (6 Million Americans Travel Abroad
Each Year for Surgeries, Medical Treatment, 2015). However, in future significant reduction in
number of expatriation will be seen who travel to some other country with an aim to get the
treatment of their diseases. This is because, with the use of the latest communication mean such
as video conferencing, respective individual can get professional consultation from the doctors in
their home country only. This will save lots of time and money of expatriation. However, it has
been critically evaluated that an individual cannot cure all its problem through online
conversation with the doctor. This is because, there are some disease in which physical
conversation between the doctors and patients is necessary. Thus, in the given circumstances
modern means of communication technology will be seems of no use (Migdal, 2015).
In addition to this, it has also being seen that the world is shrinking because of the
availability of varied means of transportation. However, in future significant development will
also being seen in the given means of transportation such as rail, bus, airways and ship etc. The
given thing will cause necessary impact upon the expatriation. This is because, in future
expatriation has the opportunity with regard to cover the long distance travel within a second. In
this context, it can be said that the given thing will provide opportunity to the expatriation with
regard to perform the travel and tourism activity anywhere in world (Baylis, Smith and Owens,
2013). Hence, in future significant increment will be found out in the movement of expatriates
from one place to another. In addition to this, due to the presence of different means of
transportation expatriates will get the benefit in the form of using any means of transportation for
travelling purpose. In addition to this, expatriates will also get advantage in terms of availability
of huge job option. In this context, it can be said that getting the high paid job is the main
objective of individual which influence them with regard to establish or become the resident of
some foreign country.
In this regard, it is assessed that there are some nations whose infrastructure facilities are
not well developed. Due to this, it became difficult for the people with regard to grab the
opportunity of getting employment in some other nation in an effectual manner. However, the

given problem of individual will get resolved. As a result of it the activity like expatriates will
increase further (Finkelstein, 2011). In addition to this, due to the shrinking world firm
preference for emerging market destination for the expatriates is also changing. Earlier, people
will prefer to move in the developed country like USA as they see this country as the bundle of
opportunity. But, in future the thing will be change. This is because, in future expatriates will
choose the developing nations such as India and China. This is because, in future these countries
will be emerged as one of the most strong economic country which possess huge number of
opportunities. Thus, it can be stated that in future expatriates preference with regard to the
developing nation will also be impacted (Crockin, 2013).
Furthermore, besides presence of the given positive benefits there are some negative
impact will also be incur by the expatriates due to the shrinking world. One of the biggest
disadvantage that will be face by expatriates in future is related to their pay scale. In this context,
it can be said that in future expatriates will be forced to work at the normal or local pay. At
present, in order to get the benefit of expertise knowledge and skill, firm has to hire individual
from outside country (Migdal, 2015). The individual which firm hires always demands for the
higher pay in return of delivering their services. Thus, due to the lack of option firm is forced to
pay high amount to these individuals. However, the given condition will be changed drastically
in future because of global village. Here, because of shrinking world companies will have the
power to appoint expertise or skilled expatriates from other country at local salary. Thus, it can
be said that the firm need to attract the potential expatriates with attractive financial arrangement
will be decreases. Thus, expatriates chance to earn higher pay will be reduced.
However, it has been critically evaluated by the Baylis, Smith and Owens (2013) that this
situation will be applied for junior level job or for that specific job in which much expertise is
not needed. The thing which is being given by the authors is also correct. This is because, there
are some jobs which needs expertise advice or consultation. In this context, it has been seen that
the number of individual who give expertise advice is also less. Thus, the world shrinkness will
not cause any kind of impact upon the given type of individual. Thus, they still possess the
chance with regard to charge higher pay for their services in an effective manner.
Moreover, culture and family pressure is being regarded as one of the most significant
factor which leads to influence the expatriates with regard to get the job in some other country.
At this present, some sort of reduction is being found in such pressure. However, it will reduce

further when the whole world will be consider as global village. In this context, it has been
analysed that many expatriates hesitate to move on to some other country because of the
difference in their culture. However, due to the shirking world a different type of people who
belongs to varied culture will be found in many countries. This will entail homely feeling among
the expatriates (Lans, 2012). Thus, it can be said that the activity of expatriates to move on to
some other country will be increase further in the future. Furthermore, the expatriates who have
established base in some foreign country will likely to attract some other expatriates also who
belongs to their home country. Thus, in future the necessary improvement in the living standard
of people will be found who is becoming the expatriates of some other country.
However, it has been critically evaluated that expatriates type of condition will lead to
increase the population pressure among the nation where expatriates number is most. Due to this,
thing government of nation will be forced to take the action with regard to stop the presence of
expatriates in their country. This thing has been seen in many gulf countries. Here, due to the
population pressure government has imposed banned upon the expatriates. Thus, in future the
activity such as imposition of band upon the expatriates will also likely to be increase further in
an effective manner (Zietman, 2014).
In addition to this, shrinking world will lead to develop very new phenomenon such as
cultural flexibility. Here, due to the global village people or expatriates will be forced to become
more flexible in terms of cultural aspect. In this context, it has been identified that expatriates
will have to carry out their efforts in terms of involving and moulding themselves as per the
culture of country where they are living. However, if the given thing will not being done by the
expatriates at that time it will become difficult for them with regard to adjust themselves as per
the norms and values which is being followed by the citizens of other country in an effectual
way. Furthermore, shrinking world will also provide platform to the expatriates with regard to
represent their culture among the large number of individuals. Overall, it can be said that the
positive benefit will be gained by expatriates if whole world will become into the single village
(Wang, Bullock and Oswald, 2011).
Further, with this broad based socialization is the another concept which will evolve due
to shrinking world. In this context, it has been seen that the people who posted to abroad or
overseas have the tendency with regard to stick with some small circle of fellow expatiates. This
is happened because an individual do not have any information about the people who are living

in the specific country. Moreover, the people who live in some other country for very less period
of time will not show their interest in terms of understanding and gaining the knowledge about
the culture of other people. But, the given thing will be changed in the future. This is because, in
future expatriates will involve themselves more in the activity of raising their understanding
regarding the local resident of country. This is because, shirking world type of situation will
arouse interest in them with respect to get the information about the culture of the citizens who
are living in some other country. Thus, in the future socialization related activity among
expatiates will likely to be increase more (Migdal, 2015).
The world shrinkness will not only provide benefits to the expatiates but it will also
provide benefits to the different company. In this context, it can be said that companies have the
opportunities with regard to perform the recruitment and selection type of activity at the global
platform. Thus, here firm has an opportunity to recruit the right employees at the right place.
However, conducting the recruitment and selection activity at global or international platform is
not an easier task. This is because, with an aim to perform the same a firm will have to invest the
necessary cost. But, through this way firm has the assurance that it has made the selection of
right candidate for the respective post.
Articulating all the facts from the given essay it can be concluded that the condition such
as shrinking world and global village will lead to cause the necessary effect upon the expatriates
who have the citizenship of some other country. In addition to this, the given activity will open
huge source of opportunities in terms of employment for the expatriates in an effective way. In
addition to this, due to shrinking world expatiates has the chance to perform significant
increment in their existing pay scale (Schwenniger, 2015). Furthermore, the problem of
communication and transportation will also likely to be reduced for the expatiates upto great
extent. However, the shrinking world type of condition will also lead to cause the negative
impact upon the expatiates. Thus, it is right to said that the given thing has both positive and
negative impact upon the immigrants.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Baylis, J., Smith, S. and Owens, P., 2013. The globalization of world politics: an introduction to
international relations. Oxford University Press.
Crockin, S.L., 2013. Growing families in a shrinking world: legal and ethical challenges in
cross-border surrogacy. Reproductive biomedicine online. 27(6). pp. 733-741.
Finkelstein, L., 2011. Expanding Technology, Deepening Knowledge and a Shrinking World:
Reflections on Learned Societies in Measurement and Instrumentation. Measurement and
Control. 44(9). pp. 283-286.
Ho, Z.J.Y., 2012. What Makes Hotel Expatriates Remain in Their Overseas Assignments: A
Grounded Theory Study. The Qualitative Report. 17(26), pp.1-22.
Jen, K.H., 2015. The Exploration of Taiwanese Self-initiated Expatriates' Cross-cultural
Adjustment in Tokyo, Japan.
Kaim, W., 2012. The Shrinking World of Innocent Ligands: Conventionaland Non‐Conventional
Redox‐Active Ligands. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry. 2012(3). pp. 343-348.
Kumar, R., 2014. The shrinking world. Indian journal of urology: IJU: journal of the Urological
Society of India. 30(3). pp. 239.
Lans, C., 2012. A shrinking population offers opportunities for a sustainable Japan.
Migdal, J. S., 2015. Peasants, politics and revolution: Pressures toward political and social
change in the third world. Princeton University Press.
Schwenniger, N., 2015. Cultural Distance and its Impact on Expatriation.
Wang, J., Bullock, C. and Oswald, S., 2011. Expatriate Selection: The Key To International
Success. International Business & Economics Research Journal (IBER), 1(11).
Zietman, A., 2014. Bringing radiation therapy to underserved nations: an increasingly global
responsibility in an ever-shrinking world. International Journal of Radiation Oncology•
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Online
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Shrinking world. 2015. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.vision.org/visionmedia/reviews/global-issues-the-world-is-flat/167.aspx>.
[Accessed on 18th December 2015].
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