Globalization and World Class Manufacturing

INDUSTRIAL, ORGANISATIONAL AND LABOUR STUDIES
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College
GLOBALISATION 2008
29 July – 11 September 2008

(A). COURSE OUTLINE

This is a half (8 credit) module, which provides students with a critical introduction to the concept of globalisation. It is comprised of four themes. The first theme is an introduction to globalisation, giving definitions of globalisation, viz. economic, technological, political, cultural and social. The second theme will explore various theoretical perspectives of globalisation. The third theme will explore the expansion of economic globalisation, looking specifically at global institutions that regulate globalisation. The last theme will look at globalised production, global labour markets, labour standards and new forms. This module will also attempt to look at broader debates on globalisation and alternative responses to global capitalism.
A further aim of the course will be to contextualise these two concepts into the South African experience, with particular reference to policy at government, sector and even firm levels.

The objectives of the course:

To conceptualise (theorise) globalisation and unpack its variable paradigms. We shall trace and examine its historical context from modernisation, geo-politico and economic background of capitalist development.
To examine the pressures imposed by globalisation on countries, cities and organisations, particularly developing nations in their struggle to survive in this new global arena. We shall draw examples both from South Africa and internationally, making comparative outlooks of first world vis-à-vis developing nations.

To understand economic globalisation, or the global economy. We shall peruse through some debates on international trade, globalisation of production and labour markets.

(B). THEMES AND READINGS

  1. Introduction and Tenets of globalisation

Introduction of the module outline, aims and goals of module

Introduction to globalisation, definitions and historical background

Tenets of globalisation and discussion of major views

Theorem of globalisation

Key Readings

Held, D. (Ed) 2000. A Globalising World? culture, economics politics. London: Routledge. Chapters 1

Held, D, McGrew,A, Goldblatt, D & Perraton, J (eds.) 2000. Global Transformations. Politics, Economics and Culture, Cambridge: Polity. Introduction,

Kirkbride, P (ed.) 2001. Globalisation: the external pressures. Chichester, New York, Weinheim: Ashridge, John Wiley & Sons. Chapter 1

Other Readings

Gwynne, RN, et al. 2003. Alternative Capitalisms: geographies of emerging regions. London: Arnold. Chapter 1 & 2

Held, D & McGrew, A (eds.) 2000. The Global Transformations Reader: an introduction to the globalization debate. Cambridge: Polity. Introduction, Chapter 8

Steger, M.B. 2002. Globalism: the new market ideology. Lanham, New York, Oxford: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. Chapter 2-3 

Click here for readings 

2. Globalisation theories and debates

Functionalist perspective of globalisation

Marxist perspectives of globalisation

Time – space compression perspective of globalisation

David Held’s theories of globalisation

Debates

Globalists (liberal view)

Critical view

Key Readings

Held, D & McGrew, A (eds.) 2000. The Global Transformations Reader: an introduction to the globalization debate. Cambridge: Polity. Part I

Phillips, N. (ed.) 2005. Globalising International Political Economy. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Chapter 2

Isaacs, S. and the Trade Union Research Project. 1997. South Africa in the Global Economy. Trade Union Research Project, Durban: University of Natal. (sold in IOLS Research @R25)

Other Readings

Kirkbride, P (ed.) 2001. Globalisation: the external pressures. Chichester, New York, Weinheim: Ashridge, John Wiley & Sons. Chapter 1

Steger, M.B. 2002. Globalism: the new market ideology. Lanham, New York, Oxford: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. Chapter 2-3

Stiglitz, JE. 2002. Globalisation and its Discontents. Victoria: Allen Lane, Penguin Books. Chapter 1 & 2 (Library, Reserve Section)

Ugarteche, O. 2000. The False Dilemma Globalisation: opportunity or threat? London: Zed Books Ltd. Prologue, Chapters 1 (Library, Reserve Section)

Waters, M. 1995. Globalisation. London: Routledge. Chapter 1 & 2 (Library, Reserve Section)

Economic Globalisation, Global Economy and Global Trade

Roots of economic globalisation

The global economy

International trade and financial flows

Global capitalism?

Key Readings

Castells, M. 2000. The Rise of the Network Society, 2nd edition. Oxford: Blackwell. Chapter 2

Other Readings

Chang, H. 2003. Globalisation, Economic Development and the Role of the State. London & New York: Zed Books Ltd. Ch7

Held, D. (Ed) 2000. A Globalising World? culture, economics politics. Routledge: London. Chapters 3

Held, D, McGrew,A, Goldblatt, D & Perraton, J (eds.) 2000. Global Transformations. Politics, Economics and Culture, Cambridge: Polity. Chapter 3

Kirkbride, P (ed.) 2001. Globalisation: the external pressures. Chichester, New York, Weinheim: Ashridge, John Wiley & Sons. Chapter 2 (Library, Reserve Section)

O’Brien, R & Williams, M. 2004. Global Political Economy: evolution and dynamics. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Pelgrave Macmillan. Chapter 1

  4. Global labour markets, new forms of work

Global production?

Multinational corporations, global movement of capital, goods and people?

Global institutions and labour standards

Global production, local labour?

Feminisation of work, end of work?

Readings

Beck, U. 2000. The Brave New World of Work. Cambridge: Polity. Chapter 4

Louie, MC. 2001. Sweatshop Warriors: immigrant women workers take on the global factory. Cambridge, Massachusetts: South End Press. Introduction & Chapter 1

Memedovic, O, et al (eds.) 1998. Globalisation of Labour Markets: challenges, adjustment and policy response in the EU and LDCs. Dordrecht, Boston, London: Kluwer Academic Publishers. Introduction

O’Brien, R & Williams, M. 2004. Global Political Economy: evolution and dynamics. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Pelgrave Macmillan. Chapter 7

For material on global institutions and international labour standards search http://www.ilo.org

Additional readings in Main Library and Reserve section

Allen, J. 1995. ”Crossing Borders: Footloose multinationals” in Allen, J. & Hammet, C. (eds.) A Shrinking World? Oxford: Oxford University Press. Introduction & Chapter 2

Allen, J. 1995. ”Global Worlds” in Allen, J. & Massey, D. (eds.) Geographical Worlds. New York: Oxford University Press.

Beck, U. 2000. The Brave New World of Work. Cambridge: Polity. Chapter 3

Beck, U. 2000. What is globalisation? Cambridge: Polity.

Bradley, H et al. 2000 Myths At Work, Cambridge: Polity Press

Castells, M. 2000. The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture, Volume 1, The Rise Of The Network Society, Oxford: Blackwell Publishers. Chapters 3 & 4

Hall, S. & McGrew, T. (eds.) 1992. Modernity and its Futures. Oxford: Open University Press. Introduction & Chapter 2

Held, D & McGrew, A (eds.) 2000. The Global Transformations Reader: an introduction to the globalization debate. Cambridge: Polity. Part IV

Hirst, P & Thompson, G. 1996. Globalisation in Question. Cambridge: Polity Press. Chapter 1 & 2

Massey, D & Jess, P (eds.) 2003. A Place in the World? Oxford: Oxford University Press. Chapter 1

McGrew, A. 1996. ‘Sustainable Globalisation? The global politics of development and exclusion in the new world order’, in Allen, T. & Thomas, A. (eds.) Poverty and Development in the 1990s. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Chapter 16

Torres, R. 2001. Towards a Socially Sustainable World Economy: an analysis of the social pillars of globalisation. Geneva: ILO. Part II & Part III.

Went, R. 2000. Globalisation: Neo-liberal Challenge, Radical Responses. London: Pluto Press. Chapter 1, 3 & 5

LECTURE AND TUTORIAL TIMETABLE

Lectures

Tutorial

(C). ASSESSMENT

The course assessment programme is designed so that students will be assessed 50% of their overall mark during the course of lectures, and the final 50% will be from the June examination. The breakdown of assessment marks is listed underneath.

(D). Tutorials (20%)

There are three tutorials. Attendance at tutorials is compulsory and a DP requirement (a register will be taken). You will receive separate tutorial handouts. In addition to the set tutorial tasks it is expected that you have kept up-to-date with the key readings.

Tutorial 1: 11 August Assignment due date: 14 August

Tutorial 2: 25 August Assignment due date: 28 August

Tutorial 3: 8 September Assignment due date: 11 September

There is an assignment to be handed in after every tutorial. You should arrive at each tutorial having a draft of the assignment available. This will allow you to discuss the ideas you have already thought through, raise any problems you have already encountered and then refine your assignment for evaluation purposes. 

2). Essay (30%)

Consult essay hand-out. Your essay comprises 30% of your final mark, this is a substantial amount, and poor performance on your essay will severely hinder your overall performance so please work hard on your essay.

Due date: 5 September, deadline is 14:00pm.

3). Examination (50%)

 
Your examination will be one hour thirty minutes (1½ hrs). There will be two sections to the exam. You will have to answer one question from each section. Section one will contain short questions and section two will be an essay-type question. 

(D). READING

I have identified a key reading for each theme. It will not be sufficient if you only read this. You do need to read other analytical material.

The readings recommended are all to be located in the reserve room. Unless specifically indicated they are books. Please treat these books with care and respect – do not write in them, underline sentences or tear pages out.

(E). CONSULTATION TIMES

My office is in the IOLS corridor (F171), 1st floor, MTB. I am available for consultation on Mondays from 12.00pm-13.00pm and Wednesday from 14.00pm-15.00pm. If you cannot make these times, then please make an appointment to see me at a time convenient for both of us. My email is bhengus@ukzn.ac.za and my telephone number is 260-2846