Africa and Asia Invaded! Cultural Mobility Exchanges and Intercultural Encounters: Corporate Social Responsibility Enables Global North Policy Transfer

Abstract

This paper provides a conceptual theoretical review discussing how foreign direct investment (FDI) from overseas government and private investors, results in cultural exchanges and intercultural encounters. This paper describes how Global North corporate social responsibility policies are intended to protect low-income countries from exploitation. The effect of corporate social responsibility is profound upon countries in the Global South, especially impoverished countries in Africa and Asia. This paper uses Africa as a case study to articulate key points. However, as foreign investments begin to pay dividends, the culture of the local areas where the business venture is based significantly changes. Policies begin to change as people realise the benefits of education, healthcare and social protection. As people from Global North countries settle temporarily in local villages, they bring with them their mobile phones, satellite radio and television. These digital devices enable continuous access to Western culture of popular music, news and sports. Local people come into contact with global north cultures, as they are employed by foreign investor intermediaries in the factories which have been built. This enables intercultural encounters. Indigenous cultural art, dance, rituals and theatre performances begin to wane, as more people are influenced by Western culture. Cultural mobility and exchanges take place on a social level, as overseas workers interact with local people at work and domestically. Corporate social responsibility requires good communication, learning to speak the local workforces’ language, becomes a prerequisite in business and sharing cultural practices together. This ensures continuous cultural exchanges and intercultural encounters in conversation and social activities. This paper posits that corporate social responsibility policies from FDI and overseas investors have enabled policy transfer from the Global North. Environmentally sustainable foreign investment business practices in low-income are in the ascendency. Too is recognition: traditional cultural practices by Indigenous populations in Asia and Africa must be protected by overseas government and corporate sector investors.