2009-02-04
Infoterm invites you to submit your papers for the Berkeley Globalization Conference (LISA @ Berkeley)

Call for Papers: Berkeley Globalization Conference (LISA @ Berkeley): Language – Society – Technology

3–5 August, 2009
University of California, Berkeley, California, USA

This two-day conference (with an additional day of workshops) will focus on globalization—the business decisions and processes required to do business internationally. This conference aims to bring together researchers examining the phenomenon of globalization and so will consider three primary themes:

• The social impact of globalization. How does globalization affect the attitudes and expectations of local communities with regard to goods and services? Does globalization result in leveling of regional difference or does it increase awareness of and response to those differences? Does globalization necessarily involve a center-periphery model, or do recent changes allow for the periphery to challenge the dominance of the center? How can ethnographic study influence globalization in a positive way?
• Language and globalization. Language and culture are both a limiting factor in globalization and the enabler for globalization. How do organizations deal with issues of translation and cultural adaptation (localization) when entering new markets? How can demand for language best be met in a cost-effective manner that allows organizations to speak to individuals in their own languages?
• Technology. Modern globalization efforts are characterized by a reliance on technical solutions to reduce costs and expand scope. How do technology and technological change impact globalization? What technologies are the most effective in meeting demand? What disruptive technologies are on the horizon?
  These themes are to be interpreted broadly and submissions, including multidisciplinary ones, that engage with globalization in a constructive manner are encouraged.

Presentation slots will be 20 minutes in length. Submissions can be provided as abstracts of no more than 500 words describing the proposed presentation. Abstracts should not include the names of presenters. Each submission should include a cover letter with the names, affiliation, and contact information for all authors. The deadline for submissions is 16 March, 2009.

All submissions should be sent to the conference chair, Patricia Egan, at patricia.egan@lisa.org. Alternatively, proposals may be submitted using an online speaker submission form: http://www.lisa.org/CallSpeakers.959.0.html

Further information at: http://www.lisa.org/Speaker-call.959.0.html