Short answer

Designers must be aware of the powerful influence of globalization and modern media on cultural practices and consider how their designs might either accelerate or mitigate these changes.

Field
Innovation & Design
Source
Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology (2023)
Method
Qualitative ethnographic study
Sample
27 participants
Evidence
Strong effect

The integration of globalized entertainment and media significantly alters and diminishes traditional cultural practices by shifting user engagement and priorities. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology. Using Qualitative ethnographic study with 27 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers must be aware of the powerful influence of globalization and modern media on cultural practices and consider how their designs might either accelerate or mitigate these changes.

Study
Innovation & DesignRecentStrong effect

Globalization and modern entertainment erode traditional cultural practices like Rodhi

The integration of globalized entertainment and media significantly alters and diminishes traditional cultural practices by shifting user engagement and priorities.

Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology · 2023

01

Key Findings

  • 01Modern entertainment tools (films, dance bars, contemporary music) have diverted attention from traditional Rodhi.
  • 02Globalization, through overseas employment and cultural assimilation, has reduced the prioritization of Rodhi.
  • 03Cultural assimilation has led to Rodhi being confined to commercialized settings like nightclubs, impacting its traditional form and language.
  • 04The decline of traditional occupations and the rise of global communication contribute to the erosion of cultural identities like Rodhi.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Designers must be aware of the powerful influence of globalization and modern media on cultural practices and consider how their designs might either accelerate or mitigate these changes.

How to apply

When designing for communities with strong traditional roots, research the prevailing global influences and local entertainment trends to ensure the design is culturally sensitive and relevant.

Project actions

  • 01When studying a cultural practice, consider how global trends and modern technology might be affecting it.
  • 02Think about how to make traditional practices appealing to younger generations in a modern context.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the factors contributing to the transformation and decline of the traditional Rodhi cultural practice among the Gurung community in Ghandruk, Nepal.
MethodQualitative ethnographic study
ProcedureData was collected through interviews, observations, narratives, discussions, and case studies with 27 participants.
Sample27 participants
ContextIndigenous cultural practices in Nepal, specifically the Rodhi culture of the Gurung community.

Variables

IV["Globalization","Modern entertainment tools"]
DV["Transformation of Rodhi culture","Decline of native Rodhi"]
CV["Specific community (Gurung)","Geographic location (Ghandruk, Kaski)"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Utilizes qualitative methods to capture nuanced cultural changes.
  • +Focuses on a specific, well-defined cultural practice and community.

Limitations

The findings are specific to the Gurung community in Ghandruk and may not apply to other indigenous groups or cultural practices.

Reliability & validity

The qualitative nature of the study provides rich insights but may have limited generalizability. Triangulation of data sources (interviews, observations) enhances validity.

Think critically

To what extent can design actively work to preserve traditional cultural practices in the face of overwhelming globalizing forces, or is adaptation and transformation an inevitable outcome?

05

Design Principles

"Cultural practices are dynamic and susceptible to external influences; design interventions should acknowledge and respond to these shifts."

Understanding how external forces like globalization and new entertainment forms impact cultural practices is crucial for designers aiming to create products or services that either support cultural preservation or thoughtfully integrate with evolving cultural landscapes. This insight highlights the dynamic nature of cultural adoption and the potential for unintended consequences.

06

What This Means for Your Design

New ways of having fun, like movies and modern music, and the influence of the wider world are making old traditions, like the Rodhi culture, disappear.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this research to justify investigating the impact of globalization or modern media on a chosen cultural artifact or practice in your design project.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that globalization and the proliferation of modern entertainment media significantly impact traditional cultural practices, leading to their transformation and potential decline. For instance, the Rodhi culture in Nepal has seen its traditional form eroded by influences like films, contemporary music, and overseas employment, highlighting the need for design considerations that are sensitive to these evolving cultural dynamics.

09

Source

Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology

Indigenous Rodhi Culture of Gurung and Factors of its Transform at Ghandruk Kaski in Nepal

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about globalization and modern entertainment erode traditional cultural practices like rodhi?
Designers must be aware of the powerful influence of globalization and modern media on cultural practices and consider how their designs might either accelerate or mitigate these changes. Evidence: Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology (2023).
Why does "Globalization and modern entertainment erode traditional cultural practices like Rodhi" matter for design?
Understanding how external forces like globalization and new entertainment forms impact cultural practices is crucial for designers aiming to create products or services that either support cultural preservation or thoughtfully integrate with evolving cultural landscapes. This insight highlights the dynamic nature of cultural adoption and the potential for unintended consequences.
How can designers apply this research?
Designers must be aware of the powerful influence of globalization and modern media on cultural practices and consider how their designs might either accelerate or mitigate these changes.
What were the main findings?
Modern entertainment tools (films, dance bars, contemporary music) have diverted attention from traditional Rodhi.. Globalization, through overseas employment and cultural assimilation, has reduced the prioritization of Rodhi.. Cultural assimilation has led to Rodhi being confined to commercialized settings like nightclubs, impacting its traditional form and language.. The decline of traditional occupations and the rise of global communication contribute to the erosion of cultural identities like Rodhi.
What research method was used?
Qualitative ethnographic study with 27 participants.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing for communities with strong traditional roots, research the prevailing global influences and local entertainment trends to ensure the design is culturally sensitive and relevant.
What are the limitations?
The study focuses on a specific community and cultural practice, limiting generalizability to other contexts without further research.