It is often argued that globalization fosters 'hybridity', as some cultural imports are accepted, while others are 'localized', and others still are rejected outright. Yet we know relatively little about the social processes and mechanisms involved in cultural globalization. This book offers an empirically rich and theoretically compelling analysis of how cultural globalization occurs, including the structural conditions, personal meanings and social interactions associated with various outcomes. Providing a detailed analysis of the experiences of young people from Kazakhstan who lived in the United States temporarily, the author asks, how do return migrants react to cultural differences in America, and what changes do they try to incorporate into their lives back in Kazakhstan? What kinds of negotiations ensue, and what explains their success or failure? In answering these questions, Douglas W. Blum combines insights from sociology and anthropology along with specialized research on globalization, migration and post-Soviet studies.

Is globalization in danger of diluting national identities and 'transnationalizing' cultures? How can societies attempt to manage globalization and become developed while maintaining a viable national identity? In this 2007 study of three globalizing states and cities in post-Soviet Eurasia - Russia (Astrakhan), Kazakhstan (Almaty), and Azerbaijan (Baku) - Douglas W. Blum provides an empirical examination of national identity formation, exploring how cultures, particularly youth cultures, have been affected by global forces. Blum argues that social discourse regarding youth cultural trends - coupled with official and non-official approaches to youth policy - complement patterns of state-society relations and modes of response to globalization. His findings show that the nations studied have embraced certain aspects of modernity and liberalism, while rejecting others, but have also reasserted the place of national traditions.

Is globalization in danger of diluting national identities and 'transnationalizing' cultures? How can societies attempt to manage globalization and become developed while maintaining a viable national identity? In this 2007 study of three globalizing states and cities in post-Soviet Eurasia - Russia (Astrakhan), Kazakhstan (Almaty), and Azerbaijan (Baku) - Douglas W. Blum provides an empirical examination of national identity formation, exploring how cultures, particularly youth cultures, have been affected by global forces. Blum argues that social discourse regarding youth cultural trends - coupled with official and non-official approaches to youth policy - complement patterns of state-society relations and modes of response to globalization. His findings show that the nations studied have embraced certain aspects of modernity and liberalism, while rejecting others, but have also reasserted the place of national traditions.

The purpose of this study is to analyze some basic theoretical concepts of quality assurance and to discuss the responsibilities of the manager for the proper application of such concepts to a successful quality assurance program. This paper attempts to illuminate the manager's problem of pairing off confidence in quality against economy of inspection and to provide him with some basic information necessary to knowledgeable and intelligent decisions. Topics include customer risk and element of doubt, sampling for acceptance and the sampling plan, sample distribution, sampling plan with inspection number zero, producer's risk versus the customer's risk, point estimation, effect of increasing the acceptance number, and double sampling plans.

This book continues the ICTMA tradition of influencing teaching and learning in the application of mathematical modelling. Each chapter shows how real life problems can be discussed during university lectures, in school classrooms and industrial research. International experts contribute their knowledge and experience by providing analysis, insight and comment whilst tackling large and complex problems by applying mathematical modelling. This book covers the proceedings from the Twelfth International Conference on the Teaching of Mathematical Modelling and Applications.
Covers the proceedings from the Twelfth International Conference on the Teaching of Mathematical Modelling and ApplicationsContinues the ICTMA tradition of influencing teaching and learning in the application of mathematical modellingShows how real life problems can be discussed during university lectures, in school classrooms and industrial research