1. Globalisation

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Globalization

Learning objectives

Understand what is meant by the termglobalization.

Be familiar with the main drivers of

globalization.

Appreciate the changing nature of theglobal economy.

Understand the major arguments in thedebate over the impact of globalization.

Appreciate how the process ofglobalization is creating opportunitiesand challenges for business managers.

This section introduces the emergence ofthe globally integrated business world.Globalization has reduced the traditionalbarriers to cross-border trade andinvestment (distance, time zones,

language, differences in governmentregulations, culture, business systems).

To begin the discussion of contemporaryissues in international business, macro-economic and political changes in thelast 30 years are reviewed.

Information technology and othertechnological innovations have putglobal markets within the reach of even

small firms in remote locations. Yet, inspite of all its benefits, globalization hasan underside. Critics point out itsadverse effects, including those ondeveloping nations.

What is Globalization?Globalization is a shift toward a more integrated and interdependent world economy.

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Globalization has two components: the globalization of markets and the globalization ofproduction.

Globalization of MarketsIn many markets the emergence of a global marketplace has begun to occur. There arethree causes: falling barriers to cross-border trade have made it easier to sellinternationally; tastes and preferences are converging on some global norm helping tocreate a global market; and firms are facilitating the trend by offering standardizedproducts worldwide creating a global market.

Globalization of ProductionThe globalization of production refers to the sourcing of goods and services fromlocations around the globe to take advantage of national differences in the cost andquality offactors of production (such as labor, energy, land, and capital). By doing this,companies hope to lower their overall cost structure and/or improve the quality orfunctionality of their product offering, thereby allowing them to compete moreeffectively.

Emergence of Global InstitutionsGlobalization has created the need for institutions to help manage, regulate and police theglobal marketplace. Institutions that have been created to help perform these functionsare the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the World TradeOrganization (WTO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, andthe United Nations.

Another Perspective: A comprehensive overview of GATT is available at{http://www.ciesin.org/TG/PI/TRADE/gatt.html}.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is primarily responsible for policing the worldtrading system and making sure nation-states adhere to the rules laid down in tradetreaties. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was created to maintain order in theinternational monetary system and the World Bank was set up to promote economicdevelopment. The United Nations (UN) was created to preserve peace throughinternational cooperation.

Another Perspective: The World Trade Organization maintains an excellent web site at{http://www.wto.org/}. This site provides information about recent trade disputes, "hot"areas of international trade, and the status current talks.

Drivers of GlobalizationThe two macro factors underlie the trend towards greater globalization: the decline in the barriers to free flow of goods, services, and capital; and technological change incommunications, information processing, and transportation technologies.

Declining Trade and Investment BarriersInternational trade occurs when a firm exports goods or services to consumers inanother country.

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Foreign direct investment (FDI) occurs when a firm invests resources in businessactivities outside its home country.

The Role of TechnologyThe lowering of trade barriers made globalization of markets and production a theoreticalpossibility, technological change made it a tangible reality. Managers today operate inan environment that offers more opportunities, but is also more complex and competitivethan that of a generation ago.

The Changing World Output and World Trade PictureIn the 1960s: the U.S. dominated the world economy and the world trade picture, U.S.multinationals dominated the international business scene, and about half the world-- thecentrally planned economies of the communist world-- was off limits to Westerninternational business.

The Changing Foreign Direct Investment PictureThe share of world output generated by developing countries has been steadily increasing

since the 1960s. There has been a sustained growth in cross-border flows of foreigndirect investment.

The Changing Nature of the MultinationalA multinational enterprise is any business that has productive activities in two or morecountries.

The Changing World OrderThe collapse of communism in Eastern Europe represents a host of export and

investment opportunities for Western businesses. The economic development of Chinapresents huge opportunities and risks, in spite of its continued Communist control.Mexico and Latin America also present tremendous new opportunities both as marketsand sources of materials and production

The Global Economy of the Twenty-First CenturyFirms should be aware that while the more integrated global economy presents newopportunities, it also could result in political and economic disruptions that may throwplans into disarray

The Globalization DebateIs the shift toward a more integrated and interdependent global economy a good thing?

Anti-Globalization ProtestsAnti-globalization protesters now turn up at almost every major meeting of a globalinstitution. Protesters fear that globalization is forever changing the world in a negativeway.

Globalization, Jobs, and IncomeCritics of globalization worry that jobs are being lost to low-wage nations.

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Supporters of globalization argue that free trade will result in countries specializing inthe production of those goods and services that they can produce most efficiently, whileimporting goods and services that they cannot produce as efficiently.

Globalization, Labor Policies, and the EnvironmentCritics of globalization argue that that free trade encourages firms from advanced nationsto move manufacturing facilities offshore to less developed countries with laxenvironmental and labor regulations.

Supporters of free trade point out that tougher environmental regulation and stricter laborstandards go hand in hand with economic progress and that foreign investment oftenhelps a country to raise its standards.

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Globalization and National SovereigntyCritics of globalization worry that economic power is shifting away from nationalgovernments and toward supranational organizations such as the World TradeOrganization (WTO), the European Union (EU), and the United Nations.

However, supporters of globalization contend that the power of these organizations islimited to what nation-states agree to grant, and that the power of the organizations liesin their ability to get countries to agree to follow certain actions.

Another Perspective: To explore economic freedom and globalization, go to The FraserInstitutes Economic Freedom of the World Report at {www.freetheworld.com}.

Globalization and the Worlds PoorCritics of globalization argue that the gap between rich and poor has gotten wider andthat the benefits of globalization have not been shared equally.

Supporters of free trade suggest that the actions of governments have made limitedeconomic improvement in many countries.

Managing in the Global MarketplaceManaging an international business (any firm that engages in international trade orinvestment) is different from managing a domestic business because countries differ,managers face a greater and more complex range of problems, international companiesmust work within the limits imposed by governmental intervention and the global tradingsystem, and international transactions require converting funds and being susceptible toexchange rate changes.

Another Perspective: An interesting site for companies interested in exporting theirservices is available at {http://www.ita.doc.gov/td/sif/exporting_services_overseas.htm}.

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Documents

1. Globalisation