Globalization was born when James Watt became interested in the technology of steam engines. Machinery inventions standardized processes all along the industries of the world. These industries made products for consumers and learning mechanisms affected in the same way an American than a Swedish, an Indian than a Brazilian. People got closer in culture and habits; customers became cheaper for production and delivery.
Globalization
helps developed countries to growth even faster but differences between
perception of poor and rich increase too. Production gets delocalized and
climbs thanks to economies of scale.
In my opinion,
information technologies are taking part of this globalization process. There
are even changing it into a new global era. Access to information is getting so
easy for population that not only products and services are spreading but also
knowledge.
One the
consequences I can recognize is a good new for these statements that support
the idea we are unifying cultures and forgetting traditional values and even
our own personalities. This good new already has a name: glocalization. After a significant time of high levels of
consumption, demand curve is going further down from supply global markets in
terms of knowledge. This shared knowledge is fragmenting the information into
many smaller needs that increase our consumption: we are more open to new
experiences. Easier geographical mobility (better infrastructures and low
prices), environment awareness and the current economical crisis are helping
products and services going local, going back to roots. Countries find in
tourism and travelling a good opportunity to show their culture–say their
brand– and local firms and businesses are taking advantage in this new market.
From
organizational design point of view, the workplace is changing as well as the
working method itself. Analysis and control are losing their effects because of
fast changes happened in the economy. It is also easier to get knowledge. Flexibility and soft skills are now
more important for management.
Is a globalized
world killing cultures? Many people would answer “yes” but as I exposed, there
are several advantages, and better-said economic advantages, which we could no
avoid. We should no avoid.
Globalization is going local.