To What Extent Is True Globalization Only a Recent Phenomenon - Term Paper Example

GLOBALIZATION by To What Extent Is True Globalization Only A Recent Phenomenon? Globalization is international integration, which habitually results from the dynamism of products, ideologies, ideas, lifestyles, and politics. The argument globalization is a recent phenomenon is relative given that some aspects of globalization came into place many years ago, whereas some other globalization aspects came into the limelight in the recent past. This paper will cover various arguments on how globalization is a recent phenomenon and a past phenomenon. Globalization as a Recent Phenomenon The recent information explosion has greatly globalized many aspects of business. For instance, the access to large databases has enabled the organizational leaders to gather crucial information with regard to global performance trends in various sectors and product lines. New methods of product differentiation and diversification have been learnt after the acquisition of bid sets of data from a global platform. Additionally, the managers in many organizations have learnt new management strategies through the recent access to large volumes of data. The big information has culminated in the restructuring of organizational structure for efficiency and effectiveness in the global organizational operations. According to Lechner (2009, 23), the access to big data have led to the realization of new ways of achieving global customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, and total quality management within an organization. These principles are vital in the thriving of any organization. In the case of transportation of commodities, there is the use of sensors on trucks to streamline the delivery of goods through shipping. This contains the problem of stock-out cost and machine overhaul cost. The data also helps manufactures in tracking the trend of customer preference and taste. This is made possible through scanning large sets of data at a glance in order to deduce the customer preferences hence boosting sales revenues. This is because the products manufactured will march the customer preference and taste, and so no stock holding costs will be incurred. Moreover, this reduces the marketing costs, and for that reason, this means higher profits for the firms. Many firms have also reviewed their human resource management measures in order to retain the workforce and increase the organizations’ productivity. For instance, human resource outsourcing is a new phenomenon in many organizations. Giddens (2009, 34), asserts that globalization is a recent phenomenon given the fact that virtual conferencing is a new idea across the globe. This allows people to meet over the internet, is a recent innovation. This has improved the manner in which interviews are carried out in many organizations process, and so eliminating the wastage of time in physically travelling to venues. Online marketing is another contribution of this big data in the corporate world. The aspect of video conferencing and virtual systems can be employed in the interviewing has culminated in large volumes of sales because of a big market niche. However, globalization brings the challenge of harmonizing human resource management strategies. The different cultures of the world have different standards of operation and different management styles. According to Lechner (2009), organizations have overcome this challenge by employing local talents who operate using universal ethical standards. This has ensured that the company has maintained quality in its production chain across the world, while accommodating local talent who help in connecting with the local market. The company amicably handles the customer grievances. The global problems facing different firms include the stiff competition from its rivals. Evaluation of Arguments Information explosion of data has brought a revolution in the management of originations. It has changed the traditional perceptions with regard to the directing, leading, organizing and staffing of an organization. The use of modern technology in the ferry of products and communication is as a result of the big data. With globalization, competition in the world market has become intense because of the opening up of world markets. Companies that enjoyed local markets are now faced with the challenge of competing with international companies with vast experience and innovative means of production. In the international market, only companies that have implemented superior strategic operation management emerge above the competition (Ritzer 2010, 67). This is what sets apart the average performing companies and the world class companies. World class companies use Strategic operation management to create value in their products and services. Companies have a simple way of creating a competitive advantage using pricing techniques and product differentiation. Globalization Is Not a Recent Phenomenon The other aspect of globalization is civilization. Ritzer (2009, 56) asserts that civilization is a process in which a society advances in its developments and endeavors, especially in the economic aspect. Many civilizations have occurred over many years in the world history. Johnson posits that Columbus had been funded by the monarchs of Spain to pursue his agenda. Columbus had a great impact on the world exchange trade, which led to the transfer of plants, animals, slaves and technological expertise between different nations and continents especially America. Globalization on the political scene, are not issues of the recent past. They were established a long time ago. An example of this is the aspect of democracy. This is a subject that has been in existence for a long time. It has been applied by many nations intuitively. In addition, the majority rule always yields justice because almost all factors are considered by the majority of the people. According to Mayer (2013, 67), democracy affords people justice and fairness especially in the election process. For instance, the majority of the third world countries constitutes of the poorer class. In this regard, democracy enables this group to contribute in the selection of good governance in order to have an equitable distribution of resources. This prevents the rich from domineering over the poor in this scenario. In addition, democracy is the best form of governance structure given that it is difficult to satisfy every person’s interest in the entire government. Furthermore, this aspect enhances consensus than any form of government structure. The equity principle is emphasized in this governance system because every political group contributes to the governance on an equal basis. This creates satisfaction among the employees because of career advancement which leads to acquisition of more skills. This makes them more relevant and marketable in society. The organization’s management is required to respond positively to the contribution of the workforce concerning the change instituted. Management will succeed through adoption of the divergent ideas obtained from the employees. This will give the folk a sense of belonging to the organization and will own the change. This eventually will make its implementation easy. Democracy enhances the operation of a free market economy, which leads to equitable distribution of goods and services. The other aspect is the farming strategies. The agrarian revolution was a globalization aspect which is practiced in the modern times. The farming strategies of this revolution are of a global nature, given that every nation applies the same phenomenon. Lechner (2009, 87) argues that slavery was not the cause of the Northern aggression war. He posits that the American war was caused by the need to replace chattel slavery with the wage based slavery. In addition, the other agenda of the war was to eliminate the antebellum southern elite, who held slaves. These elites resisted every effort of industrialization by the Northern elite. This resulted in the secession attempts by the South. This prompted Abraham Lincoln to spearhead a campaign against slavery. This was also aimed at forcing the Southern elite to embrace civilization and industrialization. He strived to ease the tension caused by the South American rebels to the emancipation move. He supported the military in the reconstruction bid. Lincoln made his dream come true given that since he started his political career, the political and social barriers prevented him from openly condemning slavery. According to Steger (2010, 57), slavery is a global aspect yet it started a long time ago. These captives were the individuals who were perceived as rebellious against the US government. However, this declaration did not take effect in any of the states whose sections were controlled by unions. In his understanding, Lincoln knew that the unions would only thrive in the absence of slavery. Indeed, Lincoln’s mind set evolved with regard to the subject of slavery. Lincoln acknowledged that the Northern Aggression war negatively impacted the American nation. However, he declared that he would not pursue anybody after the war ended, in retaliation. Lincoln advocated for the colonization of the freed African slaves in their own countries like Liberia. Lincoln supported this repugnant initiative until the middle of his presidency. He exhibited a high degree of proficiency in his capacity as president, which won him much praise and admiration. He put into the public domain an emancipation declaration decreeing that all the people held captive in many states of the United States of America, be set free immediately. In this regard, globalization is not a recent phenomenon. Evaluation of the Argument Slavery is an aspect of globalization, which has contributed to industrialization in many parts of the globe. A democratic system is also an old principle of governance. It emphasizes on checks and balances, which leads to transparency and accountability in the management of national resources. It has been practiced since time immemorial, but it has been referred to in different terms. This system culminates in economic efficiency and safeguarding the rights of the citizens. Democracy prevents internal strife, which fuels internal conflicts. This fosters peace and harmony among nationals because each group is satisfied of its position in society. The farming aspect being an international practice is an old practice. Some of the civilizations were short-lived while others lasted for a long period spanning two centuries. The transfer of manpower through the slave trade, led to the civilization of America. Conclusion Globalization is both a past and recent phenomenon depending on the subject being analyzed. There are many aspects of globalization that have arisen in the recent past. For instance, the information explosion and the internet influence. In contrast, there are global aspects, which have been in existence for a long time like the majority rule principle and the agrarian revolution methods of farming. In both cases, globalization has resulted in great prosperity of a diverse nature. Reference List Giddens, A., 2009: Sociology: Sixth Edition, Cambridge: Polity Press, pp 137-140 Lechner, 2009, Globalization: The Making of World Society, Malden: Wiley-Blackwell, pp 13- 33. Ritzer, G., 2010: Globalization: A Basic Text, Malden: Wiley-Blackwell, pp 37-44. Steger T. (2010): Globalization: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford: OUP, pp 17-37. Read More