THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF GLOBALISATION

The Negative Effects of Globalisation



The Negative Effects of Globalisation

Introduction

Who could have imagined that a person in Lebanon would be able to watch a soccer game played in Europe, live, with perfect image and sound? Our world, as we know it today, has become like a small village where physical, cultural, and economical barriers have become more or less inexistent. This is due to a phenomenon called Globalization. Globalization is defined as “the result of advances in communication, transportation, and information technologies. It describes the growing economic, political, technological, and cultural linkages that connect individuals, communities, businesses, and governments around the world” (MSN Encarta). This phenomenon is not a new one; however, since its existence Globalization has had influence on many major aspects of our life, especially the business world. This impact that globalization has on our business world is displayed through the increase of world trade, ease of new communication methods, and setting high standards on goods and services all around the world.

Globalization is like fire. Fire itself is neither good nor bad. Used properly, fire has enhanced our standards of living and been a foundation in our lives. Used carelessly, fire has destroyed, killed and been the cause of catastrophic damage. Globalization has these same effects on human lives throughout the world. Both in business and socially globalization has impacted human life in many different ways. Is Globalization good or bad? That question can only be answered by looking at it from a business standpoint, a social standpoint, and through the eyes of different cultures. Some call it capitalism, others call it Americanism, either way it's happening now and it effects are visible on a global scale.

The basic definition of globalization is the progression from distinct national economic units towards one huge global market. The globalization we know is more a globalization of markets: moving away from an economic system in which nationals markets are distinct entities, isolated by trade barriers of distance, time, and culture and toward a system in which national markets are merging into one global market (Byers, 2003).

Discussion

Is it wrong or right? There are different points of view:

To begin with, one must mention the fact that Globalization has lead to an obvious increase of world trade. The world has seen a tremendous increase in the global transactions and foreign trade in recent years. “Growth in exports worldwide outpaced growth in output every year between 1965 and 2000 by an average ratio of 1.5 to 1” (Temple, 2001). The main reason behind this is that now more and more countries are getting engaged in trading with each other in order to increase their profit or sales or protecting them from being eroded by competition. The main objectives which are influencing the companies to engage in international business are expansion of sales, acquiring resources, minimizing competitive risk and diversification of sources of sales and supplies (Johnson & Turner, 2003). According to Byers “In more recent years, those countries which have been able to ...