Globalization is a modern-day term that has been at the forefront of global affairs since its emergence in the early 2000s. It can be defined as the natural homogenization of cultures necessitated by the new multipolar world order.
There are contrasting definitions of the theory. In some places, it is defined as the harmless spread and exchange of cultures, languages, media, and economic values. Others call it a euphemism for westernization or Americanization, at the expense of lesser powerful nations. One certainty is the Internet and the provision of high-speed high-quality networks like Spectrum internet offers have accelerated the process of globalization tenfold. What follows is a discussion as to how this has occurred and the degree to which it affects our lives.
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The Internet and Globalization
Ever since its birth, the Internet has acted as the driving force of the exchange of socio-economic conventions and norms, facilitating the rapid change of trends and tides through the network of social media, web3, and the “global village.”
We all know that without the Internet, the impact of globalization would be stunted before it even became a phenomenon. The communication technology birthed by the Internet in particular is what has truly revolutionized how people interact, work, and perceive the world.
The Internet has created a plethora of ways to connect people from across the globe, making room for cross-cultural collaboration and exchange. For individual users and businesses alike, the Internet has provided a platform where companies can collaborate and communicate from across continents. From a cultural and social point of view, the effect of this is such that you can access the same array of songs, shows, movies, and even content in one corner of the world, as you can from another. A closer look at how it affects specific branches of our lives is the only way to quantify its full impact, which is practically immeasurable.
How Does It Impact Businesses?
The effect of globalization through the Internet has been a game changer for the business world. The blurring of national borders through the global network has created so many new facilities and avenues for businesses, some of which were unfathomable before the advent of the Internet. Just the speed with which tasks can be executed, alone, is a huge jump in the right direction as it has increased productivity and provided companies with the competitive edge that they need. Here is how:
Offshoring and outsourcing
Now a very common and integral part of most businesses’ operations, offshoring was just not an option before the Internet – at least not a convenient or feasible one. Offshoring is the practice of outsourcing certain tasks to overseas companies or startups that specialize in the field, in order to streamline business operations. Not only does this smooth out a company’s workload, but it also ensures that the job gets done at much lower costs. For example, it would cost a USA-based phone and tablet company far more to develop software locally rather than in Vietnam or India, where there are plenty of IT powerhouses and software companies that are specialized in the field and offer services at much lower prices.
Global franchising
Although this was still a phenomenon before the Internet, it has reached new heights now that the world is connected by the Internet. There was a time when international expansion and franchising were only possible for transnational corporations, such as McDonald’s and Coke. However, the Internet has made it possible for companies to run global marketing campaigns, create cross-continent distribution channels, and open branches across the world.
Remote work
In light of recent events, this can be termed the biggest service the Internet has provided us with. Remote working techniques became the saving grace of businesses, companies and educational institutes, alike, during the 2020 Covid-19 outbreak. Had it not been for the Internet, there would be no way to keep socio-economic activities up and running, bringing about the biggest global economic crash of the century.
Remote working strategies allow workers from across the world to meet, engage, and interact via virtual means. This can be done through video calls, voice calls, emails, or cross-platform strategies. It not only allows companies to hire resources from across the world but also reduces the fixed cost of businesses such as electricity bills and rent.
Access to highly trained individuals
The Internet has drastically expanded the talent market, which now comprises resources from across the world. USA-based companies can, for instance, scout new talent from all the way in China and either engage them remotely or finance their plane tickets and call them on-site.
Some nations are far more specialized in certain fields than others, due to it being a “fashionable” field that is given the highest priority by the local education system. It is far more beneficial to hire overseas resources as they are usually more willing to work for more reasonable pay grades and are also more conscientious due to the high stakes of their job.
