Benefits and pitfalls of globalization for business Essay

Benefits and pitfalls of globalization for business - Essay Example Anthony Mcgrew defined globalization as a â€Å"process of deterritorialization – as social, political and economic activities are increasingly stretched across the globe†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (n.d., â€Å"Ch.1: Globalization and global politics†). This comprehensive view gives a glimpse of the trend towards borderless economic societies of the future from the current nation-states based on political considerations. Given the vast differences among the different countries and their peoples in respect of socio-political and economic conditions, this trend gives rise to both promises and pitfalls for the global businesses. Globalization benefits can be expected from cross-fertilization of ideas, access to best available talent/resources, creativity and technological growth arising out of global competition, creation of networks of alliances, etc. while pitfalls include uncertainty of political conditions and economic policies, impact on local industry and employment, fear of dominance etc. (Ali, 2006, pp.78-81, 141-143). Cross-fertilization of ideas occurs when firms come across different ways of solving a problem or completing tasks, which are more cost effective or in identifying newer opportunities and demands. For example, housing shortage in poor countries can give rise to generation of fresh demand and exploitation of newer/locally available materials and methods of construction. Coming to talent, it is noted that many global firms employ foreign nationals at all levels of organizations recognizing merit. Again, global firms like Procter & Gamble compete at global level through heavy investment i n R&D and this in turn creates new technologies and products. Networking is another beneficial aspect of globalization by which global firms and local suppliers join hands to create value for customers. Global firms face uncertainty when political changes occur which may impact international agreements apart from operations. Stability of government policies on investments, employment, profit repatriation etc. is essential for a business to thrive. Competitive politics give rise to issues like job losses, exploitation, dominance, interference etc. Further, events in one country or a region will quickly impact business prospects of global firms in many other countries. For example, the recent downturn in the US economy is impacting firms across Europe and Asia. Given the above analysis, governments, businesses and organizations like WTO are working towards co-operation among nations by promoting democratic governments that respect international laws and strive for the economic prosper ity of their citizens. This means that global businesses take on the responsibility of actively promoting local industry, skills and employment to create a win-win situation. Q.2: Address to shareholders Dear Shareholders, In the competitive world of business, we have to constantly strategize our operations and our decision to invest in Franistan eight years ago was based on sound economic and business principles. That the decision was right is seen in the nearly 19% reduction in cost of manufacture of our products and the more than corresponding increase in the net profits over the last five years. As per our corporate policy, your

Why is the story called, The Yellow Wallpaper Essay

Why is the story called, The Yellow Wallpaper - Essay Example The commonality between the two stories is that both of them tell about a husband’s suffocating grip on a woman’s life. In these stories, a husband has not been presented in a direct negative light; rather a husband’s care and kindness for a wife ironically prove to be harmful for a wife. The irony lies in the fact that in a patriarchal society, no matter how much a husband tries to be caring like the narrator’s husband in Gilman’s â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper†, and kind like Mrs. Mallard’s husband in â€Å"Story of an Hour†, they are the patriarchal annihilators of the women’s freedom. In her story Gilman shows that a woman’s status in patriarchy is rather detrimental to her psychological growth, though ironically the narrator’s husband mistakes such restriction for his wife’s betterment. The narrator’s husband assumes that women were devoid of any intellectual capability. Therefore, he suggests that the protagonist refrains himself from any type intellectual and outdoor activities. In contradiction, the narrator strongly feels that participation in outdoor activities may improve her condition. The protagonist thinks that her betterment lies in something else than a restricted situation, â€Å"I sometimes fancy that in my condition if I had less opposition and more society and stimulus—but John says the very worst thing I can do is think about my condition, and I confess it always makes me feel bad. So I will let it alone and talk about the house† (Gilman, â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper†). Gilman refers to the fact that women’s confinement within the four walls of their husbands’ house hampers their normal psychological growth. In the story, the narrator often refers to the suppressing presence of her husband in her life. At some point, referring to the seriousness of her condition she says, â€Å"If a physician of high standing, and oneâ₠¬â„¢s own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression—a slight hysterical tendency—what is one to do?† (Gilman). Here Gilman refers to the patriarchal constructs of the word, â€Å"husband†. For her, â€Å"one’s own husband† or ‘husband’ is empowered with the authority of ‘a physician of high standing’ who can rule on the psychophysical condition of his wife. Gilman shows that the patriarchal term ‘husband’ is as harmful for a wife as a physician, who is ignorant of his patient’s situation, is harmful to his patient. In her story, Chopin deals with the same story of a woman’s lack of freedom in a round-about way. In contradiction to others’ expectation Mrs. Mallard senses the gush of complacent freedom hearing the news of her husband’s death. She feels sad. But concurrently she also feels the complace nce at her oncoming freedom, as the narrator describes Mrs. Mallard’s joy in the following manner: â€Å"There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it, fearfully. What was it? She did not know; it was too subtle and elusive to name† (Chopin, â€Å"Story of an Hour†). At the news of Bentley’s death, she feels the prospect of living a life of enormous freedom and joy. But since in patriarchy a woman is not accustomed to express herself freely, she fears even to acknowledge the source of mirth and ecstasy. Though â€Å"she was striving to beat it back with her will† (Chopin, â€Å"Story of an Hour†), she fails to do so. Indeed it is her self-realization and her acknowledgement that the death of her husband and the prospect of living a free life are the sources of her ecstasies. But gradually before the unexpected