Pankaj Ghemawat, a Professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business and a globalization expert, dives into the intricate world of strategic planning reshaped by globalization. He discusses how companies need to rethink supply chains and embrace localization following NAFTA. The conversation highlights public distrust towards large entities and sheds light on Walmart's impact on lower-income populations. Ghemawat also emphasizes India's growing potential in global trade while addressing the myths surrounding technology's role in overcoming trade barriers.
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Quick takeaways
Companies are shifting towards localization strategies in response to rising protectionism and the need for local capabilities within a global framework.
The perception of globalization is often exaggerated, with studies showing lower cross-border interactions than commonly believed, affecting public sentiment.
Deep dives
The Shift towards Localization
Companies are increasingly recognizing the need to localize operations in response to rising protectionism and changing global dynamics. For instance, General Electric's CEO, Jeff Immelt, articulated a shift from a globalization-focused strategy to a localization strategy. This transformation stems from the realization that sustainable growth requires local capabilities within a global framework. As markets become more volatile and public sentiment shifts against globalization, businesses are compelled to adapt their strategies to cater to local demands while maintaining a global presence.
Understanding the Reality of Globalization Metrics
The actual extent of globalization is frequently overestimated, and recent studies reveal that the flow of people, goods, and capital across borders is lower than commonly believed. For example, only about 5% of international phone calls are made, and less than 10% of investment is cross-border. Additionally, social media connections, which many assume demonstrate global connectivity, show that less than 10% of Facebook friends are from different countries. This indicates a significant gap between perceived and actual levels of globalization, leading to misconceptions that can fuel backlash against it.
The Complex Relationship between Globalization and Job Loss
While globalization often faces blame for job losses, evidence suggests that technological advances play a more substantial role in driving employment changes. The distinction between jobs lost due to globalization and those lost to advancements in technology is crucial to understanding public perception and policy responses. Furthermore, studies indicate that lower-income populations benefit disproportionately from trade, suggesting that backlash against globalization may be detrimental to those who are criticizing it. Ultimately, addressing the concerns surrounding job security requires a nuanced understanding of the influences of both globalization and technology.
In 1992, Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. signed NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, and the global business landscape began transforming.
Pankaj Ghemawat, a professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business,studies how companies have adjusted their strategies to that disruptive change — from rethinking their supply chains to learning to navigate unpredictable trade policy environments. He discusses how companies can plan for an evolving world of multi-country international supply chains and cross-border information flows.
Key episode topics include: strategy, competitive strategy, business history, globalization, technology and analytics.
HBR On Strategy curates the best case studies and conversations with the world’s top business and management experts, to help you unlock new ways of doing business. New episodes every week.