Globalization
Information technology is a critical element of project management in today's globalized world. Dealing on the global stage requires supply chain solutions that span the entire world, locally-flexible marketing solutions and a refined understanding of the unique conditions of each market.
The cost of acquiring and managing the massive amounts of information needed to succeed in the global business environment have typically only been accessible to multinational corporations (MNCs), but increasing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have leveraged information technology in order to compete globally. Even SMEs that do not wish to compete in other markets find themselves facing foreign competition as trade barriers fall.
In my thesis entitled Technological Globalization, I looked at some of the ways that information technology is transforming the global business environment, and how SMEs are increasingly gaining access to global trade the way that was once only the providence of multinationals. I noted four key propositions:
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This allows them to undertake meta-analysis from which they can determine trends and make better decisions faster.
Surprisingly, IT can also help SMEs with another key challenge of globalization -- finding the right person-system-organization fit. Culture clash is often a barrier to international expansion. Not only do information systems allow for greater operational flexibility to meet local market needs, but they also support a global managerial culture based on information and analysis. This does not change nearly as much from one…
