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Identifies deep historical forces that create change and risk in the business environment. Discusses key dimensions of the business environment, describing major trends and challenges.
McGraw-Hill/Irwin
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Inequality
The basic political conflict in every nation, and often between nations, is the antagonism between rich and poor. The industrial revolution accelerated the accumulation of wealth and widened the persistent problem of its uneven distribution. Global income inequality is measured by the Gini index. 67% in 2003, an extreme level of inequality, caused by the diverging economic fortune of nations. Top 5% receive 33% of all income; bottom 5% receive 0.2%of all income.
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Inequality (continued)
Economic growth does not itself increase income inequity within modernizing nations. Today about 2.5 billion people (40% of the world population) live in poverty (< $2.00 a day income). In 1820 94% of the world population lived in poverty. If world distribution of income had not become more unequal after 1820, economic growth would have reduced the number of people living in poverty today by 80%. If capitalism is harnessed to create economic growth, the poor will benefit.
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Population Growth
The basic population trend throughout human history is upward. Accelerated growth after 1825 due to: Advances in water sanitation and medicine, reduced the number of deaths from infectious disease Mechanized farming, expanded the food supply Rapid growth now declining due to declining fertility. Implications of current population trends: The wealth gap between high- and low-income countries will widen Growth will continue to strain the earths ecosystems The West is in demographic decline compared with other peoples
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Technology
Throughout history new technologies and devices have fueled commerce and reshaped societies. Printing press Steam engine New technologies: Foster the productivity gains that sustain long-term economic progress Promote human welfare Can agitate societies
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Globalization
In the economic realm, globalization refers to the development of an increasingly integrated system based on free markets in which nations are open to foreign trade and investment. Consequences of globalization: Increased economic activity Changed cultures Globalization has been accelerated by new technologies, and sometimes slowed by national rivalries and wars. Transnational corporations are the central forces of current economic globalization.
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Nation-States
A nation-state is an actor formed of three elements: a ruling authority, citizens, and a territory with fixed borders. Arose out of the wreckage of the Roman Empire. In the past, nations increased their power by seizing territory from other nations. Today, nations use trade to increase their power. Trade through world markets is a new source of power, but it also limits the ability of regimes to control their economies. Other forces such as epidemics, climate change, terrorism and international norms also limit a nation-states autonomy.
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Dominant Ideologies
An ideology is a set of reinforcing beliefs and values that constructs a world view. The industrial revolution was facilitated by several ideologies: Capitalism Constitutional democracy protection of individuals rights. Progress the idea that humanity was in upward motion toward material betterment. Darwinism constant improvement characterized the biological world. Social Darwinism evolutionary competition in human society weeds out the unfit and advances humanity. Protestant ethic hard work, saving, thrift and honesty lead to salvation. Many doctrines have perished as a result of globalization. The capitalism ideology accelerated in the 20th century due to rising literacy and innovations that spread information.
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Great Leadership
Leaders have brought both beneficial and disastrous changes to societies and businesses. Two views of historic leaders:
Leaders simply ride the wave of history Leaders themselves change history
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Chance
Some changes in the business environment may be best explained as the product of unknown and unpredictable causes. Machiavelli observed that fortune determines about half the course of human events and human beings the other half.
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Wages
Competitors actions Technology change Government policies
Two basic subtrends underlying economic growth: Rising trade Major expansion of foreign direct investment by transnational corporations
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The human ecological footprint moved beyond the earths carrying capacity in the 1980s and is now unsustainable. Managers must adapt to changed thinking, toward preservation of nature.
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