Information technology is highly interconnected and is believed to be the driving force behind globalisation. It has brought a revolutionary shift in how people, businesses, and governments interact. Not only this, but it has also helped in bridging distances and linking economies.
All this discussion might sound too technical, right? Don’t worry. In the next few sections, we’ll explore how IT has made globalisation faster, deeper, and more inclusive in lucid language.
Information Technology And Globalisation
At first, you might not be able to comprehend the relationship between these two words. But, what if I told you one empowers the other?
Information Technology enables and promotes global connectivity with the help of technologies such as the internet, satellites, communication networks, and cloud computing.
These technologies work beyond the barriers of time and distance, and help in connecting people and organizations from all across the globe.
Impact Of Information Technology On Global Trade And Supply Chains
Trade is something that humans learnt very early. IT has completely transformed the way global trade happens. If you look around yourself, you’ll see how IT has helped in bringing a revolution into the trading world.
With the help of modern information systems, enterprise software, and cloud solutions, businesses are now not just limited to some city, country, or continent. They are spread globally. Here are a few examples to help you understand this better:
- A person sitting in New Delhi can now order a product being sold by some vendor in Europe or North America through e-commerce websites.
- The products of Apple are designed in U.S., manufactured in Asia, and then sold all across the globe. A step that would not have been possible without digital connections and coordination.
How Information Technology Is Changing Innovation, Culture, And Knowledge
Apart from connecting economies, IT has a huge role in connecting communities, people, and minds. With online learning platforms, cloud-based collaborations, and research databases, IT is promoting growth of knowledge and innovation and helping it spread across the globe.
Students can now remotely study from the courses offered by some of the top institutes such as MIT, Harvard, and extract benefits from them. Scientists and researchers from different countries can collaborate on shared projects from any corner of the world.
Also, IT helps in the spread of culture across continents through media and entertainment platforms. While in India, you can watch a documentary about Italian cuisine or French art.
Challenges Information Technology Faces In Globalisation
Although, IT is fueling the globalisation and helping in its rapid expansion, there are a few points where attention is required:
- Digital divide: IT heavily relies upon digital resources for promoting growth and globalisation. These resources are generally expensive and not everyone can afford them.
- Security risks: through IT networks, data flows all around the globe. This makes it vulnerable to cyberattacks.
- Overshadowing of local cultures: IT brings in global trends with it and these might compete with traditional cultural practices, sometimes overpowering them.