Essay about Michael Porter’s Theory

Globalization has, for better or worse, altered the economic arena for every country in the world. For many less developed countries, globalization has leveled the playing field so that their economies can compete with the larger, more developed ones such as the United States and other large western economies. For instance, technical engineers in India and China are now just as qualified as engineers in America, but at half the cost. The once large and prosperous service sector in the United States as well as telemarketing services have largely been sourced to India as a large exodus of American multinational corporations find cheaper workers who deliver comparable quality. This then seems to be the essence of globalization - businesses

Hill (2008) describes Michael Porter’s “Competitive Advantage of Nations Theory of posits that within specific industries, clusters of expertise result from highly competitive national environments” (p. 616). Michael Porter created the theory of competitive advantage when he began to realize the economic reality could no longer be explained based on the comparative advantage theory only (Laurentiu, n.d.). The competitive advantage theory is based on several determinants:

“Globalization is a process of interaction and integration among the people, companies, and governments of different nations, a process driven by international trade and investment and aided by information technology. This process has effects on the environment, on culture, on political systems, on economic development and prosperity, and on human physical well-being in societies around the world” (The State University of New York, 2014, para 1).

The term globalization can be defined as a process by which societies, regional economies and cultures have been integrated via a global network of transportation, communication and trade. It has both positive and negative impacts in all the areas that it touches on be it economical, social, technology, cultural, political, environment, health or any other. Globalization started to have an impact on businesses world wide in the eighteenth century since that time marks the merging of modernity and globalization. However, in the modern sence, globalization kicked off after the end of Second World War since its during that time that leaders felt the urge to break down the borders

According to Information System Today, (2014); Globalization will fall under all the categories of technology that move around the world “the greater international movement of commodities”. Globalization has change all aspect on how we do things, from ecumenical changes, cultural changes to technological changes. We are able to manage various things around the world with the comfort of our home (Schneider & Valacich, 2014). A perfect example of globalization would be the following: Leaving in Texas but having your clients or major business deals in Puerto Rico and been able to do it all from her home in Texas without having to do much traveling or no traveling at all. Been able to have conferences and meeting with different people around the

Globalization, defined as “a process that aims to expand business operations on a worldwide level, and was precipitated by the facilitation of global communications due to technological advancements, and socioeconomic, political and environmental developments” has been around for ages. However, it is a force that is becoming increasing more relevant in today’s world. In layman’s terms, globalism is the merging or “melting” of individual perspectives and markets into a more global market. As of recently, society has been obsessed with studying globalization. However, the conversation is rarely economical. Globalization is typically looked at as a social or cultural force that is shaping and connecting the world. This is scene in clothing styles, human travel, and popular culture that has become increasingly similar across nations. That sentiment isn’t wrong-globalization does have a cultural side, but many people are missing the economic impacts that this new world is facing. In fact, the economic implications of globalization and how governments legislate to control them leads to significant opportunity, but also huge threat globally.

In this essay, my goal was to create a well written and formatted Critical Analysis essay where I would introduce an argument and use evidence to support my position. I also had to include a counterclaim in order to argue anything that went against my position on the topic, as well as viewing the effectiveness of using strong sources that would support my writing. The only reason I was motivated to write this essay was because it was mandatory for my FIQWS class. I hope to accomplish an essay where I include a clear argument and is well supported by my evidence; and hopefully connect back with my thesis

In the article “The Competitive Advantage of Nations” Michael Porter describes a diamond shaped relationship of forces that define a country’s potential for being competitive in a specified industry. The four points on the diamond representing the different forces are: factor conditions; demand conditions; firm strategy, structure and rivalry; and related and supporting industries. According to Porter, the four points apply pressure to each other resulting in a national

Globalization is the process regarding an increasing interaction of people, states, or countries through the growth of the international flow of money, ideas, and culture. It can also be tied to business ventures where businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale. The idea of globalization has become very controversial in the United States labor market. There are many pros and cons on how it affects the labor markets. Along with the labor market controversy people also debate over whether globalization is a threat or opportunity to the United States economy. Although Globalization has brought a significantly positive impact on most countries in terms of economy, culture, and politics, it also has left some drawbacks behind on the same aspects.

Since its publication in 1990, Michael Porter's book The Competitive Advantage of Nations has attracted much consideration. The main analytical tool of the book is the diamond of competitive advantage (figure 1). This model is based on four country specific "determinants" and two external variables. Porter's four determinants and two outside forces interact in a "diamond" of competitive advantage, with the nature of a country's international competitiveness depending upon the type and quality of these interactions. However, because it is fundamentally a home-based model of international competitiveness, the diamond theory is criticized by many international business scholars. Dunning , and Rugman ¬, ¬¬ point out that the

"Globalization, both as an ideology and process, has become the dominant political, economical and cultural force in the 21st century." Quote from "Globalism: The New Market Ideology" by Manfred D.Steger Merriam-Webster defines globalization as “the act or process of globalizing: the development of an increasingly integrated global economy marked especially by free trade, free flow of capital, and the tapping of cheaper foreign labor market.” Before the recent increase in globalization, organizations usually considered their customer base and market to be their country of origin, however with the rapid spread of diversity,

Globalization is the increasing interdependence and connectedness of the world, its businesses and it markets, as well as flow of goods, ideas, technology, people etc. This phenomenon has increased vastly over the years due to technological advances, telecommunications and internet. As the world becomes a global economy, countries have the opportunity to advance more but with the catch that there is also increased competition. Thus as it becomes more common and powerful a feature, it also has some resistance as well. (InvestorWords, n.d.)

People around the world are more connected to each other than ever before. Information and money flow quicker than ever. Products produced in one part of a country are available to the rest of the world. It is much easier for people to travel, communicate and do business internationally. This whole phenomenon has been called globalization. Spurred on in the past by merchants, explorers, colonialists and internationalists, globalization has in more recent times been increasing rapidly due to improvements in communications, information and transport technology. It has also been encouraged by trade liberalization and financial market deregulation.

Many of the internationally successful industries do not have a strong diamond base in place. Similarly, inward foreign direct investment does not indicate a lack of competitiveness. The theory also claims integration between international economics and strategic management. This stems from the mistaken attempt to substitute competitive advantage for comparative advantage (Caves, Frankel and Jones, 1993). Policy makers are left with a number of issues with which to base the SWOT-type analysis of their economies’ positions on. This is not in respect to competitiveness but of the different industrial sectors available in their economies. However, they lack reliable guide with respect to the appropriate policies to pursue (Congdon, 1990).

Porter’s Diamond emerged as a model to explain why a nation can successfully achieve international success in a particular industry. In short, diamond model is a micro-analysis tool to identify core competitiveness of a nation and region. According to Porter in his book “The Competitive Advantage of Nations”, the theory begins from individual industries and competitors and builds up to the economy as a whole, where the outcome of struggles in individual industries will determined economy of the nation’s state and the way it progressed.