6.2.1 Definition of globalisation

"You can't even spell 'American' without (Puerto) RICAN!"
- Jennifer Lopez, American singer and actor

There is no universally accepted definition of globalisation. This is because there are many international factors that influence business organisations and their operations, such as the increasing social, cultural, technological and economic integration of individuals and societies across the planet. In addition, businesses also shape these forces. Many businesses operate across national boundaries. Even local businesses and consumers are influenced by global factors. In the context of business management, globalisation can be characterised as:

• The growing interdependence and integration of the world’s economies. This has been brought about by the growing level of international trade across the world as economies develop and consumers demand more goods and services.
• Customers around the world having ever-integrated habits and tastes
• A growing awareness and acceptance of cultural diversities and cultural exports.
• Growing international trade and exchange in goods and services, technology, investment, and information. For example, Singapore is a small city-state but through the benefits of globalisation has become one of the world’s most connected nations in terms of the flow of business, finance and information.
• The ability of workers and businesses to establish themselves within other communities or countries.

Indian company Tata Steel owns a variety of steel production plants in the UK

Globalisation has had an impact on different cultures around the world. For example, cultural exports (which have resulted in and benefit from globalisation) include:

Modern-day football (soccer) is a cultural export from England

Food is often associated with cultural norms, although globalisation has brought such cultural exports to all different parts of the world. For example, laksa, ramen, and pho are Australia's favourite noodle soups.

• Laksa is a spicy noodle soup, and is considered as a national cuisine of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
• Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup, although it typically consists of Chinese wheat noodles. Ramen is served in a meat or (occasionally) fish-based broth, often flavoured with soy sauce or miso.
• Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup consisting of broth (cooked for several hours in advance), rice noodles, fresh herbs, and meat (usually beef but sometimes chicken). Pho is considered to be Vietnam's national cuisine.

A major driving force, but certainly not the only one, leading to the popularity of laksa, ramen, and pho in Australia is the growing number of students who study there from South East Asian countries like Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.

Another example is highlighted in this commercial from Lufthansa, which highlights the role of food as a contributing factor to globalisation: