Globalization , Networking , and Engineering Technologies

In our rapidly shrinking world, countries and affairs that once seemed far away have ever stronger and more profound impact on our lives. This globalization process is undoubtedly technogenic. The first vehicle for this phenomenon is the rise of rapid communications, highlighted by the degree to which the internet and wireless communications permeate our environment, providing email, web, IP telephony, video-conferencing, remote banking and other services. The second important technological contributor is air travel. The volumes of passenger and freight air traffic worldwide continue to grow exponentially, as they have done now over several decades. This growth drives further globalization by accelerating the interchange of people and goods, but questions about the sustainability of such development also become more acute. The third crucial technogenic phenomenon is the globalization of manufacturing, services and engineering development: remarkably, not only engineering technologies create the basis for globalization, but they themselves become involved in the resulting global pattern of research and development activities. What phenomena arise in the context of technology-driven globalization? What is the social and economic impact of globalization? Can organizations and communities suffer or benefit from it?