Justine Angel Ramos

BSBA BE 4-2

THE WORLD IS FLAT BY THOMAS FRIEDMAN

The book "The World Is Flat" by Thomas Friedman presents a framework for
understanding how the world economy has changed over time, highlighting ten factors
that have caused the entire world to flatten. This case study evaluates the applicability
of Friedman's theories in the contemporary economy and considers how these forces
affect communities around the world.

1. 11/9/89
The Cold War era came to an end in 1989 with the fall of the Berlin Wall,
according to Thomas Friedman. With the event, ideological barriers came down
and a new era of cooperation and transparency was ushered in. With the help of
this geopolitical change, borders became more open and countries were able to
cooperate at never-before-seen levels. Since 1989, emerging markets have
challenged the developed world's traditional dominance, resulting in a system
that is becoming more interconnected and interdependent. The removal of trade
restrictions has made it possible for companies to investigate prospects outside
of national borders, and global cooperation is now essential to economic
expansion. Asia and Latin America's emerging markets have emerged as growth
engines, drawing capital and encouraging
2. 8/9/95
An important turning point in the history of globalization was the Netscape Initial
Public Offering (IPO) in 1995, which opened up the internet to the general public
and allowed for extensive worldwide connectivity. The introduction of Netscape's
web browser leveled the playing field and created previously unheard-of
possibilities for international cooperation by revolutionizing the way people and
organizations accessed and shared information. The effects of the IPO are still
 visible in the current economic environment, where innovation, economic growth,
and interconnectedness are all fueled by the Internet. Due to the democratization
of information access brought about by the internet, businesses are now able to
compete on a global scale. E-commerce has had a revolutionary effect, enabling
companies to connect with customers across the globe, removing barriers based
on location, and broadening their market reach. Work has also been
revolutionized by the internet, with remote work
3. Work Flow Software
Thomas Friedman emphasizes how workflow software is changing the face of
the world economy. Technological developments in automation, AI, and digital
workflows have revolutionized various industries by facilitating organizations to
enhance their performance, boost productivity, and adjust to evolving market
needs. Traditional workflows have been transformed by automation technologies,
which also lower human error and increase productivity. Large-scale data
analysis, insight extraction, prediction, and prediction-making are all
accomplished by AI algorithms, which enhance decision-making. Digital
workflows enable smooth collaboration between geographically dispersed teams
by facilitating real-time communication, document sharing, and task
management. These workflows include cloud-based solutions, collaboration
platforms, and digital project management tools. A lot has changed in the
manufacturing, logistics, finance, and healthcare sectors. Healthcare is
implementing AI-driven diagnostics, logistics is using automated supply chain
management systems, and financial institutions are using automated trading
algorithms.

4. Uploading
Friedman's concept of uploading, as described in "The World Is Flat," accurately
predicted the significant influence of the internet on the dynamics of information.
The scenario of today represents a world in which people actively influence the
digital environment, fostering a more diverse, inclusive, and cooperative
international community. A testament to the enduring and transformative nature
 of uploading in the modern digital era is the growth of the open-source
community, the success of projects like Apache, the proliferation of blogs, and
the existence of user-driven platforms like Wikipedia.

5. Outsourcing
In his exploration of the idea of globalization, Thomas Friedman's "The World Is
Flat" emphasizes how it has leveled the playing field by facilitating the seamless
movement of jobs, information, and technology across national boundaries. A
large population of highly qualified technology workers was made possible by the
1950s founding of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and this population
continues to make a substantial contribution to the global technology workforce.
India's success in outsourcing has made the nation a global center for
technology, drawing in companies looking for high-quality, reasonably priced
solutions.
6. Offshoring
The idea of offshoring entails shifting operations to less expensive regions to
boost productivity and competitiveness. In the current context, China's 2001
WTO admission represented a critical turning point in the offshoring industry by
enabling businesses to export manufacturing to China. This tactic resulted in
lower costs, products of comparable quality, and an annual increase in
manufacturing productivity of 17%. By integrating global supply chains and
diversifying production locations, offshoring also increased market presence.
Offshoring is still a vital tactic for businesses looking to streamline operations in a
connected world, demonstrating the ideas of Milton Friedman's ongoing
significance in influencing the global business environment.

7. Supply-Chaining
Thomas Friedman's concept of integrated global supply chains, where
components are sourced and manufactured globally, has been highlighted in
"The World Is Flat." To improve visibility and responsiveness, businesses are
now concentrating on localization and diversification and investing in
 technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence. Unexpected disruptions
are also being met with the adoption of agile and adaptive strategies. Automation
and digitalization are being used to increase the efficiency of the supply chain,
and technologies like IoT and predictive analytics are being used to reduce risks
and maximize inventory management. Partnerships and collaborative networks
are becoming more popular as a means of building stronger, more integrated
supply chains.
8. Insourcing
According to Thomas Friedman, insourcing is a tactic where businesses
concentrate on their core skills and contract out non-core tasks to outside parties.
By streamlining processes, cutting expenses, and utilizing outside knowledge,
this strategy boosts productivity and competitiveness. In the dynamic business
environment of today, in-sourcing has developed into a strategy marked by
strategic alliances and partnerships for outside knowledge and adaptability.
Focusing on core competencies, forming strategic alliances, having access to
outside knowledge, being flexible and adaptable, cost-effective, innovative,
reducing risk, and integrating technology are all important components of in-
sourcing. Businesses can lower operating expenses and more effectively use
their resources by outsourcing non-core functions. By increasing operational
resilience, decreasing the impact of disruptions, and diversifying functions among
external partners, in-sourcing also acts as a risk mitigation tactic. innovations in
technology such as cloud
9. In-forming
Thomas Friedman highlights the idea of in-forming in "The World Is Flat," as it
gives people and organizations access to a wealth of information and empowers
them. The world has become smaller due to the democratization of information,
as people can now access, share, and use information anywhere in the world.
The notion of informing has changed with the introduction of big data, analytics,
and real-time information in today's quickly changing business environment. By
using a data-driven approach, companies can collect, evaluate, and apply
information for a competitive advantage. An unparalleled amount of data has
 been generated by the widespread use of digital technologies, offering insights
into consumer behavior, industry trends, and competitive environments. Big data
analytics has emerged as a key component of information, allowing companies to
discern important patterns and trends from sizable datasets. Current data
10. The Steroids
In "The World Is Flat," Thomas Friedman used a metaphorical term called "The
Steroids" to describe technological developments that intensify the effects of
other flatteners, like personal devices, communication, and connectivity. The idea
of The Steroids has gained more traction in the current Fourth Industrial
Revolution scenario, which is defined by the incorporation of digital technologies.
Key technological innovations that have an impact on the entire world include
blockchain technology, wireless connectivity, personal devices, IoT, AI, AR/VR,
and AR/VR. Modern life is increasingly reliant on wireless connectivity, which
makes data sharing and communication easier. Personal gadgets are now
commonplace tools for communicating with people around the world, conducting
business, and getting information. Data collection and exchange across
industries is made possible by the Internet of Things (IoT), and AI-driven
applications are revolutionizing sectors like

Thomas Friedman's ten forces that flatten the world provide a thorough
framework for comprehending the complexity of globalization. These forces continue to
develop and mold the connected world we live in today, despite having their roots in
particular events and trends. They emphasize how important it is to continue to be
flexible, and creative, and exercise responsible leadership in the face of a constantly
shifting global environment.