Globalization on the Rebound Despite National TensionsLocation: London
“But, at the same time, the nature of the opportunities in those markets can be fundamentally different. In the developed world, companies have well established business models and asset bases but face weak growth prospects. In the emerging economies, this situation is often reversed.” Winning in a polycentric world alsohighlights the tension between the flattening effect of globalization and significant variations across international markets. While the former encourages companies to roll out business and operating models globally, differences between markets will demand a more localized approach. The report draws on two sources of original research: Ernst & Young’s Globalization Index, which measures the world’s 60 largest economies according to their degree of globalization relative to their GDP, and a survey of more than a thousand senior business executives worldwide, conducted in late 2010, canvassing their thoughts on globalization. Globalization and economic growth James S. Turley, Chairman and CEO of Ernst & Young, comments, “The enormous opportunities in emerging markets, the ever increasing power of technology and a gradual international economic recovery will ensure that globalization continues to deepen over the coming years. That said, it is incumbent on business and governments to continue to make the case for globalization as a positive force for economic and social good and avoid any descent into protectionism.” What does it mean for business? John Ferraro, Chief Operating Officer of Ernst & Young, explains, “Business opportunities are now distributed more evenly around the world than at any time in history. The convergence of market potential between the developed and emerging world means that the number of markets that multinationals must consider as “strategic” has increased. “But, at the same time, the nature of the opportunities in those markets can be fundamentally different. In the developed world, companies have well established business models and asset bases but face weak growth prospects. In the emerging economies, this situation is often reversed.” Companies must now operate in a “polycentric world” in which there are multiple but divergent spheres of influence in both developed and developing markets. It is not just opportunities that are located in these multiple centers. Competition, capabilities and resources can all now reside anywhere in the world and travel in new, sometimes unexpected directions. Long-term winners? To succeed in a polycentric world requires companies to focus on four priorities as Turley concludes:” Corporates will have to first redefine global and local, second develop a “polycentric” approach to innovation, third rethink relationships with government and tax administrations and fourth build leadership teams with strong global experience.” Where are we today? Business is certainly getting more international in its aspirations. Nearly 70% of those surveyed said that their foreign direct investment (FDI) would increase in the next three years. Seventeen per cent of respondents said FDI would increase by more than 20%. The executives are already re-thinking their approach to innovation in emerging markets. Currently, the companies in our survey conduct a relatively small proportion of their R&D in emerging markets, despite the importance of these economies to their growth prospects, with only 16% of respondents saying that more than one-quarter of their R&D expenditure is invested in emerging markets. But, over the next five years, this picture will change. The proportion of respondents that will conduct more than one-quarter of their R&D in emerging markets will almost treble in Western Europe and more than double in North America. Nearly 30% of companies will spend more than a quarter of their R&D investment in emerging markets five years from now. Understanding the political environment, and how it might affect the company’s ability to do business, has become a core competence for global corporates. And yet, according to our survey, companies pay a relatively small amount of attention to policy as part of their investment decisions. The only aspects of government policy that more than half of respondents consider to be influential when planning an investment are economic growth projections and tax rates. Finally, on the need to build leadership teams with strong global experience, respondents to our survey generally share this view. Just over half agree that there is a link between diversity of teams and experience, and superior reputation and financial performance. Only 15% think that diversity does not have a positive impact on either reputation or performance.
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