Flatteners, in the context of globalization, refer to various forces, technologies, and phenomena that have contributed to a perceived reduction in barriers and distances, resulting in a more interconnected world. The term was popularized by Thomas Friedman in his book "The World is Flat."
These flatteners can be broadly classified into ten categories:
1. Internet and Connectivity: The widespread adoption of the internet and the increased accessibility of communication technologies have connected people, institutions, and markets globally.
2. Outsourcing: The globalization of labor markets has facilitated the movement of jobs, particularly in the services sector, to countries with cost advantages, leading to a redistribution of economic activities.
3. Offshoring: Similar to outsourcing but specifically refers to the relocation of business processes, manufacturing, or services to other countries with lower costs or diverse capabilities.
4. Supply-Chaining: Advances in transportation, logistics, and information systems have made global supply chains more efficient, allowing products to be produced and delivered across vast distances in a shorter time.
5. Insourcing: Companies have started to outsource non-core functions to other firms, often specializing in those areas, leading to integrated global networks of suppliers and partners.
6. In-Forming: The abundant and easily accessible knowledge available through the internet has transformed the way individuals, organizations, and communities access and apply information.
7. Steroids: Refers to advancements in technological capabilities, such as electronic devices, software, and robotics, that have accelerated the pace of globalization and helped level the playing field.
8. Open-Sourcing: The concept of sharing and collaboration in software development and problem solving, resulting in the availability of free knowledge and open platforms that spur innovation.
9. Outsourcing
10. The Fall of the Berlin Wall: Symbolizes the end of the Cold
