Globalization is defined as the tendencies in which business, philosophies and technologies tend to expand and spread worldwide. Since globalization makes markets interconnected to each other they are sometimes referred to as globality.In globality, trading is not hampered by national boundaries or the different time zones. Globalization has brought a lot of benefits to different nations’ economy. For the third world countries, they have been able to provide employment to their large unemployed citizens pushing them to a level of developed countries. Others argue that globalization presents the developed countries with an opportunity to exploit the poorest nations. The diversity in different regions is also eliminated by homogenesis.
The use of computers has resulted to various effects in businesses. It has led to the creation of jobs. These jobs include developers of software and computer and data analysts. More businesses are employing the use of computers and this requires individuals that have an education on computer technology fields. Also, computers have facilitated communication in businesses. This is because of its speed in transferring information. Communication that is efficient in businesses is important, especially for large globalized businesses. This ensures that the business carries out its activities as a team. New information and ideas are relayed quickly to the companies. In addition, computes have increased efficiency in businesses. This is through storage of information that can be retrieved easily from anywhere in the world. Also, it improves book keeping in the financial departments.
However, there are also downsides to the introduction of computers in globalized businesses. One of the major problems is computer security. This concerns the safety of information that is relayed and stored in computers through the internet. Asymmetry is one of these security problems. Asymmetry is the term used to describe criminals who attack organizations by invading security systems of companies and stealing data or destroying them. This is done by hacking into internets that connect businesses. This paralyses the activities businesses and renders them unable to serve their customers. It can eventually lead to the closure of the businesses (Lehtinen 45).
Therefore measures that stop these security threats need to be implemented. This requires the development of a global security system. The businesses are required to work with the law and technical individuals to curb this problem. One of the solutions to this problem is connecting companies and organizations to law enforcers. They set laws, rules and regulations that should be followed to lower cases of insecurity. This will ensure that the criminals are tracked down and stopped to avoid any other incidences such as those. Also it will ensure that the criminals are brought to justice by paying for their crimes. It may also ensure that the company’s information is recovered or the company is compensated for its loss.
Another solution involves increasing connection between the companies and their internet service providers. This will enable the companies to report any suspicion about unexplained activities they notice. Also, service providers will ensure that they alert companies when major activities happen. Service providers will also ensure that the levels of security are high especially when high risk operations are carried out and during risky periods. It will also ensure that laws that are set by the legal systems are adhered to.
Thirdly, the companies should work in conjunction with computer security incident response teams. Companies will be able to report any security problems to this team immediately. This will ensure that the security breach is noted and corrected immediately before it gets out of hand. It will also help the team catch those responsible.
Fourthly, the company can employ its own security. It can also train its staff how to enhance security. The employees will be able to maintain good customer relations and without making the customers feel alienated
Globalization in businesses has also affected ethics. Ethics are codes in behavior that are responsible for morality and dictate what is right or wrong. Therefore, in companies, professional ethics is applied. The internet and computers which are the instruments that mainly facilitate globalization are involved. These can change the culture of the employees in the company. It can also change the nature of companies and its employees (Quinn28).
Computer ethics is affected by globalization. These are ethical issues that are uniquely involved with computers. This covers areas such as ownership rights to software programs and ideas and information. An individual should be able to claim their work and solely enjoy the revenue that is earned. Also, they are entitled to receive recognition for their work. Replication and pirating of other peoples work is an infringement on their rights and is punishable by law. However, these incidences occur due to the ease made possible by computers (Johnson12).
Also, hacking into organizations’ computers is a computer ethics issue. This is wrong and yet there are software and computer devices that give individuals or group the ability to hack. In addition, individuals who are experts in computer security or information technology may abuse their abilities and hack into other companies systems granting them unauthorized access to information (French 52).
Another computer ethics issue is enhancing computer technology for people with disabilities (Johnson 37). This ensures that people with disabilities also have access to computers. Software and hardware can be modified to suit different disabilities and give the disabled equal access to computers. Training facilities or schools should be put up to teach the disable how to use these computers.
Apart from computer ethics, other ethical issues arise due to globalization. One of the issues that arise includes gender. Women have equal rights to men. However, in different countries, this issue is viewed differently due to culture. Women have encouraged companies and their governments to implement policies and programs that support gender mainstreaming. People will be educated on the need of giving women equal opportunities in organizations (Ruddell 63).
Another effect of globalization in ethics is the currency system. The value of currency differs in different countries in relation to the economic state of the country. Developing countries’ currency is usually weaker compared to those of developed countries. Concerns are raised by developing countries on the circulation of currency between such countries. This is because the value of currency is constantly changing according to the economic condition of the country. This may lead to misunderstandings when it comes to financial activities in the business.
Freedom of movement is another ethical issue that is caused by globalization. Globalization enables companies to start businesses in different countries. This may require the movement of employees to different countries. However, these countries have different regulations regarding freedom of movement, particularly regarding foreign citizens. This may be due to clashing interest between the countries. This will eventually result in an ethical dilemma because every individual has the freedom of movement and to reside in any country they please. (Ruddell 178)
Competition is also ethical issues brought about by globalization. Businesses owned by the same company in different countries are likely to occur. While healthy competition is encourage because it increases production, it may extend to become harmful to the company. Competitions may arise to provide better services to their country in order to improve the economic situation of their country. Also, differences such as racial and political differences may cause this kind of unhealthy competition.
Summary
In conclusion, globalizations effects are inevitable. The main instruments in globalization are the internet and computers. Computer security may be compromised but solutions are offered to solve these problems. Issues of ethics also arise due to globalization these issues however can be solved by introduction of laws to govern their operations and policies to ensure the ethical issues are met.
WORKS CITED
Johnson, Deborah G. Computer Ethics. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2001. Print.
Ruddell, Larry. Business Ethics - Faith That Works: Leading Your Company to Long Term Success. Houston, TX: Halcyon Press, 2004. Print.
French, Peter A. Corporate Ethics. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1995. Print.
Quinn, Michael J. Ethics for the Information Age. Boston: Addison-Wesley, 2011. Print.
Lehtinen, Rick, G T. Gangemi, and Deborah Russell. Computer Security Basics. Beijing [u.a.: O'Reilly, 2006. Print.
www.globalization101.org/information technology, Huffington post 2012
