How Technology Affected Globalization Connecting the World

In the 21st century, technology and globalisation are closely linked. ACS research shows they work together as twin engines of modern international systems. This partnership has changed how we share ideas, money, and cultures worldwide.

Look at these changes: the internet use grew from 16% to 66% of the world’s population between 2005-2023. Mobile devices are now used by 85% of people globally, beating electricity access in many developing areas. These numbers show how technology is breaking down old barriers.

But it’s not just about infrastructure. Now, traders in New York can work with analysts in Mumbai before the Asian markets open. African artists can sell directly to Europeans through online shops. This democratisation of access opens up new economic opportunities.

But there are also challenges. Digital tools speed up global connections but also show the gap in technology use. The following sections will look at how this mix affects business, culture, and politics in our connected world.

The Interplay Between Technology and Globalisation

Today, globalisation moves faster and covers more ground than ever before. This is thanks to digital systems that have removed old barriers. These systems have changed how we connect, trade, and come up with new ideas. Let’s look at what makes this 21st-century phenomenon tick.

Defining 21st Century Globalisation

Global connections today are very different from the past. Unlike the 20th century, which relied on physical links, today’s world runs on borderless networks and fast data sharing.

Key Characteristics of Modern Interconnectedness

There are three main things that make today’s global connection unique:

• Real-time communication across time zones
• Cloud-based platforms for instant collaboration
• Decentralised decision-making through digital spaces

Technology’s Role as Globalisation Catalyst

The digital transformation of workspaces shows this change. Tools like Zoom, as shown in ACS research on globalisation strategies, cut down international project setup times by 68% from 2019 to 2023. ITU data shows 5.3 billion internet users worldwide – 66% of people are now part of digital worlds.

Three key technologies help with cross-border collaboration:

1. Encrypted data protocols for safe sharing
2. AI translation tools to overcome language barriers
3. Blockchain for easier international contracts

Historical Evolution of Technological Globalisation

Technology and global trade have changed how we interact across the world over three centuries. It started with mechanical breakthroughs and grew with logistics innovation. These innovations created the trade networks we use today.

Early Innovations That Shaped Global Trade

Steam Power and Railway Networks (1800s)

James Watt’s steam engine changed production and transport in the industrial revolution tech era. Railways made travel much faster, connecting places like Manchester to Liverpool. By 1850, Britain’s rail network was over 6,000 miles long.

Transatlantic Telegraph Cables (1858)

The first submarine cable connected Newfoundland to Ireland, changing communication. It made sending messages much faster. This trade infrastructure milestone helped businesses in London and New York talk in real-time.

Post-War Technological Leaps

Container Shipping Standardisation (1956)

Malcolm McLean’s Ideal X carried 58 metal boxes from New Jersey to Houston in 1956. This standardisation greatly reduced costs in Rotterdam. By 1970, container ships carried 30% of global trade.

Jet Age Commercial Aviation (Boeing 707)

Pan Am’s 1958 Boeing 707 flights cut travel times from 18 hours to under 7. Passenger numbers tripled in five years. The World Bank noted 8.1% annual trade growth during this time.

How Did Technology Accelerate Globalisation?

From dial-up modems to 5G towers, technology has changed how we connect at an incredible pace. This change comes from two big shifts: instant communication tools that remove distance and mobile innovations that make global access easier.

Digital Communication Breakthroughs

Internet Proliferation (1990s-Present)

The World Wide Web started in 1991, sparking a big change in how we connect. By 2023, over 5.3 billion people – 66% of the world – had internet access. This bandwidth expansion has made:

• Real-time currency trading between Tokyo and New York
• Cross-continental telehealth consultations
• 24/7 global supply chain monitoring

Platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) have also changed how we connect. Here are some examples:

• 3 billion monthly active Facebook users in 200+ countries
• #BlackLivesMatter protests coordinated across 60 nations via Twitter
• TikTok algorithms spreading Korean pop culture globally

Mobile Technology Revolution

Smartphone Adoption Statistics (2007-2023)

The iPhone’s launch in 2007 started a huge increase in mobile use. GSMA data shows:

• 5.4 billion unique mobile users worldwide (2023)
• Sub-Saharan Africa’s adoption grew 300% from 2010 (ACS data)
• 87% of UK adults own smartphones versus 45% in India (2023 figures)

5G Networks Enabling Real-Time Collaboration

Fifth-generation wireless technology has made things much faster, with latency down to 1 millisecond. This allows:

• German engineers controlling Shanghai factory robots remotely
• Live 8K video streaming from conflict zones
• Multi-country surgical teams operating via augmented reality

Kenya’s M-Pesa mobile money system is a great example of this change. It processes $324 billion a year through basic smartphones, which is 87% of Kenya’s GDP.

Transportation Technologies Shrinking Distances

Global connectivity sped up with new tech in planes and ports. These changes didn’t just make travel faster. They changed how we see distance in business and culture.

Aviation Milestones

Boeing 747’s Impact on Mass Tourism

The Boeing 747 changed everything when it debuted in 1970. It was huge, with 400 seats, making flights cheaper. This meant more people could travel across oceans, doubling air travel numbers in just ten years.

Low-Cost Carrier Business Models

Budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet made flying even cheaper. They focused on direct flights and cut costs by 40-50%. Ryanair’s former CCO said:

“We didn’t invent cheap flights – we made them predictable. £10 fares became routine, not rare promotions.”

Now, these airlines carry over 50 million passengers in Europe every year. They use smaller airports and make extra money from other services.

Shipping and Logistics Innovations

Automated Port Systems

Rotterdam’s smart logistics show how ports can be automated. Its robots and AI manage 14.5 million containers a year. This is like stacking containers from Earth to the Moon twice. The port is 30% faster now than in 2015.

Blockchain in Supply Chain Management

The Maersk-IBM TradeLens platform uses blockchain for cargo tracking. It:

• Reduces paperwork delays by 40%
• Less fraud with unchangeable records
• Tracks container temperatures for fresh goods

With IoT sensors, it tracks shipments to the metre level in over 600 ports.

The Digital Economy’s Global Impact

Digital transactions now shape over 60% of global trade flows. This has created markets that work all the time. It has changed how we do business, letting small businesses compete worldwide.

E-Commerce Platforms Transforming Trade

Online marketplaces are driving globalisation. Amazon’s customer-centric model has 300 million active users worldwide. Alibaba connects 1.3 billion buyers across 200+ countries. These platforms show how digital tools can break down barriers.

Amazon’s Global Marketplace Model

The US giant’s Fulfilment by Amazon programme lets third-party sellers reach global consumers easily. It uses AI to deliver parcels in under 72 hours. This sets a new standard for fast, efficient cross-border delivery.

Alibaba’s Cross-Border Trade Facilitation

China’s e-commerce leader, Alibaba, handles $1.2 trillion annually. Their Electronic World Trade Platform helps SMEs with customs and currency. This boosts exports from developing nations.

Fintech Revolutionising Payments

Financial technology has enabled $6.6 trillion in digital payments annually. Innovations like blockchain and mobile wallets promote financial inclusion. They also cut transaction costs.

Blockchain-Based Transactions (Bitcoin)

Cryptocurrencies make cross-border payments in minutes, not days. They cost 80% less than traditional banking. SWIFT data shows blockchain has cut transfer times from 3 days to 15 minutes.

Mobile Money Systems (M-Pesa in Africa)

Kenya’s M-Pesa mobile network serves 22 million users, moving $11 billion monthly. This is 87% of the country’s GDP. It shows how digital tools can empower the unbanked with smartphones.

“Mobile money accounts in Sub-Saharan Africa now exceed traditional bank accounts 3:1, driving unprecedented economic participation.”

These developments show a key trend. Digital marketplaces and payment systems are more than just tools. They are driving global economic democratisation. As technology improves, they bridge the gap between developed and emerging economies.

Cultural Exchange Through Digital Platforms

Digital platforms have become modern-day cultural bridges. They let ideas and traditions flow across borders fast. This digital-driven cultural diffusion changes how societies interact. It creates shared experiences that go beyond where we live.

Streaming Services Creating Global Audiences

Netflix’s Content Localisation Strategy

Netflix is in 190 countries, showing how media globalisation works through content adaptation. Shows like Money Heist are dubbed in 32 languages. Local hits like Squid Game also get a lot of viewers. This makes regional stories big worldwide while keeping their cultural feel.

K-pop’s Global Reach via YouTube

BTS’s Dynamite music video got 101 million views in 24 hours. This shows how K-pop is spreading digitally. Over 70% of K-pop fans outside Asia find new artists on YouTube. This helps cross-cultural engagement grow.

Social Media’s Cultural Impact

TikTok Trends Crossing Continental Boundaries

The #JerusalemaChallenge brought people from 100+ countries together in a South African dance. TikTok’s algorithm focuses on engagement, not where you are. This lets cultural expressions like Maori haka dances reach 50 million views worldwide. It changes how traditions grow online.

Language Translation Technologies

Tools like DeepL handle 500 billion characters a month. They help people understand each other in 31 languages. Instagram’s auto-translate feature now covers 90% of content. This makes talking to people from other countries feel like chatting with neighbours.

Challenges of Technologically-Driven Globalisation

Technological advances have made the world more connected. But, they’ve also shown us big weaknesses in our systems. Two big problems are unequal access to digital tools and growing security risks that cross borders.

Digital Divide Concerns

The International Telecommunication Union says 2.9 billion people are not online worldwide. There are huge differences in access. For example, Silicon Valley has 95% internet access, but only 40% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s people use the internet regularly.

Internet Access Disparities

This gap in internet access creates economic problems. In some areas, people can’t join online markets. South Asia, despite having big tech cities like Bangalore, has 50% of the world’s unconnected people.

Technological Infrastructure Gaps

Many developing countries lack fast internet and 5G. Mozambique’s internet capacity is tiny compared to London’s, according to the World Bank.

Cybersecurity Threats

As we connect more, cyber vulnerability becomes a big problem. UNCTAD says cybercrime could cost the global economy $6 trillion a year by 2025.

Cross-Border Data Privacy Issues

GDPR’s rules affect companies worldwide. A 2023 Microsoft report found 68% of tech firms spent over £1.2 million a year on compliance.

Ransomware Attacks on Multinationals

The 2021 Colonial Pipeline attack showed how one failure can affect many. Hackers got $4.4 million in cryptocurrency, showing the weak spots in our systems.

We need to work together to solve these problems. If we don’t tackle the digital divide and cyber threats, technology could make things worse, not better.

Conclusion

Technology plays a big role in shaping globalisation. The EU Digital Compass 2030 shows how urgent this is. It aims for 5G coverage for everyone and digital skills for 80% of Europeans.

Public-private partnerships are key to bridging gaps. The American Chemical Society supports working together. Companies like Microsoft and Cisco Systems help governments expand broadband access.

Cybersecurity is essential as we connect more. The UN has made new rules to fight cybercrime. It’s important to balance innovation with keeping data safe, as AI changes finance and healthcare.

Kenya’s M-Pesa shows how mobile tech can include people in the economy. It has 51 million users in Africa. This shows the power of working together globally.

We should see connectivity as a shared goal, not just a competition. From tracking shipping containers to adapting Netflix shows, technology can help everyone. We need to work together and be open about how we make decisions.