zico wrote:It's been a mystery to me over the past 20 years why globalisation hasn't taken off far more than it has. Maybe the simple answer is that it would have caused too much political turmoil in developed economies if virtually all unskilled workers had been replaced by Far East workers.
I don't think that's the reason. There is a perception amongst managers, probably justified, that managing a foreign move and workforce is just too difficult. I know of one company which outsourced its IT to India, but despite the fact their technical skills were excellent, the U.K. Staff were unable to communicate their requirements to the Indian programmers. The Indians were not familiar with the uk processes they were supposed to be automating. It all broke down and they eventually brought the jobs back to U.K. Same with setting up a factory in asia. It's a difficult task with different languages and business culture. The solution of course would be to hire foreign bosses, but what boss I say going to suggest outsourcing their own role?
Gryff