Globalization: A Key Idea for Business and Society analyzes today's process of global integration. Globalization is seen as a complex phenomenon, the drivers of which are of a technological, institutional, cultural and, not least, political nature.The book includes a historical analysis of the rise, and fall, of the "e;first globalization"e; wave which took place between the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the Great War. The chapters focus on the measurement of the global integration process, on the in-depth analysis of the above mentioned "e;drivers"e;, and on some of the actors playing a relevant role in the process itself - multinational companies and governments as owners of global companies. The conclusion of the book provides a perspective on the current "e;globalization backlash"e;, its determinants and possible future alternative scenarios.This book is an ideal resource for students and practitioners interested in past, present and future globalization.

Globalization: A Key Idea for Business and Society analyzes today's process of global integration. Globalization is seen as a complex phenomenon, the drivers of which are of a technological, institutional, cultural and, not least, political nature.The book includes a historical analysis of the rise, and fall, of the "e;first globalization"e; wave which took place between the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the Great War. The chapters focus on the measurement of the global integration process, on the in-depth analysis of the above mentioned "e;drivers"e;, and on some of the actors playing a relevant role in the process itself - multinational companies and governments as owners of global companies. The conclusion of the book provides a perspective on the current "e;globalization backlash"e;, its determinants and possible future alternative scenarios.This book is an ideal resource for students and practitioners interested in past, present and future globalization.