This week’s readings were particularly interesting to me for a number of reasons. The first
has to do with me being born and raised in Ghana and the second has to do with me
existing within the technology industry. As stated across many of the articles, technology
is advancing rapidly and is spurring a lot of changes in various industries. Additionally,
globalization and its ability to connect the world like never before is playing a huge role
in the creation of new economic opportunities for many but also carries with it some
inherent risks.
has to do with me being born and raised in Ghana and the second has to do with me
existing within the technology industry. As stated across many of the articles, technology
is advancing rapidly and is spurring a lot of changes in various industries. Additionally,
globalization and its ability to connect the world like never before is playing a huge role
in the creation of new economic opportunities for many but also carries with it some
inherent risks.
As someone who exists within the tech industry, the emphasis on the India, China,
Africa, Southeast Asia(ICASA) developing markets is quite relevant and more so apparent
these days. The Global Forces Inspiring A New Narrative Of Progress, made striking
points about urbanization and its spread within the aforementioned regions and the
impact this is likely to have regarding economic growth around the world [1].
Unsurprisingly, this will constitute a shift of the economic loci from existing already
developed countries to currently developing countries, towns, and provinces.
Africa, Southeast Asia(ICASA) developing markets is quite relevant and more so apparent
these days. The Global Forces Inspiring A New Narrative Of Progress, made striking
points about urbanization and its spread within the aforementioned regions and the
impact this is likely to have regarding economic growth around the world [1].
Unsurprisingly, this will constitute a shift of the economic loci from existing already
developed countries to currently developing countries, towns, and provinces.
Various companies within the technology industry already have a significant influence in
developing countries, though they may not have a physical presence in these countries.
More and more, though, these technology companies are making strides to be the first to
set up shop in ICASA regions in order to establish a foothold in these new untapped
markets. Many of the most renown tech companies of today like Google, Facebook,
Amazon, and Microsoft, now have multiple offices in India, China and the other
ICASA regions. These companies have tended to show preference towards expansion
to Southeast Asia, India and China over Africa over the last few years perhaps as a
function of the current state of the development of these regions. Like was mentioned
in the article by Greenberg, Hirt and Smit, though Africa “has the most unfilled
potential...It also faces the greatest challenges [regarding] mobilizing it’s domestic
resources, increasing sustainable urbanization, [etc]. [1]”
developing countries, though they may not have a physical presence in these countries.
More and more, though, these technology companies are making strides to be the first to
set up shop in ICASA regions in order to establish a foothold in these new untapped
markets. Many of the most renown tech companies of today like Google, Facebook,
Amazon, and Microsoft, now have multiple offices in India, China and the other
ICASA regions. These companies have tended to show preference towards expansion
to Southeast Asia, India and China over Africa over the last few years perhaps as a
function of the current state of the development of these regions. Like was mentioned
in the article by Greenberg, Hirt and Smit, though Africa “has the most unfilled
potential...It also faces the greatest challenges [regarding] mobilizing it’s domestic
resources, increasing sustainable urbanization, [etc]. [1]”
Nonetheless, we see companies with enough resources slowly but surely also expanding
to Africa. For example, Google announced the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence
Lab [2] in Ghana not too long ago but has been operating on the continent for a few years
in other countries like Kenya and Nigeria. Similarly, Microsoft has also set up shop in
South Africa and has plans to invest in different initiatives all across Africa. [3]
to Africa. For example, Google announced the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence
Lab [2] in Ghana not too long ago but has been operating on the continent for a few years
in other countries like Kenya and Nigeria. Similarly, Microsoft has also set up shop in
South Africa and has plans to invest in different initiatives all across Africa. [3]
The proliferation of these companies and their presence in the African continent is not
surprising. Truly, their presence could be mutually beneficial to the countries in which
they settle in, as well as the companies in question. They can play a role in helping to
empower numerous individuals and local businesses if their influence within these
countries is kept in check. Otherwise, there is an inherent risk that they may end up
inflicting more harm than good by dominating the markets with their products/services
and stifling local competition since they are already so massive.
surprising. Truly, their presence could be mutually beneficial to the countries in which
they settle in, as well as the companies in question. They can play a role in helping to
empower numerous individuals and local businesses if their influence within these
countries is kept in check. Otherwise, there is an inherent risk that they may end up
inflicting more harm than good by dominating the markets with their products/services
and stifling local competition since they are already so massive.
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