The Role of Technology

Technology Played a role in accelerating globalisation by: Increasing the speed of moving people, goods, money and information Reducing costs of moving people, goods, money and information But the gains of globalisation are not evenly spread

Changes in Transport Faster transport has encouraged world travel and trade Faster air transport (jet aircraft): means you can get anywhere in the world in less than a day. This has lead to: Tourism becoming a boom industry Workforces and employees becoming more mobile Perishable products being shared with the world (e.g. flowers, seafood)

Changes in Transport Ocean shipping: has been made more efficient and economical with: Supertankers for bulk cargoes such as oil and wheat Containerisation where goods are taken by factory to shipping containers quickly via train

Changes in ICT Information and ideas that used to take days and months to communicate now only takes seconds Telecommunications: made possible by fibre-optic cables (via cables under land and sea) and satellites (via space). Transmit messages for phone calls, internet and television. Computerisation: revolutionised storage, retrieval and movement of information. The internet allows information to be shared quickly and enables buying, selling and advertising.

The Digital Divide Some people can’t afford a fixed phone line or computer. Only 5% of Africa are connected to the internet (compared to 75% in Australia). Mobile phones are bridging the gap, they are affordable, don’t require a fixed line and can be connected to the internet.