| Description |
With our world now fully engulfed in the 21st century, we find ourselves living, working, and communicating on a more globalized scale than ever before. This massive movement toward globalization has transcended beyond just our daily activities; it has proven to have major implications on our world as a whole. Business dealings and communication with foreign leaders have almost been completely altered from that of years past, and there is no one finite predictor as to why. This thesis delves into specific aspects as to why many large corporations, once dominant in the business world, find themselves left behind by newer, younger, more fast-paced corporations. In addition, it takes a step back to look at this new phenomenon known as globalization, and hones in on specific aspects relating to that of leadership and how it must continue to be refined as we move further toward a true globalized society. Major corporations that once stood atop the corporate world have found themselves floundering amid a sea of new high-tech giants. These new corporate powerhouses have distanced themselves from traditional business practices and leadership protocol. As it stands now, these traditional forms of leadership have slowly begun dissipating, and large, mature corporations are suffering because of it, while newer, modern approaches have allowed young companies to flourish. As much of the research shows, hierarchical leadership styles must be phased out in place of a more horizontal approach if true leaders and their businesses want to remain relevant in the 21st century. Factors such as economic, political, and social forces have laid the groundwork for such a major shift in leadership approaches and business protocol, and are clear indicators of what it will entail to be successful in this new age of globalization. Different forms of hard, soft, and smart power also play a major role in defining a true leader as well as attitudinal shifts of transactional and transformational nature. With these clearly defined criteria, we are able to better understand the emergence of newer, global powerhouse companies, the leadership styles they employ, and the effect they have on our everyday lives. |
