Henry Reid-Morrison

Professor Belinda Walzer

ENGW 3315
February 1, 2016
Discourses & Globalization

Business is a term used to define a profession, trade, or organization that pursues the
creation, development, sale and distribution of products. It can range from mom and pop shops
that sell homemade baked goods to multi-level corporations that produce an international paper
supply. Businesses have become so essential to society, both domestically and globally, that
universities have provided studies to help achieve a background and degree in it. Globalization,
which is the integration and interconnectedness of countries activities and interactions rise
internationally, plays a major role in the innovation and development of society. Its effects on
education and professions have substantial effect on each but is utilized very differently.
Northeastern University has developed one of the top Business Schools in America, the
DAmore-McKim School of Business, and its main focus is committed to embedding a global
mindset and orientation into all of [their] programs, research, and outreach activities (DAmoreMcKim). Northeastern recognizes that the interconnectedness between countries are
continuously increasing and similarities are becoming stronger between countries due to
globalization, therefore it has transformed business education to take full advantage of

experiential, global, and entrepreneurial learning opportunities (DAmore-McKim). This

international and globalized expansion has been taken advantage of by companies such as
Walmart that now operates in 27 countries outside of the United States (Walmart Website).
Walmart would be a profitable business just by operating domestically, however due to rapid
technological advances, geographical and cultural communication barriers are disappearing, and
even smaller businesses without a physical presence in other countries can market and sell their
products internationally (Marketing-Schools.org). This is a blessing in the eyes of businesses
because it becomes slightly easier to market products internationally with the similarities arising
between demographics. Walmart and Northeastern University both have a clear understanding of
the major importance of international business; Walmart by building and developing in multiple
countries outside of its perimeters and Northeastern by increasing the intellect and knowledge of
future business professionals.
Northeastern University has developed one of the most diversified student campuses and
this has drawn the attention of many families and potential students. Its purposeful use of
technology has played a major role in the development of international connectedness and
integration. Firstly, overviewing the universities website and briefly looking at the pictures of
people we notice the international reach that Northeastern has accomplished. People all around
the world who review the Northeastern website are welcomed with a message from the Dean
who emphasizes the globalized culture that Northeastern has developed and the intent to embed
and increase the knowledge of the students to be useful internationally. In this message he states
Our unique educational model that integrates strong academics with authentic experiential
learning opportunities is extremely well suited to meet the evolving needs of todays business

student and the global marketplace (DAmore McKim). Northeastern makes sure to emphasize
the globalized aspect of learning on its website.
Northeastern also does and amazing job of allowing students to travel abroad for learning
experiences. Northeastern is one of the few universities that allows students to travel abroad
learning the cultures, traditions, and languages of other countries, to say the least. Students not
only inherit knowledge but now can experience it first hand in the country of their choosing,
while having the opportunity to take any online class pertaining to their major. It goes without
saying that Northeastern University out does itself by creating the environment that it promises
and providing the globalized knowledge that is beneficial to future entrepreneurs. Northeastern
Universitys integrated methods of teaching is an effective strategy for increasing the
comprehension of business and globalization. The impact of Northeastern University uses of
technology and goals in globalization is summarized in this quote, As technology creates leaps
in communication, transportation, and financial flows, the world continues to feel smaller and
smaller. It is possible for companies, [schools], and consumers to conduct business in almost any
country around the world thanks to advances in international [integration] and trade (MarketingSchools.org). Northeastern does a remarkable job of incorporating the global aspects of business
into the educations of its students, who is turn will be prosperous business men and women who
will utilize the global outreach to build and develop their businesses.
The innovation of techniques and processes in the business profession have allowed
businesses to adapt with the changing environment and increase their share globally and
domestically. Businesses such as Walmart, which operate in 28 countries including the United
Sates, recognize the importance of globalized business. In 5 years Walmart expanded 18%
globally outside of the United States and mentions with more than 6,200 stores internationally

we leverage our global resources to meet local needs. Walmart International is currently the
fastest growing part of our business (Walmart.com). With the expansion of information
technology and cultural homogenization, Walmart pursued globalization and has opened multiple
retailers worldwide. Walmart understands the consumers behavior and has generated new and
innovative strategies and procedures to appeal to the needs and wants of individuals. This way
they can maintain original customers and acquire new customers. Walmart has also developed a
globalized ecommerce website because shopping online has become the new trend. It allows
faster and easier access to the store worldwide as well as a wider variety of products that may not
be available in the store. Walmart operates in 10 countries and sees 45 million visits a month
(Walmart.com).
Walmart was also outsourcing much of its manufacturing in China, mainly because it was
cheaper due to Chinas low labor costs. Outsourcing became increasingly easier through
globalization because of increased connectivity. According to a presentation found on Global
Marketing Management, Theodore Levitt, who was a profound American economist and
professor, argued that world markets are becoming increasingly similar making it unnecessary
to localize the marketing mix (DocSlide, Documents.tips). This could be either beneficial or
hurtful to businesses. An increase in similarities will allow marketers to move to a more
standardized approach when it comes marketing, however it makes it more difficult when it
comes to differentiating similar products developed by different companies. The presentation
states that Some firms standardize parts of a campaign to capture the benefits of global
standardization, but customize others to respond to local cultural and legal environments
(DocSlide, Documents.tips). Transporting products internationally and reaching out to the
interregional demographics and target audiences with similar attributes have become much easier

thanks to international communications and connectivity and a neutrality in tastes from

globalization.
Northeastern and Walmart, although very different, approaches globalization in a similar
fashion. They understand and recognize that globalization is an effective approach to developing
and building a business. Northeastern focuses on utilizing globalization for educational purposes
by allowing students to travel through various countries to learn as well as attracting
international students to Boston to receive a top notch education. Walmart, on the other hand,
utilizes globalization as a more profitable way to increase their business by targeting multiple
audiences with similar tastes and outsourcing products so that their return on investments are
increased. Both Northeastern and Walmart are operating on a global and international scale but
individually are approaching their discourse communities respective to their business choices
surrounding the conversation of globalization.

Works Cited
"Global Marketing - Documents." Documents.tips. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2016.
<http://documents.tips/documents/global-marketing-55d295cf6a6f4.html>.
"International Marketing | What Is International Marketing?" International Marketing | What Is
International Marketing? N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2016. <http://www.marketingschools.org/types-of-marketing/international-marketing.html>.
"Marketing Disciplines in Innovation." Marketing Disciplines in Innovation. N.p., n.d. Web. 24
Jan. 2016. <http://www.market-engineering.com/index.php/home/newsletter-list/55innovation/89-marketing-disciplines-in-innovation>.
"What Is Marketing Strategy?" BusinessDictionary.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/marketing-strategy.html>.
About Us." Message from the Dean. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2016. <http://www.damoremckim.northeastern.edu/about-us/message-from-the-dean/>.
"Walmart - Our Business." Walmart - Our Business. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2016.
<http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/our-business>.

Self-Reflection
Composing this paper was not an easy task. For majority of the paper is was very
confused on how the paper was supposed to be developed. Initially, I thought we were supposed
to just analyze how globalization has had an effect of the major of our choosing. It seemed very
difficult to write 1000+ words without getting too repetitive in the writing. After receiving the
peer reviews and the reviews from the professor, it seemed to be a bit clearer what was expected
from the assignment, however I was still lost. I believe I could have written a much better paper
if I had a better understanding from the beginning instead of having the rewrite the entire paper,
but things happen. I am taking this as a learning experience and in the future will ask more
questions before just delving into writing a 1000 page paper. I really appreciated the reviews that
I received however because it allowed me a chance to think and get another persons perspective
on what to write.
When composing this paper, I wrote and reread each paragraph about five times before
moving on to the next paragraph just make sure that my ideas connected and made sense.
Afterwards I read the entire paper again to make sure it all connected and looked from
grammatical errors as best I could.