Module 5, The World is Flat

Module 5

Reading further into The World is Flat, Thomas Friedman introduces the concept of triple convergence, explores a question on whom is exploiting whom through outsourcing from an example of companies in Indiana and India, and discusses the importance of intellectual property laws in today’s flat world. 

Friedman uses a concept called triple convergence to describe a new playing field, where both individuals and businesses have begun to develop new habits, skills, and processes to get the most out of today’s ever-changing technology.  All of the world’s flattening forces that developed through technological advancement is collaborating and converging together.  This is the concept of triple convergence.  Netscape, work flow software, outsourcing, insourcing, offshoring, uploading, and supply chains are examples.  This concept enables collaborating on a global, web enabled scale for the purposes of innovation, production, research, and entertainment.  This new platform will help the world’s economy flourish.

In an example of outsourcing through a company in Indiana and one in India, Friedman proposes an interesting question on who is exploiting whom?  In 2003, the state of Indiana put out a bid to upgrade the state’s computer systems that process unemployment claims.  Tata America International, an Indian consulting firm, won the contract despite Indiana’s intent to hold on to values that restrain against outsourcing.  So who is exploiting whom?  I think its difficult to say who is being exploited.  An argument can be made for either side, but I personally believe that neither side is being exploited.  Both companies will profit from collaborating in different ways.  An argument can be made that Indiana is being exploited.  If they chose to keep the job domestic, they’ll lose 8.1 million dollars that can go back to the state.  India views this as an opportunity and exploits it.  On the other side, however, you can argue that India is being exploited simply because Indiana is taking advantage of India’s cheap labor through outsourcing.  I think that through outsourcing both ends will gain from it, and it will help the world’s economy overall as a whole. 

Another question brought to our attention, is who owns what in terms of intellectual property in the flat world today?  How do we protect the legal rights of an innovator’s intellectual property so that they can reap the financial benefits, but at the same time, how do we keep the laws from being too stringent so that we can encourage the sharing of intellectual property?  Intellectual property is the innovation of an individual in which exclusive rights are recognized in the law.  As the world becomes more flat through technological advancements, intellectual property laws will need to adjust so that society can enjoy the benefits of individual innovation.  We need to rethink our ideas of intellectual property for collaborative information and the innovative communities to flourish.