It has been suggested that globalization is a myth and that what is actually taking place is the spread of American values, power and products across the globe. It is further suggested that this will lead to a backlash against American hegemony as those peoples and states without participation in this system will come to resent American influence. In this brief essay it will be argued that globalization is not a myth and that far from a backlash against American hegemony, many other peoples, state and businesses are modeling themselves on America.
In international business circles, entrepreneurship is understood as a major force that is driving globalization, ensuring the flow of goods and services across national borders, and assisting the emerging markets in reaching their potential. More significantly, Supervision (American entrepreneurialà, 1999, p. 6) reported that ôthe entrepreneurial spirit of U.S. companies is the envy of global business leaders, according to a study of 50 global companies undergoing change and transformation.ö As the editors of Supervision (American entrepreneurialà., 1995) put it, U.S. executives and entrepreneurial firms accept transformation as a comprehensive, ongoing process and see it as an inherent part of their organization and strategies. Entrepreneurial firms, regardless of their size or sector, tend to be optimistic about their abilities to meet business challenges with innovative products, processes, and services in order to retain a competitive edge. This is in contrast to many European and Asian businesses which regard transformation in practical and somewhat narrower terms. Unlike American entrepreneurial firms, these businesses focus on operational issues (e.g., quality improvement, customer service, and employee empowerment). Firms rooted in other cultures express concern about class structure, hierarchy, respect for authority, and the strength of unions û and see these element...