This week, "The Thinkers 50" Web site named their 50 most influential business thinkers in the world. Atop its list stood the Indian-born, University of Michigan professor, C.K. Prahalad -- a visionary whose analysis of the market opportunities to be found in the emerging global middle class is must reading for anyone seriously given to strategic thought in the age of globalization.
Globalization is often described as a "race to the bottom," whether to the lowest price or the least protection for workers and the environment. While relevant, these statements are untrue: High levels of globalization connectivity clearly correlates with high wages, good regulatory regimes, and better protection of the environment. Conversely, low connectivity correlates with the worst abuses in each case. ...
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