Date of Defense

12-9-2003

Department

Business Information Systems

First Advisor

Pam Rooney, Business Information Systems

Second Advisor

Irma Lopez, Spanish

Third Advisor

Jay Clore

Abstract

Globalization, the internationalization of markets and corporations, has changed the way modern corporations do business, and the signs are everywhere. Currency is interchangeable twenty-four hours a day in foreign markets, U.S. corporations employ over sixty million workers from overseas, foreign investment in the United States is over two trillion dollars, and more than three million Americans work overseas (French 2000).

The effects of globalization are not clearly defined; even so, the debate over the issue is today's topic of discussion amongst business leaders, politicians, and the general public. As corporations play a part in making our world smaller, they in turn becoming increasingly powerful and their "business decisions" affect society as a whole. Therefore, we are all subject to the existence of globalization.

The following paper examines the ways that global corporations are impoverishing humankind by widening the gap between the rich and the poor, eliminating the middle class, and breaking down families and communities. Ultimately, this thesis explores the question regarding the existence of a corporate conscience: should these institutions, based on their extreme economic wealth, have an obligation to society to create constructive policies?

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Campus Only

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