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Introduction
Changing circumstances, be they political, social, or business, demand thoughtful reflection. Tactical and strategic initiatives change and competition and cooperation priorities are often left to leaders to consider. In fact, there have been occasions where changes were rapid and profound and their impact was felt even in far off places. On the other hand, change may appear deep and permanent, though in reality it is superficial. Enthusiastic social scientists and consultants without asking the right questions and carefully investigating trends reach conclusions that are at best idealistic if not realistic.
A case in point was the rapid globalization of business and the appearing abatement of the Cold War which induced Ohmae to declare, in 1995, The End of the Nation State . The years that have followed, despite the gains achieved by MNCs as major actors in the global economy and the spread of regional economies, have proven that the nation-state as a concept and as an entity is still valid, though its functions have undergone some changes. Likewise, Francis [2] Fukuyama (1992) The End of History , claimed the victory of capitalism and liberal democracy and the demise of any rival ideology. This, too, was overoptimistic as many countries afterwards questioned certain capitalist principles and whether liberal democracy, as it is perceived in the West, could be confirmed as a universal concept or even practical in some other cultures ([4] Ohmae, 1995).
Despite inaccuracies in predictions or lack of an adequate reading of history, both Ohmae and Fukuyama have established a unique niche, in business consulting and in scholarly circles. This by itself, irrespective of the logic of their analysis, represents a remarkable achievement. In the marketing of ideas, creative thinking is a virtue and the formulation, presentation, packaging, and selling of ideas amounts to entrepreneurial initiative. This is not only because introducing an idea raises curiosity, but also because there is a possibility that such ideas might enlighten people and provide answers to pressing issues.
Whether the subject of debate is The End of the Nation State or The End of History , application are ample for business organizations and implications for managers are plenty. This is true at national and global levels. Neither managers nor their organizations are independent of...