Globalisation and Northern Ireland

Globalisation is the process of building worldwide networks of communication, transportation and trade. This network connects businesses and people, and spreads technology, language and culture.

• Economic growth: Globalisation has fuelled economic growth and investment and allowed for economic diversification.
• Job creation and employment opportunities: The inflow of multinational corporations and the expansion of local businesses into global markets have created jobs across various sectors, contributing to lower unemployment rates and improved living standards.
• Skills development: Global businesses often provide training and development opportunities, enhancing the skills of the local workforce and increasing employability.
• Technological advancements: Scientists, engineers and researchers from around the world can easily share their discoveries and ideas because of globalisation. This allows innovation to speed up and helps solve complex problems faster. For example, scientists from all over the world worked together to come up with the Covid-19 vaccines.
• Access to resources: Many electronic devices need rare minerals found in specific parts of the world — globalisation allows countries to access these resources and materials that are not available locally.
• Cultural enrichment: Globalisation allows people from around the world to share their traditions, food, music and art. This exchange helps people in Northern Ireland learn about and appreciate different cultures.
• Tourism: Northern Ireland’s global visibility has boosted tourism, attracting visitors interested in its history, landscapes and cultural heritage.

• Unemployment: Being part of the global economy can expose Northern Ireland to economic fluctuations and crises that can affect local businesses and employment.
• Industrial decline: Some traditional industries in Northern Ireland have faced decline due to global competition, leading to job losses.
• Social disparities: Economic benefits from globalisation may not be evenly distributed, potentially widening social and economic inequalities within NI.
• Increased pollution: Industrial activities and increased transportation associated with globalisation can lead to higher levels of pollution and environmental damage.

There are many reasons for the dramatic changes in employment patterns over the past half century in Northern Ireland. Here are some examples of those patterns:

• more women working
• gig economy
• increase in STEM jobs
• working from home
• flexible hours
• part-time work
• short-term contracts/zero-hours contracts
• job sharing
• shift to service industries, eg IT
• growth in public sector workers

Globalisation has made its biggest changes in the workplace.

• Workers at the start of the 20th century in Northern Ireland traditionally worked in linen and rope making and also in the shipbuilding industry. Over the past few decades, these jobs have moved to countries where labour costs are lower, such as parts of Asia

• Computers have replaced people in many industries. The car industry was once a big employer, but much of this work is now automated with technology such as robots.

• Meanwhile, there has been an increase in jobs in the IT, customer service and financial sectors.

• Many global companies, like Tesco, Nike, PwC and Seagate Technology, have set up operations in Northern Ireland. This has created new job opportunities in various sectors.

• Globalisation has also created jobs in areas such as export management and international sales as Northern Irish companies now export their goods and services across the world.

As these changes continue, employees must retrain and learn new skills to keep up.