Few generations have seen such rapid changes and expansion in technology, trade and globalization as we have experienced in the past few decades. The rise of China and other Far East economies, the internet and e-commerce, volatile fuel prices, automation and environmental issues are just some of the factors that have – and will continue to – influence and transform our business and personal lives. Companies, business models and management techniques have had to evolve to both reflect and take advantage of these changes which, most critically, have made possible the enormous increase in world trade and global prosperity. Greater use of collaborative partnerships, outsourcing and off-shoring has created elongated networks of organizations that require more sophisticated management and controls than ever before.

在技术、贸易和全球化方面，我们在过去几十年中经历过如此迅速的变化和扩张，很少有几代人见过。中国和其他远东经济体的崛起，互联网和电子商务，不稳定的燃油价格，自动化和环境问题，只是已经并将继续影响和改变我们的商业和个人生活的一些因素。公司、商业模式和管理技术必须不断发展，以反映和利用这些变化，最关键的是，这些变化使世界贸易和全球繁荣的巨大增长成为可能。更多地利用合作伙伴关系、外包和离岸外包已经形成了一个拉长的组织网络，比以往任何时候都需要更复杂的管理和控制。