In part, an assumption has been made in the previous chapters, especially Chapter 2, that we live in a global world that can be characterized as post-colonial and neo-colonial. Although management theory, and cross-cultural management theory, have largely ignored geopolitical factors, the nature of the type of power dynamics involved in globalization and its influences on social and organization characteristics worldwide is significant. This does not simply involve, for example, the exploitation of human and natural resources in ‘developing’ countries. There are also major implications for population mobility and, as discussed in Chapter 2, for cultural crossvergence and hybridization of organizational and other human forms (such as the family and religious institutions). Not only has Britain's empire, for example, had the consequence of large numbers of Britons distributed around the world in what used to be her colonies (including the United States), the UK is now a multiculturally diverse nation. This is not simply a consequence of its own empire, and its subsequent breakdown, but more recently a result of the breakdown of the Soviet Empire, and new additions to the European Union. Britain can no longer be regarded as a cultural monolith.

This of course applies to the United States. Starting its modern history as a destination for European and other immigrants, its international activities have greatly increased its reach and attraction for immigration. China may also be a future magnet for immigration.