ABSTRACT

Real globetrotters of the present are not individuals – as one might guess – but products, commodities and, albeit to a lesser extent, services. Even if the lion's share of producer and consumer trade is undertaken within regions (European Union (EU), North American Free Trade Association (NAFTA), Asia) supply chains more and more spread out between developed and developing countries. While in the past developing countries predominantly acted as raw material suppliers, for the time being finishing processes and knowledge-based work steps and services complement their portfolio. There is no doubt of ongoing processes of a globalizing economy.