global integration

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The process by which countries, economies, or systems become linked and work together as one connected whole.

   Grammar: Uncountable, so no plural and a singular verb: 'Global integration has changed trade.'

   Patterns

   • global integration of something
   • global integration into something
   • increase/promote global integration

   Global integration has made it easier for small firms to sell abroad.

   The report argues that global integration of financial markets increases risk as well as opportunity.

   Critics say global integration has moved faster than the rules meant to manage it.

2. 2noununcountablebusiness

   The combining of separate parts of a worldwide company or system so that they operate as a single unit.

   Grammar: Common in business writing; often followed by 'of' plus the parts being combined.

   Patterns

   • global integration of operations
   • achieve global integration
   • a global integration strategy

   The merger was followed by the global integration of the two companies' supply chains.

   Our global integration strategy means one IT system for every office.

   Full global integration of the network took three years.

Common combinations

economic global integration

Economic global integration has slowed since the crisis.

global integration strategy

The board approved a new global integration strategy.

promote global integration

The treaty was designed to promote global integration.

the pace of global integration

The pace of global integration varies from region to region.

global integration into world markets

Their global integration into world markets happened quickly.

Synonyms and how they differ

globalization

The broader term for worldwide economic and cultural linking; global integration often names the resulting connectedness rather than the process.

interdependence

Focuses on countries or firms needing each other; global integration stresses that they are joined into one system.

internationalization

Often used for a single company expanding abroad, while global integration suggests many parts working as one.

Opposites

Word family

integrate verb

to combine parts so they work together

integrated adjective

combined into a single working whole

integration noun

the act or process of combining parts

disintegration noun

the process of breaking apart into separate pieces

Commonly confused: global integration or globalization?

Practice

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