Introduction The present nature of the world economy is one of expeditious change. National economies, previously secluded from other nations by trade barriers, physical distance, time zones, different languages and culture, differences in government policy, and business practices are now merging. Determinants include reductions in trade barriers, advances in transport and telecommunications technology, and a convergence of material culture. Today, many national economies have advanced into an integrated global economic system. This process of global …showed first 75 words of 1778 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1778 total…Vol. 13, Iss. 2; pg. 13, 1 pgs, retrieved online from http://www.il.proquest.com/proquest Mids.org, (1999), retrieved online, 5th March 2004, from: http://www.mids.org/growth/internet/ Snf.no (2001), Success of GATT negotiating rounds, retrieved online, 5th March 2004,from: http://www.snf.no/Statoil/Global/glob/success_of_gatt_negotiating_roun.htm Celent.com, (2003), Online Retail Payments in Cross-Border E-Commerce Report Published by Celent, retrieved online, 5th March 2004, from: http://www.celent.com/PressReleases/20030610/RetailPayments.htm