Virgin operates in the third era of Globalization (2000 onwards) where everything is connected through the Web. This means that Virgin use extensively Internet and other technological platforms to conduct its business.
The Globalization of Virgin Atlantic contributed to capture the international market and to the improvement of the organization, but still there are some challenges experienced that influence the organization policies and the decision making, they include:
Co-operation with other airlines (i.e. Singapore Airlines)
Consideration of different cultures of people
Environmental factors (measures to reduce drastically pollution)
Research of outer-space tourism
Consideration of trade agreement and tariffs
Increased airline destinations to other countries especially developing countries
Virgin bargaining power to negotiate better deals with manufactures
Investments in latest technologies
Offer of better working conditions for employees
The benefits Virgin gains from Globalization are that the cooperation with other airlines has proved to be useful to the organization in improving its global network of international destinations and has increased its profit margin. Moreover, thanks to the research of outer-space tourism more and more consumers are curious about the outer-space, and hence the company has taken the initiative to be the first airline that is offering this service. Furthermore, the consideration of trade agreement and tariffs reduces entry barriers costs and organization expenses.
Even stakeholders obtain some advantages from Virgin 's Globalization, i.e. consideration of their different cultures, environmental measures to reduce pollution, increasing number of available airline destinations, better working conditions, and increasing job offers and cheaper airfare through the co-operation with other airlines.
GLOCALIZATION
Virgin Atlantic Strategy is to "think global, act local" to better
References: Online, 27 March, 2001. Goetzl, David, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Advertising Age, 26 June, 2000. Vol. 71, Issue 27, Page 37. Philip Cateora, John Graham and Mary Gilly, International Marketing, 28 September, 2012.