The document discusses how the global environment has changed for managers. Previously, managers viewed markets as closed and isolated, but today's environment requires viewing markets as open with global competition. Barriers to trade like tariffs and cultural differences have declined due to improvements in technology and communications. This has opened opportunities for managers to sell and source goods globally but also brings new threats from global competitors. Managers must understand factors in the global task environment like suppliers, distributors, customers, and competitors, as well as forces in the political, economic, and sociocultural environments to effectively compete on a global scale.