Technology has greatly assisted the globalization of pay systems although there are many differences that still require a broad approach, says David Shonfield. We live and work in a global economy but what globalization actually involves is far less obvious, especially for the management of pay and reward. Companies operating in different cultures and economic environments used to leave most things to be determined at local level. That has changed quite significantly over the past few years, especially in the last 18 months. There is now a strong tendency towards centralization and the harmonization of policies and practice in large firms.