Final answer:
The statement is false, as Thomas Friedman defines the first phase of globalization with countries expanding through military power, not companies globalizing.
Step-by-step explanation:
False. Thomas Friedman, in The World Is Flat, describes the first phase of globalization not as one characterized by companies globalizing, but by countries expanding through military power using horsepower and wind power. This phase lasted from the late fifteenth century to around 1800. It was followed by a period dominated by a globalizing economy, driven by steam and rail power, from around 1800 to 2000. The current era, starting from the 21st century, is shaped by rapid technological advancements, particularly the Internet, influencing social changes and further accelerating globalization processes.