Final answer:
Cloud computing has actually made outsourcing easier for firms by promoting remote management and operational efficiencies, contradicting the false belief that it makes outsourcing more difficult. It has played a significant role in shaping global competition and the structuring of firms in today's economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that cloud computing has made it more difficult for firms to outsource portions of their business is False. In fact, cloud computing and advancements in information and communications technology (ICT) have facilitated the outsourcing process, making it easier and more cost-effective for firms to delegate tasks to external providers. This technology enables businesses to manage operations remotely, including those in different countries, leading to an increase in global competition among firms.
Outsourcing practices have grown, particularly in manufacturing and low-level clerical jobs, affecting the job market in developed nations by reducing the number of high-paying, unionized positions. Simultaneously, the rise of ICT has helped create large, dominant firms, such as Microsoft and Amazon, which can efficiently manage widespread operations. Companies can also outsource to leverage cost advantages in other regions, contributing to global competition and influencing firm size and structure.
Overall, globalization and ICT advances have enhanced firms' abilities to outsource, which in turn affects both employment opportunities and business strategies within the global marketplace.