And companies around the world, big and small, have been succumbing to it since the beginning of the global economic downturn. As companies are forced to look to their bottom line and become leaner, they cut investment in research and development, employee development and training, infrastructure, and more.
经济困难时期削减长期投资同样会伤及私人领域。而世界各地企业无论大小，自全球经济衰退伊始就屈从于这样的诱惑。随着企业被迫进行最大限度的精简，他们大幅削减对研发、员工发展培训和基础设施等领域的投资。更糟的是，即便经济前景看好，也要等到最后才会恢复这些预算领域。