Humans are a social species, which has both positive and negative consequences for society

 Part 1

Humans are a social species and as such have developed highly advanced capacities to socialize. Humanity has evolved in such a way that it is capable of ensuring that it is able to not only promote its interests, but also those of other species across the planet. Thus, human beings have risen from being prey for other species, to being the apex predator of the planet, and this situation has come about mainly because of their ability to socialize. Socialization has allowed for the establishment of a scenario within which humanity is better able to communicate with one another to such an extent that they have made great achievements. However, while this may be the case, it is essential to note that humanity, because of its ability to socialize, has also shown a capacity for destruction that is unprecedented in the history of the world. Not only have humans developed some of the worst weapons to fight one another, such as nuclear and biological weapons, they have also undertaken courses of action that can only be considered self-destructive, as seen in the manner through which climate change and its resulting effects are not being taken seriously. This paper makes an evaluation of the claim that humans are a social species that have both positive and negative consequences for society.

One of the most fundamental characteristics that mark humanity is their need and ability to socialize. This species seems to have been built to attain socialization, and this can be seen in the manner through which humans will constantly seek out other humans not only for companionship, but also to attain a sense of community (Hardman, 2009). Humans seem to only be able to thrive when they are with other humans, meaning that they cannot attain their full potential without the company of others of their species. It is pertinent to note that because of this characteristic, humans have also been able to establish themselves into societies; a factor that cannot be underestimated. This is because humanity has, through socialization and the establishment of societies, been able to secure for itself a large part of the world. Societies are what makes humans one of the most unique species on the planet because they not only provide these individuals with an environment within which they feel safe, but they also ensure that these individuals are better able to master their environment and establish unique communities. Thus, socialization has allowed humanity to thrive in all environments across the world, from the mildest to the harshest climates. The need and ability to socialize has also allowed for the establishment of an environment within which humans have been able to thrive in a manner that has yet to be achieved by any other species. Socialization can be considered responsible for the establishment of human civilization and the manner through which these civilizations have been able to develop and grow in their uniqueness.

Additionally, the ability of humans to socialize has also established their capacity to help one another. It has allowed members of this species to develop societies that can be considered avenues of mutual assistance. Societies allow individuals within them a place within which they can support one another, as seen through how different talents are brought together for mutual benefit. The specialization in different tasks that is prevalent in society is an aspect of socialization because human beings within such societies are able to make use of their unique talents to advance the course of their communities (Hardman, 2009). Furthermore, in modern society, as the gap between the rich and poor has widened, there has developed attempts by some of those that are wealthier to provide support to the poorer ones through a diversity of philanthropic initiatives. Also, in certain communities, such as those that have Islam as the official religion, individuals that are well off are obligated to support their poorer counterparts as a means of making sure that all individuals have their basic needs fulfilled. Humans, therefore, are a species that because of their ability to socialize, have developed a sense of empathy towards one another. Empathy is a characteristic that is most observed in humans, which shows that despite the considerable differences between the environments in which they live, it remains paramount. It is for this reason that humans are the species that stays with their young for the longest period because the latter are not only helpless at birth, but human parents will often invest considerable time and effort into ensuring that their children grow up in a safe environment. The latter characteristic is one that has allowed humanity to establish strong bonds of community that has ensured the species continues to thrive against all odds.

However, despite the latter being the case, humans, because of their being a social species, also has the capacity to cause great harm to one another. This can be seen through the wars that have taken place throughout human history. Most of the wars or conflicts that have taken place are between human communities as they compete because of pride due to their ethnicity or over resources (Hardman, 2009). Consequently, the human ability to socialize, which has allowed for the establishment of communities, has also led to these communities viewing others as rivals. Conflict is a part of human nature, and this has become prevalent, especially when one considers how this species has established communities with distinct identities. Fighting over resources has been a factor of human existence since the beginning of societies, and it has resulted in the deaths of uncountable individuals. Furthermore, in the process of these conflicts, some human communities have shown a great capacity for violence, as they have undertaken to not only conquer their weaker neighbors, but also exterminate them through genocidal acts. This can be seen in the case of such major events of the modern world as the genocides that took place during the Yugoslav Wars and the Rwanda genocide in the 1990s, among many others throughout human history. The capacity of humanity to cause harm to others is born out of the idea that their community is superior to others, and this was the justification for the European powers colonizing other parts of the world during the age of empires. The colonization process in most cases was undertaken violently, to such an extent that in some parts of the world, the native communities became extinct.

Moreover, the human capacity to cause harm can be seen through the harm it has caused to the environment. The latter can be considered to have also come about because of humans being a social species. The rapid growth of human societies and urban areas created a demand for goods and services that could no longer be sustained through subsistence, hence the development of industrialization and the mass production involved in the provision of these products. Consequently, the continued demand for resources and products has created a situation where considerable harm has been caused to the environment through the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (Adams, 2020). The urge to increase human economic output is a driving force in today's globe. This is a process that encompasses both the consumption of commodities and their way of production, and it frequently overlooks the need to promote environmental concerns (Adams, 2020). As a result of this condition, without concern for human beings' living environment, it is becoming increasingly impossible to ensure that it is protected from harm. Human activity is putting significant strain on the planet's natural functioning. This is a critical topic because it entails a scenario in which the varied ecosystems present on Earth may be unable to sustain future generations.

Therefore, it is essential to make sure that there is the promotion of a scenario where it is possible to bring about the creation of initiatives where humans are able to change for the better. This process requires that humanity learn to work together hand in hand as a means of not only preventing causing harm to one another, but also to the environment. The human ability to socialize can therefore be brought to the fore in order to promote the development of strong initiatives aimed at ensuring the prevention of its harmful effects. For example, the issue of preserving diverse ecosystems for the benefit of future generations cannot be taken for granted, and there is an urgent need to promote an effective way of mitigating this problem (Adams, 2020). The latter is an urgent issue which requires cooperation from all sectors of human society in order to be effective. Additionally, humans have the international institutions necessary to ensure that the effects of conflict and climate change are mitigated effectively in order to bring about lasting solutions to these problems. Also, ecologically sustainable behavior patterns are a pertinent means of making sure that there is the achievement of the goal of making all humans responsible for their actions towards the environment. This change in culture, from one dominated by consumerism to one that is environmentally conscious, has the potential of playing an important role in not only bringing about a greater level of sustainability with a diversity of ecosystems intact, but it also allows for a reduction or even elimination of the social inequality that is prevalent in modern society.

In conclusion, humans as a social species are capable of causing both positive and negative consequences for society. They have the capacity to ensure that not only is it possible to achieve great things through working together, but also establishing frameworks of mutual protection and support. However, while the latter may be the case, it is also necessary to consider that humans as a social species cause significant destruction as seen through the senseless violence towards one another during conflicts, and the undertaking of activities that are harmful to the environment. The latter have become matters of serious concern in the modern world to such an extent that there are calls for action to be taken. There is the need to promote the idea that humans have to take advantage of their ability to socialize in order to undertake actions to bring about behavior patterns that ensure environmental sustainability and an end to conflicts with one another.

Part 2

One of the most significant factors concerning the modern world is that conspiracy theories have become more prevalent. This has developed to such an extent that it has to be taken seriously in order for there to be effective means of preventing it from spreading. For most of the human population, conspiracy theories might be difficult to take seriously to such an extent that when individuals hear them, they are more likely to ignore them than to accept them as fact (Byford, 2011). The belief that there are secret masterminds behind events and that there are major cover ups on a global scale is actually a factor that is only chuckled over when heard. However, with the advent of social media, this has become a serious problem. It can be seen in the manner through which the students have readily accepted the belief that tracking devices have been put in their vehicles to monitor them and that the solution is to use their phones when driving. Such conspiracies and belief in them can be considered detrimental to the welfare of the students involved because it creates an environment of fear and risk taking that is in reality nothing to worry about. The recognition of the fact that this theory and others like it might be endangering the lives of students is enough to promote the need to advance initiatives to understand the reasons behind why students believe them. The latter is a challenge that needs to be established as a means of bringing about the promotion of a scenario where there are effective means of reversing their effects on the beliefs of the students involved and instead promote risk aversion behavior when they are driving.

One of the most significant factors that might lead the students to believe the abovementioned conspiracy theory is that they want to maintain control over their lives. This is especially the case where they feel that they do not have control and this sense requires that they take on actions that help them regain it. In this case, they are essentially becoming influenced by a form of bias that enforces their outlook of the world over those that are factual. The human mind has evolved to value consistency and regularity. As a result, when a great crisis occurs, whether locally or nationally, the unexpected unpredictability scares individuals to such an extent that they will want to get back to control. Consequently, these individuals will seek satisfactory explanations for what is happening, even if they are patently incorrect (Byford, 2011). Conspiracy theories appear to supply the answers that these individuals seek. The latter might prove a challenge because it allows individuals the belief in something that makes them comfortable and in control. It reduces their capacity to think beyond the theories that have been presented to them; instead creating a scenario where they are placed in a position of great vulnerability. It is this vulnerability that leads to the problem mentioned; namely driving while on the phone. Most of the information concerning this theory comes from social media, meaning that the students have to be prevented from viewing such sites. This can be done through the school essentially reporting the site and its contents to government regulators so that further action can be taken.

However, this is only the first step, the next one being to encourage group counseling sessions that will allow for the debunking of the conspiracy theories. This process will require that there is the identification of those individuals that believe in the conspiracy and play an active role in its spread. It is noteworthy that such individuals are attracted to the idea of the presence of a huge villain, which is one of the distinguishing characteristics of any conspiracy. Whatever the plot says, they will almost certainly lay the blame at the feet of an underground group that's pulling the strings of the world right under their noses. They can be real, like the government, or fictional, like the Illuminati, but they all play a vital role in the plot. Such beliefs are fueled because a strong belief that only a few people share such a lonely experience (Byford, 2011). Humans are social creatures by nature, and most people do not want to feel like the recluses and outliers that conspiracy theorists sometimes portray. Certainly the internet has solved this dilemma, for better or for worse, as there are now hundreds of social networks where like-minded conspiracy theorists can communicate, discuss their theories and have their beliefs verified by others.

Therefore, there is need to target those students that feel isolated and are therefore susceptible to such theories. Those who are self-conscious are more inclined than others to believe in conspiracy theories, maybe to deflect blame for their failings. Powerlessness, anxiety, solitude, and alienation have all been connected to conspiracy ideas (Byford, 2011). Those who believe they are unimportant cogs in the political, economic, and social wheel are more likely to believe that malevolent forces are at work. Meanwhile, other techniques of addressing misinformation should not be abandoned because they contribute to its reduction. Debunking is exceedingly tough, yet it has the potential to be successful. Rather than just labeling something wrong or misleading, debunkers must explain why it is untrue, pointing attention to deception methods and presenting evidence. It may be more beneficial to inform students about conspiracy ideas ahead of time. It can operate as a preventative measure against disinformation. This strategy alerts individuals to the possibility of disinformation before they believe it. Addressing the students' psychological needs may amplify these impacts. This may make conspiracy theories and other falsehoods less appealing, as well as increase overall well-being. Education disproves conspiracy theories by developing critical thinking and empowering individuals. Other approaches might foster a sense of shared identity, enhancing emotions of belonging and significance. There should be an emphasis on solidarity within the student body and making sure that there is the advancement of means through which students are encouraged to make use of the institution’s counseling services. This will not only combat the effects of loneliness and anxiety that makes students vulnerable to conspiracy theories, but will further enhance their ability to resist the temptation of believing conspiracy theories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Adams, M. (2020) Anthropocene psychology: Being human in a more-than-human world.   Routledge.

Byford, J. (2011) Conspiracy theories: A critical introduction.   Springer.

Hardman, D. (2009) Judgment and decision making: Psychological perspectives.   John Wiley & Sons.

Immigration Laws and Their Effect on the Economy of California

 

Immigration laws in the United States have been in place since the founding of the nation and these have been changed to suit the various circumstances that it has faced. One of the most significant issues in the contemporary world, immigration has received both support and opposition from various sections of American society. Immigration policies, especially within the Trump administration have become such a controversial issue that it has the potential of affecting various parts of the country, especially the economy. One of the states that is likely to experience some economic effects if the Trump administration’s immigration laws and rules are implemented to their fullest is California. In this paper, there will be a discussion of the impact that immigrants have in the local economy, how they affect taxation, and the potential effects of the Trump administration immigration policies on California’s economy.

Studies have shown that the state of California is one of the biggest beneficiaries of immigration in the country. This is because a considerable number of immigrants, especially undocumented ones, have settled in the state. These individuals take on those jobs that many locals would not take and this ensures that some sectors continue running.[1] In addition, because they demand lesser pay than their American counterparts, they act as a fuel for the local economy because employers have more money at hand to ensure that they make investments that not only expand their businesses, but also create jobs. Business expansion makes it possible for employers to create jobs that Americans are able to take; showing that immigration does not have to be seen in a negative light since it plays a role in creating local employment. Most immigrants are also consumers, meaning that they make purchases of what they need while at the same time promoting the local economy because of their expenditures.

Moreover, they are also important contributors to the government revenues at all levels, including the local, state, and federal levels.[2] This is an extremely important factor because one of the major points that are made against immigration is that the government tends to spend more on these individuals than on the average American. However, a study conducted by the Trump administration, which was later rejected because of significant pressure from the White House, shows the considerable benefits that refugees and immigrants have on the economy.[3] The study shows that despite the considerable government expenditure that the government commits towards these individuals, the latter brings in billions more in revenues. A result is that a decision to curb immigration would have a negative effect not only on the economy, but also on government revenues. Rather than creating jobs for Americans, it has the potential of leading to a situation where those jobs that Americans do not want to undertake would be left undone; creating a negative economic impact on the nation.

The development of immigration policy in the United States is often driven by interest groups. This is especially the case considering that these groups often lobby in Congress to ensure that laws favoring their positions are adopted. Among the most influential interest groups in the country are unions, which have essentially driven the narrative of the need to take a hard line when it comes to immigration.[4] These unions have done so because of the belief that immigrants take on jobs that rightfully belong to Americans and that there is need to impose lower caps on the number of immigrants allowed into the country. Another interest group that is influential in the formulation of immigration policy is made up of businesses, which benefit the most from immigrant workers.[5] These promote the idea that it is essential for immigration levels to be increased for the sake of the economy. However, in the current administration, it seems that unions have an upper hand when it comes to promoting the development of immigration policies.

In conclusion, the discussion above has sought to bring about an understanding of the benefits of immigration to the United States through an analysis of the impact that immigrants have in the local economy, how they affect taxation, and the potential effects of the Trump administration immigration policies on California’s economy. It has shown that immigrants are an integral part of the economy, and despite their status, they are important in helping in the advancement of the nation. Immigrants are also important because they not only spend their income in the country, but also pay taxes that increase government revenues.

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[1] Jeffrey S Passel and D Cohn, "Size of Us Unauthorized Immigrant Workforce Stable after the Great Recession," Pew Research Center Hispanic Trends  (2016): 8.

[2] Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Somini Sengupta, "Trump Administration Rejects Study Showing Positive Impact of Refugees," The New York Times  (2017).

[3] Ibid.

[4] Giovanni Facchini, Anna Maria Mayda, and Prachi Mishra, "Do Interest Groups Affect Us Immigration Policy?," Journal of International Economics 85, no. 1 (2011): 118.

[5] Jens Hainmueller and Daniel J Hopkins, "The Hidden American Immigration Consensus: A Conjoint Analysis of Attitudes toward Immigrants," American Journal of Political Science 59, no. 3 (2015): 531.

The Decisional Role of a Manager

Introduction

Within the organizational environment, the manager should undertake the process of not only making decisions, but also solving problems. Under such circumstances, it is essential for the manager to make sure that he has knowledge concerning the problems and potential problems, as well as the promotion of means through which to come to decisions that have a positive effect on the work environment. it is also necessary for the manager to make sure that the decisions that he makes are relevant to the issue being resolved in order to bring about a situation where there is the achievement of organizational goals. This paper focuses on the decisional role of the manager and the manner through which he can be able to achieve effectiveness in his role.

Literature Review

When it comes to the decisional role of the manager, it is essential for them to ensure that they are able to undertake the role of entrepreneur (Horlacher & Hess, 2016). This is a highly critical responsibility because it involves a process where they are required to make sure that there is a constant improvement of the units under their jurisdiction. The process of improvement can be considered essential because it involves the promotion of a situation where the organization ends up being highly equipped when it comes to handling a diversity of technological challenges. Managers under such circumstances have to make sure that they are constantly looking out for new ideas that can help them ensure that their products are improved and value added to them (Laitinen, 2017; Ollila & Yström, 2017). The role of the manager when making decisions should also include the initiation of feasibility studies that seek to determine the path toward which the organization is heading. It is also necessary to make sure that necessary arrangements are made for the acquisition of capital for the development of new products, as well as undertaking to gain suggestions from employees concerning the various ways that the organization can be improved (Verboncu & Zeininger, 2015). All of these processes can be easily achieved through the holding of strategy meetings with the project managers and using suggestion boxes, as in the case of other employees.

Decisional management is one that also considers the role of the manager as an arbiter of conflicts within the work environment (Karanja & Rosso, 2017; Kumar, 2015). This is a highly pertinent role because it involves a process where the manager takes on the role of arbiter in conflicts between subordinates. A similar case arises when it comes to conflicts between the management of the organization and employees. These conflicts might come about because of a variety of reasons, which include agitation for an increase in wages or a major client of the organization going bankrupt, which might end up leading to a situation where its financial future is left uncertain. Therefore, managers should be able to anticipate such issues and take preventative action whenever it is possible. It is also necessary for the manager to sometimes take corrective action in situations where problems have arisen (Thomas, Lorange, & Sheth, 2015). Among the problems that might arise include complaints from customers, machine breakdowns, labor disputes, and interpersonal conflicts, which have the potential of interfering with the activities of the organization. The role of the manager under such circumstances can therefore be considered critical, because it involves a process where individuals have to be managed in a manner where they view the manager as the final arbiter to issues involving them. Through this process, the manager takes on a pivotal role within the organization in a way that ensures the achievement of its mission.

Another role that has to be undertaken by the manager within the organizational setting is that of being able to allocate resources (Sule & Wahyuningtyas, 2017). This is an extremely important role because it involves a process where the manager has to establish priorities concerning which tasks are the most critical for the organization and how many resources have to be allocated to each. The different activities within the organization that require budgetary allocation receive it based on their importance to its objectives, meaning that it is essential for the manager to determine those with the highest priority (de Oliveira, Escrivão, Nagano, Ferraudo, & Rosim, 2015). It is also their role to make sure that the necessary personnel are assigned to the various tasks at hand, and this is aimed at bringing about a situation where the most qualified individuals are given the tasks to which they are most suited. This ensures that there is the establishment of means through which to bring about greater efficiency in the workplace (Cohen, Rozenes, & Faccio, 2016). Furthermore, in conjunction with giving tasks to those best suited for them, it is necessary for the manager to make sure that there is the establishment of effective means of allocating their own time to different activities in a manner that ensures that they are seen to be on the lead by all the teams involved in the process.

The manager also has a pertinent role to play as a negotiator on behalf of the organization (Laud, Arevalo, & Johnson, 2016). This is an extremely important role because it involves a process where the manager plays an active role in the negotiation of deals that are favorable for the organization. These deals are necessary because they make sure that there is the achievement of agreements aimed at making the activities taking place both within and outside the organization smoother (Liew, Talib, & Jacobs, 2016). Furthermore, they promote the development of guidelines through which the organization is able to interact with other organizations as well as stakeholders in society. Such guidelines make it possible for the organization to have an effective action plan that can be developed and implemented in a manner that enhances its role within its industry. Negotiation skills on the part of the manager are also critical in bringing about the achievement of the goal of promoting the interests of the organization when it comes to negotiations of contracts with unions, as well as the negotiation of prices with major customers (Soltwisch & Krahnke, 2017). Therefore, the ability of managers to recognize their role and undertake them appropriately ensures that there is the promotion of means through which they not only enhance their efficiency within the organization, but their overall effectiveness ensures that there can be an assessment of how well their role as decision makers is performed.

Conclusion

For a manager at a decisional capacity, it is necessary to make sure that there is the promotion of a situation where there is a tight rein on all agreements that have been made within the team. This means that all the rules and agreements concerning the conduct of members of the team have to be respected at all times. There is also a need to make sure that there is the promotion of means through which there is the promotion of result orientation within the team, because the manager is therefore able to ensure that the team achieves all the intended results and targets. As seen above, the clarification of targets is a critical means of making sure that there is the promotion of the integrity of the work that is conducted by the team; meaning that the manager has a critical role in determining the direction towards which his team is heading. Double checking for mistakes and errors within the team context it critical in bringing about a situation where exemplary work is created; meaning that decisional management can have a positive effect on the way that the team functions, since the leader is able to ensure greater efficiency among its members.

References

Cohen, Y., Rozenes, S., & Faccio, M. (2016). Modeling a Manager’s Work as a Service Activity. Paper presented at the International Conference on Exploring Services Science.

de Oliveira, J., Escrivão, E., Nagano, M. S., Ferraudo, A. S., & Rosim, D. (2015). What do small business owner-managers do? A managerial work perspective. Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, 5(1), 19.

Horlacher, A., & Hess, T. (2016). What does a Chief Digital Officer do? Managerial tasks and roles of a new C-level position in the context of digital transformation. Paper presented at the 2016 49th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS).

Karanja, E., & Rosso, M. A. (2017). The Chief Risk Officer: a study of roles and responsibilities. Risk Management, 19(2), 103-130.

Kumar, P. (2015). An Analytical study on Mintzberg’s Framework: Managerial Roles. International Journal of Research in Management & Business Studies (IJRMBS), 2, 12-18.

Laitinen, E. K. (2017). Managerial work, importance of information and corporate profitability: evidence from Finland. International Journal of Accounting and Finance, 7(4), 301-334.

Laud, R., Arevalo, J., & Johnson, M. (2016). The changing nature of managerial skills, mindsets and roles: Advancing theory and relevancy for contemporary managers. Journal of Management & Organization, 22(4), 435-456.

Liew, C., Talib, A. A., & Jacobs, R. (2016). Malaysian aviation technologist promotion to managerial role: an empirical overview. Paper presented at the IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering.

Ollila, S., & Yström, A. (2017). An investigation into the roles of open innovation collaboration managers. R&D Management, 47(2), 236-252.

Soltwisch, B. W., & Krahnke, K. (2017). Maximizing Decision Making Style and Managerial Effectiveness: Understanding How Maximizing and Locus of Control Impact Managers' Performance on the Job. Managing Global Transitions, 15(3), 215-230.

Sule, E. T., & Wahyuningtyas, R. (2017). Managerial Roles in a Dynamic Environment. Advanced Science Letters, 23(1), 656-659.

Thomas, H., Lorange, P., & Sheth, J. (2015). Dynamic capabilities and the business school of the future EFMD Insights into Business Education: case studies from business schools worldwide. Volume 2 (Vol. 1, pp. 1-6): European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) in association with GSE Research.

Verboncu, I., & Zeininger, L. (2015). The Manager and the Managerial Tools: Job Description. Review of International Comparative Management/Revista de Management Comparat International, 16(5).

Social Learning Theory

According to the social learning theory, learning is a process that takes place cognitively within a social context. Individuals tend to adopt those behaviors that they observe through social interactions to such an extent that even though they might be through to be disgusting or not of good taste, these individuals end up behaving in a particular way. In this case, learning a behavior can occur through observation and the extraction of information from that observation which is used by the observer to make decisions concerning his future behavior. The result is that a significant number of individuals end up undertaking or participating in behaviors that they would normally not participate in because of the influence of other individuals within their social context. Thus, cognition, environment, and behavior all play a role in determining how an individual is likely to react to stimuli in such a way that promotes the idea that they will be able to fit in with those individuals who are in their social context (Grusec, 1992). Therefore, despite individuals disliking certain behaviors at first, such as smoking cigarettes, they condition themselves to like these behaviors to such an extent that they end up doing them unconsciously. The inability of these individuals to control their behaviors comes about because they learn and develop these attributes without any observable change in their behavior. This is highly significant because it shows that some of the behaviors that are displayed by individuals, such as smoking or drinking coffee are acquired behaviors rather than natural ones.

References

Grusec, J. (1992). Social learning theory and developmental psychology: The legacies of Robert Sears and Albert Bandura. Developmental Psychology, 28(5), 776–786.

Operation Management at Costco

The management of the operations within an organization is extremely essential in bringing about its success. This is especially the case considering that for the most part, organizations in the business world are increasingly getting involved in competition with each other in order to remain competitive. Costco is one of the organizations that seek to bring about the best quality in their services through making sure that its employees are satisfied and this is achieved through the advancement of their interests both within and outside the company. In this way, Costco has been able to develop a good reputation based on its need to promote its image through its employees while at the same time providing the best services possible to its customers.

One of the most fundamental aspects of Costco’s operations is that is seeks to promote the efficiency of their employees. This is especially considering that it seeks to create an environment within which its employees are able to do their best for the sake of the company through the advancement of their interests within it. A good working environment where employees are provided with free reign on how to handle customers on a more personalized basis has made it possible for employees to feel empowered in their work. Taking competitive advantage into consideration is another aspect of management that can ensure Costco’s success (Heizer and Render 71). This has been achieved through the provision of benefits and higher wages to employees for the sake of advancing their quality of life which has in turn made them more loyal to the company. The result is that Costco has allowed for the advancement of its workforce in a manner that brings about the best in them for the sake of promoting its own interests in the market. Moreover, the empowerment of employees can also be considered to be a sound strategy especially considering that other companies tend to deny their employees the right to do what they think is best for the sake of promoting the products that they are selling. The result is that there is a loss of morale among employees who come to believe that they are not valued enough by management to independently bring in customers. This is not the case with Costco which has put employee empowerment at the forefront of its strategy because it has made employees the biggest promoters of its image.

Another aspect of Costco’s operations that can be considered to be important to its success is employment stability. This has been achieved through the promotion of benefits for its employees which include job security as well as benefits in case of disability as well as when suffering from any ailments (Heizer and Render 435). This is an extremely sound strategy because it ensures that employees are completely focused on their work instead of seeking more stable work elsewhere. Works schedules that put into consideration the need to take case of the welfare of employees have also been put in place. This, in addition to the higher wages that they receive when compared to rival companies, has allowed for an increase in motivation to work among employees to such an extent that they give their best to their work. The various constraints to its human resource strategy, such as the need to control the expenditure that it places on its employees when compared to other companies, have been smoothed over by Costco through its making sure that the potential financial problems it might face are outweighed by its excellent performance in the market. This has been to such an extent that a significant number of employees have ended up doing their best in their work in the comfort of knowledge that they will be compensated.

Healthcare benefits are some of the most important aspects of the success of any company because the more generous they are, the more likely that employees will be motivated to increase their performance. This is a lesson that Costco’s management seems to have taken to heart because it has provided extremely generous medical and dental benefits to its employees that have allowed for the advancement of the health of these individuals. Moreover, the extension of these benefits to dependents has made it possible for individuals that work at Costco to increase their output because of the motivation that they have based on the belief that the company cares for their welfare and that of their loved ones. The generous benefits that the Costco has advanced its employees are essential because it has become a major contributor to the success of its operations. The generous incentive system that has been put in place by the company is important because it allows employees to be self-directed in their work (Heizer and Render 438). This means that they are better able to make sure that they work with minimal supervision, which helps the company save both time and money when it comes to dealing with issues concerning employs. Thus, productivity remains high while at the same time making sure that the interests of employees are secured in a manner that advances the interests of the company.

By competing through the advancement of its employees’ interests, Costco has the potential of attracting some of the best individuals in the industry to work for it. The pro-employee policies that it has adopted can be considered to be essential for promoting not only its image as a viable employer, but also shows potential employees that unlike its rivals, it is a generous employer. In this way, it becomes possible to make sure that there is a large pool of potential employees to choose from when the time comes for recruitment. However, while it has the best possible number of potential recruits, there is need for the company to make sure that it only employs those individuals who display the highest ethical standards possible (Heizer and Render 455). This is because when companies in the contemporary world conduct their operations, it is essential for them to observe ethics at all fronts or risk ending up getting their reputations damaged and in turn ending up losing their market share. Therefore, in order to make sure that all operations run smoothly, it is important that Costco, when staffing its operations, is able to advance the highest ethical standards possible so that it can maintain and advance its market share. It is important for there to be an effort to observe ethical standards while at the same time promoting continuous improvement because it is one of the most fundamental ways through which employee commitment to the company can be ensured while at the same time promoting the competitiveness of the company in a way that allows for the creation of better market opportunities than it already possesses.

In conclusion, it is essential for Costco to make sure that it continues to promote the interests of its employees through providing them with incentive packages as well as better working conditions than its competitors. This is one of the most fundamental ways through which it will be able to continue performing well in the market while at the same time attracting the best talent possible to help run its operations. Making employees the center of its operations management is essential because it is these who are the driving force behind their success while at the same time advancing the good name of the company through their efforts to make it a success. It is, therefore, essential for the interests of employees to be protected as a means of making sure that there is a proper means through which operations can be advanced without any glitches as a result of lack of motivation.

Work Cited

Heizer, Jay and Render, Barry. Operations Management: Sustainability and Supply Chain Management. 11th Edition. New York: Pearson, 2013.

Social Inequality

The increasing level of social inequality in the contemporary world is a source of concern within society. This is as a result of the widening gap between the rich and the poor in society to such an extent that the latter have ended up in situations where they cannot hope to improve their lives for the better. Also, the rich, in the process of seeking to attain even more wealth, have ended up forcing making use of those resources that could have been utilized for the purpose of alleviating poverty among individuals in society. Despite the presence of a welfare system, it is not robust enough to cater for the needs of the poor while at the same time helping them rise above poverty. This paper seeks to analyze the nature and causes of poverty as well as the theoretical frameworks that deal with the issue of inequality.

One of the biggest causes of social inequality is that the economy is controlled by the rich, who make use of the available natural resources to become richer. The rich few people in the world have taken over the most crucial means of production; essentially forcing the rest of society to work for them or buy products from them. The result has been that a significant number of those individuals who do not have any means of making a decent living have ended up in a situation where they have been reduced to poverty. The latter tend to have very few opportunities to advance themselves in society, meaning that they have to ensure that they do the best that they can to make ends meet with minimal support (Parish, 1988). The rich, on the other hand, often seek to increase their wealth, but this process often comes at a price because it encourages unequal development in society. There is little that the poor can do to protect their own interests because the rich have both the means and the power to ensure that they are able to attain considerable control over most of the wealth and resources within their own societies. As a result of the power that they derive from their wealth, the rich have the ability to ensure that they not only achieve dominance over the rest of society, but also advance their own interests in a way that is often against the interests of the poor.

The rich often seek to protect their interests through influencing government towards establishing favorable policies to them. The result is that a significant number of rich people in society end up being given access to numerous resources while at the same time not paying their fair share of taxes. This is a situation of concern because government ends up not having enough money that can be used in the establishment of a welfare program that is not only efficient, but also caters for the needs of the poor in diverse circumstances. Furthermore, as a result of the actions of the rich, it becomes extremely difficult for the poor to have the much needed opportunities to bring about their advancement in society. These individuals do not often have the educational qualifications to attain sustainable jobs in the current highly competitive economy; meaning that they have few opportunities to improve their lives. The unequal relationship between the rich and the poor in society can be explained through the Marxist theory, which proposes that society is divided into two distinct groups; the bourgeoisie, who control the means of production, and the proletariat, who provide the labor that the former need to ensure that they exploit the resources under their control. Thus, due to their need to not only maintain their power, but also increase their wealth, the bourgeoisie end up seeking to control even more resources; essentially ensuring that the proletariat remains subservient to them while still providing the labor that they need.

The Marxist perspective, therefore, proposes that social inequality comes about as a result of class struggle, or social conflict. The continuous struggle within the bourgeoisie, as well as the bourgeoisie against the proletariat and vice versa is essential in understanding social conflict because it promotes the idea that the different classes in society are often in conflict with each other. A consequence of this conflict is that a considerable number of individuals in society have ended up sinking into poverty while a very few have not only become rich, but have increased their wealth many times over. The resulting social inequality has created a potential for significant class conflict in the years to come, especially considering an increasing number of individuals have become poorer because of the social policies that have been established to protect the interests of the rich. The potential for conflict has become so great that it is possible that there will be an attempt, as Marx predicted, by the underprivileged classes in society to overthrow the rich in order to establish a just society. In most communities within the United States, specifically in large cities such as New York, the differences between the lifestyles of the rich and the poor can be seen through the manner that communities are separated. The rich live in exclusive neighborhoods that are not only secure, but also have all the amenities that they need. The poor, on the other hand, live in an insecure environment that is dominated by crime, low level of essential services, and high incidences of lack of basic needs; a sure sign of the inequality that has become dominant in society.

Additionally, the rise in inequality has led to a reduction in instances of social and economic justice. Social and economic justice is a situation where all individuals in society, no matter their class or status, are able to achieve a relatively high standard of living. Also, it involves individuals being able to ensure that they promote their own interests through having equal opportunities both within a social and economic context. Therefore, in the interest of advancing social and economic justice, the application of the Marxist theory is essential in creating equal opportunities. This perspective is one that promotes social equality where resources are owned by the entire community rather than by individuals. However, only essential property should remain in private hands, which individuals in society to have an equal share in the resources available while at the same time ensuring that individuals have equal opportunities for self development. The availability of equal opportunities would, however, involve taking away the significant power that capitalists hold over society. The nationalization of natural resources is an essential step in making sure that the state remains in the service of all people, without discrimination, rather than supporting the interests of a few people who form the elite. Moreover, in a society where all the people enjoy the available natural resources, social and economic justice can be achieved in a way that prevents the rise of class conflict.

In conclusion, the increase in the level of inequality in the contemporary world can be attributed to the way that a small number of individuals have come to gain control over a majority of the resources in society. Through this control, it has become possible to ensure that they continue further enriching themselves at the expense of both consumers and their workers. Therefore, in order to ensure that there is an end to inequality and the implementation of social and economic justice, it is essential for a Marxist-leaning type of society to be established.

Reference

Parish, R. (1988). Messages from a Welfare Mom. Newsweek.