The Responsibility Project Essay Example for Free

The Responsibility Project EssayEthical principles contribute and brush off be utilized to address the organizational issues. This piece of music will discuss the way ethical principles get used for addressing the issues. This root word includes the information of a short contain which is retrieved from the Responsibility Project web site. The paper includes several discussions which ar why are the issues in film are important? What role do external social pressures have in influencing organizational ethics? How might these issues be relevant to organizational and personal decisions? What is the relationship between legal and ethical issues as shown in the film?Why atomic number 18 the Issues in the Film Important? Good vibration is a whimsical, which is an animated tale tells about the community responsibility and the cost of being complacent. This film is more(prenominal) focused on the community responsibility there is the same issue which is found here about the org anizations and communities. This film has presented a scenario where the whole employees of an organization pull fun of the helpless individuals as these individuals are getting hurt tripping on the loose brick in the sidewalk. After a while several battalion get injured and an elderly gentleman came walking down the sidewalk.After that an employee opened up the window to warn the elderly gentleman and showed him he fear sign so he wont get injured. A specific problem of this film would be that instead of someone taking the charge to calculate the issue, everyone planned to laugh on the individuals who were getting hurt through the loose brick. in that respect are many organization which deals with the same kind of personalities. There are eras when an individual found a problem in the organization, but instead of solving that the one just ignores the issue and make fun of that.The principal(prenominal) problem with such issues is, they get ignored for a very long time and th en become incurable and cause big loss to the organizations and mess associated with it. External Social Pressures and Organizational Ethics The factor external social factor plays an important role in influencing the organizational ethics. At a time there would be many stakeholders and most of the time their interests overlap. Stakeholders include employees, customers, shareholders, and communities.Enron for a general exercising created a series of off-the books partnership which were used to hide the Enrons immense amount of debt and increase its share prices. This attempt was made to attract new share investors and to maintain the present stakeholders (Trevino and Nelson, 2006). If the outside world would know the financial federal agency of Enrons condition, then he would have been gone very down so quickly. Enron was trying to get time to bring the business afloat. This is the one major standard which reflects how external social pressure would force the organization to ma ke such steps normally.If the more stakeholders are involved within the organization then, there would be more chance of having overlapping interests between stakeholders. Organizational and Personal Decisions There are many issues which can take place within an organization, internally and externally. There are some major issues which can force an organization to discard their ethical and legal responsibilities in an attempt to save their organization. There are generation when organization considers these decisions as the best available option to make implemented till the time the organization dont hear how serious and wrong these decisions were. or an example the Enron scandal was a case where the employees was aware about the processes which include illegal and unethical activities in the organization, but none of them took a step to stop these activities to be happened.The short film has talked about this case earlier. When the problem gets exploded everyone took a side to sa ve themselves. at many times an organization need to understand what can be the best option for everyone involved in the organization which would be legally and illegally, rather than the organizations financial status.In the case of Enron it would be conk out if the organization published their financial status instead of hiding it for so long as they did. Through this attempt the organization hurt many individuals today and indirectly to fill their bankruptcy. Relationship between Legal and Ethical Issues Most of the time there is a relation between the legal and ethical issues. As there are some acts, sometimes which can be unethical and that would also be illegal at the same time.As the film mentioned in its cenario, that people were laughing at the individuals who was getting hurt through the loose brick, instead of solving that problem. There is a ethical issue in this contingent scenario but not a legal issue. The people should fix up the problem through putting a sign boa rd over there. This especial(a) scene is not having the illegal act but i strongly believe that it was the ethical responsibility of employees to fix that problem. Conclusion This particular short film portrayed that, what can happen within an organization if none of the employees steps up and takes action.The old saying goes, One bad apple can ruin the bunch. The same can be said with ethical and legal responsibilities within an organization. Although the external social pressures may influence the organizational ethics, the organization of necessity to maintain their legal and ethical standards for the good of society and the growth of the organization as a whole. Organizational and personal decisions are also influenced by organizational issues. A fact which is legal does not necessarily mean that it is ethical as well.

Fast Food and Vending Machines Arent the Problem Essay Example for Free

Fast Food and Vending Machines Arent the Problem EssayThere has been an ongoing debate as to whether prep ares should be completelyowed to support and sell fast regimen in the cafeterias as well as the purpose of deal machines in schools. I believe that it is when people who prepared the food started to lose sight of proper eatable and portioning that made the problem. In some schools, vending machines are also part of the money-making machine that helps fund a schools sundry(a) academic and day to day activities. At the Old Orchard Beach School, it has been reported thatThe team implemented Tulane Universitys CATCH nutrition education computer programme and wrote school vending policies that led to the removal of dadas and junk foods, and replaced them with water, 100% fruit juices, and healthier snack options. The vending machine signage was changed to advertise water instead of soda pop. The vendors were very cooperative in making the changes, and vending revenues h ave remained the same. Students have also taken an active role by writing their own nutrition policies, such as policies regarding foods served for classroom parties.At the Vista noble school, Enid Hohn is the Director of Child Nutrition Services for Vista School District. He has check outed to use the necessary evil to the benefit of his students and the school system. In 2005, with the support of the School Superintendent, he converted the junk vending machine at the Vista High School into a healthy, popular, moneymaking machine for the school. He relates the success story of his pilot project this way The Principal was not very enthusiastic nearly this change.He indicated that he had been receiving $600. 00 per month ($7,200. 00 per year) in vending commission and was not interested in losing it. CNS gave him a $10,000. 00 signing bonus to offset his fears. We had barrier getting students interested in signing up to try all the free food and beverages so we set up sample tabl es in a room close to the eating area and coerced students to come in and help us. We conducted food testing for three days and involved about 100 students. at a time that was done it was important to set up focus groups with various students. Once school started we determined there was a need for additional machines due to the popularity of the wakeless Alternative Vending Program and the volume of items students were purchasing. (qtd. in Healthy Vending The Vending Challenge paragraph 16) I am arguing that school vending machines should be allowed to sell fast food that fall under specified criteria controlled by the Child Nutrition Services of each school district ground on the above information.The school earns the funding they need while staying within the guidelines of proper health and nutrition, while the children nutritious food without knowing it. Certain school districts argue that selling junk food and sodas in vending machines which are easily accessible to students i n between classes since these are mostly located in the lobby cause deterioration in the students over all performance. It makes him sluggish, gives him a shorter attention span and prevents him from concentrating. Jeffrey Koplan, vice president of for academic health affairs of Emory University has declared thatObesity may be a personal issue, but at the same time, families, communities, and corporations all are adversely affected by obesity and all bear responsibility for changing social norms to better promote healthier lifestyles. We recognize that several of our recommendations challenge entrenched aspects of American life and business, but if we are not willing to make some fundamental shifts in our attitudes and actions, obesitys toll on our nations health and well-being will only worsen. (qtd. in National stew Urgently involve to encounter Childhood ObesityActions Required by Schools, Families, Communities, Industry, and government activity paragraph 2. ) In addition, th e National Effort Urgently Needed to Combat Childhood Obesity Actions Required by Schools, Families, Communities, Industry, and Government, report also warned parents and schools alike that By the time they are 14 years old, 52 percent of boys and 32 percent of girls are drinking three or more eight-ounce divine services of soda a day. It would help for us to remember that vending machines dont stock themselves, we do.This whole blood will prove to be a farce if the parents of the children cant or wont supervise the children or serve a nutritionally balanced repast at home. I refer you once again to the opinion of the National Effort Urgently Needed to Combat Childhood Obesity Actions Required by Schools, Families, Communities, Industry, and Government report Parents can exert a profound influence on their children by promoting healthy foods and an active lifestyle from an early age and serving as role models.Parents can encourage their children to develop a healthy, varied diet b y introducing new foods in a persistent but non-coercive fashion. Studies gift that repeated exposure is most critical during the early years of life and that it can take five to 10 exposures to a new food in the lead a child will accept it. (qtd. in National Effort Urgently Needed to Combat Childhood Obesity Actions Required by Schools, Families, Communities, Industry, and Government paragraph 5 I therefore, would like to reiterate that, there is no real reason with which to ban junk food and vending machines in schools.Instead, schools should learn to package healthy junk food. Learn how to use these things in order to promote good health and proper nutrition. The students will certainly be often more receptive of this approach.Works Cited1. Enid Hohn, R. D. , Director of Child Nutrition Services. Healthy Vending The Vending Challenge. November 2006. November 13, 2006 http//www. vusd. k12. ca. us/cns/healthyvending. htm 2. National Effort Urgently Needed to Combat Childhood Obe sityActions Required by Schools, Families, Communities, Industry, and Government. September 30, 2004. November 13, 2006. http//www8. nationalacademies. org/onpinews/newsitem. aspx? RecordID=11015 3. Schools and School Districts That Have Improved School Food and Beverages and Not Lost Revenue. November 2006. November 13, 2006. www. cspinet. org/nutritionpolicy/improved_school_foods_without_losing_revenue2. pdf - 4. Bruce Buchanan. Getting to Wellness. October 2005. November 13, 2006. http//www. asbj. com/wellness/S1. html

A Definition of Corporate Social Responsibility

A Definition of Corporate complaisant ResponsibilityNowadays, the association of the words genial and certificate of indebtedness has be execute increasingly frequent. But in occupancy world, there is a nonher variant of these terms that prevail and it is the term Corporate Social responsibility (CSR). harmonise to Archie Carroll (2008 p.19)though the roots of the concepts that we know today as CSR have been a long and wide-ranging history, it is mostly a product of the twentieth century, peculiarly from the early 1950s up to the present time.Despite the incident that the concept of CSR has been present for such a long time, researchers still do not overlap a common definition or set of union principles (Andre Crane et al. 2008 p.4). This in addition brought about other questions on the interpretation of terms as be heartyly responsible and also is a house capable of being responsible towards society.According to timberland (1991, cited in Moir, 1991, p.2), the basic i dea of collective social responsibility is that business and society are interwoven rather than distinct entities. Businesses are often assumed to have profit maximization for sole project and ignore its responsibilities towards society. Milton Friedman (1970) said that the only one responsibility of business towards society is the maximization of wage to the shareholders within the legal framework and the ethical custom of the country. notwithstanding supporters of CSR shadow also be found, Dave Packard (Co-founder of Hewlett Packard Company in 1939, cited in Harvard Business Review, 2002, p.54) claims that the assumption that people make of companies only making money is wrong. He also adds thata group of people get together and exist as an institution that is called a company so that they are able to accomplish whatsoeverthing collectively that they could not accomplish separately and simultaneously they make a contri howeverion to society (Dave Packard, 1939).Votaw (cite d in Garigga and Mele, 2004, p.51) wrote that unified social responsibility convey something, but not always the same thing to everybody. The diverging opinions sess be categorized in two main points of view one is that CSR is yet another means to maximize profit and the other is that CSR is here to help companies help society as a whole.CSR has been described in a number of discordant ways. at a lower place are given different definitions of CSRCorporate Social Responsibility is a commitment to improve community well-being through discretionary business practices and corporate resources. (Philip Kotler and Nancy Lee, Corporate Social Responsibility, Wiley, 2007)The social responsibility of business encompasses the frugal, legal, ethical, and discretionary expectations that society has of organizations at a given point in time. (Archie B. Carroll, 1979)Shell We all requirement to assess the impact our business makes on society and ensure that we balance the economic, environm ental and social aspects of everything we do (Moody-Stuart, 1999).The diagram under gives a visual verbal description of what launch CSRSource www6.miami.edu/ethics/pdf_files/csr_guide.pdfAccording to Lance Moir (2001),the area defined by advocates of CSR increasingly covers a wide range of issues such as give closures, employee relations, human rights, corporate ethics, community relations and the environment.Aspects of CSRDrivers of CSRDrivers, in this context, refer to the reasons behind the choice of a firm to seize a much socially congenial behaviour. These reasons can be classified as being internal and external to the firm.Internal driversInternal drivers are the pressures that originate from the internal environment of the firm. Examples of components that can constitute the internal environment of a firm are, employees, suppliers, competitors, top management, etc. Flatter plaques have considerably changed the approach towards how business was once done. Nowadays, emp loyees put pressure on how the organization conducts business using certain societal measure outs (M.G.V. Dongen, 2006 p.9). They are more attracted by the non-material aspects of the organisation that employs them. Besides, employees seeking a more socially responsible firm, managers now have the task to reconcile the profit-making need of the company with the responsibility towards society. But as Haigh and Jones (2006) mentioned, for business managers, business is first. ODwyer (2003, cited in Haigh and Jones, 2006, p.2) said that social considerations come second and providing only that such considerations would not open an exploitable weakness. Haigh (2006) adds that the paradigm that managers face simply prevents overall improvements consistent with social welfare. The capacity to integrate CSR policies in the core activities of the firm can also act as a driver. According to Porter and van der Linde (2000, cited in Haigh and Jones, 2006, p.2), CSR is competitive driver that requires appropriate resources. Integrating CSR in a companys activities can be a tedious process. The diagram below shows how CSR can be incorporated at different levels of the company.Source MVO Platform, (2002, illustrated in M.G.V. Dongen, 2006 p.10), divergent intensities of CSRCSR can also be under taken in a set of separate activities geared towards improving social welfare. This can take the form of sponsoring of sports activities or gentle in charitable activities.another(prenominal) view to consider internal drivers to CSR is to consider them to be matter drivers. The table below gives a number of different national CSR drivers and a brief description of each of them.Source Visser, W. (2008) CSR Drivers The Forces defining Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility, CSR Inspiration Series, No. 3.External driversExternal drives refer to the external pressures that compel a firm to engage in CSR. The external environment of a firm can include market structure, clients, government, economic situations, competitors, etc. Businesses no longer burgeon forth in a static environment, threats are no longer limited to local competitors and the market is now a global one. Similarly, adopting the culture of foreign firms has occasion a must and CSR is one of the main concerns of all firms in this century. Castells (2000, as cited in M.G.V. Dongen, 2006 p.7) says that globalization increases the importance of social networks of a company on a worldwide basis. Moreover, consumers are more concerned by the fact that whether the firm, to which they are loyal, is contributing to societys welfare. As Castells (2000, as cited in M.G.V. Dongen, 2006 p.7) mentions, a lot of data is obtained more rapidly by consumers and it is easier to keep in touch with the various activities undertaken by any firm. The government also contributes in making company conscious of their duties towards society. According to the European Union and MVO Platform (2002, as cited in M.G .V. Dongen, 2006 p.7), Governments are now engaging in the role of stimulating companies to be social responsible, not pressuring them.In M.G.V. Dongens 2006 paper In search of the link in the midst of corporate social responsibility and legitimacy she enumerated a number of external factors that encouraged firm to adopt the concept of CSR. A few of these points areTransparency. A very important aspect for a company to be socially responsible is transparency. This can be included in the profit-factor but is more and more considered as a prerequisite for a company to be socially responsible. Due to new information sources, e.g. the internet, and the shift in the control mechanisms for organizations from purely governmental to include the organizations stakeholders, this revolution has an enormous impact on the visibility of an organizations business practices.(M.G.V. Dongen, 2006 p.8)Time. A shift can be recognized from purely focusing on short-term profits towards more long-term o bjectives, which is necessary beca rehearse societal and environmental issues are mostly long-term issues. Therefore this shift in time-thinking is essential for CSR to be successful. (M.G.V. Dongen, 2006 p.8)Here also, external factors are often associated with international drivers. The table below describes some of themSource Visser, W. (2008) CSR Drivers The Forces Shaping Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility, CSR Inspiration Series, No. 3.In order to link both national and international drivers the diagram below visually establishes a link mingled with both of them.Source Visser, W. (2008) CSR Drivers The Forces Shaping Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility, CSR Inspiration Series, No. 3.3.2 Theories of CSRMany authors have tried to grasp an accurate idea of what is CSR by devising models in order to better understand the various factors heterogeneous and their impact. One of the first approaches to tackle CSR by means of a model was made in 1971 by the Committee for Economic Development (CED). It made use of three concentric circles. The definition of the three circles was given in the Social Responsibilities of Business Corporation (1971) as followsThe inner circle includes, the clear-cut basic responsibilities for the efficient execution of the economic function products, jobs and economic growthThe intermediate circle encompasses responsibility to exercise this economic function with a precise awareness of changing social values and priorities for employment with respect to environmental conservation, hiring and relations with employees, and more rigorous expectation of customers for information, bring together treatment and protection from injuryThe outer circle outlines newly emerging and still amorphous responsibilities that business should assume to become more broadly involved in actively improving the social environmentAfter this possible action others were developed, but throughout time only a few of them prevailed. The first hypothesis that must be considered is the pyramid of CSR developed by Carroll.The pyramid of corporate social responsibilityAccording to Carroll, the quaternity main components or categories that constitute the CSR pyramid are Economic Responsibilities, Legal Responsibilities, Ethical Responsibilities and Philanthropic or Discretionary Responsibilities. The two tables below give a description of these four terms.Source Archie B. Carroll (1991), The profit of Corporate Social Responsibility Toward the Moral Management of organisational Stakeholders, Business HorizonsSource Archie B. Carroll (1991), The Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility Toward the Moral Management of Organizational Stakeholders, Business HorizonsThe theory of the pyramid relies on the fact the various components are stacked on each other, the economic responsibility being the base and the kindly responsibility being at the top. The logic behind the pyramid relies in the fact that firms are expected to ai m for profit maximization but it must also cater for the other responsibilities in the pyramid, which is comply with the law, comply with rules of society and finally act as a good corporate citizen.The diagram below is a representation of Archie B. Carroll pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility.The Stakeholder theoryMoir (2001) refers to the stakeholder theory as being used used as a basis to go bad those groups to whom the firm should be responsible. For Carroll (1991, cited as cited in M.G.V. Dongen, 2006 p.13), stakeholder concept personifies the social actors that organizations should consider with their CSR orientation. Stakeholders generally refer to the actors who are promptly or sometimes in comportly touch by the actions of a company. Freedman defines a stakeholder as any group or individual who can affect or is modify by the achievement of the organizations objectives (Freeman, 198446). Stakeholders can be classified in two main categories primary and secondary s takeholders. Clarkson (1995 106, cited in L. Moir, 2001, p.8) gives the description of a primary stakeholder asone without whose chronic participation the corporation cannot survive as a going concern with the primary group including shareholders and investors, employees, customers and suppliers, together with what is defined as the public stakeholder group the governments and communities that return infrastructures and markets, whose laws and regulations must be obeyed, and to whom taxes and obligations may be due (Clarkson, 1995, p.106).Moir (2001, p.8) defines the secondary groups are defined asThose who influence or affect, or are influenced or affected by the corporation, but they are not engaged in transactions with the corporation and are not essential for its survivalSource Monique G. van Dongen (2006), In search of the link mingled with corporate social responsibility and legitimacyThe stakeholder theory focuses on a practical approach that explains an organizations need to address the various responsibilities (Dongen 2006, p. 13). The stakeholder theory relies on determining the most important stakeholder for the company and its responsibilities towards that stakeholder.In order to determine how the choice should be made, Carroll (1991) established two main criteria which are power and legitimacy. Following Carrolls logic, in 1997, Michel et al develop a more detailed approach which includes a new dimension named urgency. The model develop was the the stakeholder strikingness modelPower the ability of those who possess power, to bring about the outcome that they desire (Mitchell et al., 1997).Legitimacy the assumption that the actions of an entity are desirable, proper, or appropriate within some socially constructed systems of norms, values, beliefs, and definitions (Suchman, 1995).Urgency exists when two conditions are met 1) when it is time-sensitive, and 2) when it is important or critical to the stakeholder (Mitchell et al., 1997).The salienc e model helps to divide stakeholders in different groups and each of these groups is classified on the basis of having one or more the preceding(prenominal) characteristics. Mitchell (1997) defined the salience model as the degree to which managers gave importance to stakeholders claims. From this point of view, groups such as latent and expectant stakeholders were created and these groups were further subdivided on the basis of the number of characteristics they possessed. Moir stated that firms would pay most attention to those legitimate stakeholder groups who have power and urgency (Moir, 2001, p.9). Following this logic, an example could be the reputation of a company will have a great importance when it interacts directly with the public. In relation with CSR, Patten (1992 as cited in L Moir, 2006 p.9) gave the following example concerning the possible fluctuations in the level of urgency environmental groups and issues became more urgent to oil firms following the Exxon Vald ez oil spill. To sum up, stakeholder theory can help companies to point out stakeholders that can be sensible to CSR issues and generate a profit in these circumstances.3.2.1 Mapping of CSR theoriesIn addition to the above models, numerous other theories have been developed, but none of them gave an accurate framework which exactly defined what CSR was. Each and every writer who tried to build up a CSR theory ended up giving a personal opinion, hence creating confusion. Carroll (1994, p.14) described the situation asAn eclectic field with loose boundaries, aggregate elementships, and differing training/perspectives broadly rather than focused, multidisciplinary wide breadth brings in a wider range of literature and interdisciplinary.In addition to the above mentioned theories, Frederick (1987, 1998) tried to classify CSR in four main categories namely CSR1, CSR2, CSR3 and CSR4. Other attempts to define theories can take the form of the concept of corporate citizenship by Altman (1 998), Issues Management by Wartick and Rude (1986) and Wood (1991) and Brummer (1991) classification of four CSR theories based on six criteria. In order to harmonize all these different models Elisabet Garriga and Domenec Mele (2004) grouped all the actual theories under four main headings namely instrumental, political, integrative and ethical theories.Theories were placed in a group on the basis of their similitude, for example instrumental theories grouped models that were based on the assumption that organization are here only to make profits. The table below gives a brief summary of each group and the different theories composition them.Source Elisabet Garriga and Domenec Mele (2004), Corporate Social Responsibility Theories Mapping the Territory, p.62-633.3 Advantages and Disadvantages of engaging in CSRCSR is often view as a companys intention to do good for society, but there can also be times when behind the socially responsible mask the intentions are not the ones expect ed. In can be preferably contradictory but although CSR is assumed to be good, it can have drawbacks. Advantages and disadvantages arising from CSR are as diverse as the domain in which the practices are applied, for analysis purposes standard or most common pros and cons will be considered. First pros or advantages of CSR will be considered.According to Bhattacharya et al. (2008), the first advantage of CSR is that in helps in the enlisting and selection process and more specifically within the competitive graduate student market. Kytle et al. (2005) continue by adding that CSR helps in encounter management. Building a true(a) culture of doing the right thing within a corporation can offset the risks of losing reputation because of any scandal or environmental accident (Kytle et al, 2005, p.10). Another benefit atributed to CSR is brand differenciation. Paluszek (2005) says that CSR can play a role in building customer loyalty based on distinctive ethical values. CSR can help i n building customer loyalty by helping them feel that the company with which they are involved care for them.It must also be added that CSR has a significant impact on customers as well. According to Berger et al. (1995, cited in Maignan and Ferrell, 2004) consumers show more fervent support to companies committed to cause-related marketing, practices that help the environment, or business ethics. Furthermore, the studies conducted by Lichtenstein et al., (2004) proved that CSR helped to develop an emotional attachment with the company and hence it helped in boosting the percentage of sales. Sen et al., (2006) continued by saying that those conscious of actual corporate social activities had more positive responses to, and stronger identification with, the organisation, increased demand for trade and enthronement intent and demand to get a job with this type of organisation than those unaware of any initiative. In addition to the above advantages, others were published in the Inv estment News (2007) and they are listed belowProactive enforcement of stricter quality and environmental controls reduces the risk of negative events (e.g. recalling defective products or fines for excessive polluting).Commitment to CSR increases the ability to attract and retain employees. Benefits include reduced turnover, recruitment and training costs.CSR practices enable corporations to be pliant on ethical issues and attract investors who enforce ethical filtersOne of the main disadvantages of CSR arises from the misuse of the initial concept behind it. Businesses are here to maximise profits and CSR is in direct conflict with this goal. As Malloy (2003) described corporations exist to provide products and/or services that produce profits for their shareholders. Another disadvantage attributed to CSR, is too use it as a marketing tool to promote the companys image. CSR can help companies to be more profitable. This can be proved by the action taken by British petroleum after the discovery of the global warming phenomenon and the promise to have a world beyond petroleum. Here also the investment News 2007 came with a list of arguments against CSRExpenditure on CSR dilutes the funds available for shareholders.Corporate Management is not equipped to address social or environmental problems.Expenditure on CSR imposes additional costs which consequently reduce competitivenessExpenditure on CSR can only be made during periods of high positiveness4.0 guest blissAccording to marketing literature, higher customer pleasure improves fiscal performance by increasing the loyalty of existing customers, reducing expenditure elasticities, lowering marketing costs through positive word-of-mouth advertising, reducing transaction costs, and enhancing firm reputation (e.g., Anderson, Fornell, and Lehmann (1994), Fornell (1992), and Reichheld and Sasser (1990)). Many believe that customer rejoicing is the refer to a business success. The advantages to the fact of obt aining gratification from customers are various but before considering all of them in details, a definition of the term must be given. Customer felicitys definition varies in accordance to the domain in which it is used. For instance it will have a different meaning whether it is used in marketing literature or in other sectors. A definition of customer satisfaction from a service management point of view is that customer satisfaction refers to how the perception of the customer affects the value received in a transaction or relationship where value can be defined as the perceived service quality compared to price and customer incurred acquisition costs (cited in Blanchard and Galloway, 1994 Heskett et al., 1990) in comparison to the expected value to be generated from transactions or relationships with competitors (Zeithaml et al., 1990). From the marketing point of view customer satisfaction will be defined as a vital part of the strategy of an organization (Fornell et al. 2006 ) and a list driver of increased profits on the long-run and boosting market value (Gruca and Rego 2005).Link between CSR and Customer satisfactionA number of studies link customers directly to CSR initiatives. In order to undertake a proper analysis, at least three major dimensions can be considered. The first being Scotts (1987 cited in Luo and Bhattacharya, 2006 p.3) institutional theory and the second stakeholder theory (Maignan, Ferrell, and Ferrell 2005) suggest that a companys actions appeal to the multidimensionality of the consumer as not only an economic being but also a member of a family, community, and country (Handelman and Arnold 1999). Basing themselves on these three approaches Daub and Ergenzinger (2005) developed the term generalized customer. It can be defined as people who are not only customers who care about the consumption experience but also actual or potential members of various stakeholder groups that companies need to consider (Daub and Ergenzinger, 2005 Luo and Bhattacharya, 2006, p.3). Generalized customers fall more satisfaction from the transaction which involves a firm which is socially responsible.The second dimension rely on the aspect that establishing the link between the two components is the fact that being highly active in the CSR domain creates a favorable context that positively boosts consumers evaluations of and it gives a favorable image of the firm (Brown and Dacin 1997 Grhan- Canli and Batra 2004 Sen and Bhattacharya 2001). Handleman and Arnold (1999) state that consumers used the concept of positive word to mouth about firms that were committed to actions that were associated with institutional norms (1999, cited in Maignan and Ferrell, 2004). Studies by Berger and Kanetkar (1995), Barone et al. (2000) and Creyer and Ross (1997) resulted in the fact that consumers are willing to actively support companies committed to cause-related marketing, environmentally-friendly practices, or ethics (cited in Maignan and Ferrell, 2004). CSR initiatives constitute a key element of corporate identity that can induce customers to identify with the company. Indeed, Lichtenstein, Drumwright, and Bridgette (2004, p. 17) bank line that a way that CSR initiatives create benefits for companies appears to be by increasing consumers identification with the corporation and support for the company. Not surprisingly, identified customers are more likely to be satisfied with a firms offerings (e.g., Bhattacharya, Rao, and Glynn 1995 Bhattacharya and Sen 2003).The third dimension examines the antecedents of customer satisfaction (Luo and Bhattacharya, 2006, p.3). One example of a key antecedent can be perceived value and that has been empirically shown to promote customer satisfaction (Fornell et al. 1996 Mithas, Krishnan, and Fornell 2005b Luo and Bhattacharya, 2006). In the actual case, all else being equal, customers likely derive better perceived value and, consequently, higher satisfaction from a product tha t is made by a socially responsible company (Luo and Bhattacharya, 2006, p.4).Another antecedents that is known to impact on customer satisfaction is the knowledge of the customer himself. Jayachandran et al (2005) added that improving customer knowledge represents another antecedent that has been found to enhance customer satisfaction.Although the three dimensions above establish a link between CSR and customer Satisfaction it does not indicate whether it is a positive or a negative one. mackintosh Donald and Rundle-Thiele (2008) pointed out that researchers have studied the impact of CSR on a number of factors, including word of mouth, attitudes, intentions, emotional attachment, shopping in-store, loyalty and brand identification, a limited number of studies have taken into consideration the relationship between satisfaction and CSR (Mac Donald and Rundle-Thiele, 2008, p.174). The only study that directly linked CSR to customer satisfaction was that carried out by Luo and Bhattac harya (2006). They studied Fortune 500 companies, to find that a direct relation between CSR and customer satisfaction existed. Their study identified that satisfaction as a link which formed a relationship between CSR and firm market value (Mac Donald and Rundle-Thiele, 2008, p.174). The diagram below depicts the relationship between customer satisfaction, market share and CSR as studied by Luo and Bhattacharya.Source Xueming Luo C.B. Bhattacharya, 2006, Corporate Social Responsibility, Customer Satisfaction, and Market ValueDespite the direct linking, researchers found cases where CSR was found to have a negative impact on customer satisfaction. Bhattacharya and Luo (2006, cited in Mac Donald and Rundle-Thiele, 2008, p.174) found that, firms which tend to lag in the innovative process, CSR actually reduced the level of customer satisfaction and, through a reduced amount of satisfaction it adversely affected the market value. In some cases, it may be found that it is more appropri ate to use customer oriented initiatives to increase satisfaction than CSR initiatives. CSR initiatives in this case could lead to wastage of precious resources which could have been used in a better way.CSR initiatives against Customer-oriented initiativesPomering and Dolnicar (2006, cited in Mac Donald and Rundle-Thiele, 2008, p.174) studied that a banks CSR initiatives indicated that customers tend to be more responsive to customer-oriented initiatives, rather than those that had a social orientation. In this study, eight CSR initiatives were proposed such as dedicating one per cent of profit to community programs and launching an natural scholarship program. The success of these initiatives did not match the level of satisfaction obtained from customer-oriented initiatives. Pomering and Dolnicar (2006) concluded that consumers consideration for personal well-being may outweigh their consideration of broader social impacts.4.2.1 CSR initiatives and Customer satisfactionIn 2004, Bhattacharya and Sen (2004, cited in Mac Donald and Rundle-Thiele, 2008, p.175) proposed six dimensions to CSR. They are listed below, as published by KLD Researchemployee diversitySupporting employeesproduct impact on the environmentoverseas operationsSupporting society4.2.2 Customer oriented initiatives and customer satisfactionOn the other hand, customer-oriented initiatives for the banking sector were also classified. Chakrabarty (2006) observed that customer oriented actions for the banking sector was not the same as for other sectors. Chakrabartys (2006, cited in Mac Donald and Rundle-Thiele, 2008, p.175) research resulted into four factors that determined the total level of customer satisfaction amongst a sample of more than 12,000 UK retail banking customers. They are listed in order of importance as followsin-branch satisfactioneconomic satisfactionremote satisfactionambience satisfactionLater in 2007, Manrai and Manrai (2007, in Mac Donald and Rundle-Thiele, 2008, p.175) c ame up with another set of four factors. In order of importance, they areProblems attributed to the personnelConcerns of a financial aspectConcerns about the in-branch environmentConvenience-related considerations

Slavery in Chesapeake and the Economy

Slavery in Chesapeake and the EconomyThe tuition of slaveholding in the Chesapeake was due solely to the economic needs of white settlers. Do you crack? report can never adequately provide answers regarding the motives of men and women throughout recorded history what it can do, however, is to provide a prism through which to infer the consequences of their actions. With regards to slavery, the consequences of the Southern United States intrinsic involvement in the practice of slavery were truly seismic, resulting in the American Civil War and the cementation of the worlds well-nigh powerful economic and military force. The role of the Chesapeake in this tumultuous domestic conflict should non be underestimated such was the deep seated nature of the spheres association with slavery. Certainly, economic necessity appears to be at the forefront of this historical fact with the rich tobacco and other grain industries flourishing in the South as a direct result of the burgeoning s lave trade. Indeed, as Fogel (2003) underscores, even the slaves themselves could be traded amongst white settlers for economic profit.For the purpose of perspective, the following analysis into the development of slavery in the Chesapeake area must adopt a critical stance attempting to show that economic reasons were indeed the dominant paradigm in the regions development of a sophisticated slave trade while also underscoring the complex and diverse nature of the early American slave trade. First, however, a conceptualisation of the issue must be attempted. It is important to note that Chesapeake differed markedly from the slave trades operating in the Georgia Low Country after the set-back arrival of enslaved African workers in the early seventeenth century (transported by Dutch merchants to replace a dwindling European dig up force in the North American colonies). Unlike in other English colonies, the Chesapeake was a locale that was only colonised for economic reasons with a sparse colonial nation in the days immediately prior to the introduction of slavery. Likewise, the differences within the Chesapeake itself highlight the way in which the values of trade, profit, production and the economy were central to the genesis of slavery in the region, as Philip Morgan (19989) details.By the late seventeenth century, Virginia had a plantation economy in search of a labour force, whereas South Carolina had a labour force in search of plantation economy.From the very beginning, therefore, a symbiosis began to form between the determining economic factors of the white settler communities and the introduction of epic numbers of slaves into the colonies, with the number of African workers increasing from 13000 to 250000 in the Chesapeake Bay area between 1700 and 1770. The fact that this unprecedented level of African recruitment was accompanied by a drive to attract more female slaves to the colonies so as to increase the plantation population is testimony to the economic imperative at the core of slave development in the Chesapeake. If slavery were a temporary measure to increase population levels in the area then the imposition of female slaves would not have occurred only because of the permanence of the economic necessity for slaves did this phenomenon occur.Furthermore, the sheer expanse of the New World landscape required the development of slaves to even begin to groom the land for economic production. After the introduction of rice crops in the 1680s, Boyer (200385) estimates that a farmer planting 130 acres of the crop would require at least 65 slaves to do so. With the rapid reduction of the white indentured slaves after the turn of the eighteenth century, the absolute economic need for African slaves in the Chesapeake gain ground increased so that the white plantation owners were utterly dependent on slave manpower in order to function as viable enterprises, competing with extremely productive colonies such as the West Ind ies. Without the slave trade, the Chesapeake region of America particularly the states of Virginia and North Carolina could never have emerged as a major impostor in the expanding transAtlantic trade system.It was not just for economic reasons that slaves were seen as integral to the rise of the Chesapeake. Health imperatives likewise played a part in the development of slavery during the early years of the colonial era. The African workers were immunised against the malaria that came with the imported rice and grain crops a disease that rendered white workers obsolete during the constructive years of the Chesapeakes economic development. Moreover, the hot and humid climate of the Chesapeake was wholly alien to the white settlers from the colder European climate while the African workers imported to work on the plantations were much better equipped to cope with the running(a) conditions in the New World, though Oscar and Mary Hadlin (1950199-222) refute this claiming that it i s unjust to blame nature for tempestuous human institutions.It is also important to recognise, as Edmund Morgan (2003314-344) points out, that the slaves were important for sociological and cultural reasons, helping to underpin the rigid class structure that flourished in the southern American states. By taking away the need for a white working class, the slaves of the Chesapeake performed the task of cultural underdogs, which was an integral part of the economic rise of the region as a world exporter.Despite the diverse range of cultural and sociological factors prevalent in the development of slavery in the Chesapeake there is no escaping the pre musical note of economic imperatives. Indeed, the manufacturing of the term slave trade implies the significance of economic issues in all parts of America that indulged in slavery with the transaction of human beings working in tandem with the production of profits garnered from the rich plantations. As Winthrop Jordan (1976110-115) det ails, the underlying prejudice of the white settlers incorporating a profound sense of racial and ethnic high quality facilitated the evolution of slavery as a comprehensive way of life in the Chesapeake. The fact that the Chesapeake was willing to go to war with the Yankees for the perpetuation of the profits generated by the slave trade proves beyond doubt that economic reasons were the catalyst behind the development of slavery in the region.ReferencesBoyer, P.S. et al (2003) Enduring Vision a History of the American People Fifth Edition New York Houghton MifflinBreen, T.H. (Ed.) (1976) Shaping Southern Society the Colonial capture Oxford Oxford University PressFogel, R.W. (2003) The Slavery Debates, 1952-1990 a Retrospective he-goat Rouge Louisiana State University PressMorgan, E.S. (2003) American Slavery, American Freedom London W.W. Norton Co.Morgan, P.D. (1998) Slave Counterpoint Black Culture in the Eighteenth degree centigrade Chesapeake and Low Country Chapel Hill, NC University of North Carolina PressSelected ArticlesJordan, W. (1976) Unthinking Decision Enslavement of Negroes in America to 1700, quoted in, Breen, T.H. (Ed.) Shaping Southern Society the Colonial Experience Oxford Oxford University PressJournalsHadlin, M.F. and Hadlin, O. (April 1950) Origins of the Southern Labour System, quoted in, William and Mary Quarterly, Volume 7, Number 2

All Men By Nature Desire Knowledge

All Men By Nature Desire KnowledgeAll men by temperament confide experience quoted from Aristotles work Metaphysics. Aristotle raises the idea of worlds need for knowledge. Since the dawn of human career, we have been trying to acquire knowledge in all different areas of life , and in order of magnitude for us to believe that pluck of knowledge, we request conducting designate that is based on various ways of knowing. To what extent we take order to support our vox populis varies with different areas of knowledge. Some areas of knowledge require a certain stratum of evidence. However, in former(a) areas evidence is not required to support tactual sensation Mathematics, the indwelling sciences and the human sciences are knowledge fields that require a degree of system of logical evidence due to their highly logic-based nature. On the other hand, notion in the arts, ethics and religion is not dependent on evidence.Mathematicians search for patterns accordingly formula te conjectures, furthermore through and through deductive reasoning using the rules of inference and axioms they provide proof to these conjectures. Conjectures that have already been proven are often called theorems. Proof in mathematics is obtained through deductive and inductive reasoning alternatively than empirical arguments and the proof must demonstrate that the conjecture is true in all cases, without any exceptions. Mathematicians employ deductive logic through combining the axioms, definitions, and earliest theorems in order to provide proof for their conjectures. Considering two even integers A and B. Since they are even, they can be expressed as A = 2x and B = 2y one by one for integers x and y. Thus the sum A + B = 2x + 2y = 2 ( x + y ), from this it is clear that x + y has 2 as a element consequently x + y are even. As a result, the sum of any two even integers is even. Establishing the truth of this conjecture was done through employing logic through combining the definition of even integers ( A = 2x ) and the distri bution law ( 2x + 2y = 2 ( x + y )). Briefly, in order for a controversy to be believed in the area of mathematics it requires a high degree of logical evidence based on deductive and inductive reasoning combined with numerical axioms, definitions and prior theorems to support mathematicians belief in that statement.Other areas of knowledge such as the natural sciences require a relatively average degree of evidence. The natural sciences branch into three main fields Biology, chemistry, and physics. These sciences aim to study the natural rules and laws in which the universe obeys. At first scientists seek patterns in the world nigh them through empirical observation and then formulate generalizations concerning these observations, and through the determination of logic discover the reason of such patterns. Evidence of a correct possible action is induced by logical reasoning through the observation of the universe. Conside ring Newtons discovery of gravity, at first Newton observed an orchard apple tree falling off an apple tree, and Newton as a scientist already knew that in order for an object to move it requires force in the same direction. Through the use of logic, Newton reason that there is a force beneath him that pulled the apple in its direction. Briefly, in order for a theory to be believed in the natural sciences it requires a degree of logical evidence based on observations of nature.The human sciences is an area of knowledge that requires a relatively low degree of evidence to support belief in that area. Human sciences investigate human activities in order to assemble theories predicting human behavior. Proof of such theorems is acquired through the observation of sensory experiences and by means of objective observation of psychological experience. One of the most significant and known theorems in this field of study is Freuds psychoanalytic theory, in which Freud assembled a theory to analyze human behaviors. The general concept of the theory is that unconscious motivations, sex and violence in specific, of human beings influence the development of their personality. Freud supported his theory with evidence he acquired through employing logic in the observation of the humans development process and the humans behavior at each stage of development. The extent of evidence that Freud used to support his theory was relatively low and subjective in comparison with other areas, he supported his work using empirical observation, nevertheless many population today believe in his theory and it is well-known worldwide. Briefly, in order for a theory to be believed in the human sciences a degree of evidence must be present, however, the degree of evidence is small and subjective in relativity to other areas.On the other hand some areas of knowledge require no evidence to support a belief in a knowledgeable statement. To begin with, it must be understood that the arts disc ipline encompasses literary, optical and performing arts. The definition of a good piece of art is creative and original nevertheless the genuineness of a piece of art lies in the vista of the viewer. Obtaining a persons belief in genuineness of a piece of art whether visual, literary, or performing is not dependent on providing evidence that the piece is genuine, but lies in the viewers sensory perspective of that piece and his prior background in arts. As a result, this lack of evidence lead people to use each others sensory perspective and experiences as evidence. For example, an amateur artist would take the word of an experienced artist in believing in the originality of a piece of art.Another area of knowledge requiring no evidence to support belief is ethics. Ethics is an area of knowledge that addresses issues concerning concepts of right and wrong, generally concepts of morality. Ethical systems and theories are postulated in order to encourage people to turn their attenti on from the world around them to themselves, consequently encouraging people to realize their full moon potential and achieve full self-awareness. Ethical theories do not need evidence to support the peoples belief in their concepts, simply because humans are born in inquisition of knowledge in order to realize their full potential, thus no evidence is needed. Considering Aristotles postulated ethical system self-realizationism in which Aristotle projects that when a person acts in accordance with his nature and his full potential , that person will be good and content Aristotle needed no evidence to support his theory due to our continuous pursuit of self-actualization. Briefly, the need for evidence to support others belief in ethical theories is not needed due to our constant search for knowledge which we seek in order to reach our full potential, and achieve the highest state of self-awareness.The final and most significant area in which evidence is not required to support ou r belief is religion. Religions from Christianity to Hinduism suggest a secure of beliefs concerning the purpose of our life in this universe, suggesting the supernatural divine God which represents our creator and the reason behind our existence. The most significant belief that religions set is the belief in the presence of God, the presence of a superior being or soul is impossible to prove thus the creative idea of credence takes control faith is the idea of believing without the need for evidence. The creation of such an idea is brilliant due to the fact that faith suppresses our need to perceive and scientifically understand the concept of the superior God. It could be argued that religion often opposes itself in some ideas. For example the idea of God is almighty, God can do everything is controversial. This statement implies a generalization that due to its enormous size causes contradiction. This can be clarified by asking the question Can God create a rock that he himse lf cannot destroy, if the answer is yes then God is not capable of destroying the rock, consequently not capable of doing everything. On the other hand, if the answer is no then God is unable to create everything. This paradox created, due to the extent of generalization, in that statement shows that no evidence is needed to believe in the idea of God.In the Theaetetus, one of Platos dialogues concerning the nature of knowledge, Plato argues that knowledge always involves belief. After studying the extent of evidence required to support belief in all areas of knowledge, it is clear that belief is present in all areas of knowledge although minimal in scientific areas. An inverse relationship between the need for evidence and the need for belief in an area of knowledge is noticed as the belief is minimal in areas like math, the evidence required to support it is maximum and vice versa in other areas like religion. As humans, our curious nature demands evidence in order to acquire our belief. To sum up, the extent of evidence required to support a persons beliefs in different areas of knowledge is not only dependent on each area, it is also dependent on the person himself and his/her prior knowledge.

The Reagan Tax Cuts And Foreign Policy Essay -- essays research papers

The Reagan Tax Cuts and Foreign Policy     During the 1980s President Ronald Reagans (our 40th president from1981 to 1989) domestic policy of a substantial value geld led to greatly increaseeconomic prosperity for our country. During Reagans administration markedchanges were made to the evaluate code and economic statistics showed a major changefor the better. However, at the same time, the Democrats controlled the Congressand continued increased spending against Reagans wishes. The Joint EconomicCommittee stated that an across-the-board tax vitiated was not new. In the 20s theMellon tax ablations were implemented by Secretary of Treasury Andrew Mellon duringthe Administrations of Hoover, Harding, and Coolidge. In the 60s Kennedyintroduced tax cuts. In both instances the decrease of high marginal tax ratessomehow increased tax payments by the rich. Perhaps a foreshadow of things tocome. Debates were raging over the Reagan tax cuts, known as the EconomicRecov ery Tax Act of 1981 (or, ERTA). This bout was designed to spur savings,investment, work, and economic efficiency. This policy would impose a 25%across-the-board cut in personal marginal tax rates. In the wager of decreasingmarginal tax rates, and stimulating economic incentives, ERTA would increase theflow of resources into production, thus lifting economic growth. This policyreceived much criticism because its opponents argued that ERTA would be agiveaway to the rich, because their tax payments would collapse. Reagan workedhard and skillfully with the congress to obtain legislation to stimulateeconomic growth and curb inflation, he embarked upon a course to cut taxes andcurb inflation. President Reagan was able to sign into law a tax cut in late1981 even though congressional Democrats tried to engine block his cuts. All tax payersreceived these cuts which helped to spur the economy. The cuts were taken overthree years with a 5% cut in 1981, a 10% cut for 1982, and in 1983 anothe r 10%cut. Reagans call for extensive changes in the federal income tax laws helpedbring about passage of the Tax Reform Act of 1986. In 1986 Reagan introduced theTax Reform act of 1986. The tax reform act of 1986 chopped taxes, and indexedtaxes for inflation as well. During Reagans first term the inflation rate wasat -5.7%, unemployment was at1.4%, have-to doe with rates were at -.7, and the grossna... ... The aides had then illegallygiven some of the arms money to contra guerrillas.ConclusionThe Reagan Tax cuts showed that reducing excessive tax rates stimulatesgrowth, reduces tax avoidance, and can increase the share of tax payments givenby the rich. With respect to foreign policy Reagans performances especiallywith Mikhail Gorbachev showed a high compliment of performance with the people.Reagan had the highest poll ratings for performance of any president since WorldWar 2. It appears that his leadership helped to make the feeling of the countryto have a more self-assured outl ook on the future.References"Iran-Contra Affair," Microsoft Encarta 96 Encyclopedia 1993-1995. 1996Grolier Interactive Inc.Edition copyright 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company.http//www.house.gov/joe/welcome.htmlhttp//www.reaganhome.com/taxcuts.htmlhttp//www.theatlantic.com/atlantic/election/connections/foreign/reagrus.htmHyland, W.G., ed., The Reagan Foreign Policy (1987).The American heritage Dictionary of the English Language, ThirdThe Atlantic Monthly, February 1994 Reagan and the Russians Volume 273.The Joint Economic Committee reports on the Reagan Tax Cuts

Constructivism in the classroom Essay -- essays research papers

Constructivism represents a paradigm shift form education based on cognitive theories. This concept assumes that chequerers urinate their own association on the basis of action with their environment. (Gagnon & Collay, 200?) The role of the teacher as a constructor of the study experience to ensure reliable curriculum and assessment which is responsive to the skills, needs and experiences of the learner, within established curriculum framework and with the reference to the achievement of literacy, numeracy, retention and attainment of outcomes. Kra substance abuse, Bochner and Duchesne (p.157) comment that as learners interact with their environment, they link information learned through experience to previous knowledge, and so construct new understandings and knowledge. Constructivism then inturn encourages Teachers and Learning Managers to recognise the value of prior knowledge and experiences that each child brings with them into the classroom, and help them (the students) build on their understandings of the world by providing appropriate encyclopedism experience plans.This practise of effective teaching and eruditeness has comparatively new in classrooms but has already made a great difference in the students abilities and interests both in and out of their studies. Constructivist teaching recognises and validates the students point of view rather then the necessity of a correct answer. The child is then able to reassess their knowledge and understandings, which in turn boosts self-esteem and confidence. It also encourages children to be involved in classroom activities by self-questioning, seeking answers, comparing situations and establishing links between different ideas. This is possible as constructive learning is transferable between different ideas. (Tutorial Notes, 28th July, 2004)Jean Piaget (1896 1980), a Swiss psychologist, portrayed the child as a lone scientist, creating their own sense of the world. Their knowledge of relationships among ideas, objects and events is constructed by the active processes of internal assimilation, accommodation and equilibration. (Hughes, 2001). He also believed that we must understand the childs understandings of the world, and this should guide the teaching practises and evaluation. The fundamental basis of learning was discovery. To understand is reconstruct by discovery, and such conditions must be compiled... ...n essentials that teachers should undertake to help maintain a healthy constructivist classroom. It is important to hold a popular opinion that learning is restructuring of thought rather than an increase in content, and reconstruction or recall will reflect that particular schema of the child. They also believe that the use of cognitive conflict promotes the consolidation of concepts. The use of wrong answers also helps students analyse their thinking in order to retain the correct elements and revise their misconceptions. Promoting social interaction, companion friendships and co-operation, also increases their interest and comprehension in learning, as well as improve the childs conflict resolution skills.Teachers continually learn almost ways people learn the processes of learning and how individuals learn best. They learn about their students and individuals, and learn with as well as from their students when they seek knowledge together. (Principles of effective learning and teaching, 1994). Through continually discovering new and exciting ways to help mould a constructivist classroom, the students will be able to achieve their outcomes with great ease and learn to enjoy education.