Place of Man in Business Organisations

Place of Man in Business Organisations AN ETHICAL APPRAISAL OF THE PLACE OF MAN IN BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS Abstract/Introduction To really have clear understanding of the place of man in the society and in the organizations, it is pertinent to conceptualize and formulate a method of investigation which utilizes the concept of value as it’s terminus a quo (Starting point). It is the concept of value that distinguishes and sets man apart from other creatures and lower animals. Man has rationality and a dignity which no other created being has. This proper understanding of the human person in his essential and relational constituents makes man the focal point of all action and development. As such, to understand the real value and dignity of man is essential to business relations in the organizations. There are different businesses that man engages in, but the real value of man ensures that business does not debase annihilate man altogether. The primary purpose of this paper is to give an ethical appraisal of the place of man (understood as a human person) in various business organizations. This paper will unearth three important elements that gives man his identity of uniqueness:- Respect, Solidarity and Liberty (Freedom). These are the fundamental principles that make us most human. The Threefold Values of The Human Person Respect in the workplace This is the fundamental attitude of giving value to somebody or something. This value demands that we do not destroy the being or the essence of another person who has the right to be and operate the way he is convinced of. However, this value of respect should be in consonance with rule of law and healthy customs. Man has the fundamental right to enjoy respect either as an employer or employee in the workplace. Any effort to deprive him of this fundamental value reduces man to a mere object that has lost its value. Respectful behavior in the organization most times is as a result of organizational culture. Respect is fostered when employees/employers are valued, when people treat others the way they would love to be treated, when conflicts are resolved swiftly and successfully, when there is courtesy in communication, and when disrespectful behavior is suitably addressed. In the organization, respectful conduct lays the foundation for a constructive/positive work atmosphere. Solidarity (Communion of persons over alienation) The concept of solidarity is not just the idea of projecting unity of message and vision in the workplace among workers; it is most importantly the art of valuing our fellow human beings and respecting the uniqueness of the individual person. The world is a one human family; solidarity among workers in the workplace enables the organization to build a community of people that empowers everyone to attain their full potential by respecting the dignity of each other, the rights and responsibilities of each other. Solidarity is the idea that together we can make a difference. Solidarity demands a sharing of the different qualities, characteristics and talents that we have in the production process. The value of solidarity in the work place is manifest in the formation of trade unions to improve the collective behaviors of the seller of the power of labor and the employers with the intention of protecting their standards structurally. Some researchers have criticized the idea of socialism on the basis that it is against human nature. For them, it is contra naturam. This is the basic idea of Alex Callinicos when he writes; â€Å"you can’t change human nature. Any attempt to create a society free of poverty, exploitation and violence is bound to run up against the fact that human beings are naturally selfish, greedy and aggressive†. (2004; P. 65). For Karl Marx, the whole idea of an unchanging human nature was a mere abstraction. The essence of man for him is not an abstraction inherent in a single individual; rather it is an amalgamation of social relations. Be that as it may, there is nothing like human nature in the abstract. Human beliefs, the desires of women and men change as the society changes. It is the need to ensure that human solidarity is not threatened that enables employees to form labor unions. According to Karl Marx, (1967; P. 54), â€Å"employees may seek collective actions to relieve their feelings of alienation about work conditions. The employees at this point become aware of the common plight (solidarity) and that their resulting class consciousness would push them to overthrow the capitalist system†. Solidarity indeed is the basis of unionism. This Marxs theory should be understood from the perspective of the adversity and poverty suffered by workers in France, Germany and England around 19th-century. The Industrial Revolution within this period was an eye opener and created a seemingly set of workers, most of whom were living in abject poverty, under terrible working conditions without any political representation In the context of this article, solidarity has to do with the relationship between business organizations and those groups, which while they have strong economic interest are not exclusively economic societies. The union of goals and interest, as the case may be, could not be described in strict economic terms and be considered as a firm, social, ethical and political dimensions. It is not only concerned with wages, but also with working conditions and with the distribution of power in the economy. Freedom rooted in conscience Freedom is one if not the most fundamental value of the human person. Freedom gives the human person his dignity.. His freedom goes beyond the self-development and expression, it cuts across real liberty; access to income and wealth. This liberty enables man to have access to the resources of the society ranging from money, other material goods, offices, jobs and titles. No value on earth makes one happier than the sense and taste of freedom. When this sense permeates in the workplace, you will experience a team of happier colleagues around in the workplace. Different companies have different ways of seeking and achieving freedom. According to the Economic Times, (6th August, 2010), there are different ways of going about the idea of freedom in the workplace. There is â€Å"freedom to flex your work hours to accommodate family life while still meeting organizational goals; freedom to air new ideas and opposing viewpoints with the management; freedom to do things differently, freedom to have a healthy work-life balance†. Man is the maker of values. For Shappiro, S.L (1980; p. 80), Man is a dynamic being, and this dynamism enables him to transmit from values earlier made to some newly made values. Basically, these values of man especially about freedom are not based only on the world of commerce; rather they are humanistic so long as they are deeply rooted in the nature of man. Sadly as it may seem, most of the values underlying the model of the economy and its typical implementation as found in most business organizations, have been very inconsistent with the nature of man. As such, this would at the extreme cause reduction in motivation and work morale. At this point, it is pertinent to highlight some of the basic values made by man in business organizations. Business Codes of Ethics and values made by man in Business Organizations Business codes of ethics or standard of conduct in any business setting highlights the values of the organization, its ethics, tasks and goals which include the need to respect and value the dignity of the human person (employees) in the organization. It also guides the employees on how to go about some ethical circumstances that may arise in the workplace One might ask how it is possible for workplace code of ethics to bring about ethical behavior in business. Though it has been stressed a lot that the best way to sustain the standard of morality and ethics in the organization is by those in the leadership positions leading with examples, this is not always the case in large companies where there is growth in culture brought about by increase in the number of staff and employees. In this situation, business standard of ethics becomes one of the lasting resorts to maintain a standing rule of morality in the workplace. This can be done through the provision of employee handbooks, benchmarks, the code of ethics should also provide specific examples that would really illustrate to the employees what is actually being said. There should also be a training course to fully download the contents of this idea. And finally, the code of ethics should be properly implemented. Every code of ethics must have a provision for respect for individuals. Every employee in an organization ought to have the right to work in an environment where he would be treated with respect and dignity. This brings out the best in us and unleashes our full potentials as human beings. A standard code should also explicitly declare its non- discriminatory policy of any sort, either discrimination in the form of abuse, harassment etc. A critical look at some of the achievements of man in the society either in business organizations or elsewhere gives us the reassurance that everything in the world has its own worth. The worth of something determines the kind of value that would be attached to it. In the case of man in business organizations, S. Nicki (1982: P. 21) points out that the worth of man indicates that man both the employer and the employee should be see not as mere abstractions but should be seen as human beings with dignity and should be treated as such. Another aspect of the value rendered to man in the organization is through proper involvement or engagement. The degree to which they are involved is yet another valuable thing the employees uphold tenaciously. Another aspect of the value of man in the organization is expressed in the reward system in the organization. It is necessary that the workers in the organization get the reward for their work as and when due. This is the point highlighted by W,B Eddy, et al (1969:P.8) when they said that â€Å"a full day’s work, deserves a full day’s pay†. Another point of emphasis is the need for incentives and reinforcement. It is part of the value of man to be motivated in doing his job and be assured of job security. Man’s Place in Business Organization: An Appraisal Considering the business codes of ethics and the entire structure of some organizations, it is pertinent to re-assert the value of man and his place in these values that they created. Man is the creator of these organizational values, and as well the destroyer of the values. Sometimes man in the organization is alienated from labor, product, nature, state, and often times from himself. There is a high tendency for man to be a wolf to man in the organization through unhealthy rivalry, struggling to succeed at the expense of the other at all costs. These situations have deprived man of his naturally deserved respect to the extent that man has been debased. This condition breeds envy, division in the organization. And in this kind of organization, it becomes difficult, if not impossible to run an ethically conscious business organization. The primary essence of the business codes of ethics is to protect the fundamental rights of man (employees) in the organization. These fundamental rights should not be violated in any means whatsoever. Man needs to feel his contribution in the workplace valued, else he feels frustrated and alienated. There should be some elements of team work and cooperation in the workplace to carry everyone along as stipulated in the business codes of ethics. Besides all these, the most valuable and guarded aspect of the human value in the organization is his dignity. Man is not a working machine, rather a being with worth and dignity as an individual. Be that as it may, it is obvious that whatever man does has some ethical implications. In the business organizations, man needs to be treated as an end and never as a means to an end. Evaluation And Conclusion This paper has strived to re-establish the fundamental value of man as a being with dignity even as he engages in business practices in the any organization. These fundamental human rights of man set him apart from other lower animals. In business organizations, employees are treated like working machines which can be put to work at will and dumped at will. Man as man has values and posses some inalienable rights that help boost his dignity in whatever he does and wherever he finds himself. It is noteworthy in this paper that most of the unethical activities in business organizations, even in the society at large is rooted in a lack of respect for our own personal dignity. The primary function of ethics then demands that we appreciate what it means to be truly human. Until we have a proper ethical understanding that enables us understand what it means to be truly human, and puts business into a total framework of both individual and social life, we may end up as successful business me but also as mediocre and morally handicapped people. To talk of business is to talk of man, the human beings who make it happen. Business does not exist in a vacuum. Man in the business organizations, as well as in any other place is the maker of values. His dignity should not for any reason whatsoever be tampered with or equated with material things. Man therefore is a dignified creature. References Marx, K (1967) The Communist Manifesto. Uk., Hazeil Watson and Viney Ltd. Shappiro, S.L. (1980). An Introduction to Business Management. New York. Mcgraw Hill The Economic Times (6TH. August, 2010) S. Nicki (1982). The Business of Communication. U.K: Richard Claypress Ltd. P. 21 W,B Eddy et al (1969)/ behavioral Sciences and Manager’s Role. California: NTL. P. 8 F. Risieri, (1963). What Value? U.S.A: Open Courts Pub.

Australian Literature Essay

Good morning writers, students, and guests, welcome to the Youth Forum. Today I will be discussing the Australian identity in contemporary literature. The main question being asked today is â€Å"Does contemporary literature encourage young readers to look beyond Australian stereotypes?.† I will be discussing my point of view, which will be backed up with reasons based on evidence I have found in four different Australian contemporary literature texts. We’re in the 21st century, and right now there is such a huge variety of contemporary literature that encourages young adults to look beyond Australian stereotypes. In this speech I will discuss why I agree with contemporary literature encouraging young readers to look beyond Australian stereotypes. The reason I have chosen to agree with the statement is because of the proof of evidence I have found in the following texts: Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden, Looking for Alibandi by Melina Marchetta, The Drover’s Wife by Henry Lawson, and An Australian Short Story by Ryan O’Neill. Body The classic Australian stereotype is very narrow; a particular slang, wears cowboy hats, lives on big farms in the outback, etc. After reviewing the screenplay to looking for Alibandi, it shows a great example of the mixed cultures Australia has, and how we can adapt other cultures into our own traditions. It shows this by the Italian background in Josie’s family. The setting also brings in the city, and landmarks, backing up the claim that the whole of Australia is not an outback. The way she dresses isn’t in boots and cowboy hats but in a multi-cultural way that shows the generation she lives in, and represents her background. Tomorrow when the war began shows the underlay of the Australian stereotype. On the outside it has the average stereotype, but the personalities and emotions the characters bring, proves how much it goes beyond. The personality of an â€Å"average Australian† towards other countries is very â€Å"country aussie† but it’s more than that. The characters in this book show integrity, determination, and wellbeing. The book describes these main three characteristics, as well as many others, which gives readers the chance to understand a more realistic interpretation. Tomorrow when the war began also describes the political view of war and represents the power of a non-democratic country. Henry Lawson’s The Drovers Wife purposely took the ordinary Australians as the subject theme. He used a bush setting, and had a more realistic Australian style. But it isn’t the story itself that is indulging; the melodramatic dialogue that pushes past the Australian stereotype. It’s not the story its self, it’s the hidden meaning in the text. The Drover’s Wife both challenges and reinforces the Australian stereotype. This short story is simple. There isn’t any grand scenes or intense rhetorical indifferences. The message that this story brings is the endless bravery, hardships and perseverance that these women have. This story brings a whole new vision of Australian woman, going beyond the Australian stereotype, and brings a whole new meaning to elegance and courage. An Australian Short Story, written by Ryan O’Neill, is such an in-depth piece of literature. The story’s artistic format brings a new meaning to Australian literature, and the typical stereotype. Ryan O’Neill took a chance on this story, because he isn’t an Australian. But after living in Australia for many years, he took the time to really notice things. And with that, he chose to write what he saw and felt. And that was beyond the Australian stereotype. He chose to write in a way they almost spoke out; that everyone is human, and no matter where we come from, the details we see up close, bring a whole new perspective then the ones we see far away. Conclusion I would like to end as I begun, with the statement that Australian contemporary literature does encourage young readers to look beyond Australian stereotypes. I’ve proven this by the evidence I have found in four different texts. I think there is great promise in Australian literature because it’s always evolving, new generations of writers, with new idea that will continue to shape and change the perspective of Australians. Australian literature is written artistically, not commercially and uses inescapable words and languages to embrace the implausible delight. This is provided by virtually all literature is given a boarder understanding of people so it automatically is giving the chance for readers to look beyond stereotypes. Every character in stories are individuals, and its only the author who choses weather or not they are going to push the boundaries of the average stereotype. The only way for them not to go beyond is weather they are making a statement about the stereotype or just in face that they are poor authors.  So read up, and fill your minds with inexplicable wonder of Australian minds, and learn to understand the meaning of the way they live and the passions they desire.

Julius Caesar Essay

A perspective is a representation of a particular event, situation or personality formulated due to varying ideologies prevalent within a particular time period. As such we see, persuasive texts endeavor to utilise the fears within our context, in order to instigate an emotive response through the use of manipulative language, which ultimately leads to the infiltration of our psyche. This is prevalent within Shakespeare’s historical tragedy Julius Caesar, the October 2001 TIME magazine article, â€Å"The Manhunt Goes Global† composed by John Cloud et al, in addition with Michael Moore’s 2004 scathing documentary film Fahrenheit 9/11. As a result of their times of composition, we see conflicting perspectives concerning the fear of tyranny arising within these texts. This tyranny for a contemporary audience may be the rise of terrorism induced by 9/11, hence leading to dichotomous views as to the responsibility of these attacks. Through the use of rhetoric and persuasive language within the texts the composers utilise the fear of tyranny to shape the response of an internal and external audience. Through the funeral orations, Brutus, a stoic character uses syllogism in â€Å"There is tears for his love†¦honour for his valor and death for his ambition† to reinforce the concern of dictatorship predominant within the Roman context of the play by compelling the Plebeians of the righteousness of the assassination. Similarly, this notion of the fear of tyranny is implied in the TIME magazine article, â€Å"The Manhunt Goes Global† . The written medium of production as well as the form of a magazine article characterises the use of a subjective tone in order to appeal to the informed and educated audience, â€Å"In fact†¦that French antiterrorist officials have taken to calling the city Londonistan. † The use of neologism ‘Londonistan’ may perhaps suggest the composer’s purpose to affirm the involvement of Al Qaeda through the deliberate manipulation of the motivations within the audience. Therefore, we see intense opinions portrayed through deductive reasoning, shaping an emotive response by utilising the motivations of the audience. Perhaps, Shakespeare’s purpose through the use of manipulative language may be to imply the fluid nature of perspectives evoked by our underlying fears. This notion is exemplified through numbing effect on the audience created through the use of caesura in the rhetoric and form of iambic pentameter within Antony’s speech, â€Å"Ambition should be made of sterner stuff; yet Brutus says he was ambitious†. Likewise, through the magazine article â€Å"The Manhunt Goes Global† the racial tension in the educated audience of the magazine is manipulated to impose the composer’s perspective through the pragmatic use of evidence. But Bush Administration sources tell TIME that U. S authorities have acquired evidence†¦at al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan. †The use of high modality persuades the audience to attain the perspective of the involvement of Al Qaeda. Therefore, the particular use of form and provocative rhetoric leads to the formulation of emot ive responses. However, persuasive texts may ultimately aim to infiltrate our psyche, through the use of appeals that manipulate our values. Antony’s oration undermines the fear of tyranny through the use of pathos. Look, in this place ran Cassius’ dagger through. See what a rent the envious Casca made. † The use of an imperative ‘Look’ is used to shape the audience’s response by appealing to their sense of justice and equality. The medium of production and use of a historical play results in the use of dramatic conventions, such as stage direction as â€Å"ANTONY steps down† from the pulpit. In this instance, the cathartic effect of Shakespeare’s use of humility leads to the manipulation of the Plebeians response as a sense of equality is evoked through an opportunity to make a judgment. Conversely, in Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 the visual medium of production and form of a documentary film utilises rationality and authenticity to appeal to the human condition by inducing a sense of credibility. Spin doctoring through the use of a cumulative series of images with Newspaper headlines â€Å"White House Approved Departure of Saudis after Sept. 11,† highlights Moore’s purpose as to persuade the American populous of the alleged connections of the Bush government to 9/11 by appealing to their sense of rationality induced by contextual disdain with the government. Moore utilises a sarcastic tone to induce a fear of oppression. Perhaps he should have read the security briefing†¦on August 6th 2001†, this pragmatic use of evidence and sarcasm manipulates our psyche by inducing a poignant response. The concern of dictatorship is further exemplified through the use of balanced sentences and antithetical ideas as Brutus states â€Å"As Caesar loved m e†¦I honour him: but as he was ambitious, I slew him. † A rationale of the assassination is proposed through the repetition of the personal pronoun as Brutus’ honour adds to the notion of integrity formulated in order to persuade the audience of the conspirator’s apparent oble cause. Similarly the notion of integrity is used by Moore, to appeal to the human condition through deductive reasoning as one such authoritarian figure FBI agent Jack Clooney states â€Å"I as an investigator would not have wanted these people [Osama Bin Laden’s family] to leave†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The use of contextual political turmoil persuades the audience to perceive 9/11 to be a political ploy resulting in the rise of terrorism. Through, these texts we see the influence of the use of reason and logic, leading to the formulation of an empathetic response due to the infiltration of our psyche. Although, texts may use various mediums of production and textual form such as in Shakespeare’s historical tragedy Julius Caesar, Michael Moore’s documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 and John Cloud et al’s magazine article â€Å"The Manhunt Goes Global†. Ultimately, the discerning power of language and appeals such as those involving equality and justice, as a consequence of the fears embedded within the composer’s context, have a cathartic effect and therefore influence emotive responses within an internal and external audience to a large extent.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - 756 Words

To what extremity would one go to pursue love? Are those actions justified? Or does love and passion simply bind one’s self from the immorality and repercussions caused by one’s actions? These types of questions directly encompass the character, Jay Gatsby from the novel, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The actions taken by Gatsby support one of the major themes prevalent in the novel: immorality. Immorality at the time this novel takes place-- the 1920’s-- seems to reflect not only the characters in the book, but also relate to the changing social dynamics of society which even further the extremity of Gatsby’s self-indulgence and questionable acts at the time. In the novel, Fitzgerald continuously mentions the green light and its relevance to Gatsby and the continuing theme of immorality, â€Å"He stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and, far as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward-and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute far way, that might have been the end of a dock (Fitzgerald 21). This quote shows Gatsby’s longing for the ‘green light’ which is evidently, on the end of Daisy Buchanan’s dock, which symbolizes not only Gatsby’s desire and obsession with Daisy, but it also is the symbol of all of Gatsby’s actions that he takes in order to achieve Daisy -selling bootlegged liquor to become wealthy. These steps taken by Gatsby symbolize immorality because the novel takesShow MoreRelatedThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald1393 Words   |  6 PagesF. Scott Fitzgerald was the model of the American image in the nineteen twenties. He had wealth, fame, a beautiful wife, and an adorable daughter; all seemed perfect. Beneath the gilded faà §ade, however, was an author who struggled with domestic and physical difficulties that plagued his personal life and career throughout its short span. 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