Introduction
This paper delves into the peculiarities of the so-called population problem. The author is convinced that today, it is impossible to ignore this issue as it is becoming relevant to all people, no matter where they live. However, even if individuals accept the necessity of an intervention to alter the situation, they will try to use technological approaches to improve the situation. Thus, the author is sure that it is impossible to solve this problem technologically.
Instead, the author maintains that some alternative methods should be found. Population control thus becomes an incredibly complex goal because of the numerous ethical issues that are raised. In this way, the modern world faces a tragedy of the commons. Everyone wants to acquire particular consumer products and wealth; however, this becomes impossible because of the interests of other people and society. The idea discussed in this paper could be applied to modern business practices concerning increased rivalry and more numerous competitors.
The Struggle to Govern the Commons, Thomas Dietz, Elinor Ostrum & Paul Stern
In this reading, the authors touch upon the problem of resources and the way people’s activities impact them. They are sure that human factors cause significant environmental change and alter the way the world evolves. For this reason, the creation of efficient governance structures is crucial for society’s further development. At the same time, the authors also emphasize the idea that any attempt to govern human activity will face resistance because of the nature of the modern world.
Under these conditions, tough decisions and approaches like selective pressure, or voluntary ones could be used to assure the preservation of existing levels of diversity and a reasonable quality of life for individuals. These ideas could be used in the modern business world to organize the operations of a particular company in such a way that it can preserve the existing balance between its various elements and cultivate diversity so that people can enjoy a high quality of life.
Kashi Case Study, Tensie Whelan
This case study revolves around the Kashi company, which offers consumers a healthy alternative to conventional breakfast goods. The business provides people with high-protein, ready-to-eat cereals that consist only of natural ingredients. Therefore another essential fact related to the company’s operations is its focus on organic products. This means that Kashi cultivates organic farming across the state.
This fact is crucial in terms of a significant GMO problem when consumers become dissatisfied with the quality of the products offered. In this context, Kashi has to reorganize its supply chain to ensure that all products are organic and meet customers’ requirements. The case shows the increased importance of natural products in the context of the GMO crisis and the necessity of new approaches that could be used to acquire a competitive advantage and preserve leading positions. The methods used by Kashi to create a new supply chain could present a pattern for other companies to follow.
The New Cold War on Business, Ian Bremmer
This video suggests the idea that today we might be observing a new Cold War in the sphere of business as American corporations are pushed out of Chinese and Russian markets. There are several reasons for this development. First, in China, state-owned companies dominate the market and do not allow rivals to compete with them. Second, in Russia, U.S. companies suffer because of the existing political conflict between the governments of these two states.
For these reasons, there is a tendency towards the further deterioration of the situation, which could now be compared to the Cold War. Therefore, the ideas provided by Ian Bremmer are essential for modern business. They show that today, policy and economy are inseparable. For this reason, a company that wants to operate globally should consider the environment of the state where its facilities will be located, as economic sanctions might significantly impact their level of income.
Winner Take All, Robert Frank & Philip Cook
This article states that such terms as “equality” should not be applied to the market or the distribution of wealth. There are always factors that promote the appearance of significant competitive advantage and, as a result, lead to growth in income levels. In other words, the winners, or the agents that manage to win in an economic rivalry, can enjoy an enhanced position. However, the authors point out that this pattern creates a paradox.
The inequality that comes from having a higher income hinders the development of the market rather than promoting its further growth. For this reason, winner-take-all societies must reach a corporate agreement that establishes the size of economic prizes and promotes market growth. This information is vital for small businesses, which often suffer from an inferior position and an inability to compete with dominant corporations, which tend to obtain a more significant part of the overall economic rewards.
Grand Illusion, Sally Blount
Blount is also interested in the idea of equality and fairness. In her contemplations on these concepts, she suggests the idea that fairness is a complex issue that could hardly be applied to the modern market in the way the majority of people understand it. She refers to fairness as an illusion, and she looks for its grounds and the impact it has on the process of generating outcomes. The fact is that individuals primarily consider the prevailing market price as the fair price; however, this approach is incorrect.
For this reason, they use biased judgments and expect particular fairness norms that could be introduced to regulate the market. Yet such norms do not exist at the moment, and people suffer from incorrect perspectives on what the market is and how it functions. These ideas are crucial for the real business world, as an enhanced comprehension of its true nature is the key to a successful outcome.