Competition is everywhere in our society. The study researches whether competition effects on the result of work and whether the age effects on competition. The study is progressed by 12 student participants in Prague, Czech Republic. It was hypothesized that competition would affect the result of work and the young age would get more influenced by competition. The results support that through competitive behavior, competition usually makes the development of the results of the test but the age is not related to competitive behavior.
Competitive behavior and Psychology
Nowadays, humans live in a competitive society, which means there are many competitions in our society. According to the dictionary (Cambridge dictionary), competition is a situation in which someone is trying to win something or be more successful than someone else. There are many perspectives on competitive behavior. To explain competitive behavior, evolutionary psychology is used for it. “Evolutionary psychology connects evolutionary principles with modern psychology and focuses primarily on psychological adaptations: changes in the way we think in order to improve our survival.” (David M. Buss, 2019). From primitive ages, every organism participated in competitions to survival and through natural selection, organisms should have competitive behavior to adapt to the new environment and to survive. (Charles Darwin, 2018). It has a prerequisite that humans have these characteristics and features because the species that have these characteristics have advantages to adapt to the new environment. With this prerequisite, it concludes as humans have competitive behavior due to this species have competitive behavior is advantageous to survive. For example, to be fertilization, 300 million sperms compete to be one with egg, and then only one sperm which wins in the race can be fertilization with egg. Human life starts with competition and end with the competition, and there are many competitions between our lives. Through this process, humans are born, and humans cannot help supporting competition by natural. Therefore, the experiment is about whether competition effects on the result of work and whether the age effects on competition. It was hypothesized that competition would affect the result of work and the young age would get more influenced by competition.
Participant
The study is conducted at Christian International School of Prague, which is CISP, Czech Republic. Six male and female participants between the age of 13 to 19 were selected by random sampling for the experiment, and all participants are from CISP students. Participants consist of 2 students from each grade from the 7th-grade to 12th-grade, so it became 12 participants. Participants in this experiment gladly accepted asks that taking two tests and the time for two tests was not limited.
Methods and Procedure
This experiment is divided into two small tests. Two tests test is prepared with five math questions, twelve participants, and a person who count time. participants are separated two people from the same grade in one group.
For the first test, a person who conducts the experiment asks one group of participants to solve five math questions and count the time when they finish. For the second test, most parts are as same as the first test, but the person lets participants know this time is competition between two people in one group.
Discussion
The purpose of this experiment was to know whether competitive behavior affects the result and any influence of age. Overall these results show that when the participants know they are in competition, most time that participants solve is decreased. In the first test, some participants discussed their questions and also they solved questions together, but in the second test, none of the participants speak and talk while they solve questions. Also, some participants who get some questions wrong in the first test get more correct answers in the second test. In addition, there is no big difference in the gap between the two results between the young age and the old age. However, there are some differences in their behavior between the young age and the old age. Young age students have more competitive behavior when it was a competition while old age students usually do not care about the competition and they already knew that it is not a big project or grade. Through this experiment, the results support that competition affects work and work is developed with the competition, but not the influence on the age.
With memories from childhood, humans get many positive reinforcers such as compliments, prizes, gifts and so on when humans win in a competition. Through these experiences, make humans want to win in a competition or have competitive behavior and want to get reinforcers. In this situation, reinforcers are conditioned stimulus and competitive behavior is conditioned response. Therefore humans and animals are practiced in competition and try to do their best when it is competition.
References
BUSS, D. A. V. I. D. (2019). Evolutionary Psychology the new science of the mind. Place of publication not identified: ROUTLEDGE.
Christiansen, F. B., & Loeschcke, V. (1990, January 1). Evolution and Competition. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-74474-7_13.
Competition. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://psychology.jrank.org/pages/135/Competition.html.
COMPETITION: meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/competition.
DiMenichi, B. C., & Tricomi, E. (2015, September 1). The power of competition: Effects of social motivation on attention, sustained physical effort, and learning. Retrieved from
Evolutionary Theory and Psychology. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2009/05/sci-brief.
Stefoff, R., White, T., & Darwin, C. (2018). Charles Darwins On the origin of species. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
The Psychology Behind Competition: Why Incentives Work. (2018, August 15). Retrieved from https://www.gavelintl.com/psychology-behind-competition-incentives-work/.
Competition is becoming the daily routine of every person. At every situation people has to suffer through competition because of the fast pace life style people has been adopted these days. People have to compete at work, in family, in schools and in society. Winning and losing are parts of competition. Competition has changed the perspective of viewing a task. People do so hard to be the best among all. Competition has great influence on society in different sectors like education, business, production and many more. It helps people to be more creative and be a critical thinker, these qualities are more admirable then being common thinker. So, Competition is helping society to develop and grow. Despite the fact that business is being corrupt to meet the competition level, competition has been affecting society in positive way, because it has raised the education standard and it helped in enhancing productivity and quality of the product.
Education standard has been raised because of competition. As the education level has been improved, the society is also being developing. Through the competition in education system it becomes easier to choose the deserving person for the right positions, which results in growth of society in different sectors. Walsh said, “grades reflect higher school or peer quality, or could strategically value higher grades for college admissions” (Walsh, 2010, p. 3). In his report he explained how the inflation in grades in educational system influence the competition among the students. Inflation in grades directly linked with the competition toughness. Students and colleagues compete with their competitors in order to gain higher scores or positions in their fields. In this whole process society is benefited indirectly because with the increase in competition among them, society has many best options for different roles to be perform. According to the requirements society, schools, and colleges could choose best fit for those roles. Not only this also through competition there is another benefit to the nation at biggest level is that with this there is constant increment in literacy rate. To get the better jobs people start going to get higher education, with this the literacy rate of countries start rising which also contributes to the make countries develop. Competition has been toughening up through some measures which calculates the ability of the candidate. Walsh also mentioned that “first measure, the “grade cutoffs”, captures interventions in the mapping of a score onto a letter grade, and is reported by principals at the school level. The second measure, the “assigned grade”, captures the total output of the entire grading process and is given by the student’s high-school GPA” (Walsh, 2010, p. 4). Education is not only a platform where competition has been made, Business is also one of other sector where competition could be clearly.
Competition has increased the market productivity and the quality of the product. Competition as like in education sector also profited the business sector in some other ways. As with the increase in productivity of products the market of production will gain profit. A nation with more productivity with gain more gain more profit in comparison to other countries which would help to boost up the economy of the country. Ambashi describes “The first idea is that the more competitive markets generate a higher pressure to survive, or that firms exposed to fierce market competition are forced to improve their productivity” (Ambashi, 2017, p.215). Competition in market influence the seller and producer to produce the product of better quality. With the better quality of products, it will help society in two different ways. First people would like to buy the better-quality product which would help the market to grow in comparison to other and will help to improve the economic condition of the country. Secondly, if people would consume a better-quality food product, it will automatically improve their health condition. People with health could create a better society. Competition among marketers not only help the produce market to expand but also leads to a healthy nation. Moreover, competition helps in learning new skills to survive in the business market. “there is much to learn from competitors”(Mccormick,2016). it clearly states that watching others strategy for learning from that strategies help the businessmen to improve their products and helps them to make good reputation in the marketplace. There is nothing wrong in adapting other’s ideas into your business plan if it is helping businessmen in boosting up their business growth. But this competition among the business men leads to some unethical activities and maybe kind of stress. losing and winning are both important parts of our life. People do not learn much by winning but losing teaches us the most important lessons in life. So people who lose in the competition should take it positively and learn from the experience they gain. Based on these learnings they should try to improve themselves. Therefore , competition is providing great opportunities for learning.
Competition creates the disturbance in business through unethical attempts. As some of the people in this competitive world try to do their business without investing much. They want more profit with small investment, in order to achieve that some people try to sell products at market prices for the similar products which is not worth because of its poor quality. To save some money few business men reduce the quality of the product and sell it at same price to gain more profit. Victor said “increased competition leads firms to provide an illegal form of quality to attract and retain customers.” (Victor, 2013, p.1738). Illegal form of quality refers to not acceptable condition or quality of product which could cause harm to the human or to the nature. Even the cars are not completely inspected which is a government law. So that the pollution and emission of dangers gases could be reduced but people for their own benefit passing the vehicles without going through proper inspection process. Government had enforced some laws against those business runners. But enforcing laws is not sufficient, it should be implemented properly and charges should be strict and penalty must be in big amount so that people would commit such illegal activities.
To conclude, Competition is really a great thing. Competitive spirit make a person more independent. Competition is effecting society in positive manner instead of negative way. It does have some negative point too but it totally depends upon people how they are taking competition in their personal life. Many people taking competition as fear of losing something tgat takes away the competition spirit from them. However, Many people realise their potential only after competing.Healthy competition is important at all the places. The feeling of competition helps in bringing the best out of the people and promotes growth. Without competition things become boring and monotonous. However, jobs that are very critical like that of a doctor or medical practitioner should not have any competition as it’s involves saving lives of people. Any competition in such cases could pose a great risk to someone’s life. In nutshell, competition helps in getting persuasive results.
Charles Darwin put forth a theory of evolution driven by competition and natural selection, where the individual best suited for the environment will succeed while those less suited for the environment will fail. Using empirical examples from the field of evolutionary biology, I will show that species who work in groups will suppress this competition in favor of cooperation. By utilizing cooperation, the individuals will be promoting the average success of each individual, and the overall success of the group. This view, while not fully going against Darwin’s beliefs, frames the relationships between individuals and groups in a way more closely related to the beliefs held by Native American individuals.
I have come to see two contrasting opinions on the relationships between individuals. One viewpoint put forth by Charles Darwin in his journal titled The Origin of Species, is that life is driven by competition. Darwin described his travels to the Galapagos Islands where he discovered a range of new species that exist nowhere else in the world. One of the examples which Darwin utilized was his observation that there were many different species of finches on the island. Each of these species of finches had adapted unique beaks depending on their food source. He believed the finches developed their unique beaks with small changes over thousands of years. This, Darwin believed, was fueled by the competition amongst the finches to get the most food and survive.
The contrasting viewpoint, a belief held by many Native Americans, is that life is cooperative. They believe that you must live with reciprocity. In other words, never take more than you need, and if you take always give back to ensure there remains a balance in nature. The reasoning behind this is that if all you do is take then at a certain point all of the resources you need for survival will run out. For example, when a fungus sweeps through a forest, sucking the life from and killing all the trees, not only will it eventually kill all the trees, but it will also die out because it will no longer have a host to live off of. Instead, if there is a give and take relationship where both parties are benefitting, it will ensure the survival of everyone/thing involved.
I believe that, in the right circumstances, competition may drive cooperation with certain species. This would occur if it is in the best interest of the individual to be associated with a larger group. This group can consist of individuals of the same species (wolves, lions), individuals of different species (badgers and coyotes), or even a couple species working together (dolphins and birds.) For the examples I gave above, it is more beneficial for the individuals to work in a group than by themselves. By reducing the internal competition in the group, they increase the efficiency of the group and the average success of the individuals in the group.
To show the benefit of cooperation over the competition we can examine the relationship between a badger and a coyote when they hunt ground squirrels. Each individual possesses a unique trait not held by the other. The coyote, who is adept at hunting on the surface, can efficiently pounce on any ground squirrels that pop their heads up. However, the ground squirrels just have to scurry into their underground tunnels to avoid this looming threat. On the other hand, the badger is a master at digging and navigating underground which allows him to push the ground squirrels up towards the surface. By working together and utilizing their respective talents they can get more ground squirrels then they would have by hunting alone.
However, this cooperation does not remove the competition from the equation. Even though the badger and coyote are working together they are still competing against the ground squirrels. So the competition is just changed from individual competition to a “team” competition. On top of the competition with the ground squirrels, there is also continued pressure for individuals to compete with one another in their group. This internal competition is especially true when there is a social hierarchy in the group and the presence of an “alpha”. In organized groups to prevent this competition from getting out of hand, the competitive individuals are often kept in check by “policing,” which is the suppression of competition by selected individuals in the group (Frank.)
Steven Frank, who is a professor of biology at the University of California Irvine, put forth the mathematical model: r < 1 - c, where r is the relatedness of the competitive individual to the group and c is the cost to the individual who is policing. This model represents Steven Frank’s claims that “as relatedness declines, selfishness tends to increase, causing a drop in group efficiency and the average success of each group member.” (Frank.) As a result of this decline, policing is increased because it promotes the wellbeing of the group and the policing individual. While this model is a highly simplified version of the actual relation, it does show a good surface-level view of the amount of policing occurring in a group.
Even though this phenomenon of cooperation in and between different species is interesting, it is still imperative that we study whether or not it holds for humans? Determining intrinsic human nature has been a focal point for countless philosophers throughout history and, in recent times, even scientists. While there are many different complex aspects of human nature (thinking, feeling, acting, etc.), the topic becomes simpler when you only focus on one: in our case competitive versus cooperative nature. The overwhelming consensus is that humans are cooperative beings. However, according to Robert Boyd, an American anthropologist who has focused his research on evolutionary psychology, this was not always the case. Boyd believes that we started much like other social primates, but then over the last million years, we adapted to work together and to pass on information. This gradual change arose from natural selection in favor of more sociable and cooperative individuals.
Boyd’s beliefs can also be applied to different civilizations that have been built over the years. Due to the minimal interactions between these developing societies, they each developed differently with unique cultures and ethics. These cultural differences have been the center of countless wars throughout history, with each war resulting in the victor imposing their own cultures on the loser. We can easily see this today when we compare two different countries like the United States and Japan for example. In this situation, the technologically advanced United States forced open trade in Japan which allowed the American culture to quickly invade Japanese society. These conflicts perfectly illustrate the competitive versus cooperative battles occurring internally inside each of us and even reinforces Frank’s theory which I discussed earlier. These conflicts show that we are more inclined to cooperate with others if they share a culture/history or if they share a common goal. Alternatively, if we have little or nothing in common, we instead compete with each other for land, resources or power.
If we are naturally competitive, what is it that we have developed over the million years of natural selection? To examine this development we must take a closer look at the situations from which cooperation was initially formed. In the earliest stages of human development, we lived in small groups of between 50 or 150 people. (Loch) A side effect of these groups being so small is that if there was an uncooperative individual it would not only put the individual but the entire group at risk. However, this reasoning is not sufficient to justify all human behaviors. So, to supplement this reasoning, Loch asserts that the development of human emotion was critical in developing the complex social structures that we have today. This belief is backed by an abundance of empirical data derived from the odd psychopaths that pop up in society. These psychopaths lack the emotional feelings held by your typical person, and, in many cases, these psychopaths threaten our societal structures.
The development of emotions, like anger, disgust, fear, sadness, and happiness to name a few, not only allow us to develop more intimate relationships with our peers and loved ones, but they also guide our decisions when a new situation is encountered. These emotions also cause us to feel empathy for other individuals. They are the reason why bystanders oftentimes intervene if they see someone in need of help, even in possibly dangerous situations, and why society overwhelmingly rejects those who go against the status quo.
In conclusion, while competition drives the development of individuals who survive on their own, those individuals who instead live in groups suppress this competition in favor of cooperation. This cooperation allows not only for the betterment of the group but also allows for a higher level of average success for the individuals in the group. In humans, this cooperation was developed alongside the development of emotions to ensure cohesive societal relationships. It is through this cooperation, that humans were able to form larger and larger groups: first establishing tribes, then civilizations, then countries. Maybe one day we may even establish a unified planet, but, despite all of our developments, we still have a long way to go.
Competition is a divisive subject which has led to differing approaches to how it is modelled. The most widely accepted is the neoclassical view, which argues the benchmark is perfect competition, equilibrium is market clearing and pareto efficient. Market clearing is where the demand for goods equals the supply of goods so that there is no leftover surplus. Whilst Pareto efficiency is where resources cannot be reallocated to make one individual better off, without making another worse off, hence, goods are allocated efficiently. The Austrian view supports that competition leads to markets clearing and pareto optimality but argue it is more a process than a state. The Marxian view disputes claims that markets clear and are pareto efficient, competition is viewed as inefficient due to the pursuit on profit maximisation.
Main
Neoclassical View
The neoclassical view benchmarks perfect competition, arguing it can be achieved if there are many small firms producing a homogenous product with no restrictions on entry into or exit from the industry. Assuming the absence of economies of scale, the equilibrium outcome of perfect competition is pareto optimal. The view supports welfare theorems which link pareto efficiency to perfect competition. Competition is fought through price and quality of products, as such the more participants in the market the better.
Structure-conduct-performance paradigm show below in figure 1 demonstrates that when there are fewer firms there are potential pareto improvements. In a monopoly firms can create barriers to entry into the market. This prevents competition from becoming perfect meaning price is above marginal cost, and it is possible that profits become abnormal. Price is predicted to be higher and output lower under monopoly than under a comparable situation of perfect competition, as well as greater welfare losses. When in monopoly or oligopoly stage, firms have an incentive to collude prices which goes against the neoclassical theory.
Perfect competition concept does not involve any rivalry, all firms are in harmony. Firms are price takers and the actions of other firms has negligible impacts on the industry, each firm operates in a vacuum where actions do not influence other firms. This may overlook the impact that both implicit and explicit collusion may play when there are fewer firms involved. However, collusion may be hard to follow as the other firm may “cheat” if it has the incentive to do so. Any deviation in a slightly lower price or higher quantity makes it more profitable for the firm and this may prevent collusion from being widespread.
The Austrian View:
The Austrian’s view competition as a process rather than a state. Perfect competition is only achieved when the process of competition has exhausted itself. This approach does not view the process of competition reaching a final state unlike the Marxian view. Entrepreneurs are key individuals who recognise and take advantage of opportunities. The existence of economic profit is essential to spur on entrepreneurs.
Schumpeter’s (1942) idea of “creative destruction” suggests new ideas are initially highly profitable but as a result any previous market power may be undermined which has the potential to be costly. Firms chase profits until they are gradually eroded, when this occurs competition is deemed perfect. Any existing market power can be undermined by further entrepreneurship. The invention of a new product creates a monopoly position for a firm introducing a product. Gradually other firms catch on and develop close substitutes reducing the high levels of profit from the monopoly.
Classical/Marxian:
The Marxian view depicts firms as profit seeking, the competition over profits inevitably leads to conflict. Firms are aware that collusion can bring higher profits than under competition meaning it is often in a firm’s interest to set prices higher and produce less than the demand. Under a Marxian perspective competition is not pareto optimal. Suspending or removing rivalry is advantageous to a firm as it can seek higher profits. As such competition is not desirable to firms and if they aim to achieve long term profits it may be in their interest to remove competition.
The pursuit of profits leads firms to seek out opportunities to increase profits by moving into highly profitable areas. Lange (1937) argued free competition leads to a pursuit of maximum profit, but as many firms chase the profits they are eroded away. As such, capital filters from areas of low to high profitability, which over time equalises profits over different sectors.
Competition is widely perceived as for markets as a whole, because of this it is unlikely market clear or are pareto efficient. Firms are viewed as price makers which has large implications as this means that competition is fought through non-price mechanisms like advertising.
In the structure-conduct-performance approach monopoly and competition are opposites in that one increasing, decreases the other, however, this may not be the case. Marxists argue that monopoly spawns from competition. But competition may cease to exist in oligopoly and monopoly markets.
Monopoly capitalism is the theory that increasing returns to scale causes competition within markets to become unstable. A process of concentration begins where firms expand in size internally through investment. Externally growth is achieved through the process of centralisation by mergers and acquisitions. The two processes together result in markets dominated by a few firms, where price competition is limited, accept to deter new entrants or to eliminate weaker rivals. It makes sense to expand market share through aggressive price tactics to strengthen market position until there are few firms left. Baran and Sweezy (1966) recognise the tendency for surpluses to rise as few firms remain and are unable to singlehandedly dominate the market, so instead implicitly collude prices to gain a rate of profits higher than in competitive markets. The theory has its critics as technical change can drive increased competition which is often neglected.
Conclusion
Competition may lead to market clearing and pareto efficiency when it is perfect, but to achieve anywhere close to perfect competition, state intervention is needed. Marxian analysis of monopoly capitalism seems more relevant than the neoclassical view of structure-conduct-performance paradigm as most markets are dominated by few firms. A critique to the Marxian view outlined by Sawyer (1989) is that managers in control of firms may have differing goals to the owners, this has led to claims of the “soulful corporation” where managers operate for the greater good rather than the benefit of the owners. Managers as “soulful” individuals may be excessive as they often have bonuses dependent on performance for the firms which largely discredits this critique. Clifton (1977) argues that larger firms can implement competitive strategies with greater intensities, this implies with fewer small firms, competition would be greater. Auberach and Skott (1988) reinforce this view by stating the lowering of the costs of communication and transport have meant in recent years international competition than ever. Competition is unlikely to lead to markets clearing and pareto optimality because firms attempt to maximise profits. This creates a reluctance to perfect competition from firms where profits are minimal, consequently for the majority competition does not lead to markets clearing and a pareto efficient outcome.
Competition is a fundamental and pervasive factor in human existence, influencing behaviors, fostering innovation, and impacting outcomes in different areas. The invisible hand influences market dynamics, motivates individuals and organizations to exceed their limits, and tests the durability and adaptability of entities. In nature, competition for resources like food, territory, and mates has played a significant role in natural selection, resulting in the evolution of species and the diversification we see today. Conflict in human civilization takes various forms, ranging from friendly rivalry in sports and academia to intense conflict in business and politics. The pieces aim to explore the complex nature of competition and its effects on human development, society advancement, and ethical considerations. By analyzing competition from several perspectives, we may gain a deeper insight into its impact on promoting growth and innovation, as well as acknowledging the possible drawbacks and obstacles it brings.
100 Words Essay about Competition
Competition, which is a natural part of society, is a strong force that drives innovation, improvement, and success. There are many areas where it works, such as sports, academia, and business, pushing people and groups to go beyond their limits. Competition can lead to new ideas and progress, but there needs to be a balance to keep things fair and encourage healthy strife. In its most basic form, competition not only pushes us to do better, but it also teaches us important lessons about sticking with something, planning ahead, and being honest. Rivalry is healthy as long as people are honest and treat others with respect. This creates a dynamic climate that is good for growth and development.
250 Words Essay about Competition
The idea of competition is complex and affects all aspects of human contact. It encourages growth, new ideas, and excellence. Individuals, teams, and organizations are driven to push their limits and aim for peak performance because they want to get better. Competitive sports help kids get better at being athletic, working as a team, and thinking strategically. In school, competition helps kids learn more and get smarter. Companies have to come up with new ideas, make their products better, and provide better customer service in order to stay ahead of the competition in the business world.
However, competition is not without its challenges. It can induce stress, lead to burnout, and sometimes foster a win-at-all-costs mentality that undermines ethical standards and fair play. The key to harnessing the positive aspects of competition lies in promoting a healthy competitive spirit that values effort, improvement, and integrity over mere victory.
Competition can also be a great way to teach people how to be tough, flexible, and know the importance of hard work. It shows who you are, pushes your limits, and often helps you find out more about yourself. In a wider sense, competition helps society move forward by promoting technological progress and economic growth, which is good for everyone.
In conclusion, competition, when approached with a balanced perspective, can be a powerful force for personal and collective advancement. It encourages us to rise to challenges, fosters innovation, and, most importantly, teaches us the value of striving for excellence with integrity and respect for others.
400 Words Essay about Competition
Competitiveness is an ever-changing and widespread part of society. It shapes people, spurs innovation, and affects progress as a whole. It can look like a lot of different things, from friendly competition to fierce rivalry between global companies. This multifaceted idea, which is deeply rooted in human nature, drives us to excellence, creativity, and self-improvement, promoting progress both personally and socially.
In the realm of education and sports, competition serves as a motivational force, encouraging students and athletes to harness their potential and strive for excellence. It instills discipline, fosters a strong work ethic, and teaches valuable life lessons about perseverance, teamwork, and the importance of goal setting. The thrill of competition and the desire to excel not only enhance performance but also contribute to personal growth and character development.
In the business world, competition is the engine of innovation and economic growth. It compels companies to continuously improve their products and services, adopt new technologies, and explore creative solutions to meet consumer needs. This relentless pursuit of excellence results in higher quality, greater variety, and more affordable options for consumers, driving forward technological advancements and elevating living standards.
However, the nature of competition demands a careful balance. While it can inspire greatness, unchecked competition can lead to unethical practices, stress, and a win-at-all-costs mentality that undermines the very essence of fair play and integrity. The challenge lies in fostering a healthy competitive environment that encourages positive engagement, respects rules, and values the process as much as the outcome.
Competition also plays a significant role in shaping our social fabric. It encourages diversity of thought, innovation in problem-solving, and resilience in the face of challenges. Societies that embrace healthy competition tend to be more dynamic, adaptable, and forward-thinking, driving progress in science, technology, and culture.
Moreover, competition can foster a sense of community and shared purpose. Whether in team sports, group projects, or community initiatives, working together towards a common goal can strengthen bonds, build trust, and encourage a sense of collective achievement.
In essence, competition is a double-edged sword, with the power to both uplift and unsettle. Its value lies not in the act of competing itself but in how it is approached and the lessons it imparts. In this light, competition is not merely about winning or losing but about striving to be the best version of ourselves and collectively pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
500 Words Essay about Competition
Competition, a fundamental aspect of human existence, is woven into the very fabric of society, influencing our actions, decisions, and the progression of civilizations. It exists in various forms, from the benign rivalry among peers to the cutthroat competition in global markets. This multifaceted phenomenon, while often associated with strife and conflict, is also a powerful engine for growth, innovation, and excellence. It drives individuals to surpass their limitations, compels organizations to innovate, and pushes societies to evolve.
In the educational sphere, competition is a double-edged sword. It can motivate students to achieve their full potential and foster a spirit of resilience and determination. Academic competitions, debates, and contests encourage students to deepen their knowledge, hone their skills, and engage with their peers in intellectually stimulating environments. However, it’s crucial to balance this competitive drive with collaborative learning, ensuring that the pressure to compete does not overshadow the importance of knowledge for its own sake.
In sports, competition is the heartbeat of every game, match, and race. It not only showcases physical prowess and strategic thinking but also embodies the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship. Through sports, individuals learn to set goals, work as part of a team, and handle both victory and defeat with grace. This arena of competition is a microcosm of life’s broader challenges, teaching invaluable lessons about perseverance, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence.
The business world thrives on competition. It is the catalyst for innovation, pushing companies to continuously improve their products, services, and operational efficiencies. In a competitive market, businesses must stay ahead of the curve, anticipate consumer needs, and adapt to changing technologies and trends. This relentless pursuit of improvement drives economic growth, leads to the development of new industries, and enhances consumer choice and quality of life. However, the drive for market dominance must be tempered with ethical considerations, ensuring that competition promotes overall societal well-being rather than exploiting it.
On a societal level, competition can be a force for social and technological advancement. It encourages diversity of thought, fosters creativity, and stimulates progress. Societies that value and promote healthy competition often see rapid advancements in science, technology, and the arts. Yet, it’s essential to foster a culture where competition encourages collaboration and collective problem-solving, ensuring that the benefits of competition extend to all members of society.
The spirit of competition also extends to the realm of ideas, where it can lead to vibrant debates, the clash of opinions, and the eventual synthesis of new philosophies and innovations. This marketplace of ideas is crucial for the evolution of cultures, political systems, and ethical frameworks.
In conclusion, competition is a pervasive and dynamic force that shapes individual character, drives economic and technological progress, and stimulates societal evolution. Its value lies not in the act of competing but in how it is harnessed—promoting growth, excellence, and innovation while maintaining ethical standards and fairness. In this way, competition becomes not just a pathway to personal and collective achievement but a journey towards a more vibrant, diverse, and flourishing human community.
Monopolistic competition, by definition, is when an industry has many firms that offer similar products and services but not completely identical or the perfect substitute. In monopolistic competition, there are not many barriers to exit or enter— making it easy for many firms to sweep into the market and offer similar products. The perfect example of monopolistic competition is the retail and fashion industry— specifically fast fashion. The fashion industry is one of the biggest industries in the world with hundreds of thousands of different brands, both big and small, comprising of it. Although the products are very similar, each product varies in quality and the materials used to make the clothing item. In this essay, I will explain the correlation between fast fashion and monopolistic competition— as well as how this causes copyrighting problems within the industry.
To understand the fashion industry, it is first important to understand how monopolistic competition works. Monopolistic competition consists of many firms in the same industry competing for and targeting the same costumers to buy their products. Production differentiation is what sets different firms and brands apart from one another and is what makes a consumer want to buy a product. While clothing items may look similar, as stated before, each product varies in quality and the materials used to make the clothing item. Clothing items are differentiated through price, quality, reliability, design, and uniqueness. The purpose of product differentiation is to market a product and make it more desirable than others being offered in the market. Therefore, these factors are very important in consumer decision-making, specifically price, because if one brand prices rise and go beyond a consumer’s willingness to pay, then the consumers would choose to buy from a different brand offering a similar product. Another point in monopolistic competition is that consumers will often compare the price and quality of each close substitute in the market and make a decision based on the price and quality combined. This is the point at which the fast fashion industry and monopolistic competition intersect.
The Intersection of Fast Fashion and Monopolistic Competition
In the fashion industry, new brands emerge, whether they or big or small, all the time. The goal of each brand is to sell the best product— the product that is the most differentiated and unique compared to the others. In the world of fashion, fast fashion is a fairly new term. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, fast fashion is defined as “an approach to the design, creation, and marketing of clothing fashions that emphasizes making fashion trends quickly and cheaply available to consumers.” In the 1990s, the New York Times coined the term to describe the brand Zara (Rauturier). In 2019, Zara continues to be a fast-fashion brand as well as other popular brands such as Zaful, Fashion Nova, Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, and H&M, for example. These brands are huge components of the industry and yet they are all almost identical and “copycat” versions of each other. Within the fashion industry, besides fast fashion brands, many small creative clothing brands exist and because these brands are so unknown, it makes it a lot easier for bigger brands to completely steal a product.
The Issue of Copyright and Idea Theft in Fashion
In the article “Fashion Brands Steal Design Ideas All the Time. And It’s Completely Legal” by Chavie Lieber, it discusses the problem of bigger and established brands stealing product ideas in the fashion industry. Brands such as Zara, Old Navy, Fashion Nova, and Urban Outfitters, to name a few, are all guilty of stealing from known to lesser-known brands all the time. In the article, Lieber made a point to say: “Big fashion brands rip off small ones all the time, the most prolific offenders being fast-fashion companies, whose entire business model revolves around copying trends and bringing them to market quickly.” Monopolistic competition in fashion revolves around copying trends, making these trends more appealing than other brands, and then bringing them into the market faster than other competitors. Sadly, in the fashion industry, there are no copyright laws protecting designers’ creations and ideas— this is why big brands are able to get away with identically copying ideas with really no legal repercussions. In the article, a small clothing company called Mère Soeur, owned by Carrie Anne Roberts, was blatantly ripped off by Old Navy. Roberts designed a shirt with the phrase “Raising the Future” written on it and soon after, Old Navy began selling knockoffs of the t-shirt. After receiving backlash on multiple forms of social media, Old Navy pulled the shirt from their website and emailed Roberts saying that because “…Roberts didn’t trademark the phrases “Raising the Future” or “The Future,” and does not have a trademark for the font or graphic design of the shirts, she has zero legal rights to them,” (Lieber). This very issue of copyrighting in the fashion industry stems from monopolistic competition because fast fashion moves so quickly in terms of production and selling.
Economic Implications and Legal Challenges in Fashion
For example, if Fashion Nova, a notorious copycat brand, was to copy the design of a smaller designer and sell it as their own, they would mark down the price but they are only able to do this by downgrading the quality of the clothing item. The consumer then faces the decision of whether to buy the more expensive but better-quality piece from the smaller designer, or cheaper worse quality item from Fashion Nova. There is a tradeoff between quality and affordability. Although there is a tradeoff, trends change very quickly and if a clothing piece is trendy in that very season or moment, customers and consumers would be more likely to buy the item that costs less if it is only going to be worn a few times. This results in fast fashion brands successfully being able to steal ideas and get recognition for them while facing no consequences.
While it is very evident that big brands copying and stealing ideas with no consequences is very wrong in a moral standard, it does not seem that way from an economics point of view. Sadly, it is often not seen as a negative or a problem because of how well the economy benefits from the fashion industry. “America’s GDP for fashion is at $350 billion,” said Brittany Rawlings, a fashion law attorney. Because the fashion industry is worth $350 billion, Congress is afraid that if fashion designs are protected, the economic growth will be stunted or come to a halt. Also, experts Kal Raustiala and Christopher Sprigman, who wrote the book The Knockoff Economy: How Imitation Sparks Innovation, fear that enforcing copyright laws could create a hostile environment that makes it hard for brands to enter and exit the industry with ease— especially smaller brands that have not established customer loyalty. Because the industry is doing so well without having any copyright laws in place, the question on whether or not the fashion industry should have them still exists. Raustiala argues that the industry does so well because there are no copyright laws in place— “Copyright has an intent behind it, and the intent is to protect creators so that they continue creating. When we looked at fashion, we saw an industry that was very, very creative and puts out tons of new ideas every season and has done that continuously for decades,” he says.
Consumer Responsibility and the Future of Fashion Industry
Besides economic benefits, many believe that copycats in fashion are the reason why the fashion industry continues to be successful. The average household cannot afford to buy luxury items from brands such as Gucci, so fast fashion companies create a copycat item, giving mass consumers the opportunity to buy into it, thus creating a trend. Christopher Sprigman, author of The Knockoff Economy: How Imitation Sparks Innovation, argues that “…Copycats help create trends and then help destroy them, paving the way for new ones to take their place. Without copying, the fashion industry would be smaller, weaker and less powerful.”
In contrast, some experts also believe the lack of laws are failing the fashion industry (Pike). As a designer, rights should be given to protect one’s creativity and ideas and these rights should not be violated. In the United States, American fashion is considered a manufacturing industry rather than a creative industry (Lieber) and that is why fashion is not protected in the same ways as other creative industries such as art, film, and literature (Pike). Because no laws have been put into place, some designers have begun to use the power of social media as a tactic against copycat designs by using their platform to call out stolen designs. In addition, some designers have also begun creating clothing and garments that are harder to replicate and using more expensive materials and fabrics. Although designers may seem to be the only ones facing a problem in this situation, consumers also hold a level of responsibility. Consumers are responsible when they choose to buy a cheaply made knockoff product as there is harm to the original designer, their brand, and reputation.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, the fashion industry is a very great example of monopolistic competition. Because copycat products are so prominent within the industry, the consumer is faced with the decision to buy an inexpensive and cheaply made clothing item or a quality product made with good materials that are slightly more expensive. In the fashion industry, designers are not protected through copyright laws which raises the question of whether copycat items are generally good or bad. Many experts believe that the industry does so well because there are no laws in place while some experts also believe the lack of laws is failing the fashion industry’s designers. The fashion industry today continues to be a $350 billion industry— an industry where new brands emerge constantly, selling similar but differentiated products. This system will either continue to expand the industry or copyright laws will be put into place and allow designers to have rights to their own ideas and creations.
Cruise industry falls under the tourism sector and is one of the areas where growth has been encountered over the years. Cruise tourists spend their nights in the sea whereas the land-based ones remain on land at night. To become competitive, cruise industry has undergone various transformations. First, the industry is characterized by diversification of their products.
This is opposed to the prior periods when the industry was only engaging in the carrying of the tourist in the sea. Today, the cruise ships provide accommodation services, snacks and other services that are aimed at increasing the loyalty of their customers.
This has enabled cruise industry to expand and increase their market share as opposed to the earlier period when land based resort controlled almost 90% of the market. Another reason why cruise industry has become more competitive is the entry of many ships in the provision of services to their customers.
There are three major cruises: the princess cruises, royal Caribbean international and the carnival cruises. There were also smaller cruise ships, which made the industry quite competitive. With competition, the end consumers get to have better and quality services at a low cost compared to the land-based tourism.
This made many land-based resorts realize a decline in their customer base when substantial number of tourists shifted to the cruise section.
Moreover, the industry became more competitive because of charging one price on their customers. That cost included those for their food, accommodation, and entertainment. That made it relatively cheap compared to the land-based cruise where all the elements of cost were to be footed differently.
The lower tax percentage levied on the cruise tourists further made the industry preferred by the customers hence becoming more competitive in the industry. Families and individuals who went to tour the Caribbean began to choose the cruise industry, as the economic times were also difficult following the recession period.
To gain the market share cruise companies have formulated strategies that were aimed at attracting more tourists to the cruise section. The companies’ provision of unique services was a way of increasing and retaining the cruise tourist.
The services of cruise companies were customized to make the tourist have fun. For example, the management of Carnival introduced brands that favored the interest of short vacationers and those that needed luxury making it enjoy market lead.
Another measure that was taken by the companies was to increase the capacities of the cruise ships. That was the only way to sustain the soaring market and to avoid shortages or congestion that could lead to customer dissatisfaction.
The companies as well introduced both large and small cruise ships that could meet the tailored demands of their customers making the industry realize market growth. In addition, the cruise companies engaged in intensified advertising campaigns that were geared towards creating awareness and promoting their services to their potential customers.
It was during that time that the companies held longer television shows to advertise and market their services. The companies also provided trips for short distances to meet the demands of the younger population who could not afford more expensive journey.
All these were designed to attract more consumers of their services. The segmentation of the market by cruise companies also ensured all customers with different preferences are satisfied making them increase their market share.
In highly competitive sectors like tourism that is characterized by fast changing consumer preferences, companies must brand their services and products in order to survive. Competition makes customers get efficient services at reduced cost.
Creating an opportunity or encouraging other individuals to pursue their goals is an essential element in the modern world. Additionally, creating new systematic approaches is the primary characteristic of the modern leader. I also had a chance to change the flow of the events in the community and contribute to the positive changes in the society. In 2015, I participated in the Case Competition (Capital Venture Game), which contributed to the development of the business idea to improve the living conditions of the locals. The primary goal was to design the relevant solution to find the equilibrium between supply and demand related to the number of cars and a limited number of the parking lots. This problem is essential in China due to the intensified traffic in the streets.
Our team was eager to develop the suitable solution, which will decrease the impact of the problem on the society. It remains evident that the streets remain overcrowded to the high traffic, and it might be one of the potential reasons for the respiratory problems among the inhabitants of the metropolitan area. The importance of this issue made me enthusiastic about this matter, as I wanted to improve the living conditions and encourage other members of the team to be on my side. Our team designed the AAP and assumed to utilize the sensors to gather the information for available parking spots to minimize the traffic jams. This approach will allow the drivers to save time and avoid congestions.
Nonetheless, it was not enough, as the competitors might utilize similar approaches and techniques. In this instance, encouraging other team members to utilize the differentiation strategy will distinguish us from the competitors and help find the equilibrium to supply and demand of the parking lots.
Providing potential strengths of utilizing this approach, I was able to encourage other to differentiate our products from existing competitors by including information for meters and notification of ‘Early leavers’. In this instance, the sign ‘Early leavers’ referred to the drivers, who do not tend to spend significant time in the parking lot. Consequently, it provides the sign to the other drivers that the place will be vacant within the limited time. It could be said that utilizing this approach not only encourages individuals to pursue their individual goals but also being helpful to the society simultaneously.
Another aspect, which underlines our idea as being highly encouraging to the other members of society, is the fact that our team was awarded the second place for the sufficient design and new method of the minimization of the traffic jams due to the lack of equilibrium between supply and demand of the parking spots. In the end, the establishment of this project helped me be the part of the complex world of the human interactions while encouraging others and creating new ideas. I have to contribute to making the world a better place while emphasizing that the unity and leadership are the drivers for the change.
Communication skill is the main attribute while encouraging other people to take active action in the project. In the context of the presented case, I was able to present the ideas clearly and crystalize the complex concept of the necessity of the competitive advantage.
Nonetheless, I was carefully listening to the other members of the team, as they expressed interesting ideas and cultivated new perception about the matter. Another important trait, which contributed to the success of this project significantly, is the creativity and ability to discover the problem from the different perspective. Brainstorming helped build the trusting relationship with the other team members and creating the new ways of solving the important issue.
In this case, I was able to think outside the box and establish a new way of differentiating our team from the competitors. Lastly, it remains evident that leadership was the primary driver for the success, as it combines creativity, motivation, and encouragement of the other individuals. In the context of the presented situation, I could find an individual approach to team members and motivate them to generate new ideas. Cultivating the idea of unity and being the part of the society were significant aspects while establishing the trusting relationship within the team. I was able to help my team to pursue the desired path of success. In the end, the combination of these skills encouraged team spirit and helped develop new creative strategies to solve the problem of the misbalance of the supply and demand.
It is crucial for every new company to examine the industry to figure out its strengths and weaknesses. Such investigation is needed to analyze competitors, see if there are available positions on the market, and how hard it is to gain customers. Based on the results of the research, a company may develop a list of needed resources that are necessary for the success of chosen strategy.
This kind of investigation allows a company to research technologies and methods that are being used by the competitors, and their effectiveness. The travel industry is as a set of various enterprises and organizations that provide numerous services.
Competitive Environment
The growth rate of the travel industry in the last few years has been extremely rapid. Currently, The United States and China are two leading countries in this business. The travel industry has directly contributed $2,364.8B to the world’s GDP, and its total contribution was $7,580.9B in 2014 (Ali, 2015). These numbers are enormous and make travel business play a huge role in the global economy.
This industry has supported 105,408,000 job spots, and it has invested $814,4B in 2014 (Ali, 2015). It is necessary for the industry to keep developing, so new jobs are created. Travel contributes to total GDP through such commodities as transportation and entertainment (Ali, 2015). This business is impacted by seasonality, and it is one of the core issues of this industry.
There are so called high season and low season. Travel companies gain the most profit during the high season, and tickets are rarely bought during the low season. This happens because travelling is extremely dependent on changes in climate. Summer is often the most profitable season because of holidays and vacations. Some customers prefer to visit certain countries during a particular time of year.
The economic situation is also crucial because this industry is extremely sensitive to economic changes. Schoinas and O’Connell (2011) state that “the global economic recession has had a severe impact on the air transport industry” (p. 354). This claim signifies that this industry still suffers from the consequences of the recession just like the others.
There are sub-industries such as hotel chains, trade and transportation companies, travel agencies and others. The hospitality industry is one of the biggest sub-industries. It provides transportation, lodging, and other services. Some enterprises in the travel business develop technologies, some provide services, and some offer support to other companies.
Alliances and partnerships are often formed on beneficial terms to provide each other with a range of services. Overall, this industry is developing at an extremely fast rate, and it should not stop anytime soon. Expedia is the leader of this industry in the United States. Currently, it holds about 26% of the market share thanks to the acquisition of an innovative search engine (Trefis Team, 2014).
The biggest competitor for Expedia is Orbitz Worldwide, and it holds 21 percents of market share based on the available data (Trefis Team, 2014). The next biggest competitors are Priceline and Travelocity. Their combined market share is around 95 percents, and it allows them to set the standards for other firms.
Industry Environment
Every single company in the travel industry chooses a primary group of clients and continues to focus on that group. Some prefer to offer their services to leisure travelers and others focus on business passengers. It is necessary for every company to select and focus on the particular target market. The determination of the target group is one of the biggest problems.
The primary customers are those with average or high income. Every travelling company focuses on a selected group of clients and picks the position in the market. Robinson (2009) states that “a review of its internal resources and competencies can enable the business to determine its future strategic direction” (p. 114). Differently put, it is necessary to investigate the available resources for a company in the travel industry.
The key suppliers are travel agencies. Currently, the market is stable because of new technologies. However, it is extremely prone to changes in the environment because it is extremely complex and not stable. Xiang and Formica (2007) state that “the environment changes constantly and generates uncertainty for decision makers in the organizations that are responsible for identifying external opportunities and threats” (p. 1194).
This means that it is relatively hard for managers to develop strategies based on analyzed data, and because of this environmental scanning is often used. Key issues of this industry are problems with registration and problems with excessive emission. The whole industry is regulated by the government.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency plans to set new emission standards because currently it is not controlled that well. Such regulations have a huge impact on the industry because travel companies may need to develop new technologies to meet the standards.
Financial Aspects
Total travel expenditures in the United States were $136,700B in 2014 (The World Bank, 2015). Average annual costs for information technologies are $20B each year. The average annual expenditures are ten percents of revenue. Schinasi (2003) claims that the market is stable if there is an “absence of the kind of volatility that could have severe economic consequences” (p. 4).
In other words, the market stability is dependent on how prices vary. Multimodal Transport System, Hadoop tools, Mobile Retail Solution, Fully-Integrated Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity System, and Real Time Content are often deployed. Such systems are different, but they are implemented to enhance the experience of customers. The number of travel applications is enormous.
Most of them are available on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. The most popular applications are entirely free, and paid applications often have better functionality. Such applications like Uber allow users to take a taxi from the phone in foreign countries (Talty, 2015). Similarly, Waze is an extremely useful GPS navigator that lets one to read traffic reports that were submitted by other users.
WeatherPro is a great travel application for those interested in weather reports. A user is able to get detailed information about flight paths with FlightTrack. XE Currency is the leading application for currency conversion. Similarly, Converter Plus allows other types of operations besides the standard one. Entrain is a quite innovative applications that can help one to beat the jet lag.
Packing Pro is extremely helpful because it suggests a list of items that you may want to pack for a vacation. Perfect World Clock is a great addition to the arsenal of applications for those who travel a lot, and it is hard for them to keep track of time zones. Skyscanner is a leader among booking applications. It allows its users to have a quick access to detailed information about price changes.
Similarly, Hostelworld helps users to book cheap hotels and read customer reviews. Stayful lets one to find a hotel based on the budget and also helps with the process of negotiation. Google, MeteoGroup and Uber are the leading developers of this kind of applications. Overall, there are all kinds of travel applications, and they make visits to other countries much more comfortable for the customers while being extremely profitable.
Standards
Standards are crucial for this industry because the safety of customers is of utmost importance. There are companies that focus on raising the standards in the travel business such as ABTA that functions for 65 years already. There are two standard bodies in this industry.
International Air Transportation Association provides a range of protocols and other information that may be purchased. OnepTravel Alliance is another standard body that transfers information and supports various standards. NDC Program creates standards for communication for the whole industry.
Trends and Innovation
Currently, there are four technology trends in the travel industry: cloud enablement, social media explosion, the mobile revolution, and analytics (Peterson, 2014). The first trend allows companies to interact with the customers in entirely different ways because of changes in the way the data is accessed.
Social media is a great way for travel companies to promote themselves, and it is an extremely useful when gathering information about the clients. The mobile revolution has led to dramatic changes in the way travelling is perceived. The positioning of the relatives is no longer a matter of concern because of new mobile services.
New technologies allow customers to share their travelling experience with others via photos or blogs, and the profit of travel companies is increased as a result. The last trend is so important because it allows companies to have a better understanding of the recorded information. Predictions and strategies are developed based on the received data. New models of aircraft should also have an enormous impact on the industry.
However, some companies like Southwest Airlines prefer to use only one type of jet airliners because fleet commonality has numerous advantages from the logistic and economic standpoint. Aircraft of the same kind is much easier to repair, and standard parts are easier to attain. Another important aspect that should be noted is that there is no need for additional training of employees if only a single type of aircraft is being used.
However, there are limited opportunities for progression and development when the airline does not offer long range flights. Maintenance costs are enormous and hard to manage because of a number of flights that take place each day. Mobile and Internet services are game changers for this industry. Smartphones allow customers to order tickets at last possible minutes.
There are mobile applications that guide users through a country in the way a human guide would. Web sites offer travel suggestions that are personalized based on the collected and analyzed data. All the information about travelling is available in real-time and can be easily accessed, and many customers find it extremely convenient.
New technologies also allow companies to advertise their services in different, previously not possible ways. There are organizations that specialize in the development of new technologies for this industry. Google is one of the leaders because it offers a number of services such as the Google Maps and Google Now.
Google Glass and Smartwatches are going to become a future of this business if they become more affordable for an average customer. Geolocation services also have changed the industry. These services help users with keeping track of their positioning not just outside but even indoors. Visited locations are also remembered, and it is helpful in case of emergency.
A possibility of space tourism should also significantly impact the industry. However, it is still in the relatively early stage of development. Tours to Europe are becoming increasingly more popular. There are such hot spots as Netherland, Iceland, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Germany, France and Slovakia. Also, there are countries that were always popular with tourists such as India, Japan and Costa Rica among others.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the travel industry is enormous, and there is always room for competition. It is paramount for the global economy because of its contribution to the world’s GDP and the number of job spots it currently supports. This business continues to grow at incredibly fast rates thanks to the introduction of new technologies and continuous increase in the interest of customers.
Travelling is relatively affordable nowadays, and not the way it used to be years ago. Companies in this industry always develop new strategies and methods to make sure that the customers are satisfied. Clients of travelling companies prefer to stay loyal, and it is necessary to keep such customers.
However, the industry’s economic sensitivity and the fact that it is so hugely impacted by seasonality prevent this industry from even further development. Nevertheless, the travel industry is huge, and it is the future of entertainment.
Robinson, P. (2009). Operations management in the travel industry. Wallingford, UK: CABI.
Schinasi, G. (2003). Responsibility of Central banks for stability in financial markets. Washington, DC.: International Monetary Fund.
Schoinas, D., & O’Connell, J. (2011). The airline retail industry: a customer’s perspective. World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research, 3(4), 353-375.
Xiang, Z., & Formica, S. (2007). Mapping environmental change in tourism: A study of the incentive travel industry. Tourism Management, 28(5), 1193-1202.
One of the radical changes that occurred in different areas of human activity is the growth of automation which influenced the employment and level of qualification and training. The growth of automation brought radical changes in such areas as transportation, manufacturing, entertainment, and distribution and sales. For instance, transportation depended mainly on maintenance of the transportation means and the ability of the crew to react adequately to certain problems; airplane safety benefited from the introduction of automated systems. At the same time, manufacturing became less difficult with the growth of automation though more sufficient training was required for people who worked with machines (Kossiakoff & Sweet, 2003, p. 8). The distribution and sales could be performed with the help of automated programs that we’re operating to ensure that a sufficient amount of products would be delivered to different sale points. As for entertainment, it also benefited the growth of automation because different manipulations were not required; besides, they reduced risk.
Personal computer
Personal computers were introduced as one of the radical technical advances that changed the operation of a great variety of fields. As such, entertainment, communications, manufacturing, and distribution and sales are the fields in which the changes occurred. For instance, in the field of entertainment, personal computers are used as means for viewing the shows and sharing impressions on those shows and other types of entertaining activities. Communication is performed easier with the help of a personal computer, especially after the introduction of another technical advance such as the internet. Moreover, a personal computer can be considered an advance that changed radically the concept of information and its evaluation. Manufacturing can also be performed more effectively concerning the planning and development stages of the manufacturing process because these stages can be fulfilled with the help of a personal computer and applications installed on it. Distribution and sales can be also considered the fields that benefit from the introduction of a personal computer.
Competition of System Characteristics
Cases
Innovation and risk is the first case when system characteristics compete with one another. For instance, it is important to use an innovative approach but with regard to the possible risk in different stages of its operation. Testing and timing are another pair of characteristics that can be conflicting and even competing. As such, it is necessary to assess the timing of the project contrasted to the necessity of testing its effectiveness. Moreover, each stage of the project operation can be in conflict with the timing of the project because of the insufficient time given to complete the project and the importance of all stages of the project. Assessment of alternatives and reliability is the last pair of characteristics. The significance of assessment of alternative ways of solving the problem is great as well as the expected reliability of the system.
Meaning of the ‘best’ system
The ‘best’ system does not mean the most efficient system ever or something extraordinary and outstanding. The ‘best’, in this respect, means the most appropriate for the plan under consideration. For instance, if some characteristics conflict, it is necessary to introduce the ‘best’/most appropriate system that possesses characteristics that would not compete with one another. In other words, the right system for the right project is the ‘best’ system.
Reference
Kossiakoff, A., & Sweet, W. N. (2003). Systems engineering: Principles and practice. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-IEEE.