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The Difference between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0: Evolution of the Internet

 Part A

The difference between web 1.0 and web 2.0

Web 2.0 refers to how people use the internet today. Some scholars assert that there is no definite definition of web 2.0 and believe that the term is used for marketing. However, there is a definite distinction between web 1.0 and web 2.0. In web 2.0, people do not use with the internet but, instead interact with the internet. The key words used to describe web 2.0 are collaboration, community and user-driven. In the past, the use of web 1.0 was very linear. In the past, the Hackney, John. A History of Greek and Roman Philosophy. New York: Philosophical Library, 1966. internet applied in the as a business and utility tool. According to (Mitrović 2010), webmasters were responsible for creating the internet while the users visited and had a view of the websites. The communication was between the web users) and the webmaster. The pages of the webs were static, for instance, when the users wanted to enquire, the only option was to enquire from “Yahoo” or “ask Jeeves.” Today, the internet has the option of Google and Bing.

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Web 2.0 sites permit interaction with the webmaster and site and other individuals who use the site. For instance, web 2.0 websites include internet social pages; MySpace and Facebook. Web 2.0 is about applications of the web that can allow users to interact with it as well as have control. Today, almost everyone is creating his or her own site and fill with contents that make them happy. However, in web 1.0, web creation was done by the web experts.
Blogs
A blog is a website that encompasses personal journals online with the comments, reflections, and hyperlinks indicated by the writer or the owner. The contents of a blog incorporate the following; the blog verb, blog.ging noun and the blo.ger noun. The blogs are often frequently written and in chronological order written online for everyone to have a view. The common types of blogs include; artlog, photoblog, sketchblog, vlog and MP3 blog.
Microblogs

Microblogs are server software that allows the internet users to post a small piece of any digital content in the website. The contents may be pictures, texts, links and short videos. Microblogs permit network of communication of low latency. The I2P network was designed largely to enhance anonymous communication portability mode with an organic or spontaneous feeling to the users. It assists friends to keep in touch, associates in business use for meeting coordination.

Wikis

Wikis refer to collaborative server software that consists of a collective work of many authors. Wikis are often similar to blogs in terms of logic and structure, however, wikis allow people to edit, delete or modify online graphic design because it can employ motion, light and audience interaction. My favorite part in designing websites are in creating the best themes, organizing the content that has been put on the website by use of the browser interface.

Social Networks

A social network is a dedicated website or any other website application that allows communication between the users by posting comments, information, images and messages. In social networks, the users gather and share fresh experiences and information about their all day activities (Partridge 2011).
Networking
Networking refers to the act of information exchanging between two individuals. Networking incorporates relationship establishment with individuals who are important in one’s life.
Social Collaboration

Social collaboration in business allows companies to use social media interactions and exchange information and business ideas in an integrated manner. When the companies use social media interactions, the customers become knowledgeable and collaborate in their work through mass media communication. With growing technology, new research reveals that the social collaboration can enable the business attain concrete benefits. In the business context, the increase in global business competitions and frequent innovative pressure has forced the companies to adapt to the changing conditions (Simone 2003). Social collaboration enables companies to innovatively raise awareness of their products and services hence attain a competitive advantage in the market. Web 2.0 websites that enable sharing of business information may include facebook, MySpace and blogs.
Social Publishing
Social publishing is any form, emerging or new, creation of online contents. Social publishers are often interested in using the social publishing contents to come up with successful, honest and financially healthy careers. Social publishing can also be referred to as a logical progression of the new networking generation. Today, companies use social publishing to advertising their products and services on the internet. Companies own blogs as well as social networks that they use to raise product awareness.
Social Intelligence

Social intelligence refers to the ability of the mind to understand emotions, motives, intentions and actions of other business opponents and partners. In the business context, companies recognize the fact that the use of social media can enable them understand the demands of their customers better. However, businesses often use social intelligence to have the right information about their customers’ demands that will assist in competition and revenue returns. Business experts analyze social conversations and the behavior of customers online.
Crowdsourcing

Crowdsourcing is the use of collective intelligence gained from the public and applying the information to accomplish the tasks of a business. The tasks may be completed by a third party or a company. For example, facebook has of late used crowdsourcing to translate their website into various languages. Wikipedia is also another example of crowdsourcing, encyclopedia published by various people worldwide is also some examples of crowdsourcing. The most popular crowdsourcing websites include; freelancers and the elance.
Benefits of using Crowdsourcing
There are various genuine advantages that result from the use of crowdsourcing to the companies and individual businesses with the aim of affordable competing prices. The use of crowdsourcing is fairly priced as compared to hiring of a professional. Additionally, crowdsourcing requires low prices and, therefore, there will be many people willing to work for the company anytime due to the fair pricing. Crowdsourcing is suitable for simple business tasks indicated ŽUpič (2013). For example, it can be a splendid option for people who are in the designing business because they can get the feedback about the usability of the product or service before making it public. Additionally, entrepreneurs developing huge photo or product libraries can exploit the features of crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing permits the businesses to gain great insight to the consumers and their desires. For instance, a business may opt to build an online site for shopping by use of crowdsourcing and spend a little cash for people to describe and categorize their inventory.

PART B: Toulmin’s Model Theory of Argument

Stephen Toulmin was a modern rhetorician who believed that some arguments should follow the classical model of logic. He indicated three main parts and three optional parts that are necessary for an argument. The major parts include; the claim, warrant and support (Savolainen 2012).
Claim- is a major point or the thesis of the idea in control. It may be stated directly or it may be implied. Claims are often derived from asking questions.
Support- refers to the reasons one will give in relevance to claim. They are evidences, data, proof, grounds or arguments. Support of claims may originate from experts’ opinions, facts, statistics or logical reasoning.
Warrants– these refer to presuppositions or assumptions underlying the argument. Warrants are accepted values, beliefs and common culture ways of viewing matters. Warrants are usually unstated and implied because they are compliance in most cases. The audience and the author may share the beliefs and values or the author and the audience may conflict one another (Hitchcock 2006). Warrants are usually important because they form the common ground of audience and author. However, when the warrants are shared, the audience is usually invited to unconsciously be part of the argument. Warrants also provide the underlying reasoning that links the claim and support.
Qualifiers– are statements that assist in limiting the strength of the statement or argument and usually propose the circumstances for which the argument is true.
Rebuttals- counter-arguments or statements that indicates the situations when the argument is not truth.
Backing– statements that support warrants
A Case Study of Jouhhen Animal Research Business
Jouhhen animal research institute has been using animals to conduct research used in the cosmetics industry for over two decades. The company I a certified research institute with worldwide recognition. The public, however, views this practice as a torture of animals that are considered to be adding more value in the economic growth of the society.
The public has of late raised claims that Animal research Institute should burn animal research (first claim). They assert that animals are labored in experiments that do not benefit the human beings such as cosmetic testing (data). However, the well- being of the animals supersede the profits the cosmetics industry gets and its contribution to the societal development (warrant). Only the public representatives have the authority to make and implement such law (warrant). This is because the corporations can move from one country to another to circumvent legal penalties (Backing). Indeed, the ban should not incorporate research in the medical industry (qualifier). A law to ban all research practices would go for as the bans are concerned (Rebuttal). Therefore, the law would probably (qualifier) have to be written with care to define a list of research intended (claim number two).
In this example, the claim is that the research institute should stop using the animals to conduct their cosmetic research. The public knows the importance of preserving animals and the value of the animals to the society. According to this model, however, the point is not to win or beat the involved counter arguments. But, the aim is to come close to the reasonable truth to find a feasible solution for the animals and the cosmetic industry. The Toulmin’s model of argument reminds the users that arguments are usually expressed with rebuttals and qualifiers rather than indicated as absolutes (Mali 2010).
References
(2006). Social intelligence design 3.
(2010). Expression web 2 advanced. [Fairport, NY], Axzo Press.
(2011). Use and control of social media in international franchise systems. International Journal of Franchising Law. 9.
HAMMON, L., & HIPPNER, H. (2012). Crowdsourcing. Business & Information Systems Engineering. 4, 163-166.
HITCHCOCK, D., & VERHEIJ, B. (2006). Arguing on the Toulmin model new essays in argument analysis and evaluation. Dordrecht, Springer. http://public.eblib.com/EBLPublic/PublicView.do?ptiID=301361.
MALI, J. (2010). The sources of intergenerational collaboration within social work. Teorija in Praksa. -dec.
MITROVIĆ, M., PALTOGLOU, G., & TADIĆ, B. (2010). Networks and emotion-driven user communities at popular blogs. The European Physical Journal. B, Condensed Matter Physics. 77, 597-609.
PARTRIDGE, K. (2011). Social networking. New York, H.W. Wilson.
PILUSO, M., et al. (2003). Charlotte’s web 2 Wilbur’s great adventure. Hollywood, Calif, Paramount Pictures.
SAVOLAINEN, R. (2012). The structure of argument patterns on a social Q&A site. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology. 63, 2536-2548.
SIMONE, A. (2003). Reaching the larger world: new forms of social collaboration in Pikine, Senegal. Africa : Journal of the International African Institute. 73, 226-250.
WINICK, G., et al. (2007). Charlotte’s web. Hollywood, CA, Paramount Pictures.
ŽUPIČ, I. (2013). Social media as enabler of crowdsourcing. Social Media in Human Resources Management. 243-255.
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Understanding Empathy and Its Implications

Empathy is a word used to define experiences in different dimensions. Emotional researchers normally define empathy as an individual’s ability to sense other people’s emotions, together with the capability of imagining what another person might be feeling or thinking.
Contemporary researchers have often given two types of empathy: affective empathy and cognitive empathy. To start with, affective empathy is used when referring to the feelings and sensations that are achieved in response to other people’s emotions. These responses can mirror the feeling of another individual or, in other cases, get stressed after detecting another individual’s anxiety or fear. Cognitive empathy, also referred to as “perspective taking, ” refers to an individual’s ability to understand and identify other people’s emotions. According to different researchers, individuals who have autism spectrum disorder have difficulties in empathizing (Daltry et al., 617).

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According to Daltry, Mehr, Sauers, and Silbert (618), empathy is said to have a deep background in our bodies, brains, and evolutionary history. Empathy elementary forms have been experimented with from primate relatives, for example, in rats and dogs. Consequently, empathy has been related to two diverse brain pathways, whereby scientists have made speculations that showed that some features of empathy have traces in the mirror neurons, which are cells located in the brain that fire on observing another individual act in a similar way they can fire if allowed to perform the same action themselves. Daltry et al. (619) uncovered genetic evidence based on empathy, suggesting that individuals can restrict or enhance their natural empathy abilities through their brain cells. Having empathy does not essentially mean that a person wants to assist someone in need; nevertheless, it is often a crucial first step to the actions of compassion.
Empathy, in some cases, can hinder social actions or result in amoral actions. For instance, a witness of a car accident overwhelmed by passion and seeing the victim suffering in severe pain may fail to help the victims. Likewise, a strong empathy for our family members or racial or social group might result in aggression or hate towards those we see as a threat (Daltry et al., 620). To explain this point, think about a father or a father giving protection to their children or a patriot protecting their native country.
Interestingly, individuals with high psychopathic traits normally give more utilitarian replies during moral dilemmas like footbridge problems. In showing empathy, in this situation, an individual is faced with either pushing one person off the bridge to stop a moving train about to cause an accident or killing five people. This act is called the practical philosophy that involves saving five people’s lives by having to kill one person. However, no researcher has ever argued that people with psychopathic tendencies are more moral than normal individuals.
In agreement with Daltry et al. (621), empathy is regularly measured using self-report questionnaires like Questionnaire for Cognitive and Affective Empathy (QCAE) or Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). These questionnaires typically ask individuals to show their agreement with measuring statements of different kinds of empathy. Notably, cognitive empathy is generally determined using the QCAE by adding value to statements like “I try to consider every person’s side during a disagreement before making any decision.” With QCAE, people have a higher grey matter in the anterior insular part of the brain (Daltry et al., 621). This region regulates negative and positive emotions by integrating environmental stimulants with automatic and visceral bodily sensations.
Nonetheless, as documented by Daltry et al. (621), people typically show more empathy to members of their group; from the same ethnic group. For instance, when watching people in pain from our ethnic group, the anterior cingulated brain area, often active on seeing other people in pain, is more active when watching people from our ethnic group than members of a different ethnic group.
Besides, different scholars have stated that brain areas associated with empathy are less activated while seeing individuals suffering who may be acting unfairly. Noteworthy, brain area activation due to empathy may be about subjective pleasure, for instance, while watching the failure of a rival team of sports or during a ventral striatum. These behaviors of the brain on activation towards acts of empathy have corresponded to daily life observations. Generally, people are more excited when their group members win in an activity. However, individuals are unlikely to hurt others because they come from different races, cultures, or groups. Markedly, in-group bias due to empathy is more on in-group love than out-group hate.
Succinctly, the empathetic brain has developed to be vastly adaptive to various kinds of situations. Having and showing empathy is useful as it always helps in understanding other people so we can deceive or help them; however, sometimes, we are required to be in a position to switch off our feelings of empathy in protecting our lives and those of other people.
Works Cited
Daltry, Rachel M., et al. “Examining the Relationship between Empathy for Others and Self-Compassion in College Students.” *Educational Research and Reviews*, vol. 13, no. 17, Sept. 2018, pp. 617–621.

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The Sociological Contributions of Karl Marx and Marxism

Karl Marx is renowned for his foundations and principles of communism. Among the founders of sociological thought Marx is the most popular. Surprisingly Marx did not consider himself a sociologist but was rather given the title by scholars of the latter centuries. As a communist Marx thought and titled himself as a political critic. However, it can be agreed that majority of the sociological thoughts were based in some sought of criticism or support of aspects of Marxism.

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Marx’s theory about society is based on the belief that all societies operate in a system of capitalism. In this system, there is a production and distribution channel. The first class known as the bourgeoisie own the system of production. This class is made up of very few citizens who in turn control the legislature, executive and judiciary branches of the government. The Mass, majority of the citizens are in the proletariat class that is the workers for the bourgeoisie. Ritzier (1992) states that the capitalist system is unsatisfactory, with the working class facing the worst living conditions, earning far much less than they need to survive. According to Marx, this despicable cycle of production and life, will in turn lead to unrest and mass revolution by the working class according to Marx, this is the only way to establish the more satisfying communist system. In this system, the production is owned by the government made up of the working class.
The main contribution of Marxism to sociology is in the area if conflict and conflict resolution.  There are several schools of thought defining the causes of violence and conflict, however, Marx’s theory continues to be the most prominent.  According to Marx the seeds of conflict are borne from the system of governance. Capitalism, in itself is a system which takes advantage of the weaker masses and often leaves them feeling restless. As stated in Adams and Sydie (2001) such restlessness can only be calmed through a violent revolution hence the conflicts currently in the world. To avoid such conflict, systems of communism where all resources are governed nationally would work best.
Marxism has also been vital in understanding, the value of labor. In a capitalist system according to Marx, value is placed on the finished product. The bourgeoisie are more concerned with the profits coming from sale of goods. The prices of goods are therefore exorbitant but the value of labor is diminished. The workers are paid less to produce high quality and expensive goods. Marxists argue that when all production systems are owned by the government, workers receive value for their own labor.  This is what Marx termed as the theory of surplus value; where the surplus is the profits generated by labor but not paid to the laborers. Surplus profits go back to the bourgeoisie class for purchase of luxury goods, meanwhile the working class cannot afford basic necessities such as food and housing.
Marx’s political thought was the first in sociology to introduce the concept of winners and losers. For a long time, people had assumed that with capitalism, everyone was a winner. The government benefited in terms of high taxes, the workers benefitted from provision of work and therefore income. With Marx however, came the first insight into the weaknesses that could arise with a system of profit.  He was the first to point out that only one class benefitted, and that such benesits were not fair and ideal.
Marx promoted and is often quoted in promoting free trade. In free trade, every individual is able to sell and distribute their own goods. Laborers are free to negotiate the value of their own labor, (Turner 20010. The negotiation promotes higher earning which in turn allows the workers to afford better standards of living.  Many scholars have misconceived Marx imagining that he proposed a classless society would develop automatically. However, the truth is that the classless society would develop with time. As the living standard of the working class improves the margin between the two classes will reduce. The margins between two countries, such as the first and third world are also reduced through free trade. Through this idea, several forms of free trade have been introduced in an attempt to foster development in the third world countries.
Calhoun (2002), Gill (2012), argue that Crime and deviance can be easily explained and understood through Marxism.  Inequalities in wealth and income, with the mass population suffering most generate a wave of crime especially on properties. Capitalism encourages greed and the desire for material goods and property.  Surprisingly according to Marx, crime is not just in the working class as maybe expected. Non-material crimes such as fraud and child abuse become more prominent in the bourgeoisie. Frustration by both classes can extend the wave of crime especially in periods of recession.
For a long time, Marxism has played a major role in defining the societal principles. Though some changes have been made to the theory, Marxism remains a prominent form of sociological thought.

References

Adams, B. N., & Sydie, R. A. (2001). Sociological theory. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Pine Forge Press.
Calhoun, C. J. (2002). Classical sociological theory. Malden, Mass: Blackwell.
Gill, R. (2012). Sociological theory. Farnham England: Ashgate.
Ritzer, G. (1992). Sociological theory. New York: McGraw-Hill
Turner, J. H. (2001). Handbook of sociological theory. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.

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How Companies Fulfill Social Responsibility Obligations

How Companies Fulfill Social Responsibility Obligations

What Is Social Responsibility?

How do companies carry out social responsibility?

That is a common essay question.

To effectively write an essay on social responsibility, first, you have to understand what it is.

The term is coined from two words: social and responsibility.

Social refers to society, while responsibility refers to accountability.

Therefore, social responsibility looks into what a company does to be accountable for society.

Social responsibility requires a company to prioritize the needs of society before their own.

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How Do Companies Carry Out Social Responsibility?

Examples of social responsibility include:

1. Donations

Organizations all over the world fulfill social responsibility through philanthropy.

Philanthropy, in most cases, involves providing financial aid to those who need it.

Also, providing products and services for free counts as philanthropy.

One organization that can be referenced for its philanthropic acts is the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The organization funds millions of dollars annually towards charitable courses such as promoting better healthcare and providing education to the less fortunate in Africa, the Middle East, and South America.

Another example of philanthropic social responsibility is Warren Buffets’ vow to contribute 85% of his wealth to charitable courses.

Google Corporation also donates to fulfill social responsibility: in 2017, the tech giant set aside a billion grant to fund non-profit innovations aimed at solving global challenges.

2. Environmental conservation

Global warming and adverse climate change are universal calamities that need to be solved if the world is to survive another millennium.

So, it makes sense that organizations use environmental conservation as a way of fulfilling their social responsibility obligation.

An example is the Coca-Cola company, which has launched water projects in more than 80 countries.

Providing access to clean drinking water and improved sanitation are some of the goals of these water projects.

Google Corporation’s commitment to society also includes environmental conservation.

The company has the Green Initiative, which promotes the efficient use of natural resources and encourages the use of renewable energy.

Protection of water catchment areas, irrigation projects, and promoting awareness on climate change are some other conservation-related ways companies can fulfill social responsibility.

3. Providing goods and services for free

What other easier way to satisfy the social responsibility obligation than to offer the company’s products or services for free?

In the medical world, this is the go-to option for social responsibility.

Hospitals provide free medical camps, medical institutions provide medical personnel or free medical awareness seminars on prevalent diseases, while pharmaceutical companies provide free drugs.

4.  Fair treatment of employees

The workforce of any organization belongs to society.

Therefore, a good way of fulfilling social responsibility is treating employees fairly.

Fair treatment of employees includes offering good wages, providing a conducive working environment, and initiating policies that help employees expand their careers and take better care of their loved ones.

What Are The Advantages Of Social Responsibility?

You could include the benefits of social responsibility in your essay, which include:

1. Good social standing

Organizations and individuals that prioritize society have a better social status.

This good social standing is even globally recognized through prestigious awards such as the Nobel Peace Prize.

So, fulfilling social responsibility not only benefits society but also has personal benefits.

Society endears companies that show selflessness towards humanity.

2. Boosts profits

By giving back to society, an organization also advertises itself.

Social responsibility activities expose an organization – more people get to know about the company and the products and services it offers.

Additionally, when the government recognizes the social responsibility efforts of an organization, it will reward such a company through tax incentives and even favor the company’s products.

3. Improved productivity of employees

In most cases, you will find that employees of companies that fulfill their social responsibility mandate are productive.

Why? These employees feel that the work they are doing serves the purpose of making the world a better place.

Naturally, human beings gain gratification in knowing they are helping other human beings: It is not always about working for money.

Challenges In Fulfilling Social Responsibility

Social responsibility, clearly, has benefits any organization would want to salvage.

Still, most companies ignore their social responsibility mandate.

However, inhumanity or lack of compassion is not the reason most companies do not fulfill their social responsibility mandate.

Social responsibility has its obstacles, which include:

  • Insufficient funds. Social responsibility requires funding. Remember, it is a venture that is not supposed to yield profits. That is why most small businesses and startups cannot afford to give back to society.
  • Insufficient staff. Without enough manpower, a company will find it challenging to focus on social responsibility.
  • The dilemma of choosing a social responsibility objective. There are so many options for giving back to society that some companies find it difficult to focus on one. For some companies, such as those in the field of medicine and the environment, the choice is simple since the work they do already involves society. But for most organizations, the choice is not crystal clear.

Conclusion

Organizations should be accountable to society.

After all, it is the society that sustains them.

Furthermore, done right, it benefits not only the society but also the organization that decides to fulfill it.

In this article, we have tackled some of the things you can include in a social responsibility essay.

All, you have to do is find sources and examples in the real world.

Good luck with your social responsibility essay.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Social Responsibility?

The term is coined from two words: social and responsibility. Social refers to society, while responsibility refers to accountability. Therefore, social responsibility looks into what a company does to be accountable for society. 

What are some examples of social responsibility?

(1) Donations (2) Environmental conservation (3) Providing goods and services for free (4) Fair treatment of employees

How Do Companies Carry Out Social Responsibility?

(1) Donations (2) Environmental conservation (3) Providing goods and services for free (4) Fair treatment of employees

What Are The Advantages Of Social Responsibility?

(1) Good social standing (2) Boosts profits (3) Improved productivity of employees

Challenges in Fulfilling Social Responsibility

Insufficient funds, insufficient staff, and the dilemma of choosing a social responsibility objective

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The Role of Mathematics in Social Work

Mathematics is a very crucial subject everywhere in our day-to-day activities. Mathematics is applicable in all careers, with some, like engineering requiring extensive and complex formulas while others, like social work, involve simpler formulas.

Social work involves providing social support to the community. Social workers are responsible for assessing the social needs of people and aiding them to use their skills and resources to solve social problems. Social workers play a vital role in safeguarding vulnerable members of society, children, and adults inclusive, acting as their guides and advocates. Part of their day-to-day tasks that are aimed at achieving their major duty of providing support is interviewing individuals, families, or groups to determine the nature and extent of their problems, maintaining contacts with clients to aid in monitoring their progress, keeping organized records on their clients and representing their clients in court if necessary as explained by Collins (26).

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The core programs involved in training social workers are human behavior and ethics, social welfare policy, and exposure and experience to clinical settings provided by training institutions. The academic requirements for admission into training institutions for the cause vary from one university to another, but a high pass in English and Social Sciences is a must. Most institutions require a minimum grade of C in Mathematics. Students aspiring social workers are advised to concentrate on statistics as it equips them with analytic skills. Some of the most outstanding social work training institutions in the United States are the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, the University of Chicago, and Washington University in St Louis, as illustrated by Bowie, Chery, and Wooding (3).

Collins (29) says that social workers work in various settings, including schools, foster homes, hospitals, voluntary organizations, and the premise of other public sectors. Research indicates that the demand for social workers is increasing with the mushrooming of social problems like drug and alcohol additions that require appropriate support to stem, thus having several employment opportunities. For instance, in my community, there is a need for social workers to support and help needy children advocating the improvement in their living conditions and provision of necessities.

Social work is emotionally draining and demanding and requires the development or possession of certain characteristics to be competent. These traits include courage, coordination skills, persuasion, organization, flexibility, empathy, cooperation (being able to negotiate and compromise), active listening, relaxation, and decomposition, as outlined by Bowie, Chery, and Wooding (4).

Social workers’ job is office based but entails regular visits to clients. In some cases, they work as a group, each assigned to a specific group or individual to support. Some work alongside other professionals like nurses and other social care workers. The average working hours for most workers is approximately 37 weekly, except for those working with children, as they need to check in even during weekends. Social workers’ salaries vary from organization to organization; in some organizations, it is approximately $41368 yearly, as stated by Collins (32).

The statistical part of mathematics is essential in social work. In social work, there is a lot of data collection on the events of their cases and analysis that aid in gauging the extent of the impact of a particular social problem in a specified region. Therefore, social workers ought to know the mean, median, mode, and other statistical components for analysis and making inferences, as stated by Bowie, Chery, and Wooding (6).

In conclusion, social work is a rewarding but demanding career that deals with supporting people in the community that involves inside and outside jobs. The demand for more expertise in the field is shooting due to increased social problems. Social work does require adequate training in the field of handling people and possession of different innate and nurtured traits for competence. The field does not involve much mathematical calculation, but basic statistics background is essential.

Works Cited

Bowie, Stan, Donna Chery, and Leigh H. Wooding. “African American MSW Students: Personal Influences on Social Work Careers and Factors in Graduate Schools Selection.” Social Work Education (2005): n. pag. Print.

Collins, Suzan. Supporting Positive Behavior: A Workbook for Social Care Workers. London: Jessica Kingsley, 2010. Print.

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The Importance of Tailoring Marketing Strategies for International Markets

Introduction

The expansion of businesses within and without local borders is a consequence of globalization. This basically gives the implication that certain aspects in the corporate world need to be modified as well so as to meet international standards. International marketing is the process of applying marketing concepts to other countries overseas. At the international level therefore, the concept of marketing is one imperative concept that is inherent to comprehend within this particular concept. Owing to the fact that there are certain physical, economic, political, legal and geographic aspects, marketing strategies need to be tailored in such a way that they are effective in these international markets. To put matters into perspective, the following research paper highlights the opportunities and constraints of international marketing. The culmination of the analysis will be a comprehensive discussion on the same.

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Constraints

International marketing is characterized by certain constraints that could hinder the process of investment in certain markets. They are a stumbling block to the process of international marketing and could definitely affect the process of marketing adversely. The constraint of language and culture is one such constraint. At this juncture, it is imperative to understand that the process of marketing is one that involves a lot of interaction and communication as well. It then follows that language is indeed very imperative in the event that this form of marketing is to turn out as successful. With the existence of language and cultural diversity, the marketing process seems a tall order particularly in international markets. It is indeed very difficult to put international marketing into effect unless one is a native speaker, familiar with the use of slang. With reference to cultural diversity, it is important to note that the marketing mix is determined by the culture of the communities. This is because the marketing process is influenced by culture, styles, attitudes, religious beliefs as well as perceptions (Alex Rialp, 2007).

Legal constraints are also other major constraints to the process of marketing. The existence of different laws in different countries to regulate the process of marketing could be a stumbling block to the marketing process. This implies the need for a legal expert to offer legal advice before marketing certain products in certain countries. For example, most countries prohibit the advertisement of pharmaceutical products. On the other hand, countries like France do not allow the advertisement of large food stores. Advertisement, which is an essential element of marketing, is also subject to time. That is, some advertisements are placed on the media at certain times specifically (Brady, 2014).

International marketing is further characterized by several barriers to entry. The existence of monopoly power and the control of both input and product markets by local companies could create major difficulties in the process of marketing. Depending on the market structure of certain products, the level of competition could further worsen this challenge owing to the fact that it increases the cost of marketing. On the same note, the indivisibilities of the product markets imply that marketing cannot be divided with reference to the needs of specific market segments. All these are factors that define barriers to entry into the market and as such, is a major hindrance to the process of international marketing (Michael R. Czinkota, 2013).

The process of international marketing could also be influenced by production as well as limitations of cost. Prohibition of marketing also comes at a cost. For instance, the cost of marketing is bound to escalate in the event that multiple languages are to be reached. At the end of the day, there are certain direct and indirect costs that come with the process of international marketing. Increased cost could be a major constraint considering the fact that marketing in itself is costly (Majaro, 2012).

Opportunities

International marketing is indeed coupled with various opportunities that business organizations can take advantage through prudent decision making. The scale as well as size of international markets presents certain potential opportunities for both growth and development of business organizational. The underlying factor with reference to the opportunities that are presented in international marketing is that business organizations need to have a clear focus on what exactly they aim at, that is the willingness to spread risk so as to benefit from these opportunities. They also need to have comprehensive knowledge of the local conditions, the tax systems as well as other issues such as access to credit and finance. This section clearly highlights some of the major opportunities in international marketing (Isobel Doole, 2008).

The advent of the internet has been very imperative in promoting international marketing. Through e-commerce and e-marketing for instance, companies have been able to effectively advertise their products and create awareness of their services as well. The internet has generally promoted marketing by cutting down the costs of the same while at the same time ensuring that a significant number of consumers are reached. This is a marketing opportunity that can and should be taken advantage of international investors (Majaro, 2012).

The fact that there are high growth rates domestically and internationally presents an opportunity to venture into international marketing. The high growth rates have been increasingly promoted by the growth of population and the resultant increase in demand of both products and services. Domestic production cannot therefore meet the needs of the consumers in terms of demand. This creates deficits and shortages. The opportunity for investment equally implies the opportunity to market. However, this is subject to certain regions. Africa, for instance, has an annual growth rate of over 5 % and this presents a lucrative opportunity to venture in such markets (Richard Fletcher, 2011).

The current shift from public delivery towards private delivery is also an opportunity that business organizations can also take advantage of in the process of expansion. As a matter of fact, this is an opportunity that simply implies the need for more private investors on an international level. Currently, there is more that is being done at the preparation stage so as to get local companies to the investment stage. International companies could take advantage of this opportunity and invest in such regions. On the same note, the fact that countries in such regions are taking significantly long periods in the planning of infrastructure investment means that prospective international companies and organizations could take advantage of this. This is in the sense that it is a useful tool in helping prospective international investors to understand the investment intentions for such regions (Kleindl, 2006).

The availability of credit and finances on a general level is also very important in fostering investment and marketing therefore. As a matter of fact, many countries currently provide opportunities for the acquisition of aid and this implies the availability of both public and private funds that can be used to facilitate investment. This is a great opportunity of international investment in the sense that finance is indeed a key driver of investment.

Several regions are also undergoing reconstruction periods. A good example is Japan that is trying to recover from the effects of the 2011 disaster. Developing countries on the other hand are experiencing high rates of growth and this makes then to be investment intensive. In essence, the general climate for investment could also be used by prospective international investors in the sense that they are subject to time. A key strategy to take advantage of such opportunities would be to work together with local companies as well as local individuals so as to get the best out of such markets. Furthermore, this is also very important in that it enables the international investors to understand the marketing conditions including aspects such as competition. Most developing countries are simply trying to secure their futures in terms of growth and development and this presents several opportunities for international marketing (Paul, 2008).

Conclusion

Generally, it is vital to comprehend that international marketing is no longer an option in business, it has become inherent and on the same note, strategic to successful development. Equally important to highlight is that this is a concept that is clearly coupled with certain opportunities as well as constraints. However, investors are risk takers. Marketing is an essential part of investment. This implies that with the correct knowledge of the market and familiarity with the local conditions and other marketing aspects, international marketing could be very important towards the growth of a business venture. It is consequently a strategy that business ventures should take note of particularly with the influx of globalization (Michael R. Czinkota, 2013).

References

Alex Rialp, ‎. R. (2007). International Marketing Research: Opportunities and Challenges. Elsevier.

Brady, D. L. (2014). Essentials of International Marketing. Routledge.

Hans Mühlbacher, ‎. L. (2012). International Marketing: A Global Perspective. Cengage Brian.

Isobel Doole, ‎. L. (2008). International Marketing Strategy:Analysis and Development. Cengage Learning.

Kleindl, B. (2006). International Marketing. CengageBrian.

Majaro, S. (2012). International Marketing A Strategic Approach to World Markets. Routledge Publishers.

Michael Czinkota, ‎. R. (2011). Emerging Trends, Threats and Opportunities in International Markets. Business Experts Press.

Michael R. Czinkota, ‎. A. (2013). International Marketing. CengageBrian.

Paul, J. (2008). International Marketing: Text and Cases.

Richard Fletcher, ‎. C. (2011). International Marketing: An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Pearson Publishers.

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