Monday, February 24, 2020

The Evolution of a Firm Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Evolution of a Firm - Essay Example The evolution of GE starts with the greatest inventor every produced by America, i.e., Thomas Edison who is widely known for having created the light bulb that can be credited for America becoming a country which operates round the clock. In 1876, Edison started work in his lab in New Jersey and after his patents and inventions had given him enough capital, he was able to start a company called the Edison General Electric Company. While Edison had some competition from rival firms, a merger which was arbitrated by none other than J.P. Morgan led to the creation of the General Electric Company which was then headquartered in Schenectady in New York (Welch, 2005). This phase in the evolution of a firm can be understood as a phase of growth since the time of family-owned companies was on its way out due to the tremendous need for capital to obtain the real economies of scale required for big business (Griffiths & Wall, 2004). By 1986, GE became one of the 12 companies that were used by the DJIA (Dow Jones Industrial Average) to measure the stock index and after more than 112 years, it is the only company which remains on that index while all others have been replaced, acquired by other companies or simply been driven out of business. The historic value of the company can also be marked by the fact that its original headquarters has been noted as a historic place by the American government. GE did not stop at making light bulbs and continued to diversify its business interests through investments in Radio and modern electronics which were considered upcoming technologies at the time. After the world wars, GE found that it was heavily invested in defense since it had been used to help in producing aircraft and other equipment required by America (Welch, 2005). However, this also placed the company amongst the leaders of American business.

Friday, February 7, 2020

Fate or free will Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Fate or free will - Essay Example As he told me, he was only forced by his circumstances. I myself believe in determinism – that all events are ultimately determined by causes that are external to human will. These events, or the things that happen, even include human action. That man was hungry that is why he stole. It is therefore preposterous to think that he wanted to steal out of free will. There was an explanatory cause, or a cause that ultimately explains his action of stealing. That explanatory cause was hunger. Had he not been hungry, he would not have stolen the money. I am sure you understand and agree with me, Socrates. Socrates: You are right, and no man can ever separate himself from the appetitive and spirited parts as long as he is alive. Moreover, one should know that â€Å"For when [the soul] tries to consider anything in company with the body, it is evidently deceived by it† (Plato, Phaedo, 64c). Therefore, the soul is not free as long as it is with the body, as long as one is alive. This is the part of the soul that conforms to determinism. Socrates: Indeed, it was. However, it was not purely free will on his part, because the fact that he has within him and working at the same time – the appetitive, spirited and rational desires – may have in fact deceived him. What is human choice then? Me: Human choice is the action that results from being governed by external determinism and possessing internal free will – both existing at the same time. So, in short, what are you trying to tell me about that man, Socrates? Socrates: That he did make a choice that he could otherwise have refused or that he had the power to cancel, but that he did make this choice only after his appetitive desires have deceived him, human as he was. However, we cannot conclude anything whether he was a good man or an evil man. We can only say he was not wise