British Report Indicates that Higher Education Has Economic and Social Benefits

A British report on Higher Education entitled the “Quadrants” helps bring forward the idea that higher education has many secondary benefits beyond earning higher incomes. Education is often a process of learning about how to make money but it can also be seen as a process of personal enrichment. According to the November report from the UK Department for Business and Innovation Skills this enrichment makes its way into society in substantial ways. 

Direct benefits of education often include characteristics, social interaction, and accreditation and signaling benefits. The person develops to a higher level through advanced education. They are more able to deal with others as well as stronger in their marketability. Likewise, their personal characteristics become enhanced. 

An increase in the educational attainment in society has a marked wider benefit for society itself. Crime statistics, health, happiness, and just about everything else improves. Societal conflict decreases as members are more capable in understand differences. They are also generally less angry with immigrants and can navigate a way to deal with others.  This ability to see other perspectives increases civil activity and social cohesiveness. 

Businesses are particularly interested in economic growth and development. Approximately 20% of UK growth between 1982 and 2005 was a result of higher graduate skill levels. As each percentage point of society (1%) becomes educated the long-run productivity increases between .2% and .5%. On a higher level this means that 1/3^rd of all labor productivity between 1994 and 2005 were a result of higher education. 

The argument the report brings forward is that graduates in the regional economies improve the economy and lifestyles more than their expenses. This would mean there is an advantage to encouraging students to get an education and then work within the market they graduated from. Retaining these students within the country improves productivity and economic activity.

The three industries that seem to hire more graduates are innovative firms that engage in research, financial industries and creative industries. Innovative firm’s hire science graduates while financial and creative industries hire graduates from other areas. Those industries that are innovative, financial oriented or creative hire over double the graduates than other industries.

For those who seek to spark higher levels of entrepreneurship it is important to consider the report’s findings that higher educated people are more likely to engage in entrepreneurial activity. The productivity and training gains are twice the rise of wages which means companies get a higher return rate.  The economy has an easier time expanding when there is a willing and education workforce to do the heavy lifting.

Reference:

UK Department for Business and Innovation Skills (2013). The Benefits of Higher Education Participation for Individuals and Society: key findings and reports "The Quadrants".  (Bis Research Paper 146) Retrieved November 21, 2013 from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/254101/bis-13-1268-benefits-of-higher-education-participation-the-quadrants.pdf

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Book Review: Nice Guys can get the Corner Office

The Book Nice Guys can Get the Corner Office by Russ Edelman, Timothy Hiltabiddle, and Charles Manz delves into the concept that nice guys often allow the self-interest of others to damage their careers and steal their opportunities. Nice guys are naturally seeking to do what is right but they unfortunately live within a world where not so nice guys seek personal advantage without following the golden rules. In society, we have unfortunately rewarded such poor behavior at our own corporate and economic peril. 

Sixty percent of people feel they are too nice in the workplace. This belief includes the concept that nice guys have morals, compassion, and sincerity but are often drowned out by more needy members. Once nice guys decide to put their foot down they become an asset to an organization as they have the right values mixed with enough conflict management abilities to ensure their voice is heard. 

The chapters are broken up to Self-Awareness, Speaking-up, Set Boundaries, Confront, Choose, Expect Results, Be Bold, and Win. Each person should be first self-aware about how their positive disposition is a possible door mat invitation for others to wipe their feet. Human needs are endless and without a check and a balance people will continue to take advantage of others in their search for self gratification.

Once someone is aware they can speak up and make their needs known it changes their viewpoint. Doing so gives others the opportunity to understand that there is more than one person in the room. If the other person simply discards their needs the nice guy will naturally need to confront the other person and set boundaries. If they cross those boundaries there will be further confrontation and they will take appropriate action. 

Within any group of people there are those that seek self-gratification at the cost of just about everything in their environment. They have not learned or set limits for themselves based upon a lack of an internal compass. In a “me first” world it is necessary to remind others that they have responsibilities to act civilly and in the spirit of a greater good. That doesn’t mean they don’t have rights to earn the things they need but that such pursuits should not be so consuming as to burn in flames the world around them. 

Nice guys are an asset to any organization and know how to play nicely with others. Unfortunately, who are often promoted are the least intelligence, least capable, and the most demanding members of an organization. Nice guys should learn to stand up and say “no” in order to ensure that their needs are satisfied. Through the development of equitable work relationships organizations can flourish as each person searches out performance opportunities to succeed while keeping the bigger picture in mind. 

Edelman, et. al. (2008) Nice guys can get the corner office. UK; Penguin Books

Call for Papers: Academic Conference on Social Responsibility 2014

July 10-11, 2014, Tacoma, WA, USA

• Due date for submissions: February 20, 2014
• Acceptance advice: April 3, 2014
• Author registration by: May 1, 2014

Scholars from multiple disciplines are invited to submit research papers or proposals to the conference. Research using relevant methods such as empirical, analytical, theoretical, experimental and field studies are all welcome.

Two Types of Submissions Invited

1. Research Paper Presentations: This format supports formal presentation of a fully developed manuscript based on original research that is empirical, analytical, theoretical, experimental or field studies. Research paper presentations will be grouped into sessions of 3-4 paper presentations followed by guided discussion with the audience.
2. Research Briefs: This format supports abbreviated presentation of research that is in development.  Research briefs should be submitted in the form of a 2000 word (approximately 8-page) abstract that frames the inquiry and outlines the theory or methods used to investigate it.  Research briefs will be presented orally in a roundtable format and accompanied by small group discussion.

Moreinformation

Are Native Americans and Europeans Related?

A 24,000-year-old arm bone indicates that Native Americans may be cousins to Eurasians. DNA samples along with current projects to map the DNA of Native Americans have made new discoveries. It was found that the Native Americans share about 18% to 38% with Eurasian and other genomes with East Asians. This may mean that Native Americans are really a mixing of genetics between Eurasians and East Asians that create a distinct identity. 

The scientists originally thought they contaminated the samples and put the tests on hold. A year later, they found the same results. They began to look around the American continent for other examples and came across the 9,000-year-old Paleo-Indian found in Washington. To their amazement this Native had features more European than East Asian. 

It was believed that earlier studies with Eurasian DNA were a result of mixtures with Europeans after settlement and colonization. Now it is possible that such DNA structures are actually deeper and can date back tens of thousands of years. If so, this would mean that Natives have been in the area for a long time and have developed their own ways of life independent of other societies. 

When people view all human life as common, using similar expressions, mannerisms, and processes but with different cultures the idea is no longer farfetched. Other studies that are mapping the mich-DNA are finding similarities in other large groups in other areas indicating that early human development was very interrelated. 

What does this really change for people? Mostly it is about perspective. We often view ourselves as very different but these are cultural differences. At a very deep level, we may all be interrelated and come from similar ancient backgrounds. Over the years, we have learned different ways of surviving within our environments and passed these methods through the generations to create culture.

Mass, et. al. (November 20^th,2013). Upper Palaeolithic Siberian genome reveals dual ancestry of Native Americans.  doi:10.1038/nature12736   Journal

Other Reading: 

Washington Post

Scientific American

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