John D. Rockefeller, critical analysis. Did he make America better Research Paper

John D. Rockefeller, critical analysis. Did he make America better. NON-Biographical - Research Paper Example Whether his intention in giving back to the country that made him super wealthy was altruistic is debatable and shall be debatable. Saint or capitalist sinner, John D. Rockefeller undoubtedly changed the face of business in America as well as its attitude toward education. John D. Rockefeller, the storied industrial mogul and philanthropist â€Å"...appeared to the general public either as a demon of avarice and extortion...or as a high-minded philanthropist, bestowing his bounty with charitable devotion to good works† (Latham, Introduction v). It is undeniable, however, that perhaps one of the most important contributions by Rockefeller was in the area of education. Generally today we think of the State University of New York (SUNY) system as one of the finest in the country and we credit Rockefeller for its original and ongoing funding. Yet one wonders based on evidence presented whether his motives were as pure as most would like to think. Gatto’s quote of Benjamin Kidd, the British evolutionist, provides a chilling analysis of these intentions as a way for him and the â€Å"Education Trust† of the early twentieth century to â€Å"impose on the young the idea of subordination† (Chapter 2:2) – a subordination that would ultimately further the goals of capitalist endeavors by creating a malleable workforce. Rockefeller himself in the 1906 Occasional Letter Number One is quoted by Gatto: â€Å"...In our dreams...people yield themselves with perfect docility to our molding hands† (Chapter 2: 2) Rockefeller goes on to admit his intention [and the intention of capitalist support of mass education] is not to educate great thinkers but to â€Å"organize children...and teach them to do in a perfect way the things their fathers and mothers are doing in an imperfect way† (Gatto, Chapter 2:2). Intentions aside, and Rockefeller’s view of what he was actually promoting

An interpretive study of the failure of SMEs in the kingdom of the Essay

An interpretive study of the failure of SMEs in the kingdom of the Saudi Arabia - Essay Example Findings indicate that that main problems impacting growth and success of SMEs in the KSA are regulatory difficulties, credit and funding options, human capital, marketing and operational factors. Human capital (resource management), regulatory constraints and credit/funding options appear to be the main factors impacting SME success and growth in the KSA. Data released by the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry reveals that approximately 96% of Saudi businesses employ below 100 workers (Hertog, 2010). According to the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 95% of commercially registered businesses in the KSA are owned by SMEs and 71% of industrial businesses are SMEs (Hertog, 2010). Moreover, Hertog (2010) reports that SMEs account for 28% of the KSA’s overall economic activities. 7 The latest figures release demonstrate that as of 2008, there were over 700,000 SMEs actively in business in the SDI primarily owned by a sole proprietor. A further breakdown demonstrated that 47% of the KSA’s SMEs were attached to commercial and hotel industries; 27% were attached to construction; 12% were engaged in social services; and 8% were involved in â€Å"sundry other sectors† (Hertog, 2010, p. 17). Be that as it may, SMEs in the KSA only contribute to about 10% of the employment rate in the KSA and only contribute 14% of the entire production in industries and 8% â€Å"of the value of industrial goods exported† (Hertog, 2010, p.19). 7 Despite the growing interests in SMEs in the KSA, all indications are that SMEs have faced significant challenges in moving forward successfully and economically. SMEs in the KSA are said to have difficulties in terms of funding and credit; the function in a business climat that is decidedly â€Å"unfriendly†; they face regulatory challenges; and they operate â€Å"without the availability of basic statistics and data needed to ensure sound business decisions† (Bundagji, 2005, p. 1). It is