Organizational Symbiosis

The relationship between organizations and the environment is symbiotic. A prime example that is significant to us here in Northern California would be that of technology and Silicon Valley. Since the resources that we use to build key components of electronics are very abundant here, many technology companies such as HP, Intel and others have set up offices and manufacturing in the area. These companies need employees that are capable of designing devices as well as coming up with new and innovative ways of taking advantage of and improving the goods that are made and sold.

My high school was very much a reflection of the community and town that I grew up in. The emphasis on education was strong, but it also encouraged vocational training and skills so that its students could be suited to fill different needs of the community as adults. While some students left to pursue jobs and careers outside of the community, many stayed in the area after graduating and took up careers or opened businesses in the community. Even if only sticking around to start and raise families, the school provided educational paths that would allow its students to pursue whatever futures they desired.

As far as ethical obligations go, I don’t really think that educational institutions have any obligations to their communities beyond what that which they owe to the student body. The symbiotic relationship between a company and its environment is the same as the one between educational institutions and their communities. At all levels, the majority if not all of the student body will come from the surrounding community. It is in the best interest of the organization to make sure that the community is one that values a safe and comfortable learning environment. This is even more important at the college or University level since they depend on more than just tuition for success. It’s imperative that their graduates are successful so that they can recruit students from outside the community as well as recruiting top notch instructors that can bring things like research and scholarship grants that help to keep their facilities and curriculum relevant.