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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IMPLEMENTATION OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATION STRATEGY
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IMPLEMENTATION OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATION STRATEGY
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Contents
TOC o “1-3” h z u Introduction PAGEREF _Toc64765073 h 3Purpose and Research Question PAGEREF _Toc64765074 h 4Literature Review PAGEREF _Toc64765075 h 4Overview PAGEREF _Toc64765076 h 4The Concept of the Knowledge Management System PAGEREF _Toc64765077 h 5Factors to Consider in the Knowledge Management Processes and Systems PAGEREF _Toc64765078 h 5Process of Selecting the Right Knowledge Management System PAGEREF _Toc64765079 h 6The Success of the Knowledge Management System PAGEREF _Toc64765080 h 6Challenges and Issues of the Knowledge Management Systems PAGEREF _Toc64765081 h 7Discussion PAGEREF _Toc64765082 h 7Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc64765083 h 10Future Research PAGEREF _Toc64765084 h 11References PAGEREF _Toc64765085 h 12
IntroductionWhy would an organization consider using knowledge management systems as part of its core strategies today? One of the most important elements of knowledge management systems is the fact that it has been proven to boost the effectiveness and efficiency of the decision-making ability and capacity of an organization. Studies by different researchers such as Halawi, McCarthy, and Aronson (2006), and Miguel and Rodrigues (2013) have suggested that for an organization to have an effective strategy, it needs to have a good knowledge management system. However, the findings of these studies indicate that knowledge management is not effectively applied as a strategic tool for the success purposes by a majority of companies. One of the factors that contributed to the existence of the fourth industrial revolution era, is the access and effective use of knowledge by companies. Knowledge is considered to be a strategic resource, and this means that it has to be managed correctly for it to promote a competitive advantage in terms of performance to the organization.
In the 21st century, organizations that are experiencing a high level of success, are the ones that are able to exploit in a methodological manner their knowledge assets. The reason for this is that, these knowledge assets promote an enabling role in terms of the formulation of the winning strategies that companies can take advantage of. Access to this knowledge also tends to align an organization’s mission and objectives to the knowledge management strategy (Ragab & Arisha, 2013). An important point to note is that, when an organization is developing, or making the decision on which strategy they will follow, the outcome should be one in which it contributes to a business experiencing competitive advantage over its rivals, and maintaining the aspect of sustainability.
An effective organization strategy has to put into consideration, an organization’s human capital capability, and the way its knowledge is managed. This means that the management of the company fulfils an essential role in terms of the formulation of a company’s strategy, and as different studies have pointed out, the importance of the use of KM, they are expected to utilize it to ensure that the organization benefits. An important point to note is that, in a study that was conducted by Heisig (2014), it provided the indication that managers at different levels of a company’s hierarchy believed that the success of their companies depended on better management of their knowledge, and creating a sense of trust that the knowledge is based within their human capital. This was determined as a crucial finding in terms of the effectiveness of the knowledge management on the overall success of a company. The reason for this is that, the people who work in the management are in the best position to assess, and take advantage of the knowledge management system that the company has, to facilitate it towards success. However, as has been seen the knowledge management system concept is still under-utilized from an organization’s strategy perspective to promote success of companies.
Purpose and Research QuestionThe purpose of this study is to effectively assess the factors that are required to be considered by companies in relation to the implementation of the knowledge management system. To determine the actual relationship between the knowledge management, and overall company strategy, and how it contributes to the competitive advantage of a company, the researcher intends to answer the following research question:
What are the main factors that need to be taken into consideration by an organization when determining the importance of implementing a knowledge management system, which is geared towards ensuring that the company attains, and sustains a competitive advantage?
Literature ReviewOverviewIn the introduction section, it was determined that companies that have implemented the knowledge management system are highly likely to experience a sustained competitive advantage over their business rivals. However, it was pointed out that, a majority of companies in the 21st century, still do not have knowledge management systems. This is despite the fact that managers in different industrial sectors have stated that knowledge management system, and human capital is needed for companies that want an effective company strategy. In this section, the researcher will assess five scholarly studies to have a better understanding of the factors that are required by companies to address to implement an effective organization strategy, which will promote a competitive advantage and sustainability for different establishments.
The Concept of the Knowledge Management SystemKnowledge is defined as an invisible asset whose acquisition will involve complex cognitive processes, learning, communication, association and reasoning (Gao et al., 2018). Knowledge is a concept that is used to formulate a framework that will be used to utilize the information that a company possesses. Gao et al. (2018) relied on previous works to define the knowledge management (KM) process. For instance, according to Wang (2007), KM involves knowledge transfers between the explicit and tacit, between the individual and collective. Gao et al. conducted an overall analysis on the information and knowledge management systems concluding that knowledge management is important to the overall process of meeting organizational objectives. However, one of the best definitions that can be used to define, and describe knowledge management, is the one that is provided by Groff and Jones (2012) whereby, it is defined as a set of organizational activities to achieving organizational objectives by making the best use of knowledge. Therefore, the multilayered processes that define knowledge management are crucial in the successful running of an organization.
Factors to Consider in the Knowledge Management Processes and SystemsLike in every other major organizational process, knowledge management requires awareness relating to factors that may influence success or failure. According to a study that was conducted by Igbinovia and Ikenwe (2018), they determined that there are different factors that need to be taken into consideration when determining the type of knowledge management system to implement. The factors that should be assessed include, the concept of the knowledge, nature and life cycle of the knowledge management system, the processes that are used in the process of acquiring, or generating knowledge. In addition to that, in determining the type of knowledge management system that a company should utilize, it is imperative to consider the capacity of the storage, the sharing of information protocols, and application of knowledge. Igbinovia and Ikenwe (2018) pointed out that there are different ways to represent important knowledge of a company, which is based on the methods used in the data collection process such as report writing and database management system. Therefore, it is important to consider all the factor that would ensure a better system where knowledge management is applied to an organization.
Igbinovia and Ikenwe (2018) conducted a study whereby they assessed different aspects that are related to the knowledge management system such as the concept of knowledge and connected it to the knowledge management system. They then assessed the nature, and lifecycle of the knowledge management, processes that are used when acquiring and generating knowledge, and other aspects of the knowledge management such as the storage, sharing, and application of knowledge. When designing a knowledge management system, there are different parameters that need to be put into consideration such as: the knowledge representation, knowledge sharing, and the measures that will be used to determine the overall performance of the knowledge management. These factors need to be assessed by an organization that needs to implement a knowledge management system to improve its competitive advantage strategy.
Process of Selecting the Right Knowledge Management SystemBefore the selection of the right knowledge management system, there are a variety of factors that the management needs to take into consideration. One of the most effective frameworks that can be used by the management to select an effective system is the Analytic Hierarchy Process approach (Greco, Grimaldi and Hanandi, 2013). The reason why this is considered an effective system is because, before the management can select a knowledge management system, they need to assess their needs. This makes it a highly effective and holistic approach in terms of the selection of the knowledge management system.
The Success of the Knowledge Management SystemThere has been a lot of research studying the effectiveness of the knowledge management systems from an organization’s perspective. In one of the studies that was conducted by Soniewicki (2017), found out that knowledge management systems have has a positive impact in the service industry in Poland. In particular, the different services that were investigated in this study are IT and Telecommunication services, Hotel, and restaurant services, Real estate services, Financial and Insurance Services, Transport Services, Scientific, Technical, and other professional services. The findings of the study suggested that the companies in the service industry in Poland that were using KMS extensively were more competitive than companies that did not use the KMS on a large scale. Soniewicki (2017) also concluded that the difference in the rate of competition was statistically significant.
Challenges and Issues of the Knowledge Management SystemsThere are various challenges and issues that have contributed to a majority of organizations, failing to use the knowledge management systems to formulate their strategies. According to Asrar-ul-Haq and Anwar (2016), there are a variety of factors that contribute to or act as barriers to the use of knowledge management systems and knowledge sharing in organizations. The study findings indicated that there was an existing gap in existing literature in terms of information on knowledge-sharing practices in developing countries. The researchers established that the existing information on knowledge management in the developing countries focused mainly on the knowledge management practices in the different work-related outcomes, lack of knowledge management development in these geographic regions, and its overall implementation.
DiscussionIn the 21st century, for companies to be able to survive in what may be considered as a complex and competitive business environment, they must develop strategies to better manage their knowledge resources. Knowledge is today considered to be one of the most important factor when it comes to formulation of the right strategy that will facilitate the process of production (Ragab & Arisha, 2013). This means that the organization’s management should develop a high focus on the production of the right information, create systems and strategies for acquisition of relevant content, and facilitate the retention and application of this knowledge so that a company can establish the right competitive advantage.
There is a positive relationship between knowledge management and the development of effective strategies by companies that utilize the right system. In an earlier study that was conducted by Snyman and Kruger (2004) they found out that there is an interdependent relationship between strategic management and the use of the right knowledge management system. In this study, it was determined that in order for companies to be successful in the development of the right strategy that will foster the right competitive advantage in relation to their business rivals, the knowledge management system that is selected has to be the right fit to the organization’s mission and objectives (Evoy et al., 2018). This is in line with the study findings by Greco et al. (2013), who in their study pointed out that the selection of a knowledge management system should be based on the current and future needs of the company. This means that, companies are not just supposed to select any KMS, but the one that fits their needs, presently and in the future.
Competitive advantage is determined as the ability of a company to out-perform its competitors in a specific industrial sector. A company that is able to gain and sustain a high competitive advantage is the one that is able to create, or develop learning processes that will ensure that they produce the right knowledge, which will provide them, or help them strengthen their competitive position in the market. The findings of Soniewicki’s (2017) study suggested that the companies in the service industry in Poland that were using KMS extensively were more competitive than companies that did not use the KMS on a large scale. An important point to note is that, the learning process that an organization will use depends on its knowledge mapping, and bench-marking steps (Bharadwaj et al., 2015). Knowledge management is considered as one of the latest strategies that can be used by companies to establish a competitive advantage over their business rivals. The reason for this is that, it ensures that a company has the right framework to create, select, store, share, and apply the right knowledge in their business. The aspect of knowledge management should be applied in all the relevant organizational processes, and reflected in the overall business strategy of a company.
For the knowledge management system to be effective in terms of formulating and sustaining the right competitive frameworks, there is the need for the leadership of the company to support it. The reason for this is that, the formulation of a company’s strategy is determined by the management of the company. The use and reliance of the KM will provide the management with a sense of better capability to facilitate their decision-making process (Bharadwaj et al., 2015). This is based on the fact that, the KM of an organization will provide the management with the knowledge management tools, and also their knowledge management initiatives, which will assist in establishing the right managerial practices (Bharadwaj et al., 2015). For instance, the company’s management will know the resources that they require, human capital skills, training needs, and other aspects of the company that will assist them gain a unique competitive advantage over their business rivals.
An effective knowledge management system will assist businesses find innovative opportunities, which they can use to expand their business, diversify their products and services, and increase their overall target market. When businesses are looking for opportunities, or strategies that will assist them to gain a competitive advantage, they use a variety of strategies (Dayan et al., 2017). There are businesses that will look for opportunities to lower their cost of production of their goods and services. Other businesses will determine how they can differentiate their products and services in relation to the available competition (Bharadwaj et al., 2015). However, the most successful businesses are the ones that become innovative such as present a unique product, or service that will satisfy their customers in a way that the available products do not. This will ensure that these businesses are able to grow their market, and promote a sense of survival even in a highly competitive market. Implementing an effective Knowledge Management System will assist a business in terms of its innovation processes. In addition to that, it improves the creativity aspect of a business, which creates, and at times maintains a high competitive edge over the business rivals.
In a highly competitive business environment, knowledge fulfils a fundamental role in the sustainability of a company. However, knowledge that a company possesses will only assist a company, or a business in its sustainability practices when the company is able to transform the tacit knowledge in its human capital, or employees into explicit knowledge (Dayan et al., 2017). Organizations will sustain their competitive advantage if they are in a position to not only take advantage of the existing opportunities, but also to be able to defend the company from external threats. This is normally achieved if a company develops, or creates its strategy based on its knowledge i.e., a knowledge based strategy (Bharadwaj et al., 2015). A knowledge based strategy can sustain a competitive advantage because of the notion that the more a company knows, or the amount of information that it possesses will ensure that it is able to establish and maintain a strategic advantage over its innovative products and processes from its rivals.
Establishing a Knowledge Management System will improve the sharing of knowledge in an organization, focusing on the main stakeholders and benefactors by the overall success of a company. The employees of a company are the key stakeholders when it comes to accessing and sharing information that will promote the innovative aspect and productivity of a company. There is the need for effective knowledge transfer to different departments of a company (Soltani & Navimipour, 2016). Take for instance, a company that deals with provision of technological services. For the company to be successful in the market, there is the need for adequate transfer of information in different departments such as the sales team, because they are involved in the interaction process with the company’s customers, the marketing team and the research and development personnel (Bharadwaj et al., 2015). All these departments in one way or another affect the way the final product will be perceived by the customers, and ultimately determines the overall sales.
There are barriers that at times can act as social barriers to the sharing and the management process of knowledge. For instance, the employees in the research and development team of a company may not see the need to share information with the sales team. On the other hand, the sales team may fail to share information with the research and development team on the concerns, or issues that the customers have experienced (Wong et al., 2013). The lack of effective, and consistent sharing of information will mean that the company will fail to produce a product that addresses the unique needs of the customers, and the company will experience low sales, losing its competitive edge. Other factors that may act as a barrier to transfer of information and knowledge between different departments is lack of interaction, which limits their abilities to exchange information. The leadership of an organization may be weak to enforce this practice, and lack of commitment to promote necessary and adequate knowledge sharing (Payal et al., 2019). However, having an effective Knowledge Management System will create a platform where employees from different departments can regularly share information without necessarily having to physically interact, or set meetings to discuss issues at hand. It will still promote the aspect competitive advantage by a company over its business rivals.
ConclusionIn this research study, the researcher has established that the implementation of a Knowledge Management System by companies is essential in assisting them to gain a competitive advantage over their business rivals. It was determined that there is a strong relationship between knowledge management and an effective competitive strategy that an organization implements. The reason for this is that, an organization will be in a better position to align its strategies with its current goals and objectives, and this will improve its overall performance. For the companies that have failed to implement a Knowledge Management System, they are unable to identify their current needs, take advantage of the available business opportunities, and sustain their competitive advantage. An important point to note is that, businesses should not just select any KMS and implement it in their organization. There is the need to determine that it is compatible, and will promote a sense of success to the organization.
The Knowledge Management System will only be effective, if the leadership of an organization supports it. The reason for this is that, the management of a company is involved in the formulation of the strategy that the company will use at a given period. Having access to an effective Knowledge Management System will ensure that the management before making a decision are aware of the current situation of their business, its needs, human capital personnel, its products capabilities, and available innovations that it can use to gain a competitive advantage and sustain it over its business rivals. The management will make informed business decisions that not only align with the goals and objectives of the business, but will also ensure that the company comes up with new ideas that ensure that it grows and achieves the right competitive advantage over its business rivals. The researcher established that the Knowledge Management System will be highly effective if it is utilized by the right personnel, which in most cases is the employees of an organization. The employees need to be able to share information regularly with each other. This will improve the level of creativity and innovative nature of a company in relation to its products. There will be different perspectives from employees of different departments such as the Research and Development, Marketing and the Sales team, contributing to the improvement of the product to address the consumers’ needs.
Future ResearchThere is the need to conduct more studies in different parts of the world, i.e. in both the developed and emerging economies to assess how the use of Knowledge Management systems has actually contributed to companies that have implemented them gain a competitive and sustainable advantage over their business rivals. The research studies should be conducted on both the physical products, and services that are offered by companies in different sectors. It will provide people with a better picture of the relationship between knowledge management and effective organization strategy.
ReferencesA.F. Ragab, M., & Arisha, A. (2013). Knowledge management and measurement: A critical review. Journal of Knowledge Management, 17(6), 873-901. https://doi.org/10.1108/jkm-12-2012-0381Asrar-ul-Haq, M., & Anwar, S. (2016). A systematic review of knowledge management and knowledge sharing: Trends, issues, and challenges. Cogent Business & Management, 3(1), 1127744. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2015.1127744Bharadwaj, S. S., Chauhan, S., & Raman, A. (2015). Impact of knowledge management capabilities on knowledge management effectiveness in Indian organizations. Vikalpa: The Journal for Decision Makers, 40(4), 421-434. https://doi.org/10.1177/0256090915613572Dayan, R., Heisig, P., & Matos, F. (2017). Knowledge management as a factor for the formulation and implementation of organization strategy. Journal of Knowledge Management, 21(2), 308-329. https://doi.org/10.1108/jkm-02-2016-0068Gao, T., Chai, Y., & Liu, Y. (2018). A review of knowledge management about theoretical conception and designing approaches. International Journal of Crowd Science, 2(1), 42-51. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijcs-08-2017-0023Greco, M., Grimaldi, M., & Hanandi, M. (2013). How to select knowledge management systems: A framework to support managers. International Journal of Engineering Business Management, 5, 6. https://doi.org/10.5772/56003Igbinovia, M. O., & Ikenwe, I. J. (2018). Knowledge management: Processes and systems. Information Impact: Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 8(3), 26. https://doi.org/10.4314/iijikm.v8i3.3Kruger, C., & Snyman, M. (2004). Interdependency between strategic management and the formulation of an information and communication technology strategy. SA Journal of Information Management, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.4102/sajim.v4i2.160Mc Evoy, P. J., Ragab, M. A., & Arisha, A. (2018). The effectiveness of knowledge management in the public sector. Knowledge Management Research & Practice, 17(1), 39-51. https://doi.org/10.1080/14778238.2018.1538670Payal, R., Ahmed, S., & Debnath, R. M. (2019). Impact of knowledge management on organizational performance. VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, 49(4), 510-530. https://doi.org/10.1108/vjikms-07-2018-0063Soltani, Z., & Navimipour, N. J. (2016). Customer relationship management mechanisms: A systematic review of the state of the art literature and recommendations for future research. Computers in Human Behavior, 61, 667-688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.03.008Soniewicki, M. (2017). The importance of knowledge management systems for service industry companies operating locally and internationally. Online Journal of Applied Knowledge Management, 5(2), 76-91. https://doi.org/10.36965/ojakm.2017.5(2)76-91Wong, K. Y., Tan, L. P., Lee, C. S., & Wong, W. P. (2013). Knowledge management performance measurement: Measures, approaches, trends and future directions. Information Development, 31(3), 239-257. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666913513278
America and Multiculturalism
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America and Multiculturalism
IntroductionAmerica has approximately more than three hundred million people which make her the third in the world. She won her in dependence from Great Britain and largely upholds fundamental rights and freedoms of her citizenry.
Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is a philosophical and a political process that leads to conglomeration of different cultures. In the United States, multiculturalism underscores their belief in ‘goodness and forthrightness that underpins their legitimacy to govern the world.’
Multicultural and Bilingual Education
Multicultural education cuts across all spectrums of life. It largely dictates the content of the curriculum that is taught at school, the instruments and methodologies used to deliver the content as well as taking into account what learners bring with them to their learning experience.
On the other hand, bilingual education is of different types namely; transitional, developmental and dual language. All of which are aimed and imparting skills and knowledge in the Childs native language and this can be transliterated later on in English.
Educational curriculum content
The diversity of American cultural experience has not been an acknowledged for a very long time until most recently. The multicultural tendencies have been in cooperated in the educational curriculum albeit, not long ago. This will help explore formerly ignored cultures and philosophical ideologies. in this regard, the prime objective of multicultural education, which is to enhance representation of a multivariate culture by way of instruction on less represented cultural experiences and publicly accepting teaching learners on formerly ignored ways of life. Humans are culturally diverse.
As a result, America has already adopted many ways of educational instruction an acquisition of knowledge that is currently practiced in several set ups of different people.
Even though, there is a global fact of American population, American institutions of learning have continued to teach by means of classical Anglo-Saxon culture. Multiculturalists therefore, attempt to liberalize methodology of instruction. This is very important since people cannot continue to presume that, different learners bring with them similar background of cumulative experience in the educational process.
Diversities that learners bring to the learning experience
Varied learners bring distinct backgrounds to similar learning experience. In a diverse society, it is a moral and civic obligation to recognize and acknowledge the differences that that are exuded by the learners.
Most importantly, distinct learners come with varied degrees of support to the classroom. Lufor example, an upper-class learner tends come with a strong support system in terms of, role models, social and economic stability.
On the contrary, a lower-class learner may bring with him fewer role models, minimal economic stability. With fewer role models, she is most likely to be less motivated and he output largely reduced due to minimal resources and unstable flow of support.
Identification and Classification of disabilities
In most cases, those who are physically challenged with sound medical foundations are recognized early enough by physicians and sometimes by parents or guardians.
Lastly, teachers too, have played a role in identification and assessment of learners with disability since they can easily notice anomalies in children mode of conduct. Primary and secondary disabilities is where primary entails the physical impairment while the secondary disability encompasses mental retardation, less proficiency in English, poor academic performance and excreta.
Response to Intervention in Multicultural and Bilingual Special Education
There are a number of tendencies that emanate from a diversified population that, that may lack accommodation from learners of different breeding. Intolerances of to those of different cultures which may lead to cultivation of individual as well as communal hatred and in some cases can equally lead to animosity and instability.
The most apt response is accommodation, mutual acceptance, compromise and understanding. This will lead to the evolution of a community of several instinct cultures that is united.
Assessment of students with disabilities
Learners with disabilities are usually evaluated by learning institutions in order to determine if they warrant special education programs or not and what services will be provided. In many states, the outcome of the evaluation is then, used to inform what nature of assistance ought to be given to schools in order to address the learners educational needs.
There are indications that prove that impairment varies in accordance to age. For example, learning disabilities, speech and language impairments happen at middle age while, mild disabilities occur any time in life.
There are challenges to the current system of classification system. Some of these are stigma, poor reliability, obsolete assumptions and excreta. Some of the enunciated causes of impairments are abject poverty, inherent differences and cultural bias.
Teaching tolerance and appreciation
Education on tolerance and appreciation in cases of diversity is important demographic changes continue to occur. Educators have therefore to assist learners develop positive attitudes towards diversity by emphasizing on exemplary multicultural practices. For example, inculcating democratic values would help eradicate prejudice and promote accommodation, compromise, tolerance and cultural appreciation. In addition, training learners on critical thinking will make them less prejudicial as they would have an ability of higher modes of reasoning. Similarly, take part in cooperative educational practices assists students identify friends from without their cultural origin.
Improving instruction for language – minority students.Less language proficient learners can be assisted to master the language through, enhancing continuous improvement and systematic reform, by cultivating multicultural understanding and language skills, by developing materials, research, technical assistance and programs that enhance and improve professionalism.
Implementing effective reading instruction
Effective reading instruction enables the learner to develop competence in reading and is founded on tested and proven practices.
The following components are essential the development of design, execution and relevance of good reading instruction secondly, professionalism that will empower teachers with attendant skills, efficient learning instruments and a positive school system that supports and builds the implementation process.
Socialization
Socialization is the sum total of all processes of acquisition of skills that enables one to effectively fit in the community. Socialization can also be defined as a lifelong learning experience and is very vital for in affecting behavior, faith and actions of individual members of the society. Mankind requires social experiences in order to learn cultural practices of his or her society and in order to live.
Work Cited
“Exceptional Learners Introduction The Special Education” By : Hallahan, Kauffman and Pullen. 12th Edition.
Harrison Bergeron & the Ones Who Walk Away
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Harrison Bergeron & the Ones Who Walk Away
Ursula’s those who walk away from Omelas is contrasted and compared with the lottery by Shirley Jackson in that these two texts talk of almost a similar thing with different intensities. The two can also be said to be contradictory or different when viewed from another viewpoint whereby in walking away from Omelas there is pain and sadness based on the judgments of what is sweet from a common perspective while in the lottery there is real joy even though clouded with a kind of sadness. The two texts are based on different timelines and this also serves to give us a clearer understanding of the differences in the manner in which they can be compared. One of the major themes in the two texts is suffering and this is seen through the different happenings indicated in the two stories. Therefore herein this paper compares and contrasts the different aspects of these two stories in light of the dystopian perspective of human sacrifice.
Human sacrifice has always existed before and still exists today in many parts of the world. Before it was done for religious reasons as well as other reasons like a person disobeying the societal norms thus killed after doing a certain thing. However with all these sufferings in the real world, it is also important to focus a little bit on the dystopian concept of suffering in the world which is imagined or does not exist in the real sense. This is majorly found in literature and therefore these two texts serve us to bring us ideas on what dystopian means and how it is applied in both of the stories.
In the first story which is about a person walking away from Omelas, we see the reason as to why people way away at the end of the story. Even though the story begins well with the author explaining how good life is at the Omelas it does not turn out to be good at the end of the day when these individuals see what makes their life good and successful (Guin, 2). Even though their happiness is described a one that is crisscrossed with difficulty and pain it is still considered to be happiness. This is because happiness is happiness and what makes a certain society or community happy may not make another one happy. Therefore in this community happiness is described as one which is not based on their leadership as the author states that they do not have a king neither do they have a structured leadership. Their happiness is seen to come from their free way of living whereby they do not have many rules and they just live like free people. However, this does not excite some people and the human consciousness of some sting when they see the suffering child who makes them happy (Guin, 3).
In the second story which is about the future and still a dystopian view of the world, there is a kind of unity and peace that is seen to exist in the world. Everyone is seen as equal not only before God but also before the law and this is what can be termed as being equal to the lowest level. Those who refuse to be equal to others were made to be equal to them through different measures put into place. These measures however were not the best and they were not good towards the human person as they restrained him and her. One of these measures was the use of hearing handicaps (Vonnegut, 4). In the same desire to be equal, the leaders were also very much involved in finding and making sure that a person like Harrison Bergeron who is considered a genius is caught and made equal like the others (Vonnegut, 3).
These two stories therefore can be compared in the manner of the suffering of their major characters. For example in those who walk away from Omelas we see a young naked child and suffering being exposed to the most extreme conditions and problems. He is made to sit in a corner of the room and his face is hidden. Even though he pleads that his life to be spared he is not spared and he is left there to suffer. On the other hand, the Harrison Bergeron we see how Harrison is never allowed to be among people and when he escapes is looked for with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm. This is because he is detained to some extent is viewed to bring peace and happiness among people. Therefore he is detained and so many inhibitors are used on his body (Vonnegut, 3).
Even though there is seen to be some kind of joy and peace among the people it does not fully hold that it is the real one. This is because with all these sufferings some people still have a human touch and they feel that it is the wrong thing. This can be attributed to the fact that people walk away from Omelas after seeing eh suffering and misery of the child who is thought to bring them peace and joy. They walk away never to come back again because trying to imagine if such kind of misery is what brings them peace and joy is not easy and not possible to fully understand. The same thing happens in Harrison Bergeron whereby individuals remove their masks and their mental handicaps.
In conclusion, therefore, these two dystopian texts talk of a similar concept which is suffering disguised to bring happiness and joy but in a real sense among the people there still exists a human touch and which tells them that something is not right. Even with the sacrifice of some people like Harrison Bergeron and the child who is left to suffer the society does not become any better, rather it becomes more unpleasant.
Works cited
Le Guin, Ursula K. “The ones who walk away from Omelas.” (1975).
Vonnegut, Kurt. Harrison Bergerson. na, 1961.