Career success: competition or cooperation

8/12/2019 Career success: competition or cooperation

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Career success: Competition or Cooperation 1

Career success: competition or cooperation

Mamunur Rashid

1020379030

English- 105, Section: 09

MS. Maleka Sarwar

April 30, 2012


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Letter of Acknowledgement

I am very much pleased to complete my research paper for this course under the supervision of

MS. Malaka Sarwar. My respected course coordinator gave me a very helpful guideline and

inspired me to do the work attentively. Actually she is one who made me realize that how to

carry out a research paper in a proper manner. I want to thank her for giving me this opportunity

to write this research paper. Previously, I have not written any research paper. I conducted a

survey for the first time. She helped me a lot to complete this research paper. It would have been

impossible to complete this research paper without her guidance.

I am grateful to the Almighty to give me the patience, environment and skill to successfully

finish this work. Lastly, I am very gratified to the respondents and Dr. Mustafa Abdur

Rahmanand Md.Morshed Alomto take out their valuable time to complete the questionnaire

and giving their opinion.

Thanking You

Mamunur Rashid

ID: 1020379030


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Abstract

It is said that both cooperation and competition are necessary for success in career, but in my

view, competition plays a more important role for success in ones career. Competition leads to

productivity by motivating people to do their best. Competition has always been a way to help

people to improve their abilities in career. On the other hand, sometime without cooperation

people cannot succeed or win. But in today's competitive world, it is not possible for all of us to

make our mark. It is only those few who are motivated and capable enough those make a place

for themselves in society. It can be possible by competing with each other.The great thing about

having rivals and challenges in life is that it makes life more entertaining. It forces us to grow

and to try to achieve great things. Without competition life becomes a lot less exciting and there

are a lot less challenges. In my primary data, some of the respondents said both competition and

cooperation are need for success in life. They also state that for success in career, competition is

more important than cooperation. My hypothesis is matched with my finding; competition plays

an important role for success in career. Some of the respondents said that they are against

competition but in reality they are not against competition.


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Table of content

Name Page no.

Introduction 02

Background 03

Research question 05

Hypothesis 07

Research Methodology 08

Data presentation 09

Summary of research finding 15

Recommendation 16

Conclusion 17


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Introduction:

In today's competitive world, it is not possible for all of us to make our mark. It is only those

few who are motivated and capable enough those make a place for themselves in society. It can

possible by competing each other. For example, great sportsmen insist on a compelling sense of

competition for success. In fact, many sportsmen provoke themselves by some means or the

other to develop a feeling of vengeance towards their competitors. Children perform much better

if there is healthy competition in class. A bright student among mediocre classmates might never

strive enough because of lack of competition and challenges. The great thing about having rivals

and challenges in life is that it makes life more entertaining. It forces us to grow and to try to

achieve great things. Without competition life becomes a lot less exciting and there are a lot less

challenges. For a while it is nice, but as time moves forward we need something to occupy

ourselves and get some meaning in life. Hostile cooperation, on the other hand, is what exists

between competitors. Having competition makes us more goals oriented. We want to achieve

more things and do more simply because we can grow ourselves compared to other people. Take

away competition and we become lazy, and it becomes harder to motivate us. Competition is one

of the forces that drive us to achieve. It is for this reason that people take a healthy enjoyment in

belonging to a group, practicing teamwork, helping others, etc.

Our almighty Allah has created us with great care and very sensitive way so that we just

cannot do whatever we like. We always have to think before we act. The topic of this research

paper is what is important for success in career competition or cooperation. Some people are

competitive and some of them are cooperative. According to Darwin. C (1859), if animals must

compete to survive, then the winners would be those with the strongest traits, which would then


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be passed on to their offspring. Meanwhile, those with weaker traits would be killed before they

could breed, and would be dropped from the gene pool (p.5). Competition brings out the best in

us. Actually, research shows that competition raises standards, and promotes higher achievement

than cooperation. Competition may be lower standards because it increases anxiety, and prevents

us from sharing useful information. Surveys show that successful people, outside of sports, love

a challenge, but they are not motivated by winning. Succeeding and beating others are not the

same. Many successful athletes do not take their need to win into their personal or professional

lives. I would say that one of the biggest things which promotes chance taking is competition.

Youll have to create new gadget, or new ideas, just so you can survive and eclipse your rivals.

Healthy competition brings out a stronger you. It teaches us how to be more perfect in the real

life. They learn from their mistakes and take it as a positive experience which they can use to

grow and win next time (and theres always a next time). By taking competition out of the

picture you are not only taking away the chance for people to win, but you also take away the

chance for others to learn and grow.

Background:

Here I will just briefly discuss about secondary data and context of my research. We live in a

world where the competition is higher than before. To cope up with this tight competition, we

have to work even harder. For this reason, it becomes tough for us to go out and enjoy our life

because of limited choice. Though we cooperate with other in the group, we also compete with

others for getting better results. Effective group work requires students to share ideas, take risks,

disagree with and listen to others, and generate and reconcile points of view. These norms do not

necessarily pervade classrooms. Students are used to working individually, being rewarded for


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right answers, and competing with each other for grades. Placing students in groups does not

mean they will actually cooperate. There is considerable and disturbing evidence that students

often do not behave pro-socially. As Bratti et al. (1996), One problem is failure to contribute,

when groups create a single product and receive one grade; students sometimes do not do their

fair share (p.38). So, teacher should evaluate who was doing work more and who did less.

There is some evidence which suggests that large scale cooperation arose not only out of an

evolutionary need, but also from a cultural need (Garcha,2012, p.1). Interestingly, there is

evidence which suggests that competition level was highest during times when resources were

scarce. Some of the article said that competition has negative impacts on our mind but I am not

agreeing with them. This is because competition builds character; it strengthens our self-esteem.

However, the possibility of being humiliated is always present in competition. According to

Huber (2010), Eliminating competition is eliminating motivation, getting rid of a persons drive

to get up in the morning, to even bother going to work; it eliminates your drive to succeed (p.3).

When we are going to cooperate with others but we cannot because of its environment. The

costs of cooperation can be diminished or overcome when there is competition at a higher level

of organizational hierarchy (Puurtinen&Mappes,2008, p.1). It is good if we build cooperative

relationship with our competitors. But in reality it is not possible; nobody can be competitive and

cooperative at a time. Thank God for competition. When our competitors upset our plans or

outdo our designs, they open infinite possibilities of our own work to us (Atkinson, G., 2009).

In this world there is a lot of competition and not everyone can be on top. Youre not the only

one who is applying for a job or is trying to make something of them. Many of your competitors

have high grades just like you. So that is not the biggest factor that will influence success, it is a

competitive spirit and the willingness to achieve.
http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/search?author1=Mikael+Puurtinen&sortspec=date&submit=Submithttp://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/search?author1=Mikael+Puurtinen&sortspec=date&submit=Submithttp://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/search?author1=Tapio+Mappes&sortspec=date&submit=Submithttp://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/search?author1=Tapio+Mappes&sortspec=date&submit=Submithttp://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/search?author1=Tapio+Mappes&sortspec=date&submit=Submithttp://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/search?author1=Tapio+Mappes&sortspec=date&submit=Submithttp://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/search?author1=Mikael+Puurtinen&sortspec=date&submit=Submit


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Research question:

Which is important in career, competition or cooperation?From the research, I found out that competition play more important for success

in ones career. This is because it promotes an opportunity to do better than colleagues or

peers, which, promotes creativity and innovative thinking amongst the groups.

How does competition help people to take a decision?Competition gives us confidence and improves our skills that help us to take a

complex decision. Competitive people who work hard to get to the goals they have set

out for themselves. Reaching a goal such as getting a good job always forces a loser.

Competition is a way of life and instead of fighting it we should join in and get things

done. It will help them to take a decision.

What do human beings compete for Resources, territory, and power?In the modern world human beings have to compete for resources, territory or

power. For example our politics, every political party compete with each other for the

power. They also compete for resources. We have seen that every company competes

with each for capturing the market. Eliminating competition is eliminating motivation,

getting rid of a persons drive to get up in the morning, to even bother going to work; it

eliminates your drive to succeed.


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When do human beings cooperate?Human beings cooperate with others when they see they fall in complex situation.

Cooperation is working together to accomplish shared goals. Within cooperative situations,

individuals seek outcomes that are beneficial to themselves and beneficial to all other group

members. Cooperation is important; I can realize that, but isnt the clue for succeed. It also

makes you focus on the group, not in your objective that is to succeed.

When do competition and cooperation become beneficial and harmful?Competition is beneficial when we have limited resource. It is good in workplace,

in the class, in the team work. It enables you to identify gaps in the market for products,

services or initiatives. It builds character; it strengthens our self-esteem. Too much focus on

the activities of competitors might lead anyone into becoming reactive instead of proactive,

resulting in a lack of innovation and a lack of unique identity in their career. Cooperation is

beneficial when we want do group work. It makes anyone more social and loyal. It increased

relationship with others. Cooperation could be helpful and satisfactory but without

competition it makes you forget where are you going to. It does not give us confidence.

What are the impacts of competition and cooperation in human mind?When people saw there is competition exists, they would more serious. Sometime

they thought in negative way. All in all, the old notion of competition being an

unavoidable behavior that is more productive, more enjoyable, and always leads to higher

achievement seems to have little evidential support. Instead, we see that cooperation is


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far more beneficial to both the individual (in terms of personal success and perceived

pleasure) and to society (in terms of product)

Hypothesis:

I think competition is better than the cooperation. This is because it promotes an opportunity

to do better than colleagues or peers, which, promotes creativity and innovative thinking

amongst them. Competition makes you always try to be better than others and obliges you to

beat yourself. You will work on giving your best; therefore, you will be always making your best

effort. Consequently with that, you will succeed. You will never stay the same; you will be

always becoming better, improving yourself. On the other hand Cooperation makes you focus on

the group, not in your objective that is to succeed. Cooperation could be helpful and satisfactory

but without competition it makes you forget where are you going to, what you want to get. In my

research I have found that both competition and cooperation are needed for success in career but

competition plays important role for success in career. Most of the respondents state that

competition is more important than cooperation for success in career.


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Research Methodology:

For my research, I have used both primary and secondary data.

Primary data:

In primary data collection, I collected the data myself by surveying 154 people. Out of these

people 89 were male, 65 were female. All the respondents aged from 18-50. The data collected is

unique to my research and to me and no one else has access to it. For primary data, I met the

student respondents and provided them with questionnaires to collect appropriate information

about my queries. I also met a NSU professors and general manager of metro group and I took

their opinion about this research. The questionnaire that was used to carry out the research work

had 12 questions. A copy of the questionnaire is attached with the research paper in the

Appendix.

Two interviewees are Dr. Mustafa Abdur Rahman (professor of economics department, NSU)

and Md. Monjur Alom (General Manager of orient group ltd.)

Secondary data:

For secondary data I have browsed the Internet and used search engines like Google. I

followed several links to various websites that had information about my topic. I read articles,

journals, internet blogs and different websites. Due to convenience and abundance of information

on the Internet; I did not extend my secondary research to any other sources. All the web-

addresses are mentioned in the references list.


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Primary data presentation:

This section is about the presentation of primary data and analysis. I have prepared a

questionnaire, which consists of 12 questions to find out relevant things. Each question consists

of more than 2 options. The target was to find out results, which support my hypothesis. I was

quiet surprised that some of the respondents said that they are against competition but in reality

they are not against competition.

I have collected lot of data which I have analyzed through some diagrams, tables and charts.

The first and most important question I have asked that What do you think what is important

in career, competition or cooperation?

45%

21%

34%

30%

38%

32%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Competition Cooperation Both

Male

Female


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This table shows the factors important for success in the work field. X - Axes show that

competition, cooperation and both. Y axes shows that males and females. Both males and

females think that both competition and cooperation are needed for success in career. Firstly the

highest percentage of males (45%) state that competition was important. They further elaborated

that competition increases their productivity.21% of males said that cooperation is also good for

their career. 34% of males state that both competition and cooperation are needed for success in

their career. On the other hand, 30 % of females said that competition is good for success. The

highest percentage of females claimed that cooperation is necessary for success. They also felt

that cooperation leads to productivity by making people help each other and exchange

experience. 32 % of females said that both competition and cooperation was needed for success.

Lastly, it can be assumed that females are more cooperative than males. Some female even said

that they are against competition but reality is a different story altogether. Females are more

cooperative than males because they likes to live in peace and enjoyment and they also thought

that Success is something people can achieve easier when they cooperate with one another, than

running towards it individually. In contrast males want to live in competitive environment

because they want to develop their career effectively by competition. Competition enhances our

capability and also improves our efficiency and productivity. For example, in a recent interview

with Independent Rowing News, Porter said, "Off the water I wouldn't consider myself a very

competitive person, which is markedly different to when I am on the water." According to

economics professor of NSURahman, A. (2012) competition makes you fulfill, it tells you

whether you good or bad in any sides.


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My second question was Do you agree that competition enriches our performance?

This graph shows audiences opinion on whether they think competition enriches their work

performance. Most of the respondents (58%) applied is one affirmative. 36 % of the respondents

states that they strongly agreed with that statement. The main reason behind that these results

may be that competition plays an important role for success in ones career. This is because

Competition determines the role and status of individual and it is also the symbol of social and

economic progress. On the other hand, only 6% the target respondents were against the

competition that apparently enhances our performance. They also thought that competition ruins

relationship with friends and colleagues.

36%

58%

3% 3%

Strongly agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly disagree


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My third question was are you against cooperation?

This graph shows the respondents opinion on cooperation. In the horizontal axis I have shown

the four different options and in the vertical axis I have shown the percentage of its answer. 48 %

0f the respondents said that they cannot think without cooperation. 27% of them states that it did

not increase our efficiency and effectiveness, and 15% of them claimed that cooperation did not

motivate us to do something interesting. 10% of the respondents said that cooperation did not

give us confidence. The results obtained this question contradicted the results from the previous

question. In the first question, the respondents were for competition and here they were for

cooperation. Their opinions in both questions differed because in some cases we have to compete

and some cases we have to cooperate with others.

10%

15%

27%

48%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

It does not give us

confidence

It does not

motivate us to do

something.

It does not

increase our

efficiency and

effectiveness

I cannot think

without

cooperation.


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The forth question I have asked that do you think Competition is harmful?

This graph shows the respondents opinions on whether they think competition is harmful or

not. In the horizontal axis I have shown two options (Harmful & is not harmful) and in the

vertical axis I have shown the percentage of people who are practicing and their gender. 24 % of

the males states that competition is harmful and 28% of the females also said that competition is

harmful. On the other hand 76% of the males thought that completion is not harmful. They also

said that it protects individuals from direct conflict. 74 % of the females state that competition is

not harmful because they thought that Competition is the symbol of social and economic

progress. From the finding of this question I can say that competition is not harmful because it

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Harmful

Is not harmful

24%

76%

28%

72%

Male

female


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increases efficiency among competitors and it is also the symbol of social and economic

progress.

The fifth questions I have asked that Do you share your experience with your peers?

This graph shows the respondents opinions on whether they share their experience with peers

or not. In the horizontal axis I have shown three options (Yes I do, No I dont & no I keep

everything a secret) and in the vertical axis I have shown the percentage of people who are

practicing. 47% of the respondents state that they share their experience with their peers. They

also said that sharing experience with others helps them to understand and solve any problem.

They also said that 33 % said that they did not share their experience and 20% said that they kept

everything a secret because they like to be an individualistic. They also state that if we share any

important information with others, they would get all credit. They were referring that

47%

33%

20%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Yes, I do. No, I dont No, I keep everything a

secret.


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competition involving the potential survival, economic affluence, and general well-being of an

individual or group. The respondent who are doing job, mostly did not share their experience.

Summary of research finding:

After analyzing my primary research and secondary research data what I have found that

people are becoming competitive because of limited resources. Some of the respondents state

that both competition and cooperation are needed for success in career. One interesting thing,

what I have found that, people who are more ambitious, they are more competitive than others.

The respondents were referring that competition involving the potential survival, economic

affluence, and general well-being of an individual or group. Cooperation is beneficial when we

want do group work. It makes anyone more social and loyal and it increased relationship with

others.

It can be assumed that females are more cooperative than males. Some female even said that

they are against competition but reality is a different story altogether. Females are more

cooperative than males because they likes to live in peace and enjoyment and they also thought

that Success is something people can achieve easier when they cooperate with one another, than

running towards it individually. In contrast males want to live in competitive environment

because they want to develop their career effectively by competition. Competition enhances our

capability and also improves our efficiency and productivity.


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Moreover one more interesting thing is that some of the respondents want to practice both

competition and cooperation at a time but it is not possible. Though my hypothesis is not fully

matched with my finding, competition plays an important role for success in career. Some of the

respondents even said that they are against competition but reality is a different story altogether.

The reason behind these kinds of results may be that the system and the culture of our society.

They want to be cooperative but for developing their skills they have to compete with others.

Finally my research shows that competition more important than cooperation.

Recommendation:

As we all are human being we do not have eternal life to live in this beautiful world. This is

natural that there is scarce resource. I would like to say that competition makes us more effective

in the work field as well as well as in the class room. Both competition and cooperation are

needed for success not the same way; to apply these two things by context of that situation.

Finally I want to say that cooperation could be helpful and satisfactory but without competition it

makes you forget where are you going to, what you want to get. Moreover one more interesting

thing is that who want to practice both competition and cooperation at a time, they have to be

conscious about situation and apply it properly


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Conclusion:

My hypothesis was proved by the research because competition is more important than the

cooperation. It is important to take this research paper. Competition brings out the best in us.

Actually, research shows that competition raises standards, and promotes higher achievement

than cooperation. Surveys show that successful people, outside of sports, love a challenge, but

they are not motivated by winning. Succeeding and beating others are not the same. Many

successful athletes do not take their need to win into their personal or professional lives.

Respondents thought that competition is not harmful. They also said that it protects individuals

from direct conflict. Competition pushes you to be more creative and innovate, and to truly

master your skill set. A lack of competition may lead to your skills getting stale or hitting a

plateau. Competition sharpens your skills and ultimately helps you achieve long-term success.

After analyzing my research, I would like to say that competition is more important than

cooperation for success in career.

References:

Bratti, M., Checchi, D., & Filippin, A. (October 2007) .Should you compete or cooperate

With your classmates?

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Cock, S., Slotte-Kock, s., & Bengtsson, M. (2000). To Compete or CooperateA

Strategic Dilemma. Gsom publication, Retrieved from

http://www.gsom.spbu.ru/files/upload/niim/seminar/strategic_dilemma.pdf

Deutsch, M. (2006). Cooperation and competition. In M. Deutsch, P. T. Coleman, & E. C.

Marcus (Eds.), The Handbook of Conflict Resolution: Theory and practice (2342). San

Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Garcha,J., (2012). Collaboration vs. Competition, Retrieved from

http://www.zeitnews.org/applied-sciences/Collaboration vs. Competition

Johnson D. W., & Johnson, R. (1989). Cooperation and competition: Theory and research. Edina,

MN: interaction Book Company, Retrieved from

http://www.clearspecs.com/.../ClearSpecs69V01

Murmann, J. P., (2003). Knowledge and Competitive Advantage, Retrieved from

http://etss.net/evolution/reviews/Murmann_introduction.pdf

Nota, l., Ferrari, L., Scott, V.H., & Soresi, S. (2007). Career Search Self-Efficacy, Career

Support and Career Indecision with Italian Youth. Journal of Career Assessment, 15,181.

DOI: 10.1177/1069072706298019.

Peteraf, M.A. (1993), the Cornerstones of Competitive Advantage:A Resource-Based
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View Strategic Management Journal, 14, pp. 179-191. Retrieved From

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Royal Society, Retrieved from http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/current

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Career success: competition or cooperation