Compare and contrast the 7S and Mintzberg's configuration models of Assignment

Compare and contrast the 7S and Mintzberg's configuration models of organisations - Assignment Example In this paper, emphasis is given on two, quite popular, theoretical frameworks: the McKinsey 7s Framework and the configuration model of Mintzberg. The elements and the role of the particular models are critically evaluated and analyzed referring to relevant literature. Between the two models, McKinsey’s 7s Framework is simpler and more flexible, a fact that makes it easier to be used when the time available for the evaluation of business performance is limited. On the other hand, when details need to be retrieved in regard to the potential transformations of an organization so that its effectiveness is increased, then the Mintzberg configuration model, that offers a clearer view on organizational processes, would be preferred. In regard to the above, current paper would be based on the following thesis statement: McKinsey’s 7s Framework and the Mintzberg configuration model are valuable models for measuring business performance. The former refers directly to the seven factors influencing business performance while the latter uses organizational structure as an indicator of business effectiveness. 2. McKinsey 7s Framework vs Mintzberg’s configuration model 2.1 Key characteristics of the above models In order to understand the differences and similarities of the two models, it is necessary to refer primarily to their characteristics and their role within modern organizations. In addition, the elements of each of the models need to be analyzed at the level that these elements can influence the models’ performance when used within a particular market. 2.1.1 McKinsey 7s Framework The McKinsey 7s Framework is commonly used for the evaluation of business performance. The Framework was first introduced in 1980s (Witcher and Chau 2010). It was only after two years, in 1982, that ‘Peters and Waterman included this model in their book ‘In search for Excellence’’ (Witcher and Chau 2010, p.248); it was through that book that McKinsey 7s Framework become popular worldwide. The McKinsey 7s Framework is based on the following view: the performance of each organization is influenced by seven factors/ variables (Witcher and Chau 2010). When having to evaluate organizational performance these variables need to be reviewed (Witcher and Chau 2010). The variables highlighted in the particular Framework are presented in Figure 1 below. A key characteristic of McKinsey’s 7s Framework is the following: the variables on which the framework is based tend to interact on a continuous basis (Witcher and Chau 2010). This means that the performance of each of these variables influences, necessarily, the performance of other variables (Witcher and Chau 2010). In addition, changes on one or more variables will also affect other variables (Witcher and Chau 2010). The relationship between these variables is made clear in Figure 1. On the other hand, the level at which each variable influences the other variables of the framework is not standardized, depending on the conditions in the organizational environment, the availability of time for analyzing organizational behaviour and so on. Figure 1 - McKinsey 7s Framework (Source: http://gs.utcc.ac.th/ceomba/mk/0%20Mar55/add/The%20McKinsey%207S%20English.pdf) In order to

Group Dynamics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Group Dynamics - Essay Example On then other hand, Jung & Sosik (2002) indicate that group dynamics ahs been beneficial to the organization since it aids the management in devising problem solving skills in the workplace. Through group dynamics, the management has been able to create team work among its employees; thus, creativity and cooperation in the workplace. A group is inclusive of several people who come together with the aim of achieving a common objective. Group dynamics refers attitudinal and characteristics in behaviour of a given group (Robbins, 2007). Group dynamics are relevant to the organization in the HS engineering firm where there are several group dynamics in the Leeds firm that work together with the aim of achieving organizational objectives. The study of group dynamics within an organization will enable one understand the status of an organization (Cheringtan, 2004). However, group dynamics can only be successful if the management organizes the various aspects of groups in the workplace (Lov elace, Shapiro & Weingart, 2001). Among these attributes include the size of the groups, the characteristics of the members of these groups, their norms beliefs, and finally, the nature of tasks that they perform so as to be successful in their quest to create team work. Through categorization of these attributes in the organization gives the management an opportunity to strategies the kind of activities that ought to be performed in the workplace ands at what pace. From the HS engineering firm case study, group dynamics has not been alienated from the functioning of the organization. In the Leeds firm for instance, several aspects of group dynamics have been put in place to see to the success of the organization. Through analysis of the group dynamics of the organization, the management has been able to clearly understand what aspects to apply so as to understand the entire organization (Marcus, 1998). With the HS engineering company having other branches in other parts of the coun try, there was dire need by the company to understand the functionality of all the branches in the workplace. A closer scrutiny of the case also indicates that the company has gone through massive changes all in attempt to survive in the market. In the long run, the company has experienced massive losses in some of its branches that led to the closure of the same. This indicates that the management has dedicated a lot of efforts in understanding the operations of the company. Social identify theory states that individual group dynamics help to obtain a sense of identity and acquire self actualization. This reduces the rate of conflict within the organization. As an illustration from the HS engineering sample the major conflicts that arise due to the change taking place within the organization include; loss in manufacturing industries, there is an expectation of 30% reduction in the financial status of the company. The different group dynamics established had their own needs that lea d to the closure of some of them due to poor management. Mangold & Miles (2002) and Moritz &Watson (1998) indicate that leaders of organizations can only implement the aspects of group dynamics if the management of the organization is well conversant with the occurrences in the organization, no matter how minute they may seem. All organizations

The Fundamentals of Character, Deliberation and Moral Problems in Essay

The Fundamentals of Character, Deliberation and Moral Problems in Training - Essay Example They will all be analyzed here forthwith. II. The â€Å"Slippery Slope† The â€Å"slippery slope† is basically a domino effect that takes place after one moral principle is compromised, leading to other compromises in principle. As stated by Delattre (2002), â€Å"[T]he slippery slope of corruption begins with any gratuity, including the well-known cup of coffee† (pp. 77). This particular example is referring to police, although many different public servants could also be considered on par with police so much so that they indeed do receive special treatment as a member of a certain group of public servants (i.e., judges, lawyers, senators, Congresspersons, city board members, aldermen, etc.). For example, if a judge was given a bribe in order to help sway the decision of his very first court case, this could be a premier example of the slippery slope. The judge isn’t really supposed to do that, but perhaps the judge figures it’s just a one-time act ion. Later on, when other lawyers petition the judge with more bribes in the form of financial assistance, that judge may be hard-pressed to say no. However, while some people accept gratuities to be a simple fact of life in order for public officials to perform (sometimes illegal) favors in return—performing these favors in return for gratuities are a form of bribery and should not be tolerated. Although people may be used to giving gratuities which they may deem harmless, the damage has been done. III. The Society-At-Large Hypothesis Within the society-at-large hypothesis, the main idea here is that society corrupts people with political or otherwise hierarchical powers. According to Delattre (2002), O.W. Wilson stated, â€Å"[For example, in Chicago] it had been customary to give [people in public service] gratuities†¦[with a] certain progression of events [to] follow†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (pp. 69). This allowed certain public officials to get away with crimes that went unch ecked. Without a doubt, nepotism and cronyism still play a large part in politics in several different cities and nations, due to the nature of the job. It has long been considered standard to offer, for example, that free cup of a coffee to a cop on the beat by a local food mart. However, that may be taken as a sign that public servants deserve more than just that, in effect producing a society which expects its leaders to take bribes or be corrupt—effectively proffering corruption. IV. The Structural/Affiliation Hypothesis The structural or affiliation hypothesis, developed by Arthur Niedenhoffer, posits that corruption is indoctrinated into new recruits of organizations by the higher-ups. For example, if a rookie cop sees his superior shaking down drug dealers for monetary gain, he might very well start doing the same thing by way of affiliation. The corruption is also a structural problem which is built in to the police culture. Other organizational cultures—for ex ample, in corporate offices—might have similar structural difficulties. Enron is a great example of a company that had corruption increasing the farther one went up the chain of executives. V. The Rotten Apple Theory The rotten apple theory basically states that there is poor hiring, training, and supervision within an organization, effectively putting individuals who already have a track record of corruption in positions of power. The rotten apple

BJB Manufacturing Company Quality Management Initiative Proposal Research Paper

BJB Manufacturing Company Quality Management Initiative Proposal - Research Paper Example ..3 The Total Quality Management†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.4 Process Management†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...4 Managing the quality of the products†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..4 Employees†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦4 Shareholders†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.5 The Executive Management†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã ¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦5 Consumers†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦5 Partners†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦5 Advantages of the Total Quality Management to BJB†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦6 The role of leadership†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..6 Leadership and control†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã ¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦6 Approving budgets†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..7 Introduction BJB is a manufacturing firm that produces car radios to be used in many types of cars. The firm needs to monitor and improve its quality management by putting in place a total quality management process. Current situation The following are some of the areas that are of concern to the BJB’s TQM. BJB does not involve employees in its total quality management. BJB does not have a way to involve consumers to improve its product quality. There are no repetitive processes to make sure that the production system is continually improved to increase quality and reduce costs For the BJB to be able to access the new market and increase its market segment, it needs to be able to produce high quality produc ts across its product range. The products are a range of car radios for different kinds of cars. Accessing the new market will need a solid Total Quality Management System that will improve the production and increase quality of the products produced by the firm. Proposed total quality management The proposed TQM for BJB will consider the following factors: New Market BJB is trying to access new markets, and to do this it has to have products that are competitive in terms of their quality. The fact that BJB is trying to access new markets also means that the firm has to know not only how to increase the quality but also how to minimize costs so as to use cost advantage to sell at lower prices. The products produced by BJB are not used directly by the consumers, but have to be used along with other products (i.e. vehicles), and BJB needs to consider this in planning its TQM. In this regard, BJB’s Total Quality Management has to ensure that it is will be synchronized with the m anufacturers of motor vehicles. This will be useful in making sure that the products of BJB are compatible with the products of all the car manufacturers, and this will be important because without this compatibility, there can be no market for the BJB’s products. The TQM Process management The process will be monitored to make sure that there are no bottlenecks that may make the system less efficient. BJB should be professionally responsible in making sure that the manufacturing process is incrementally improved every month, to make sure that all inefficiencies are

Age discrimination and its effect on the over 30s in todays workplace Research Paper

Age discrimination and its effect on the over 30s in todays workplace - Research Paper Example Age discrimination is all about taking the focus from job competency as reflected in the skill levels and placing it on the individual’s calendar age. Most people tend to view age discrimination as an aspect that relates to older employees but the fact is that ageism involves young employees too. This is for the reason that there are age restrictions that are illegal and their sole intention is to bar young people with proper educational credentials simply because the employer thinks that the credentials will hinder them from performing their duties as expected (Macnicol 3). Pension reforms were ushered in with the advent of industrialization. Social security in form of specified pension amounts lured older employees into retirement as the schemes had financial benefits. However, after the Second World War, the professional arena experienced a change that saw the entry of the younger generation and modern technology into the workplace (Sargeant 27). â€Å"Discrimination exist s in the minds of those that believe they have the right to exercise abusive authority and control over the powerless, the poor and the oppressed† (Hullet 28). This was the genesis of age discrimination as employers started viewing the ‘old’ employees as a professional burden that lacked the required technical know-how, conservative in their style of work, and above all lacked the zeal to work (Macnicol, 14). Nonetheless, there were those employers who stuck with the ‘old guard’ as they felt that the young were immature and inexperienced to enhance their productivity. Another fact that led to the cropping up of age discrimination was the low output achieved by older employees as they were incapable of keeping abreast with the new technology. Even so, their pay was high and they could not be fired because they had a lifetime employment policy. This made employer to review their policies in favor of the young thereby creating age discrimination. General ly, it can be said that age discrimination affects all age groups. Companies, on the other hand, view hiring young people as expensive as they will require further training and close supervision. They also have reservation on hiring old people because they tend to think that they will not get value for their money as older people will work for a short time before retiring and they are expected to pay out their retirement benefit. Age discrimination on a global scale and the USA Age discrimination is a worldwide phenomenon that affects every society in the world. However, this review will look at the European Union and the United States. â€Å"There is ample evidence that discrimination takes place in the EU† (Macnicol 45). Every standpoint has its own definition of old age, for example, in the statistical aspect old age is considered 60 to 65 years of age as pertaining to retirement or social program entry eligibility (Grobe 12). The European commission ranges old from 55 to 65 years of age. However, a 40 year old is defined as an old worker in the United States of America. Even though the current economic crises mostly affected the young people in Germany, there was also

The poem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The poem - Essay Example The period idolized the imagination as the highest of human capacities. This was largely because of its creative abilities and as a means of reacting to sweeping change in every aspect of life. It also esteemed nature because of the creative element inherent in it and because of the manifestation of the imagination that could be found within it. This refers to the idea that we create what we see, reflecting a growing awareness of our co-existence with our environment. The world was full of symbols and signs that would portend future events and actions which were knowable through their relationship to the myths and legends of antiquity. The period had some overlap with the transcendental movement as well in which everything encountered in life had a higher spiritual meaning. These concepts of using natural symbols to convey a deeply spiritual idea by pushing the reader’s imagination can be traced through much of Dickenson’s poetry. By avoiding titles, she forces her readers to pay closer attention to what the poem says as a means of identification at least. Once she has her reader engaged in her poem, she then uses natural imagery to make a closer connection with the reader. This can be found in lines such as â€Å"invisible as music / But positive as sound† (This world is not conclusion 3-4); â€Å"They went to God’s right hand / That hand is amputated now† (Those dying then 3-4); and â€Å"Tell all the truth but tell it slant / Success in circuit lies† (Tell all the truth but tell it slant 1-2). In each of these lines, Dickenson encourages her readers to create a mental image analogy of her idea, but this also requires the engagement of the imagination at the same

Aristotle and Cicero Understanding of Friendship Research Paper

Aristotle and Cicero Understanding of Friendship - Research Paper Example The same would be done in light of their famous sayings and quotations. Discussion One of the biggest differences between Aristotle and Cicero’s understanding of friendship is the fact that Aristotle has gone on to divide friendship into three categories based on the motivations and predispositions behind the friendship. The first type of friendship, according to Aristotle is friendship based on utility. Elderly people and the ones in the Middle Ages having a common ground would engage in such friendships since the circumstances are such that they are able to derive utility out of their friendship. However, utility is not permanent and as soon as utility vanishes, so does the friendship. The second type of friendship is based on pleasure, which takes place amongst people in the early years and the adult life where they are seeking pleasure and entertainment from the people around them. These friendships do not last for long because as soon as the taste of the people changes, t hey prefer to look for new friends who match their current taste (Price, 1990). However, the third type of friendship based on goodness and virtue where both the friends are virtuous. Their goodness binds each other and hopes the best for his friend. As Aristotle says, â€Å"The best friend is the man who in wishing me well wishes it for my sake.† (Pangle, 2003) These friendships are long lasting and enduring but at the same time difficult to find. The bond between true friends is so strong that that Aristotle has gone to refer that as, â€Å"A true friend is one soul in two bodies† (Stern-Gillet, 1995) Cicero has also endorsed many of these ideas of Aristotle, as it is evident from the following sayings of Cicero. â€Å"For how many things, which for our own sake we should never do, do we perform for the sake of our friends† â€Å"The rule of friendship means there should be mutual sympathy between them, each supplying what the other lacks and trying to benefi t the other, always using friendly and sincere words.† â€Å"A friend is, as it were, a second self† (Cicero & Shuckburgh, 2007) However, when Aristotle defines the highest and the most delightful form of friendship as the one based on goodness and virtue, Cicero has a different dimension for the same. As he says, â€Å"As in the case of wines that improve with age, the oldest friendships ought to be the most delightful† (Cicero, 2006) Cicero shares many similarities in his definition and concept of true friendship but when Aristotle has not mentioned anything but virtue as the prime element of to determine the delight, intimacy and rank of friendship, Cicero believes that, it is the time, which makes the difference in friendship. Quite understandably, over the period, friends develop a greater and more meaningful understanding amongst each other that compliments their friendship (Pangle, 2003). Another distinction between Aristotle and Cicero views on friendship could be the level of importance that they assign to friendship and its existence in the running of society. Cicero says, â€Å"Friendship is nothing else than an accord in all things, human and divine, conjoined with mutual goodwill and affection. â€Å"Thus nature has no love for solitude, and always leans, as it were, on some support; and the sweetest support is found in the most intimate friendship (Price, 1990) Although, Cicero endorses the concept that friendship is present in nature and in fact, nature in itself is a