Social responsibility and community engagement at Edwards Air Force Base

Social Responsibility

Types of people who live in the community in regards to the overall type of individuals who live within the community, the demographics vary considerable. However, the underlying values and principles that govern the population remain relatively homogenous. For one, many of the individuals on the base are military oriented or have some affiliation with the principles embedded within the military. The virtues of honor, respect, integrity and so forth, have a profound influence on the overall community. In addition, the community has a very deep respect for authoritative figures. This respect ultimately correlates directly with socially responsibility. In many respects, the community feels obligated to give to the communities in which it serves. This obligation provides ample incentive for the member of this community to give willingly of both their time and money. Even more compelling, is the sense of honor embedded with the Edwards Air Force base. The community, and in particular, the military has emphasized community involvement sense its exception. The general premise behind the military is to protect the community at large. This mandate has been transferred directly to social responsibility initiatives in which the community engages in. This engagement in regards to social responsibility provides a means of gratification for all parties involved (Visser, 2007).

Type of work the residents do

Much of the work the residents participate in is directly correlated to national defense initiatives. Edwards Air Force base is located near the coast of California. The primary role of the base is the provide America with a strategically important hub of operations to properly defend the nation. As such, many of the roles of the residents are primarily geared towards national defense initiatives. Many of the residents, working on the military base provide support and critical intelligence to other military personnel. Others engage in counter intelligence designed to help counter incoming threats. Must of the residents are engaged in functions that are critical to the proper defense of America. In particular, technological advancements have created a need to counter cyber crime within California. Attacks are now being conducted through the internet which has adverse consequences for America.

How and where members of the community interact such as festivals, grocery stores, community events, and so forth

Military personnel interact primarily at social gathers outside the work environment. For instance, within the Air Force, air shows are very popular within the local community. Many members of the community come to these shows not only to see the aerial showcase but also to interact with respective peers. Holidays also provide members of the community with an opportunity to engage and interact with one another. Two holidays in particular, Memorial Day and Veterans Day are very important to the overall community. It is during these occasions that members of the community interact with one another on a more personal level.

What are the community's responsibilities to the individuals?

The community has a responsibility to the individual to provide a safe, nurturing, prosperous and integrated environment. Business, in particular must be prosperous within the community. Without healthy and prosperous businesses, social responsibility initiatives will not come to fruition. In addition, the community should help nurture and develop the next generation of leaders to help foster innovations to further aid society. These innovations, when properly rewarded, lead to more socially responsible initiatives, in which the entire community benefits. The community at large must therefore be responsible for creating a community in which social responsible behaviors are encourged rather than shunned. The community must also promote universal values which ultimately govern social responsibility. These values may include integrity, honesty, charity, and the overall pursuit of happiness. Through emphasizing these initiatives, the communities in which they are promoted with flourish and thrive.

As a member of this community, what do you think it means to be socially responsible?

Social responsibility means providing for those who are not as fortunate as yourself or who suffer from consequences and circumstances that are not of their own doing. These individuals were simply not endowed with many of the skills and abilities needed to be success in today's global environment. As such, society, and in particular, management, has an obligation to care and to help foster growth within these individuals (Armstrong, 1977). As a capitalistic society, there are often occasions were one group of individual's profits at the expense of others. A social problem currently prevailing in America is that of wealth inequality. As the global economy continues to heal from the most devastating financial crisis since the great depression, wealth disparity is becoming a profound social problem. Income inequality has numerous social implications for both society and the global economy at large. For instance, declining incomes creates a society more defendants on socialism and government subsidy to operate effectively. This natural dependence on government aid diminishes the natural capitalistic incentive prevailing in America today. Being a more socialist nation diminished the amount of entrepreneurs, innovators, and profit oriented professionals in America. However, the innovators are often the wealthy individuals in society who profit disproportionately than those of more modest means. Social responsibility attempts to correct those imbalances, allowing for more individuals to prosper and succeed. As such, social responsibility means providing for the less fortunate while providing a means for these individuals to prospers as well. The GDP of the entire United States is roughly $14 trillion dollars. There is more than enough wealth to provide for other members of society. As such, social responsibility attempts to correct many of the imbalances regarding particular issues within society at large (Kalinda, 2001).

References:

1) Visser, Wayne, Dirk Matten, Manfred Pohl, and Nick Tolhurst (Editors) (2007). The A to Z. Of Corporate Social Responsibility. London, England; New York, NY: Wiley. ISBN 978-0-470-72395-1

2) Armstrong, Scott (1977). "Social Irresponsibility in Management." Journal of Business Research (Elsevier North-Holland Inc.) 15: 115 -- 203. http://marketing.wharton.upenn.edu/ideas/pdf/armstrong2/social.pdf.

3) Kalinda, B. (Ed.). Social Responsibility and Organizational Ethics. (2001). Encyclopedia of Business and Finance (2nd ed., Vol. 1). New York: Macmillan Reference