Strategic Information System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Strategic Information System - Essay Example These approaches tend to significantly aid in the development of the information system. These approaches can be used as a framework or as a guideline that provides steps which eventually lead to the final product. In a situation where requirements from the stakeholders continuously change the development team can make two approaches. The first is a socio-technical approach which takes into account the social and technical perspective before drawing up an information system for an organization. The second is agile methodology under which regular feedback is obtained from stakeholders to ensure that there are no mistakes being made while the system is being developed. Soft systems and socio technical approaches: Socio-technical approaches are basically approaches that help an organization take into account human and social aspects of an organization in addition to the technical matters, while developing an information system. These approaches have been used by a number of organization s in the past however, their use in recent years has steadily declined (Baxter & Sommerville, 2011). Socio-technical approaches are usually based on theories that revolve around social aspects involving individuals and the society that they are a part of. The technological part of this term does not necessarily refer to technology pertaining to materials and systems used, but rather it represents procedures that are used and knowledge that is related to those particular procedures (Baxter & Sommerville, 2011). Soft systems methodology is an approach that is used as an inquiry tool where an organization makes an inquiry into a problematic situation that is thought to exist within the real world (Checkland & Scholes, 1990). Problems can basically be categorized into two main categories hard and soft. Hard problems are problems that can be properly defined and can be solved using a technical predefined approach. Soft problems, on the other hand, are very difficult to clearly define (Cl arke, 2011). Within soft problems, there is a fluctuating factor of political and human activity. Moreover, there is no exact technical approach, which a person can use to solve a soft problem. In a number of cases, technological impact on the situation is not positive and may cause even greater problems (Checkland & Scholes, 1990). Advantages and disadvantages: The idea of developing a particular information system for an organization is to address a problem that occurs within that organization. Perceptions regarding the problem are different for every stakeholder of the organization. This then divides one single problem into a number of problems that are interrelated to each other in more than one ways. Socio-technical system helps the organization by citing the definition of the organization as one of the phases towards the solution of the problem in question (Checkland & Scholes, 1990). Socio-technical approach thus helps stakeholders on focusing on the nature of the problem pri or to working towards the procurement of the solution of the given problem. By clearly defining the problem, system developers would be able to address the real problem rather than forming a solution to the problem that they perceive is correct (Baxter & Sommerville, 2011). Methodologies such as soft system approach can only be used to analyze the weak points and fails to clearly specify how a system can be built using the information that is obtained from its analysis. In some cases, the problem is

Critically analyse how the government debt problems initially faced by Essay

Critically analyse how the government debt problems initially faced by a few relatively small economies could trigger such a wid - Essay Example The issues referring to the economies affected by the crisis shall also be discussed in this paper in order to establish the impact of sovereign debt to the euro financial crisis. This paper is being carried out in order to establish an academic and analytical discussion of the European crisis, linking its causes with its eventual impact on a larger economic region. Body The European crisis significantly impacted on the European financial market. Various elements colluded in order to cause the European crisis, with the crisis more or less unfolding in smaller economies, including Greece, Portugal, and Ireland. The money market was significantly affected by the deterioration in market conditions which started in 2007 (European Central Bank, 2012). The interbank markets are usually subjected to counterparty risk. The collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008 led to lower confidence in the market, which then caused issues in financial integration (European Central Bank, 2012). Such event trig gered the increase in cross-country dispersion in overnight rates, as well as lower interbank market activity. Although measures to address market tension were implemented by the European Central Bank, the tension re-emerged in 2010 due to pressures in euro government bond markets (European Central Bank, 2012). More remedies were implemented by the ECB which helped improve the money market in the euro area. However, in 2011, more pressures on the euro sovereign bonds caused issues in market integration. Such deterioration also became apparent in the secured financial market. In 2011, the ECB once again introduced remedies to ensure liquidity support for financial institutions (European Central Bank, 2012). Price-based remedies implied deterioration in the integration of the money market, specifically for short maturities. Integration gains which were expected after the bailouts were reversed by the crisis. With longer maturities, the measures of integration seemed to be stable; howe ver in 2011, these measures actually indicated deterioration (Dadush, et.al., 2010). The sovereign bond markets went through significant tension in 2011. During the onset of the financial crisis in 2010, only three smaller countries were severely affected; however, in 2011, the larger countries were soon affected, especially in terms of their bond yields (European Central Bank, 2012). Moreover, market declines in sovereign yields could not be reached with the implementation of fiscal adjustments, as in the case of Ireland. Improvements in the sovereign bond market were evaluated based on simultaneous movements in yields. Europe for the past 2-3 years has been faced with a very serious crisis (European Commission, 2010). The bond market has already been closing to the euro-area countries, and for those who are still open, they are charging high rates of interest for any loans or investments. The increase in bond yields is based on the fact that where investors view more significant r isks associated with their investments in a country’s bonds, they would also likely need higher returns in compensation for such risks (European Commission, 2009). An unfavourable cycle often ensues from this situation as the demand for higher yields would lead to higher costs in borrowing for the country. This causes financial issues

Effects of Children Essay Example for Free

Effects of Children Essay Children have a big impact on a relationship and the communication between two parents. Adding children into any relationship takes change and communication on both ends. It can be harder depending on the different relationship situations. Children change not only your personal relationship but also the relationships you have with friends and family. I asked three different parents that I know the same three questions. The questions were: 1. What change was least expected after your baby was born? 2. How did communication with your partner and others change after having a baby? . How did having a child affect your marriage or relationship? Each of the answers I received was similar. A\ll of the parents expressed that their lives and relationships changed a lot after having children. Their relationship with friends and with their partner became a challenge. Two out of the three said they expected the challenges while one said she didn’t expect so many issues to arise with her partner. A big issue that was mentioned by all three was the fact that the time between them and their partner was cut down drastically. That became a relationship breaker for one. She chose her daughters needs over the needs of her relationship. The communication patterns described by the parents did not follow the Guidelines for Effective Communication in Families. They differed because the communication and equity was not followed. One parent chose her time and energy needed to be focused on her child and put her relationship on hold. This in the end broke up her relationship. The other two followed the guidelines to an extent but not completely. Communication is tampered no matter what way you look at it. Men and woman look at parenthood different and that may be the main reason why children have such an effect on relationships. Communication is key in any relationship. There has to be a level of understanding and respect from both ends to balance any kind of friendship or intimate relationship. Children can change a lot of things in our lives. If two people are not on the same page in a relationship or about the choices that have to made with children it can ruin the relationship all together.

A study on the britvic group

A study on the britvic group The Britvic Group was established in 1986 by Bass, Whitebread and Allied Breweries. The three merged their respective soft drinks businesses to form Britannia Soft Drinks Limited. And now Britvic is the parent company of Britannia Soft Drinks Limited. Britivic was originally established to act as the soft drinks supplier to the pub estates of these three shareholders. Britvic finished the acquisition of the brand like Tango, Robinsons, Orchid Drinks, Red Devil brand, water source one after another. The company cooperates with Pepsi and enters into an exclusive bottling arrangement for Pepsi and 7up in Great Britain. And Distribution of Lipton Ice Tea in Great Britain awarded to Britivic in 2009. Britivic becomes an independent company by listing in the London Stock Exchange in 2005. And the company has become one of the two leading soft drinks businesses in Great Britain. Successful new products developments, like J2O and Fruit Shoot, make Britvic become the largest supplier of brand ed still soft drinks, the faster growing category in the soft drinks market, while remaining the number two supplier of branded carbonates. The Britvic Group operates in Great Britain and Ireland.The Company finishes acquisition of a soft drinks business in Ireland on 29 August 2007 ¼Ã‹â€ Britvic plc. 2010 ¼Ã¢â‚¬ °. In 2006, Britvic sold 1.4 billion liters of soft drinks in hundreds of different flavors, shapes and sizes and delivers to over 4,000 customers and approximately 200,000 points of distribution. The company turnover around  £680 million a year, and the company have approximately 2,700 employees based either at the main offices in Chelmsford and Solihull or at one of seven factories and network of depots around the country ¼Ã‹â€ Britvic plc. 2006 ¼Ã¢â‚¬ °. For the GB soft drink take home market, the main market players are Coca-cola Enterprises, Britivic, GlaxoSmithKline, Danone, and Tropicana. For the GB soft drink licensed on-trade market, the main market players are Coca-cola Enterprises, Britivic, Redbull. The Britvic Group has strong market positions. The GB soft drink take home market share is around 11% in year 2006, 2007, 2008, and in 2009 that number up to 12%. The total sale of the soft drink take home is around 6billion a year. The GB soft drink licensed on-trade market share is 44% in year 2006 and 2007, 45% in year 2008, and the number up to 48% in year 2009. The total sale of the soft drink licensed on-trade is around 2.3billion a year. From the date above, we can see that Britvic Group has solid and strong market position, and the market share is increased moderately. Market share positions products Take home Licensed on-trade Total sales Market share Total sales Market share 2006 ( £5.8bn) 11% ( £2.3bn) 44% 2007 ( £6.0bn) 11% ( £2.4bn) 44% 2008 ( £6.1bn) 11% ( £2.3bn) 45% 2009 ( £6.1bn) 12% ( £2.4bn) 48% Source: Summarized from Britvic plc Annual Report 2006,2007,2008,2009 For Ireland market, the Britvic Ireland is Ireland second largest branded soft drinks business by volume. Britvic Ireland has similar brand and category profile to Britvic GB, and sold 253 million liters in the year to September 2008. Britvic Ireland have around 800 employees, one carbs/stills factory, one water factory and two distribution centers ¼Ã‹â€ Britvic plc. 2010 ¼Ã¢â‚¬ °. The soft drink take home market share of the company is around 29%, and the soft drink Licensed on-trade market share is around 37% ¼Ã‹â€ Britvic plc. 2010 ¼Ã¢â‚¬ °. The company has grown market share and revenue across all of the categories with a strong performance, despite difficult trading conditions. The Britvic cooperate with recycling companies in the UK to introduce plastic bottles containing PET which has been recycled from British households. Currently recycled material is made from imported material. The main commodity price risk arises in the purchases of prime materials, being PET, sugar, cans and frozen concentrated orange juice. Where it is considered commercially advantageous, the group enters into fixed price contracts with suppliers to hedge against unfavourable commodity price changes. Financial analyses Financial date 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Total asset  £492.4M  £467.1 M  £694.6M  £741.1M  £853.5M Total Liabilities  £470.2M  £524.8M  £690.3 M  £732.0 M  £856.0 M Interest bearing loans and borrowings  £301.8M  £233.2M  £414.3M  £430.9 M  £450.7 M Debit ratio 95.5% 110.2% 99.3% 98.7% 100.2 % Total Revenue  £695.8M  £677.7M  £716.3M  £926.5 M  £978.8 M Operating profit  £73.3M  £73.7M  £80.0M  £96.7M  £110.1 M Full year dividend 10.0p 11.0p 12.6p 15.0p Earnings Per share 18.5p 18.4p 20.4p 24.8p 29.9p Free cash flow  £(10.3)m  £48.9m  £65.3m  £66.2m  £69.7m Source: Summarized from Britvic plc Annual Report 2006,2007,2008,2009 A. Gearing Gearing is a measure of financial leverage, demonstrating the degree to which a firms activities are funded by owners funds versus creditors funds. The best known examples of gearing ratios include the debt-to-equity ratio (total debt / total equity), and debt ratio (total debt / total assets). Then we choose the debt ratio to measure the financial leverage. The debt ratio of the company is 95.5% in 2005, 110.2% in 2006, 99.3% in 2007, 98.7% in 2008, and 100.2% in 2009. And the debt ratio of company is around 100% in the five financial years. To some extent, the high debt ratio is risky for the company. So we can see that the company greatly relies on borrowing to support operation. Britvic Group with high gearing is more vulnerable to downturns in the business cycle because the company must continue to service its debt regardless of how bad sales are. And the interest bearing loans and borrowings is the main component of the liability, and the Proportion is 64.1% in 2005, 44.4% in 2 006, 60.0% in 2007, 58.8% in 2008, and 53.0% in 2009. So we can see that the company greatly relies on borrowing to support operation. Britvic Group with high gearing is more vulnerable to downturns in the business cycle because the company must continue to service its debt regardless of how bad sales are. If the loan interest rate is higher than Margin, the company should reduce the loans and borrowings in the coming financial years and enhance the capacity of managing liquidity risk. B. Cash flow Free cash flow is the amount of cash that a company has left over after it has paid all of its expenses, including investments. It is considered to be a proper indicator of a companys financial health. The amount of free cash flow of Britvic Group is negative in year 2005, and it becomes active since 2006, Chief Executive Paul Moody (2006) said that full deployment of both SAP and Siebel software has enabled us to reduce the demand on working capital and so improve our free cash flow. As we can see from the table, the number is increasing year by year, and reaches  £69.7m in year 2009. The enough cash flow indicates that the solvency of the company. And the good performance of the revenue and operating profit contribute to the free cash flow increase. The company overhead cost savings achieved through a range of initiatives including centralization and automation of indirect procurement. The revenue and the operating profit are both increasing for 5 financial years. Comparing with year 2007, the operating profit in 2009 is up by 20.8%, the revenue in 2008 is up by 29.3%. Although during the economic recession, Comparing with year 2008, the operating profit in 2009 is up by 13.8%, the revenue in 2009 is up by 5.6%. We can expect that the trend of the profit in future is promising. C. Earning per share and dividend policy Because the operating profit is increasing, the Earning per share increases moderately during the 5 financial years. The EPS is 18.5pence in year 2005, 18.4pence in year 2006, 20.4pence in year 2007, 24.8pence in year 2008, 29.9pence in year 2009. And compare with year 2008, the EPS increased by 20.5% in year 2009. And the company spent about 50% EPS to the shareholders. Full year dividend of the company is also increases moderately with EPS year by year. The full year dividend per share is 10.0pence in year 2006, 11.0pence in year 2007, 12.6pence in year 2008, 15.0pence in year 2009.That indicates Britvic Groups strong capacity to earn profit. And that can consolidate the confidence of the shareholders, also helps company financing through issuing shares other than loans and borrowings. SWOT analyses A. Strength In the past, the company focused on acquisition. Through finishing the acquisition of the brand like Tango, Robinsons, Orchid Drinks, Red Devil brand, water source one after another, Britvic Group develop quickly. The Britvic Group has a clear strategy for growth now. First, the company support and grow the core brands like Pepsi, fruit shoot, tango, Robinsons, j2o, 7up; second the company support the new band for tomorrow like drench, Gatorade, Pepsi raw, V water, Lipton iced tea; third, the company try to improving free cash flow and margins; fourth, the company try to operate internationally and expand into Europe. The acquisition of a soft drinks business in Ireland on 29 August 2007 represented an important step in the strategic development of Britvic ¼Ã‹â€ Britvic plc. 2007 ¼Ã¢â‚¬ °. And also the company focused on innovation. In 2008, the company launches two innovations Gatorade and Drench, and both have performed extremely well. The company promotes healthy lifestyle and provides a wide variety of soft drinks to meet customers needs, helping them make informed choices, marketing the drinks responsibly and promoting health, wellbeing and nutrition. As we discussed above, the Britvic Group holds strong market positions in Great Brittan and Ireland. And in this area, the customers like the brands of the company. Britvic have lots distribution within the Great Britain soft drinks market, and the distribution net are nearly every where in the country. And the company also holds good relationship with the resource suppliers. From the balance sheet, the trade and other payables is  £244.3 m in 2008,  £291.6 m in 2009 ¼Ã‹â€ Britvic plc. 2009 ¼Ã¢â‚¬ °, indicate that the Britvic has good reputation and the resource suppliers provide credit to the Britvic. B. Weakness Although the Britvic Group operates well in Great Britain and Ireland, compare with the transnational corporation in this industry like coca-cola enterprises, the size and the market of the Britvic is relatively limited. During the international development, the Britvic Group pays less attention to the local culture. That means in different area, an international company should operate locally. And in Ireland market, there are Category gaps, and the Britvic should launch more brands in Ireland market. And the Britvic Group has lots of brands, and that increase the difficult of operation. The marketing section have to focus the brands separately, that is really a challenge for the company. From the financial analyses, the debt ratio of the company is relatively high. And that indicate the company is prefer financing by borrowings and loans, and that may let the company in a risky conditions and may be more vulnerable to downturns in the business cycle. C Opportunity Over the next 20-25 years, the British population is expected to reach 70m from the current population of around 60m, and that indicates a growing market for the company ¼Ã‹â€ Britvic plc. 2008 ¼Ã¢â‚¬ °. Comparing with the past generation, Younger generations drink more purchased soft drinks less tea, coffee, alcohol, dairy drinks and tap water. European fast food culture and the carbonated drinks quite fit. So the company should seize the opportunity to launch more innovations to attract the new generation, Now the consumers pay more attention to healthy lifestyle, and that also provides a good opportunity for the company. The Britvic should launch more unique products to cultivate the customer loyalty. The company penetrate into European counties gradually, The Britvic Launch in-market activities in Holland, strong Robinsons squash activity in the Nordics, and Fruit Shoot in Sweden. The company also penetrates to Turkey and Bulgaria market. The company has new travel contracts in the airline and shipping sectors. And through the already successful Britvic International business, the company should explore ways to extend the availability of Britvics wholly-owned brands worldwide through franchising arrangements. D. Threat For the soft drink market in Great Britain and Ireland, there full of competition. Besides Britvic, for the GB soft drink take home market, the main market players are Coca-cola Enterprises, Britivic, GlaxoSmithKline, Danone, and Tropicana. For the GB soft drink licensed on-trade market, the main market players are Coca-cola Enterprises, Britivic, Redbull. In year 2009, the GB soft drink take home market share of Britvic is 12%, and the Coca-cola Enterprises market share is 27% ¼Ã‹â€ Britvic plc. 2009 ¼Ã¢â‚¬ °. The number of market share of Britvic in Europe almost increase a little. And for the global economic conditions, the 2008 crisis let the economy into recession. Lots of consumers is lost their job and in debt. So for the European market, also go through recession. How to conquer the recession, and hold the market position, is a challenging work to do for Britvic. Also the company faces financial risk that includes commodity price risk, interest rate risk, exchange rate risk, liquidity risk and credit risk. And the company operate internationally in the future will face the political and country risk. Risk management A. Foreign currency risk management Foreign currency risk is related to exposure to fluctuations to the sterling-US dollar and sterling-euro exchange rate. The group operates in euro-denominated countries and finances these partly through the use of foreign currency borrowings. Additionally cash generation from euro-denominated operations can be utilized to meet euro payment obligations in sterling denominated companies, providing a natural hedge. The group also has transactional exposures, which are from purchases of prime materials or commercial assets in currencies. Such purchases are made by euros and US dollars. On 27 September 2009, through forward foreign exchange contracts, the company hedged 48% of forecast exposures 12 months in advance, and the number in 2008 is 71% ¼Ã‹â€ Britvic plc. 2009 ¼Ã¢â‚¬ °. Where funding is raised in a currency other than the currency ultimately required by the Britvic, cross currency interest rate swaps are used. That can convert the cash flows to the required currency. These swaps have the same duration and other critical terms as the underlying borrowing. B. Country and Political risk management More and more countries in Europe pay more attention to the environment protection. If a company without awareness of that may face the risk of local government regulations. And Britvic has adopted an Environmental Management System which is certified to the international standard ISO 14001. The company also use recycled materials for packaging. Conflict between employer and employees in Europe market is a risk faced by any company. The strike of the employee can hinder the normal productions, so Britvic pay more attention to the employ welfares. And Britvic has reduced its accident frequency rate by 68% over the last 5 years ¼Ã‹â€ Britvic plc. 2009 ¼Ã¢â‚¬ °. Recommendations A. International strategy Based on Great Britain, the Britvic should target broad market. The company should walk out the Europe gradually. Through the already successful Britvic International business, the company should explore ways to extend the availability of Britvics own brands worldwide through franchising and licensing. Britvic also should target the emerging Asian market like China, India and so on. The population of China is largest in the world, and the new generation prefers soft drinks to traditional tea. So the company can competes with coca-cola in China market with the unique brand of healthy lifestyle. During the international development period, the company should learn the local culture first, and launch special designed products to the local market. That means operate locally. B. Qualified personnel and Innovation In the past, the company achieves success through innovation. The Britvic group should keep the spirit of innovation, and win more property right in the design of products. That is the winning points of the company for the future development. And the human resource sector should prepare qualified personnel for the group future construction.

Narrative †My Foolish Faith :: Personal Narrative Essays

Narrative – My Foolish Faith Life without hope in a dull, frustrating world congeals the stuff of human existence...almost. To some, born-lived-died is more than the plot of too many bad novels; it dooms them, chaining their lives to a Maslowian fate. Others drown the raw truth in unrelenting labor, raucous revelry, sunlit spring breezes, cigarettes at noontime, or the bottle. Yet some find hope in this droll, frustrating world, but they will not agree and cannot be sure of that hope. Or can they? Once I could not find hope. I still can't. That's why I leaped for joy when it found me instead. Somehow, by the Grace of God, I find myself with the only, single true hope, a nonsensical faith, a belief I cannot prove with mortal things, a book that turns a hopeless, droll, frustrating world into a beautiful, hopeful, droll, frustrating world where smallest intricacies and biggest setbacks bring joy alike. Did I say my faith makes no sense? I was right. No sane person in his wrong mind would agree to a divine Creator, Revealer, Saviour, Lord, and Friend. Unfortunately, human depravity ensures sane human wrong-mindedness. Once one obtains this hope, the difficulty of Christianity shifts from the foolishness of believing myths to the stupidity of doing what they say. This is my challenge, for God has revealed His will plainly and has promised to help His adopted children understand His Word, the Bible. Once a person agrees to accept the entire Bible as God presents it in the Bible, the test of faith (or mere hope) comes. A mere hoper won't bother (or dare) to keep exactly what God says; a person with true faith will not only try but succeed when he does. Because I have faith in Christ, have escaped the corruption that is in the world, am a partaker of the Divine Nature, and have received many great and precious promises from God Himself, my goal in life is to be diligent in my service of righteousness to God. The society we live in, like any that has seen the noonday sun since the day God spoke it into existence, is utterly depraved, and I am too. It is God himself in my life who works anything in my life that may seem to be faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. Yet there is a war in my life, a war I am very grateful for yet very weary of.

Gun Control Laws Take Guns Away from Law-abiding Citizens Essay

Gun control is a very big issue in the United States today. Many people don't agree with the gun control laws that they have today. Gun control laws only take guns away from law-abiding citizens. Many people have their own reasons for owning a gun. Why would the government want to make it harder for people to own a gun? People that own guns are not very likely to be attacked by criminals. Owning a handgun is one of the best ways of protection. The second amendment states "the right to bear arms" does this grant everyone a right to own a gun? Gun control laws have not been proven to do anything for citizens. Gun control laws just make it harder for a good guy to own a gun. Gun control laws are not a good idea. Gun control only takes guns away from law- abiding citizens and it does nothing to stop criminals from buying illegal guns, who are unlikely to obey the law and register their guns (Long 45). In many cases the term gun control is improperly used. The definition of gun control is; government regulation of possession and use of firearms by private citizens (Zimring 23). The government is using it as way to take our right to bear arms. There are many reasons that people want to own a gun. One of the main reasons that people own a gun is protection. In a survey given about guns, " self defense" was the primary reason for owning a gun (Nisbet 114). Guns provide a great source of psychological reassurance even among citizens who are not especially concerned about the fear of crime of being victimized (Long 53). The right of self-defense and the right to use firearms for defense of self and family are the cornerstone of individual rights enumerated in the U.S. constitution (Nisbet 89). Why does the government ... ...r when they own a gun. The second amendment clearly states "the right to bear arms" doesn't let the government try to change that. Don't let gun control laws fool the public, because they have not been proven to reduce crime at all. So go out and buy a gun before that right is taken away. Eventually guns might just be a thing of the past. So practice your right to protect your country and vote against gun control any time that you can. Work Cited Page Long, Robert. Gun Control. New York: H.W. Wilson co, 1989. Nisbet, Lee. The Gun Control Debate: You Decide. New York: Prometheus, 1990 Zimring, Franklin E. and Gordon Hawkins. The Citizens Guide to Gun Control. New York: Macmillan, 1987 Zimring, Franklin E. "Gun Control" The World Book Encyclopedia. 1995 ed. Media WatchÂâ€"June 1997 "Gun Rights Forces Outgunned on T.V." 23, April 1999

An Argument of Existentialism in ‘The Metamorphosis’ by Franz Kafka Essay

Argument: A person’s will to live is strongly linked to the opinions of loved ones have of that person. While some persons allow the will of their lives to become influenced to the opinions of their loved ones, others do not forget to factor the ideals of human existentialism. In order to appropriately approach the point brought across, one must factor in the underlying tone of the existentialist values of ‘The Metamorphosis’ as written by Frank Kafka. Although many existentialist philosophers hold conflicting values across the board, there are many key traits that follow existentialism. Therefore, I am inclined to, due to my level of understanding remain impartial towards both sides of the argued statement. Humans, as sentient beings, have free will and are responsible for the effects of what they decide to do. Existentialism also rejects the concept of ‘human nature’, a generalization that has become popular in attempting to identify objective external truths rather than the subjective for the individual approach. Thirdly, I say this because existentialism shows the indifference of the world towards us. Firstly, we all possess free will as independent entities apart from our society. As Gregor is dehumanized by his transformation, his family quickly deserts and rejects him of his former place in the household. The transformation can be seen as dehumanization as Gregor loses his human aspects to his self-sacrificial working ethic due to his family’s wages. One must make the balance between himself and society. When Gregor chooses work over himself, he quickly loses his humanity, hence, the transformation. Although being alienated from his family through his dehumanization causes him to ultimately lose his will for life, Gregor is yet a prime example of how free will creates a ‘cause and effect’ ripple due to the individual which is not influenced by another’s opinion but one’s subjective tastes. Additionally, a generalization cannot be approached for this situation. Existentialism as whole, strives to reject the idea of a human nature obtained by the external objective truths that cannot be applied to the subjunctive self. Instead, humans are radically liberated by their free will in order to shape their own life and defy any generalized ‘nature’. This is not seen in Gregor’s life or in Kafka’s novel. Irregardless, the existentialist value must be factored in an argued due to the underlying tone of the philosophy throughout the novel. Moreover, this approach dictates the world’s indifferent existence towards human beings. As possibly symbolized by Kafka where the household represents society’s indifference to its people, the Samsa family never cared for Gregor as the universe does to society. The absurdist branch of existentialism is then clearly revealed throughout the novel. The absurd nature of the novel highlights Gregor’s quest for purpose, for which he has lost due to the world’s indifference. It can only be here that existentialism can justify as an appropriate response. However, for some, this might not be a worthwhile approach due to the subjective nature of the mind. In conclusion, I remain indifferent to both sides due to the inability of existentialism to pinpoint whether or not this is appropriate. Human beings have free will, and this philosophy rejects the ideal of the objective truths of ‘human nature’. The will may be affected by absurdist, but infinitely varying across the board.