Final answer:
Factors like human selfishness, individual incentives, and competition from other firms undermine the spirit of cooperation in business. Challenges such as social barriers, ideological beliefs, and mistrust of collective organizing also play a role. Together, these factors create a complex environment where cooperation is difficult to achieve.
Step-by-step explanation:
Factors Undermining Business Cooperation
According to Bowie, there are several factors that tend to undermine the spirit of cooperation in a business. Some of these factors include: human selfishness by nature; individual incentives that may harm the group; high transaction and conformity costs; excessive paperwork and work overload; lack of positive feedback; threat of physical violence; and the divisive nature of groups that can lead to confrontations and empower oppressive ideologies. Competition from other firms with better or cheaper products, leading to reduced profits or business failure, can also undermine cooperation, as it places pressure on both businesses and workers, potentially leading to job loss.
Moreover, social and cultural barriers, such as racism and language differences, as well as ideological beliefs in individual work ethic, can hinder collective efforts such as unionization. The general public's mistrust of collective organizing and the associated violence can further confirm the belief that radical elements are behind these efforts, thus damaging the potential for collaboration.
In conclusion, these issues highlight that achieving cooperation in business is complex, with multiple factors playing a role in often undermining collaborative spirit within organizations.