Alibaba Group Case Study Analysis Sample College Essay

A holding corporation for numerous affiliates, Alibaba Group Holding Limited, established on June 28, 1999, primarily operates in the business-to-business and business-to-consumer e-commerce, online shopping, and technology sectors (Alibaba Group, 2015). Jack Ma founded the company as an international wholesaler for the Alibaba.com commercial marketplace. Nevertheless, the business has developed and diversified into several related and unrelated areas via organic growth or acquisitions, notably enterprise-to-consumer (Aliexpress), business-to-business (Taobao), cloud computing, and information technology. The board of directors of Alibaba, under the direction of its creator and former CEO, has put into action a strategic vision, demonstrating excellent leadership skills by giving the company direction. By incorporating trends, risks, and possibilities into their strategic objectives, the executives have contributed to a positive difference. They have also consistently improved their tactics to position the business effectively in a changing worldwide marketplace and give Alibaba Group a competitive edge.

Even with its remarkable success, the business still has a long way to go as it works to keep its competitive position and keep expanding as it has for the past 20 years. This essay examines the business’s issues and offers suggestions or options for how it might handle the issues it has found.

Analysis of the External and Internal Business Environments

A review of the environment must be done to detect any obstacles or prospective issues that Alibaba may face in the coming years. Analyzing the external and internal business environments of the Alibaba group employing a variety of techniques and models is part of the environmental scanning process to detect present and possible problems or obstacles. In order to determine potential issues and difficulties confronting Alibaba Group Ltd., tools such as the SWOT assessment, the PESTEL framework, and Porter’s five forces are employed.

SWOT Analysis

A typical business evaluation technique, SWOT analysis, assesses a company’s internal context to determine its strengths and weaknesses and its external setting to determine prospective and actual threats and possibilities. Leadership can enhance the company’s efficiency by addressing the firm’s flaws, enhancing the business’s strengths, seizing opportunities, and countering threats. This situation’s threats and vulnerabilities will show Alibaba Group’s future and current issues.

Strengths

  • Effective leadership & management. The achievement of the Alibaba group is due to its the company’s strong and innovative leadership, particularly that of its creator and former chief executive officer Jack Ma, who stressed the need to put consumers before shareholders, in contrast to most businesses, which do the opposite (Bhowmik, 2012). In addition to creating an organization, Jack Ma and his group of leaders guided it toward brilliance and ethical conduct, as advised by the three interrelated leadership operations.
  • A very sizable clientele. A significant portion of Alibaba’s and its affiliates client base is growing as more individuals in China and around the world embrace online shopping. Due to its location in the nation with the largest population in the world, Alibaba has easy access to both present and potential clients.
  • A sizable and well-rounded range of products: The company’s diverse portfolio of goods and brands allows it to compete on several fronts while creating synergies within the group.
  • Strategic collaboration. The corporation has strategic alliances with other businesses, such as Alipay, providing a competitive edge.
  • Positive ties to the Chinese government: The corporation has a good working connection with the Chinese government and is unlikely to experience unfavorable government reactions.
  • A dominant market presence in China for both b2b and retail e-commerce: According to exhibits 7 and 8, the corporation dominates China, holding nearly half of the market’s share in business transactions, along with more than 50% in online retail.
  • Awareness of the brand is high both nationally and abroad thanks to Alibaba’s and its affiliates and goods’ widespread recognition.

Weaknesses

  • Control of counterfeits and quality: The business offers an environment for online sales, but it receives flak for its vendors’ sales of defective or fake goods. The company asserts that it invests millions in the battle against counterfeit goods.
  • Excessive reliance on the Chinese market: A great deal of the company’s revenue comes from the Chinese marketplace, making it very vulnerable to the collapse of the Chinese economy.
  • The company’s strong ties to the Chinese government are also a problem because they give the impression that the authorities may be in control of it.
  • The intricateness of its corporate organizations: It could be challenging to optimize every business because of its size.

Opportunities

  • The business can enter new foreign markets, including Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
  • Development because of increased internet usage.
  • Possibilities for expansion as the Chinese economy grows.
  • As the internet and processing power improves, expand the analytics, cloud computing, internet of matters, and machine learning industries.

Threats

  • It has enhanced regional and international competition. Chinese companies like Tencent, JD.com, and Biadu are posing growing competition for the company. On a global scale, the company is up against fierce competition from companies like Amazon, eBay, Flipkart, Oracle (cloud computing), and Best Buy.
  • Trade disputes. In the event of trade conflicts that make it difficult for sellers to ship or bring in goods, the company revenue may decrease.
  • Interference by the government. Interference from national and international governments could jeopardize the company’s development and capacity to achieve its objectives by passing burdensome rules and legislation.
  • Legal actions brought about by faulty products sold on the website. A client may start something.

PESTEL Analysis

PESTEL is a macro-environment assessment technique to examine an organization or company’s external and overall surroundings. The model analyzes possible and factual issues that the Alibaba Group is experiencing or may experience due to the macro environment. The following elements of the overall environment serve as the foundation for the model.

Political aspects

Political variables include taxation, trade regulations, rules, government stability, and welfare programs. They include influences brought about by the activities of political actors, including the government and its governing bodies. Although the political climate for the Alibaba Group is mainly positive in China, it runs the danger of political environment modifications, trade restrictions, and high taxation laws in other countries, including the US.

Economic variables

Impacts like GDP growth rates, total demand, employment, rates of interest, disposable income, and inflation are examples of economic forces. Due to their potential to affect consumer demand, these variables may impact Alibaba’s success. Alibaba’s sales and certainly its earnings will therefore rise as demand rises.

Social influences

Changes in social statistics, attitudes towards work or leisure, educational attainment, lifestyle changes, social mobility, financial inequality, and consumerism are just a few examples of social variables. Because the acceptability of online retailing is mainly responsible for Alibaba’s success, any change in how people view it will affect the company, depending on whether the attitude rises or falls in demand for e-commerce.

Technological factors

The influence of technological developments and advances on a firm is referred to as a technological component. These elements may involve the company’s technological investments and advancements in the larger market. Alibaba’s broad use of numerous technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing, among others, is one of the leading causes of its success (Balaba, 2016). Clients of Alibaba can use its “Tmall Global” portal to monitor and verify the delivery status of their international goods. The business has also made significant financial investments in Cainiao, a logistics for transporting items. Additionally, a cloud-based RMS (Remote Management System) is used by the Cainiao platform. The company’s AI Chatbot also facilitates communication between buyers and sellers by interpreting the other party’s words in their native tongue.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Alibaba Group’s capacity to be the leading platform for monopolistic firms that can offer affordable business solutions for small enterprises without the cloud to negotiate for lower costs underpins its unique technology solutions and sheer market strength (Balaba, 2016). Alibaba’s exclusive technologies give it the appearance of a monopoly (dominating the market and generating revenue via its monopoly hold), but at the same time, the way it operates as a global intermediary corresponding to both B2B clients and monopolistic market players (small businesses that rely on the Alibaba trading platform) gives Alibaba’s prospects on both the consumer/buyer and producer/supplier sides of the supply chain great competitiveness, openness, and price-setting adaptability.

Focusing on providing value-added to clients and consumers on both ends of electronic trading activity by providing cost-efficient solutions that operate while generating value downstream, including the final customer base, is the most effective method to maintain.

References

Alibaba Group. (2015). Company Website. Retrieved from http://www.alibabagroup.com/en/global/home.

Balaba, J. (2016). External and Internal Environment Analysis of the Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ResearchGate.

Bhowmik, R. (2012). Analysis on the Business Model of Alibaba.Com. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/ronibhowmik/analysis-on-the-business-model.

Exploring The Foundations And Contemporary Relevance Of Behavior Psychology Essay Example For College

Behaviorism, a school of thought within psychology, has significantly shaped our understanding of human behavior. Over time, various schools of thought have emerged with distinct perspectives and theories about the science behind this discipline. Among these schools is behaviorism which holds that observing behaviors and environmental factors is critical to comprehending human actions. The rise and development of Behavior Psychology can be attributed to contextual influences such as historical events and societal values surrounding efficiency, which led psychologists towards adopting an objective approach to studying the mind & behavior. The ideas behind it aimed to create verifiable scientific principles against thoughtful methods previously used for research. In addition, the application component also uses its Perspective on understanding how conditioning processes contribute extensively in modifying behaviors specifically through manipulation hence developing new strategies like Behaviour modification techniques. Today’s contemporary fields, including education sciences, Health sector behavioral disorders, etc., rely heavily upon insights derived from Behavioral Science. These Insights mainly relate to traditional Cognitive-behavioral therapy practices, further highlighting its impact across many disciplines. Therefore, this essay examines some Psychologists whose contributions shaped modern behavioral theory while analyzing influential drivers originating from external Contextual Influences punctuating relevance today.

Section 1: The School of Psychology (Behavior Psychology)

The study of observable behaviors and their correlation with the environment is what Behavior psychology, also known as behaviorism, focuses on. It emerged in response to reflective methods used by psychologists during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, wherein they sought empirical observation and experimentation for understanding human behavior, thus establishing psychology as a scientific discipline. Though commonly referred to as “behaviorism,” it has been termed behavioral psychology or approach depending upon the context where discussed while conditioning factors impacting learning affect focus areas consistently regardless of its name.

Several significant figures, including Ivan Pavlov, who developed principles based on his groundbreaking research, primarily fuelled research into classical conditioning, became associated with this field over time, shaping theories towards studying stimulus impacts more closely rather than just observing reactions without consideration thereof- paving the way for further studies that focused heavily around environmental stimuli’s impact on behavioral patterns eventually leading us closer within Psychology sciences one step at times.

John B. Watson, an American psychologist, is considered a significant figure in behavior psychology for his rejection of the study of internal mental processes and focus solely on observable behavior. He believed that environmental stimuli could be examined to understand specific behavioral responses. One famous demonstration from him shows how fears and phobias may be learned through classical conditioning, known as the “Little Albert” experiment, which provided empirical evidence for the influence of conditioning’s impact on behavior, solidifying perspective viewpoints(Mertens & Engelhard, 2020). B.F Skinner also played a vital role as he expanded upon principles within Behavior Psychology by examining operant conditioning leading to reinforcement where rewards or positive consequences strengthened behaviors. At the same time, punishment weakened them with aversive results shaping actions accordingly based on those choices, heavily influencing areas such as education, parenting methods, and medical practices over time(S et al., 2005).

The core principle of behavior psychology is that all behaviors, regardless of complexity or simplicity, are attributable to conditioning and learning processes. The approach asserts that humans come into the world as “tabula rasa” and that interactions with our surroundings play an important role in shaping our reactions. By exploring how stimuli affect responses and resulting outcomes over time, behaviorists aim to gain insights into how we acquire behaviors initially; sustain them subsequently while trying modifications at times (Farrow et al., 2017). The strength and limitations of behavioral psychology are due to its concentration on observable behaviors and dependence on empirical proof. The emphasis instilled by behaviorism towards objectivity and measurability has paved the way for creating precise experimental techniques with practical applications(S et al., 2005). However, resistant voices claim that focusing solely on external conduct ignores how internal mental processes or subjective experiences shape actions. Despite this debate, behavioral psychology’s contributions have been noteworthy in psychological research while influencing other domains such as clinical psychology, education, and organizational practices.

Section II: Contextual Influences

The development and evolution of behavior psychology have been influenced by various contextual factors, including historical events, social values, worldviews, and themes that shaped the field and its critical theorists. These contextual influences have played a crucial role in shaping the theoretical foundations and practical applications of behavioral psychology and its continued relevance in contemporary psychology.

One significant contextual influence on behavior psychology is the desire for objectivity and scientific rigor in psychology. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, psychology was striving to establish itself as a legitimate scientific discipline separate from philosophy and biology. This desire for scientific legitimacy led to a shift away from introspection and subjective methods of studying the mind and towards observable behaviors as the primary focus of the investigation. Behaviorism emphasizes objective observation and quantifiable data, aligned with this scientific ideal, and provided a systematic approach to studying behavior(Farrow et al., 2017). Another contextual influence on behavioral psychology was the societal values of efficiency and practicality. Behaviorism emerged during a period marked by industrialization and the need for efficient training and behavior management methods. Behaviorist principles offer practical tools for understanding and modifying behavior, making them appealing to fields such as education, industry, and clinical settings(Mertens & Engelhard, 2020). The focus on observable behaviors and the ability to manipulate them through conditioning processes provided practical applications aligned with the prevailing values of the time.

Moreover, the principles of behavior psychology were shaped by the commonly held positivist Perspective that underscored empirical data and testability in a scientific investigation. The objective was to examine behavior scientifically by concentrating on observable events, which could be measured and scrutinized impartially(Mertens & Engelhard, 2020). This outlook played an instrumental role in shaping behavioral concepts and techniques as it reinforced experimental exploration coupled with factual observations as fundamental elements for gaining insights into human actions. Behavior psychology remains a crucial aspect of contemporary psychological research, offering valuable insights into behavior and shaping the field’s approach to scientific inquiry(Cooper & Dunsmoor, 2021). Its emphasis on objectivity and rigorous methodology continues to inform research practices across various domains, including education, clinical psychology, and organizational behavior.

Moreover, Behavior Psychology has played a crucial role in influencing other forms of therapy; cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an example that integrates behavioral principles with cognitive processes for effective solutions addressing several mental disorders. Additionally, its focus on observable behaviors has expanded awareness about social determinants affecting individual outcomes, such as environmental influences through reinforcement contingencies which inform interventions focusing mainly on addiction management programs. The contextual impacts discovered by Behavioral Psychology have significantly contributed to modern-day(Cooper & Dunsmoor, 2021). Psychological frameworks by emphasizing empirical approaches while highlighting practical applications within diverse fields of study like CBT therapies or studies regarding societal factors impacting personal actions/choices – thereby broadening our knowledge base exponentially.

To sum up, contextual factors have played a pivotal role in shaping the development and relevance of behavior psychology within contemporary psychological discourse. The emphasis on scientific objectivity, efficiency, practicality, and positivism has been instrumental in molding behaviorism’s focus on observable behaviors, conditioning processes, and their application across diverse domains. Furthermore, this branch of psychology has also impacted broader developments by contributing to theories that integrate behavioral principles with other approaches while acknowledging social determinants of human behavior. By contextualizing these influences, we may better appreciate how they form part of the foundations and ongoing influence exerted by behavior psychology throughout all areas within a modern-day psychological study.

Section III: Research

Extensive research has been conducted in behavior psychology, emphasizing conditioning processes and observable behaviors. This study aims to understand human behavior better and explore its practical applications. In this section, we will delve into various field research areas, emphasizing essential discoveries that have significant implications for contemporary psychology.

Behavior psychology research specifically focuses on the involvement of conditioning in fear and anxiety disorders. Pavlov’s renowned experiments demonstrated classical conditioning, instrumental in developing and maintaining phobias and anxious responses. Scientists have delved into studying the processes involved in acquiring fearful reactions through conditioning while examining how to comprehensively eliminate these fears with effective interventions for anxiety issues(Farrow et al., 2017). Research studies indicate exposure therapies as beneficial by exposing individuals to their particular feared stimuli within controlled settings inducing extinction learning, thereby minimizing those emotions’ incidence levels, just like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or any different forms of phobia development prompting more evidence-based treatments formulation suitable for such cases currently employed nowadays

Behavior psychology has played a significant role in comprehending learning procedures and creating efficient teaching methods. The implementation of operant conditioning principles, such as reinforcement or punishment, in educational environments has been extensively researched by experts. According to studies, offering positive encouragement for desirable behaviors can improve motivation levels and lead to better learning results. On the other hand, punishment is deemed less effective since it may result in adverse emotional outcomes instead(S et al., 2005). As a consequence of these findings, various forms of encouraging appropriate behavior have emerged, including conduct alteration programs and token economies within classrooms that emphasize positivity rather than negativity when rewarding students’ actions effectively are rewarded positively).

Behavior Psychology has dramatically aided the field of health behavior change. Research efforts have primarily focused on identifying the factors that shape essential behaviors related to one’s physical well-being, such as quitting smoking, engaging in regular exercise, and adhering strictly to medical treatment regimens for chronic illnesses. Operant conditioning principles were used effectively in devising customized interventions to change unwanted or harmful habits by facilitating rewarding results (Mertens & Engelhard, 2020). For example, an incentive scheme targeting people who attain a specific set of health goals may be established, positively reinforcing expected results using tangible rewards.

Existing research studies conducted within addiction psychology examine underlying processes involved with substance abuse disorders across various contexts; environmental cues are shown how they contribute significantly towards fostering addictive tendencies among individuals continually exposed to them over time – drug-associated activities could activate craving responses via classical conditioning methods leading back into familiar old patterns responsible for relapse episodes seen during attempts made regarding curbing these addictions/behaviors(Cooper & Dunsmoor, 2021). additionally influencing successful recovery probabilities overall from addiction-related harm reduction endeavors, specifically personalized tuning techniques focusing heavily emphasizing recognition allowing preventable measures, step-wise monitoring solutions strategized following contingency management basics, repeated transparency holding steps accountable assurance procedures put firmly hand-on-heart client-centered helper team approach strategies involving cue exposure therapy practices taken extremely seriously nowadays

in conclusion, have gained valuable insights into various aspects of human behavior, uncovering the underlying mechanisms and informing practical applications. Researchers have deepened our understanding of conditioning processes in their development and treatment by investigating fear and anxiety disorders. Education research has emphasized positive reinforcement as a critical teaching strategy; likewise, behavioral principles continue to underpin innovation in health interventions that affect lasting change. Insights from studies on addictive behaviors have added significant knowledge about substance abuse’s role in involving conditioning processes responsible for addiction onset or perpetuation.

Conclusion

The discipline of behavior psychology, also known as behaviorism, is a highly significant school of thought in psychology that focuses on studying observable behaviors and their correlations with environmental factors. Esteemed figures like Pavlov, Watson, and Skinner have played instrumental roles in developing classical and operant conditioning theories within this area. Behaviorism has been shaped by contextual influences such as the desire for objectivity, scientific rigor in psychological research, and societal values emphasizing efficiency and practicality. Behavior psychology continues to wield considerable impact even today beyond its origins; it remains influential across various branches of modern-day psychology, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or applied behavioral analysis (ABA). These approaches apply principles derived from behaviorist tenets towards addressing numerous mental health issues ranging from anxiety/depression management to addiction/recovery support alongside treating different behavioral challenges/disorders throughout people’s lives.

Behavior psychology remains relevant and impactful in modern psychology due to ongoing research and implementation of its principles. When combined with other psychological approaches, behaviorism provides researchers and practitioners with a complete understanding of human behavior while developing effective interventions for addressing various mental health issues. Behavior psychology’s continued contribution has helped advance the field and improve individuals’ lives and society overall. To conclude, the school of thought called behavior psychology holds much significance within the field of psychology. Historical events have influenced its primary focus on observable behaviors and environmental impact and continue adding context to modern psychological practices. By conducting research and applying practical techniques, this branch further broadens our comprehension of human behavior while also serving as a critical tool for handling various mental health concerns that all together improve an individual’s general well-being.

References

Cooper, S. E., & Dunsmoor, J. E. (2021). Fear conditioning and extinction in obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews129, 75–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.026

Farrow, K., Grolleau, G., & Ibanez, L. (2017). Social Norms and Pro-environmental Behavior: A Review of the Evidence. Ecological Economics, pp. 140, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.04.017

Mertens, G., & Engelhard, I. M. (2020). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence for unaware fear conditioning. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews108, 254–268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.11.012

S, L., As, P., Eb, M., Ea, P., G, W., C, G., & Ds, P. (2005, November 1). Classical Fear Conditioning in the Anxiety Disorders: A Meta-Analysis. Behavior Research and Therapy. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15885654/

Correlation Between Minorities Today And The Races In Dragon Ball Z Free Writing Sample

Abstract

Minorities still deal with a variety of racism and discrimination-related problems in modern American culture. The porpose of this research is to explore the relationship between modern minority groups and how races are portrayed in the hugely successful anime series Dragon Ball Z. The research looks at how the show’s varied cast of characters either upends or challenges current social norms and prejudices. This study aims to investigate the significance of representation and how it affects audience perception using a mixed methodology analysis. This study reveals patterns and provides insight into the connection between minority representation and the production of race in the series by closely examining character qualities, storylines, and visual signals. This study reveals patterns and provides insight into the connection between minority representation and the production of race in the series by closely examining character qualities, storylines, and visual signals. A review of preliminary research, Dragon Ball Z’s character designs do include a variety of racial and ethnic traits, giving recognition to numerous minority groups. This study contributes to a more detailed understanding of the manner in which minorities are portrayed in contemporary media using Dragon Ball Z as a case study. By evaluating the intricate relationship between minorities today and the representation of ethnicities in the films, the current study illustrates the intricate connection between the entertainment industry and the norms of society. therefore, the resaerch emphasizes the value of accurate and insightful descriptions in encouraging greater diversity and inclusive depiction of minority groups. The investigation emphasizes the role of the media’s popularity in influencing conversations about society and cultural democracy, emphasizing the value of inclusive depictions.

Introduction and Statement of the Problem

A variety of racism and prejudices problems persist and plague minorities in modern American culture. Various minority population remain to experience disadvantages and inequality amid improvements in their civil rights and advancement in society.Numerous environments, including employment settings, the health care system, and educational institutions, are hostile to and marginalize minorities. The Dragon Ball Z series’ continuous Frieza Saga subtly draws attention to the numerous challenges that contemporary minorities encounter because to their race. The Frieza Saga from Dragon Ball Z, which has a diverse cast of characters and intricate storylines, ranks as one of the most lauded and well-known stories in the development of manga and anime series (Olson & Reinhard, 2020). Considering the fact that Dragon Ball Z is a fictional story, there are several similarities between the lives of minorities in contemporary society as well as the races in the anime. Anime is a well-known kind of entertainment that has a big effect on viewers. The present research attempts to look into how minorities are depicted in the anime series Dragon Ball Z in relation to current minority experiences.The research problem discussed in the current investigation seeks to shed light on the actual struggles and experiences of marginalized groups while also investigating the enduring ethnic and prejudice-related difficulties that minorities face in contemporary American society. This is done by connecting it to how races are portrayed in Dragon Ball Z. To successfully address minorities difficulties and work towards a society with greater equity, it is essential to comprehend the nature and scope of the issues.The importance of this study rests in its addition to our comprehension of the ongoing problems minorities confront as well as the function of popular media in creating inclusive environments and influencing public opinion.Consequently, the overall purpose of this study of literature is to evaluate the relationship between minorities in contemporary society and the races in the Frieza Saga of Dragon Ball Z.

Literature Review

Overview of theoretical approach

The present research uses an all-encompassing theoretical framework to investigate the relationship between minorities in modern society and how different races are portrayed in Dragon Ball Z. To give an extensive framework for research, this research depends on perspectives from social identity theory, representational theory in the media, and cultural theory. The film business continues to be a key branch for engaging consumers of media and producing cash in today’s oversaturated media landscape. The study of social identity theory focuses on how people create and preserve their sense of self in connection with their social environment. The theory can be used to examine how different races are represented in Dragon Ball Z in order to better comprehend how minority populations may connect with or interpret protagonists that are representative of their racial or ethnic origins. According to Malik et al. (2022), the theory of social identities examines how members of a particular group, particularly ethnic groupings, come to share an understanding of identity. Positive media portrayals thereby promote group identification, while negative media portrayals are associated with negative assessments of group members. Additionally, it investigates how non-minority audiences perceive and react to racial representation, taking into account the likelihood that prejudices will be reinforced or sympathy will be prompted.

The persistent racial and discrimination-related problems that minorities confront in modern American society can be examined through the lens of critical racism studies. The intersections between race, social structures, and systemic injustices are highlighted by the theoretical vantage point. Theoretical approaches make it possible to critically examine the historical, cultural in nature and political aspects of racial movement, making it easier to comprehend the larger framework in which minority perceptions and portrayals exist. Media representation theories are applied to look at how various ethnicities are portrayed in Dragon Ball Z. These hypotheses put a lot of focus on the ways the media creates and reinforces society norms, preconceptions, and stereotypes. (Malik et al., 2022). Theories from cultural studies offer a more comprehensive perspective on how popular media interacts with society. According to this viewpoint, media products like anime are impacted by and help shape societal principles, opinions, and customs rather than being independently made. Exploring how Dragon Ball Z, as a cultural artifact, responds to the current sociocultural environment in terms of minority representation is made possible by cultural studies ideas. It looks into the possibility of media challenging established narratives and promoting diversity.

Overview of Independent Variable

The cultural setting of Dragon Ball Z is investigated as an independent factor that affects the depiction of races. The cultural setting entails societal norms, social customs, and historical factors that have an impact on how various races are portrayed. By examining the cultural context, the study investigates whether the series conforms to or rejects existing racial practices and standards. By thinking about how the depiction of various races in Dragon Ball Z interacts with the cultural landscape of contemporary American society, the dynamic relationship between the entertainment industry, culture, and the formation of racial identities throughout the entire manga series is revealed. There has been debate over whether the Dragon Ball Z episode “Frieza Saga” and how it depicts different races have anything to do with actual ethnic and discriminatory concerns. Saiyans, Namekians, and Frieza’s own species are only a few of the races represented in the Frieza Saga of Dragon Ball Z. Groups frequently clash because each tribe has distinctive qualities and abilities that distinguish them different from the others. A warrior race with extraordinary strength and a fierce sense of respect, Saiyans are known as the Saiyans. The kind, spiritual Namekians have their ears that allow them to communicate telepathically and can regenerate amputated limbs. The Frieza race is incredibly powerful, capable of changing into many forms, and skilled in energy manipulation (Olson & Reinhard, 2020). In light of these fundamental differences, every race must deal with its unique challenges and prejudices throughout the Frieza Saga. For instance, the Saiyans are initially shown as a violent and barbaric species, but as the series progresses, viewers learn more about their history and customs and see how challenging it is for people to strike a balance between their desire to do the right thing and their past acts. People are treated cruelly and oppressively by Frieza and his minions, who aim to take the Namekians’ Dragon Balls and imprison their people. The Namekians need to collaborate and rely on their own strengths to overcome these challenges. For in stance the entire population and specific racial and culture minority groups, such as African Americans, Native Americans, and Latino experience disparities across an assortment of health indices. According to Shepherd et al.’s (2018) study, certain populations may experience worse levels of treatment as a result of health practitioners’ prejudicial mindsets or viewpoints.

The portrayal of races in Dragon Ball Z is heavily impacted by character design, an independent variable. Characters creation consists of a number of components, such as visual clues, physical characteristics, and cultural markers that collectively influence how races are portrayed and create connections to certain minority groups. Manga has distinctive and instantly recognizable art. Like other comic book genres, manga frequently uses black and white and has characters with large, brilliant eyes. These stories will feature characters with larger-than-average eyes. Japanese characters’ large eyes make a powerful impression on viewers. Rarely does another country’s artwork use this design. However, the physical dimensions of human anime characters frequently mimic real-world human body measurements. Character design depends heavily on visual cues because they instantly convey a character’s race and ethnicity. Personality encompasses traits including skin tone, facial structure, haircuts, and fashion choices. These visual cues are used in Dragon Ball Z to distinguish between races and produce a diverse cast of protagonists. In contrast to Namekians, who have skin that is green, antennas, and a more humanistic look, Saiyans are frequently shown as having spiky hair, protruding ears, and a muscular frame. The aesthetic differences contribute to how each ethnic group is portrayed uniquely and have an impact on how viewers perceive and connect to the portrayed personalities. Another element of character design that affects how different races are portrayed is their physical characteristics. Physical characteristics like body types, movements, and facial expressions might reveal cultural prejudices and preconceptions. In Dragon Ball Z, physical characteristics are frequently emphasized or stylised in order to emphasize the distinctiveness and recognizability of each race. For instance, certain characters’ depictions of their ripped bodies and intimidating demeanors may fit preconceptions of specific racial groups. Character design in Dragon Ball Z serves to indicate the racial identities and cultural origins of the various races. These symbols may be partially or totally imagined, or they may be inspired by actual cultures. Characters from the Namekian race, for instance, may have dress and accessories that resemble those of Buddhist monks, whereas characters from the Goku or Vegeta races may have clothing and accessories inspired by conventional martial-arts outfits or Japanese folklore.

Dragon Ball Z uses narrative decisions as independent factors that have a big impact on how different races are portrayed.The series’ plots serve as a framework for the construction and examination of racial identities as well. The stories may deal with issues of prejudice, cultural diversity, or socioeconomic inequality and provide perspectives on the lives of minorities. Dragon Ball Z, for example, has narrative arcs wherein characters deal with discrimination and oppression because of their race or struggle with issues due to cultural distinctions. These plots offer the chance to consider how race is portrayed and how it affects the interactions and adventures of the characters, echoing the realities of minority groups in real life.

Episodes focusing on characters allow for a more thorough examination of ethnic identities and how they change over the series. Through narrative choices, Dragon Ball Z has the chance to consider and comment on actual minority experiences and issues. The characters in the movie offer a platform for refuting myths, promoting inclusivity, and boosting comprehension among viewers. By carefully analyzing Dragon Ball Z, the parallels and contrasts between contemporary minorities and the races portrayed in the anime can be determined. This is done by looking at the character relationships, interpersonal arcs, and plots.

Overview of Dependent Variable

The relationship between contemporary minorities and the portrayed races in Dragon Ball Z addresses the representation of racial stereotypes and the existence of diversity within the series. Saiyans, Namekians, Humans, and other races are among those seen in Dragon Ball Z, each with its own distinctive traits and skills. The way these ethnicities are portrayed calls attention to the series’ representation of diversity and its use of stereotypes. Researchers can determine if the series promotes pre-existing prejudices about races or challenging stereotypes by showing diverse and multiple dimensions characters. Racist tropes, such as the persistent portrayal of particular races as aggressive, powerful, or cognitively superior, may be present in Dragon Ball Z. These preconceptions have the potential to reinforce prejudiced beliefs. By featuring characters who break racial standards or display traits that are contrary to accepted preconceptions, the series may also aim to challenge preconceptions.By examining the traits, actions, and narratives related to each race.for instance, throughout the Frieza Saga, people of certain races have been subjected to unfair treatment or prejudice on the basis of their perceived powerlessness and incompetence. For instance, it is clear from Frieza’s treatment of the Namekians and how the Saiyans are initially portrayed as a ferocious and barbaric people. Inequitable treatment and prejudice toward members of specific minority groups do occur occasionally in modern society because of similar power dynamics. It can happen in a variety of ways, including institutional xenophobia and discrimination at work as well as bias and prejudice in everyday situations. Minority groups are commonly discriminated against or disadvantaged because of their seeming lack of status and influence. In Dragon Ball Z to combine two separate characters and increase their strength. Fusion can be viewed as a metaphor for unification and the power that results from different people coming together to operate as a team. It could function as an illustration of the value of working together among many racial and ethnic communities, highlighting how unity can bring about change and help people overcome obstacles.

For both men and women, gender differences bring opportunities as well as restrictions. Although there are differences between men and women, none of them are designed to suggest inferiority. According to the feminism theoretical viewpoint, gender is defined. The latter idea demonstrates how skewed against women society is. In fact, because of misconceptions, women face many injustices.In addition, women are underrepresented in politics and other leadership roles (Parmenter, 2015). Women are regarded as should be capable of performing domestic tasks like housekeeping. On the other hand, legislation pertaining to custody agreements are created with women in mind. . Women are always depicted in relation to men in Dragon Ball Z. For example, Chi-chi is presented as a controlling parent who is worried about her kids. Since Chi-Chi is married to Goku, she is mentioned in the narrative. She is not depicted as a character in and of herself as a result. Bulma is also portrayed as a sex object. Racist tropes, such as the persistent portrayal of particular races as aggressive, powerful, or cognitively superior, may be present in Dragon Ball Z. These preconceptions have the potential to reinforce prejudiced beliefs. By featuring characters who break racial standards or display traits that are contrary to accepted preconceptions, the series may also aim to challenge preconceptions.

Another dependent variable is how the many races in Dragon Ball Z affect racial debate and societal perceptions of race. Societal discouse consstites representation, appropriation of culture, and the lived experiences of minority groups are influenced by the depiction of races in the series.Since black people were predominantly utilized as slaves on cultivation, the representation carries racial implications. Whites limited the freedom of travel for slaves since they viewed them as their property. Before slaves could purchase their freedom, black people had to work long hours in unfavorable circumstances.A species of humanoid aliens that live on the planet Namek are known as Namekians in the Dragon Ball Z series. They have a distinctive culture, set of traditions, and religious beliefs. Similar to this, minority communities frequently own unique cultural identities that influence their relationships and experiences with the dominant culture. Despite being a minority community, the Namekians have managed to preserve their culture, serving as a metaphor for both the value of cultural legacy and the tenacity of underprivileged groups.For instance, manufactured creatures with superhuman ability are the Androids in Dragon Ball Z. Though first intended to be destructive weapons, aliens eventually developed cognition and individuality. Discussions about artificial intelligence and its potential effects on society can be compared to this story. The battle of the androids for autonomy and acknowledgement of their rights can be compared to ethical discussions on how to handle and integrate artificial beings in a world where humans predominate.

The issue of the correlation between minorities in society today and the races in Dragon Ball Z has a complex and intertwined interaction between the independent and dependent variables. The dependent factors of depiction of racial identities, viewer impressions and interpretations, social discourse and cultural impact, stereotypes and diversity within the series are all influenced and shaped by the independent variables, such as cultural context, character design, and narrative choices. The representation of ethnic identities in Dragon Ball Z is directly influenced by the independent factors of cultural setting, character design, and narrative decisions (Dean, 2018). There are several different races in Dragon Ball Z, including Saiyans, Namekians, and Humans, all of which have distinctive traits and skills. Visual representations of these races are influenced by the independent variable of character design. For instance, the Saiyan race is portrayed as having distinctive physical characteristics like tails, spiky the hair, and a warrior mindset. The visual clues, which are affected by character design, help the audience understand that the Saiyans are a strong and dominant race in the series.The cultural setting of the series affects how races are portrayed and how much they uphold or question current social conventions and expectations. The creation of characters, which includes visual cues, physical characteristics, and cultural markers, is essential in determining how races are portrayed and how they are linked to certain minority groups. Additionally, the series’ narrative decisions—including storylines, characters arcs, and interactions—help to shape and reflect various racial identities.therefore, it is possible to view the experiences of the various races in Dragon Ball Z as a depiction of racial prejudice and racial issues in real-world communities. One may compare clashes between different oppressive systems to the power struggles between Frieza and Goku, which are a major plot point in the saga. The conflicts between Frieza and Goku also represent the oppositions between good and evil and the idea of justice.

People’s thoughts and interpretations are dependent variables that are influenced by the independent factors. The way various races are presented in Dragon Ball Z, as well as the choices made concerning cultural backdrop and character design, affect how viewers watch and understand the series. Character design affects viewers’ understanding of racial representation through visual clues and connections, while the cultural context provides a framework. The audience’s enthusiasm, feelings for others, and comprehension of racial issues are also impacted by narrative decisions. Through its storylines and character interactions, Dragon Ball Z tackles a number of social topics, such as identity, equality, and discrimination. For instance, themes of resilience against oppressive powers are highlighted in the plot regarding the Namekian race and their battle for survival against the evil Frieza.The clash between the Z Fighters and Frieza’s soldiers is a metaphor for the challenges minorities face in society as they fight for freedom and equality. Despite recent improvements, the LGBTQ+ community, for instance, still faces prejudice and intimidation in many areas of society (Dean, 2020).A number of minority groups who have historically campaigned for equal opportunities and involvement in the real world are comparable to the Namekians in their quest for autonomy of conscience and protection from punishment.

Cultural influences on Dragon Ball Z cause it to reflect and question established social conventions and beliefs. For instance, because of his overstated features, the portrayal of Mr. Popo—a genie-like figure with black skin—raised questions about assumptions about race. The piece in question shows how cultural background can either support or contradict prejudices present in the series. Dragon Ball Z, however, also exemplifies instances of variety by featuring characters like Piccolo, a Namekian who forges complex connections and progresses past conventional assumptions. This representation dispels racial preconceptions and advances a deeper appreciation of diversity throughout the series. Cultural influences on Dragon Ball Z cause it to reflect and question established social conventions and beliefs. For instance, because of his overstated features, the portrayal of Mr. Popo—a genie-like figure with black skin—raised questions about assumptions about race. The piece in question shows how cultural background can either support or contradict prejudices present in the series. Dragon Ball Z, however, also exemplifies instances of variety by featuring characters like Piccolo, a Namekian who forges complex connections and progresses past conventional assumptions. This representation dispels racial preconceptions and advances a deeper appreciation of diversity throughout the series.

Research Question & Hypotheses

RQ: What is the Correlation Between Minorities Today and The Races In Dragon Ball Z

H1: The way races are portrayed in Dragon Ball Z is a reflection of the cultural setting and societal conventions that minorities face in modern society

H2:The fictional decisions made in Dragon Ball Z reflect actual events and problems faced by underrepresented groups, foster a better understanding of racial prejudice, other forms of discrimination and diversity

These ideas try to investigate how Dragon Ball Z’s portrayal of various races affects minorities nowadays and how it either upholds or subverts racial conventions and mindsets. T. These ideas will be put to the test through empirical research and data gathering in order to advance knowledge of the relationship between modern minorities and the races depicted in Dragon Ball Z.

Methodology

A mixed-methods strategy combining qualitative and quantitative research techniques was used to examine the relationship between minorities in society today and the races shown in Dragon Ball Z. The use of this technique made it possible to examine the subject in great detail while taking into account both personal opinions and factual information. Conducting interviews with people who possess knowledge with regard to the series, which included fans, academics, and creators, was a part of the research’s qualitative component. In-depth information about their perceptions of how races are portrayed in Dragon Ball Z and how it relates to current minority experiences was gathered through semi-structured interviews. The primary topics discussed in the interviews were stereotypes, diversity, and issues with the cultural setting, character development, and narrative decisions. The conversations were taped, written down, and then thematically examined to find trends and commonalities. In order to investigate audience views and clarifications, a quantitative study was done. To gather information on participants’ demographics, knowledge with Dragon Ball Z, opinions of the show’s racial representation, and the effect on their impressions of diversity and broader society, a survey questionnaire was designed. Targeting a wide spectrum of responders, the questionnaire was distributed online through numerous websites and social media channels. To find relationships between variables and offer quantitative knowledge, the acquired data has been assessed using computational techniques such as descriptive statistical methods and correlational analysis.

Secondary research using archives, library resources, and online sources was carried out as an addition to the initial data gathering. To learn more about the subject, examine the literature, and comprehend the current cultural and historical context around minorities, i reviewed academic publications, books, articles, and reliable websites. These resources gave me useful information about conceptual frameworks, earlier research, and critical evaluations of how races are portrayed in media, such as Dragon Ball Z. As part of the investigation, individual episodes, characterization arcs, and plotlines from Dragon Ball Z were examined. In order to do this, it was necessary to carefully review pertinent scenes and speech to look for cases of racial portrayals, cultural cues, and depictions of minority perspectives. To fully comprehend the relationship between modern-day minorities and the races shown in Dragon Ball Z, outcomes from the qualitative interviews, the quantitative questionnaire, and literature analysis were combined.

Results

the resaerch study finds that the terrible problems that minorities experience today are powerfully allegorized in the Frieza Saga from Dragon Ball Z. For instance, Frieza oppresses and mistreats Gohan and the Namekians, much like the manner in which individuals of color are currently mistreated in our society. In the same way that minorities today have greater resources and opportunities, the Namekians and Z-fighters persevere and develop new skills. The fact that Goku sacrifices his life to save the Namekians draws attention to the correlation between minority groups’ use of power for the benefit of their community (Reece, 2020). The Saiyans are described in Dragon Ball Z as a warrior species who endured persecution because of their great power and perceived threat to other races. This reflects the struggles minorities face today in the USA, where racial and ethnic discrimination and stereotyping are commonplace.Characters like Vegeta and Goku, who continually fight prejudices and are made assumptions based only on their Saiyan origin, can be paralleled to minorities that undergo racist discrimination and are prejudged because of their ethnic origins in real life.

According to the study, the clash between the Z Fighters and Frieza’s forces is a metaphor for the challenges minorities face as they fight for justice and freedom. Despite recent improvements, the LGBTQ+ community, for instance, still faces discrimination and harassment in many areas of society.The results of the qualitative interview analysis showed that the cultural background and societal standards have an impact on how different races are portrayed in Dragon Ball Z. The bulk of the characters in the series have physical characteristics including pale complexion and European features that are typical of the majority race in modern American society. Even if there have been gains in recent years, there are still issues with media portrayal, particularly in the United States. The idea of representation goes beyond simple inclusion; it calls for the truthful portrayal of characters from all backgrounds and the development of compelling narratives for individuals. Despite racial diversity was highlighted in Dragon Ball Z, a wider variety of races and ethnicities are represented in contemporary USA society.

The connection between modern-day minorities and the races in Dragon Ball Z is the idea of the relationship between power and prejudice. Throughout the Frieza Saga, people of certain races have been subjected to disproportionate treatment on the basis of their perceived powerlessness and inferiority. Minority groups are often discriminated against or disadvantaged in USA contemporary society because of their perceived lack of power and authority.The evaluation of Dragon Ball Z’s narrative decisions showed how they affected conversation about society and cultural perspectives. Through its plots and character conversations, the television show examines issues of prejudice, sense of self, and connections to power. For instance, respondents found that Vegeta’s forgiveness and development in the Saiyan character’s storyline resonated as a representation of personal growth and the possibility for people to transcend stereotypes and expectations.

Discussion

The similarity between modern-day minorities and the ethnicities represented in Dragon Ball Z prompts crucial debates on diversity, stereotyping, representation, and the influence of media on public attitudes. The results of this study provide insight into the nuanced racial identities present in the series as well as their relationship to current social norms and cultural surroundings. The qualitative research showed that, with a preference for characters with fair complexion and European characteristics, Dragon Ball Z frequently represents races in accordance with the dominant racial norms in modern American society. However, the show also featured characters like the Namekians who disproved preconceptions and highlighted diversity. In modern culture, there has been much debate about racial inclusiveness and diversity, as well as minority representation in the media.The contradictory treatment of minorities in the Frieza Saga presents an exciting opportunity to examine how minorities are portrayed in media and how audience perceptions may be impacted by these portrayals. The Frieza Saga is a fantastic example of how the inclusion of minority characters can disseminate positive messages in an engaging and powerful way. In light of this, research identifies a the association between modern-day minorities and the races depicted in Dragon Ball Z was found to be significantly influenced by racial identity portrayal, audience perceptions and opinions, social impact, and the affect of stereotypes. In addition, the quantitative research of viewer opinions and interpretations revealed how Dragon Ball Z had a significant impact on how audiences see diversity and ethnicity. Participants from different racial origins highlighted the significance of accurate representation and the demand for more nuanced portrayals, demonstrating that the series had a substantial impact on audience views and viewpoints.

Conclusion

The resaerch has examined on the parallels and discrepancies between the races in the Frieza Saga of Dragon Ball Z and minorities in modern culture. It is possible to see the racial tensions and power dynamics in the Frieza Saga as a reflection of current racial prejudice and problems in America. For instance, the struggles of the Namekians in the Frieza Saga are akin to those of other marginalized communities battling for freedom from oppression and self-determination today. Although the Frieza Saga is a fictional novel, its themes and protagonists offer a unique perspective on problems with racial cultures. As a result, the series helps viewers better comprehend the ongoing problems of many minority groups in the contemporary American community.therefore, The debate on the connections between modern-day minorities and the races represented in Dragon Ball Z highlights the necessity for media to embrace inclusivity, confront prejudices, and offer a voice to other perspectives and experiences. People may work regarding an equitable and welcoming society that values diversity and encourages good improvements in society by objectively analyzing and comprehending how ethnic identities are portrayed and have an influence on media franchise like Dragon Ball Z.

References

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Dean, Z. M. L. (2018). Only a Chilling Elegy: An Examination of White Bodies, Colonialism, Fascism, Genocide, and Racism in Dragon Ball. In Comics Studies Here and Now (pp. 267-280). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781351015271-19/chilling-elegy-zachary-michael-lewis-dean

Diaz Pino, C. (2019). Weaponizing collective energy: Dragon Ball Z in the anti-neoliberal Chilean protest movement. Popular Communication17(3), 202-218https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15405702.2018.1554807.

Dragon Ball Super 2: “The Movie 2023” – “Goku vs GODS” – Goku and Vegeta against EVERYONE! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhWjnTa03xs

Jackson, G. (2018, July 5).  Why Black Men Love Dragon Ball Z. Kotaku. https://kotaku.com/why-black-men-love-dragon-ball-z-1820481429

Malik, M. I., Hopp, F. R., & Weber, R. (2022). Representations of Racial Minorities in Popular Movies. Computational Communication Research4(1), 208-253. https://computationalcommunication.org/ccr/article/view/106

Olson, C. J., & Reinhard, C. D. (2020). The Greatest Cult Television Shows of All Time. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Ql3UDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=Olson,+C.+J.,++Reinhard,+C.+D.+(2020).+The+Greatest+Cult+Television+Shows+of+All+Time.+Rowman&ots=AnyJ8-NQZT&sig=o0iGNx6nlbfD6ynR4yY4OiCCZ6s&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

Parmenter, J. G., Blume, A. K., Crowell, K. A., & Galliher, R. V. (2019). Masculine gender-role congruence among sexual minority men. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling13(2), 134-151. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15538605.2019.1597819

Reece, E. N. (2020). Exploring African American Representation within Japanese Manga and Animation from 1980 to 2019 (Doctoral dissertation, Texas Southern University). https://www.proquest.com/openview/8ff8985a256c9c7a2d8bd45fa015620b/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=51922&diss=y

Shepherd, S. M., Willis-Esqueda, C., Paradies, Y., Sivasubramaniam, D., Sherwood, J., & Brockie, T. (2018). Racial and cultural minority experiences and perceptions of health care provision in a mid-western region. International journal for equity in health17, 1-10. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12939-018-0744-x

Appendices

Figure 1 rate of racial bias in USA

ate of racial bias in USA

Figure 2About a quarter of Americans wi

2About a quarter of Americans wi

Figure 3 racism is still a problem in America, their local community was more racially and ethnically mixed

3racism is still a problem in America

Figure 4 Protesters gather in Harlem to protest the recent death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020 in New York City

4Protesters gather in Harlem to protest the recent death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020 in New York City