Opportunism refers to taking advantage of circumstances or opportunities as they arise, rather than following a predetermined plan. It involves being flexible and adaptable to changing situations in order to exploit favorable conditions. Opportunism is often contrasted with commitment – while opportunists change course whenever a better option emerges, committed individuals stick with their original plan regardless of new developments.
In business, opportunism often carries negative connotations of self-interest and a lack of ethics. However, some degree of opportunism can also be positive – taking advantage of new technologies, market shifts or partnerships as they become available. The key is balance – being open to new possibilities while maintaining core values and priorities.
Key Characteristics of Opportunism
Some key characteristics of opportunism include:
– Flexibility – Opportunists are adaptable and willing to change plans to take advantage of better options rather than sticking rigidly to an initial strategy. This flexibility allows them to capitalize on changing circumstances.
– Immediacy – Opportunists focus on the short-term and immediate gains rather than long-term consequences. They want to maximize benefits in the present moment.
– Self-interest – Opportunists often pursue their own self-interest over adhering to rules, norms or concern for others. Their priority is personal profit rather than ethics or ideologies.
– Lack of commitment – Since opportunists change course frequently, they have difficulty committing to people, organizations or causes for the long-term. Loyalty and consistency are not priorities.
– Risk-taking – Their flexible approach often means opportunists are comfortable with uncertainty and are willing to take on risk. They may act boldly despite unknown outcomes.
– Seizing chances – Opportunists are constantly on the lookout for openings to advance their interests. They mobilize quickly when promising new possibilities arise.
Examples of Opportunism
There are many examples of opportunism that may arise in politics, business, and everyday interpersonal interactions:
Politics
– A politician reverses policy positions or shifts beliefs to win popular support and get elected. Their stances are shaped by popularity rather than ideology.
– A political party obstructs normal governmental processes as leverage to gain concessions on pet projects or force compromises.
– A lobbyist or special interest group makes deals and partnerships based on convenience rather than shared values. They ally with whoever can best serve their priorities.
Business
– An entrepreneur starts multiple new businesses within a short time frame, moving quickly from venture to venture seeking a profitable opportunity.
– A company violates industry norms or regulations in order to maximize profits and gain an advantage over competitors.
– Upper management lays off employees and outsources jobs at the first sign of declining revenue to protect their own bonuses and benefits.
Interpersonal Relations
– A person reveals sensitive information told to them in confidence when it becomes socially advantageous to embarrass or discredit someone.
– A “fair weather friend” acts friendly when times are good but distances themselves when someone is going through hard times.
– Someone flatters and compliments a superior excessively so they will be granted favors and advancement.
Quizlet Example
On the Quizlet site, which allows users to create digital flashcards for study purposes, here is an example of a flashcard set with opportunism examples:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Reversing policy positions to win votes | Political opportunism |
| Pursuing many ventures seeking profit | Business opportunism |
| Obstructing government to force compromises | Political opportunism |
| Outsourcing jobs when revenue declines | Corporate opportunism |
| Inventing wild stories for attention | Tabloid opportunism |
| Distancing from friends when in need | Interpersonal opportunism |
This flashcard set provides examples of opportunism across domains – politics, business, tabloid journalism and interpersonal relationships. A student studying opportunism and ethics may use these flashcards to test themselves on applying the opportunism concept to varied scenarios. The concise term/definition format allows for quick testing of one’s grasp of the concept.
Conclusion
In summary, opportunism refers to flexibility and self-interest in taking advantage of changing circumstances for personal benefit rather than following ideological commitments. It can manifest in politics, business, and everyday social exchanges. Key traits of opportunism include adaptability, immediacy, self-prioritization, lack of loyalty, and risk-acceptance. Examples on a Quizlet study set could include reversing policy positions, pursuing quick profits, obstructing governments, outsourcing jobs, sensationalist journalism, and distancing from struggling friends. In moderation, opportunism can be beneficial, but unchecked it leads to unethical behavior and betrayal. As challenges arise, maintaining principles and balance is crucial.