The text states that strategic decisions are (1) rare, (2) consequential, and (3) directive. These deal with the long-term future of the entire organization. These guidelines for making and evaluating decisions at a strategic level can be important for leaders.
Open today’s issue of The Wall Street Journal and look for an article about new moves being made by a corporation, specifically the decisions that are strategic. At what level is each of the decisions that you identified? Functional/Business/Corporate? Why do you believe this to be the case? What is your assessment of these decisions? Will they be effective? Why? How have you decided this?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Analyzing Strategic Decisions in a Corporate Setting
In the dynamic world of business, strategic decisions play a pivotal role in shaping the long-term direction and success of an organization. The characteristics of strategic decisions – rarity, consequence, and directive nature – make them crucial for leaders in charting the course for their companies. By examining a recent article from The Wall Street Journal about new moves by a corporation, we can delve into the level of decision-making and assess their potential effectiveness.
The article titled “XYZ Corp Unveils Bold Expansion Plan in Renewable Energy Sector” highlights the corporation’s strategic decisions aimed at diversifying its portfolio and capitalizing on the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions. The decisions identified in the article can be categorized as corporate-level decisions based on their significance in shaping the overall direction and future of the organization as a whole.
The move to expand into the renewable energy sector represents a strategic decision at the corporate level as it involves significant resource allocation, market positioning, and long-term implications for the entire organization. This decision aligns with the definition of strategic decisions as rare, consequential, and directive, reflecting a deliberate choice to drive sustainable growth and competitive advantage.
My assessment of these strategic decisions leans towards their potential effectiveness based on several factors. Firstly, the corporation’s proactive approach to embracing renewable energy aligns with changing consumer preferences and global sustainability trends, positioning them as a forward-thinking industry leader. Secondly, by diversifying their business portfolio, the corporation reduces reliance on traditional sectors and opens up new revenue streams for future growth.
Furthermore, the strategic decisions appear well-informed and supported by thorough market research and industry analysis, indicating a strategic foresight that can enhance the corporation’s competitive position. The corporation’s commitment to innovation and sustainability underscores a proactive stance towards addressing environmental concerns and meeting evolving market demands, which can contribute to long-term success and stakeholder value creation.
In conclusion, the strategic decisions made by XYZ Corp to expand into the renewable energy sector represent a bold yet calculated move at the corporate level. By embracing sustainability and innovation, the corporation positions itself for long-term growth and competitive advantage. While success is not guaranteed in the complex business landscape, the strategic nature of these decisions and their alignment with market trends suggest a promising outlook for XYZ Corp’s future endeavors in the renewable energy sector.
