What are first and second movers in international market entry? Giving examples discuss their advantages and disadvantages (initial introduction to the topic from Chapter 9)
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
Exploring First and Second Movers in International Market Entry: An Analysis of Advantages and Disadvantages
The concepts of first and second movers in international market entry play a crucial role in shaping the competitive landscape for firms venturing into global markets. A first mover refers to a company that enters a new market with a product or service before any other competitors, while a second mover follows suit by entering the market after the first mover has established a presence. This essay aims to explore the advantages and disadvantages associated with being a first or second mover in international market entry through real-world examples and case studies.
First Mover Advantage
Advantages:
1. Market Leadership: First movers have the opportunity to establish themselves as market leaders, gaining a significant share of the market and building brand recognition before competitors enter.
2. Early Adopter Advantage: Being the first to introduce a new product or service can lead to higher customer loyalty and preference, as consumers may associate innovation and quality with the first mover.
3. Technological Edge: First movers can leverage their early entry to develop proprietary technologies or processes, creating barriers to entry for competitors.
Example: Apple Inc.
Apple’s launch of the iPhone in 2007 positioned the company as a first mover in the smartphone market. By introducing a revolutionary product with a user-friendly interface and app ecosystem, Apple captured a substantial market share and set industry standards for smartphone design and functionality.
Second Mover Advantage
Advantages:
1. Learning from First Mover’s Mistakes: Second movers can observe and learn from the strategies and missteps of first movers, allowing them to avoid costly mistakes and refine their market entry approach.
2. Cost Savings: Second movers may benefit from reduced research and development costs, as they can replicate or improve upon existing products or services without the need for extensive innovation.
3. Market Segmentation: Second movers can target specific market segments that may have been overlooked by first movers, catering to unique customer needs and preferences.
Example: Samsung Electronics
Samsung’s entry into the smartphone market as a second mover allowed the company to study Apple’s iPhone success and develop competitive products such as the Galaxy series. By offering a diverse range of smartphones at various price points, Samsung captured a significant market share and emerged as a strong competitor to Apple.
Disadvantages for Both First and Second Movers
While there are distinct advantages to being a first or second mover in international market entry, both strategies come with inherent risks and challenges.
1. First Mover Disadvantages:
– High Risk: First movers face the risk of investing significant resources in unproven markets or technologies, with no guarantee of success.
– Imitation by Competitors: First movers risk having their innovations imitated or improved upon by fast-following competitors, eroding their competitive advantage.
– Limited Market Knowledge: Early entrants may struggle to adapt to evolving market conditions or consumer preferences, leading to potential setbacks.
2. Second Mover Disadvantages:
– Catch-Up Challenge: Second movers may find it challenging to catch up to established first movers in terms of market share, brand recognition, and customer loyalty.
– Perceived Lack of Innovation: Second movers may be perceived as imitators rather than innovators, impacting their ability to differentiate their products or services.
– Missed Opportunities: Delayed entry into a market can result in missed opportunities for capturing early adopters or gaining a foothold in key market segments.
In conclusion, the decision to pursue a first or second mover strategy in international market entry involves weighing the potential advantages and disadvantages associated with each approach. While first movers have the opportunity to establish market leadership and technological dominance, second movers can benefit from learning from predecessors’ experiences and capitalizing on market gaps. By understanding the nuances of first and second mover strategies and leveraging their unique strengths, firms can navigate the complexities of international market entry effectively and sustainably.
