Discuss a current business process in a specific industry. Note the following:
-The current business process itself.
-The industry the business process is utilized in.
After explaining the current situation, take the current learning from the course and:
Explain a new technology that the business should deploy. Be specific, dont only note the type of technology but the specific instance of technology. (For example, a type of technology is smart automation a specific type of automation is automated light-dimming technology).
Note the pros and cons of the technology selected.
Note various factors the business should consider prior to deploying the new technology
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
Enhancing Supply Chain Efficiency in the Retail Industry through Blockchain Technology
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced retail environment, businesses are continually seeking ways to enhance their supply chain processes. One such current business process is the tracking and management of inventory across multiple channels and suppliers. This essay discusses the current inventory management process in the retail industry, evaluates a new technology—blockchain—that can be deployed to improve this process, and analyzes its potential advantages and disadvantages.
Current Business Process: Inventory Management in Retail
The retail industry relies heavily on effective inventory management to ensure that products are available to consumers while minimizing excess stock. The current process typically involves:
– Manual Tracking: Many retailers still use manual methods or basic software systems to track inventory levels, reorder points, and supplier information. This often leads to inaccuracies and inefficiencies.
– Multiple Systems: Retailers usually operate multiple systems for sales, inventory tracking, and supplier management, which can create data silos and hinder real-time visibility.
– Supplier Relationships: Communication with suppliers is often fragmented, resulting in delays in order fulfillment and difficulty in tracing product origins.
This status quo can lead to issues such as stockouts, overstocking, and an inability to efficiently trace products throughout the supply chain.
Proposed Technology: Blockchain
To address these challenges, retailers should deploy blockchain technology. Specifically, implementing a permissioned blockchain system for supply chain management can provide an immutable ledger that records all transactions related to inventory from supplier to consumer.
Pros of Blockchain Technology
1. Enhanced Transparency: Every transaction is recorded on a decentralized ledger that is accessible to all authorized parties, allowing for real-time tracking of products.
2. Increased Traceability: Retailers can trace the origin of products quickly, which is crucial for recalls or verifying product authenticity.
3. Improved Efficiency: Smart contracts can automate various processes, such as order fulfillment and payment processing, reducing delays.
4. Reduced Fraud: The immutable nature of blockchain makes it difficult to alter transaction records, thereby reducing the risk of fraud.
Cons of Blockchain Technology
1. Implementation Costs: Setting up a blockchain system can be expensive and time-consuming, requiring investment in technology and training.
2. Complexity: The technology can be complex and may require specialized knowledge to operate effectively.
3. Regulatory Concerns: The use of blockchain in retail may face regulatory scrutiny, particularly concerning data privacy and security.
4. Scalability Issues: As the network grows, scalability can become a challenge if not designed properly from the outset.
Factors to Consider Before Deployment
Before deploying blockchain technology for inventory management, retailers should consider the following factors:
1. Cost-Benefit Analysis: Weighing the potential benefits against the costs of implementation is essential to determine if blockchain is a viable option.
2. Stakeholder Buy-In: Engaging suppliers and other stakeholders early in the process can facilitate smoother adoption and integration.
3. Training and Expertise: Assessing the current skill levels of staff and determining training needs will be crucial for successful implementation.
4. Integration with Existing Systems: Ensuring that the blockchain solution can integrate seamlessly with current systems is critical for maintaining operational efficiency.
5. Regulatory Compliance: Understanding potential legal implications and ensuring compliance with industry regulations will mitigate risks associated with deployment.
Conclusion
The retail industry faces significant challenges in inventory management due to manual processes, data silos, and fragmented supplier relationships. By deploying blockchain technology, specifically a permissioned blockchain for supply chain management, retailers can achieve enhanced transparency, traceability, and efficiency while reducing fraud risks. However, careful consideration of implementation costs, stakeholder engagement, necessary training, system integration, and regulatory compliance is crucial for successful deployment. Embracing this innovative technology could revolutionize how retailers manage their inventory processes, leading to improved customer satisfaction and increased operational efficiency.
