Which sociocultural factors have affected KFCs global expansion? (2 Marks)
Compare KFCs growth strategies in the United States versus China. (2 Marks)
Based on you understanding of the BRIC nations, should KFC consider expanding more aggressively into (a) India, (b) Brazil, and (c) Russia? What national features of these countries would provide reasons to support or contradict such an expansion strategy? (2 Marks)

Critical Thinking

Grocery chains such as Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets track consumers purchasing habits through store loyalty cards like Iktisab. These cards collect purchasing data and build consumer profiles. How can grocers like Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets use these data to create value for the firm and consumers? Chapter-10. (2 Marks)
Identify a specific brand of your choice from the local market that has developed a high level of brand equity. What specific aspects of that brand establish its brand equity? Critically examine based on the concepts discussed in Chapter-11. Chapter-11 (2 Marks)

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 Studies4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

KFC’s Global Expansion: Sociocultural Factors and Growth Strategies

Sociocultural factors affecting KFC’s global expansion:

  1. Dietary Preferences: KFC has had to adapt its menu to local tastes and preferences. This includes offering vegetarian options in India, incorporating spicy flavors in China, and even offering fish dishes in certain markets.

  2. Cultural Values: KFC has had to navigate different cultural norms and values. For example, in some cultures, fried food is considered unhealthy, while in others, it is seen as a treat.

KFC’s Global Expansion: Sociocultural Factors and Growth Strategies

Sociocultural factors affecting KFC’s global expansion:

  1. Dietary Preferences: KFC has had to adapt its menu to local tastes and preferences. This includes offering vegetarian options in India, incorporating spicy flavors in China, and even offering fish dishes in certain markets.

  2. Cultural Values: KFC has had to navigate different cultural norms and values. For example, in some cultures, fried food is considered unhealthy, while in others, it is seen as a treat.

KFC’s Growth Strategies: US vs. China:

  • US: KFC’s growth strategy in the US has focused on innovation, introducing new menu items and promotional campaigns to maintain customer interest.

  • China: KFC has adapted its menu to cater to Chinese tastes and preferences, emphasizing localized flavors and ingredients. They have also invested heavily in building strong relationships with local communities through sponsorship and charitable initiatives.

KFC Expansion in BRIC Nations:

(a) India: KFC has already made inroads into India, but faces challenges due to a strong preference for vegetarian food. However, the growing middle class and a preference for convenience food present opportunities for expansion.
(b) Brazil: Brazil’s large population and love for fast food create a favorable environment for KFC. However, they need to address concerns about unhealthy eating habits and offer more affordable options.
(c) Russia: Russia’s economic instability and a strong preference for local cuisines create a challenging environment for KFC. They need to adapt their menu to Russian tastes and offer competitive prices to succeed.

Grocers Using Consumer Data for Value Creation

Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets and Iktisab:

By analyzing data from Iktisab, Al-Othaim Markets can:

  • Improve product selection: Tailor product offerings to meet specific customer needs and preferences.

  • Personalize marketing: Deliver targeted promotions and offers based on individual purchase history.

  • Optimize inventory: Forecast demand accurately, reducing waste and improving efficiency.

  • Enhance customer service: Develop personalized loyalty programs and reward customers for their patronage.

Creating Value for Consumers:

  • Personalized experiences: Consumers benefit from tailored promotions, product recommendations, and improved service.

  • Convenience: Access to personalized offers and information saves time and effort.

  • Rewards and recognition: Loyalty programs offer incentives and benefits for frequent customers.

Brand Equity: A Local Market Example

Example: (Replace with a specific brand from your local market.)

Brand Equity: The brand has established a high level of brand equity through:

  • Brand awareness: High brand recognition and recall among consumers.

  • Brand loyalty: A strong customer base that consistently chooses the brand over competitors.

  • Perceived quality: A reputation for high-quality products or services.

  • Brand associations: Positive associations with attributes like innovation, reliability, or trustworthiness.

  • Brand assets: Unique brand elements like logos, slogans, or packaging that contribute to brand recognition.

Critical Examination: Analyze how the brand’s specific features contribute to each element of brand equity. For example, discuss how the brand’s marketing campaigns, product design, or customer service contribute to brand awareness, loyalty, or perceived quality.

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