Select a well-known publicly owned company then write a five-part essay that concentrates on the following:
1- Briefly introduce your essay then offer a background on your selected company (i.e. available and public information about the top management of the company/ board of directors, financial statements, business model, and key competitors).
2- Apply the resource-based view of the firm to determine core and distinctive competencies of your selected company. (3 Marks) (Minimum 150 words)
3- Use the VRIO framework and the value chain to assess the companys competitive advantage, and how it can be sustained.
4- Discuss how the business model of your selected company could be imitated and assess the companys corporate culture, and how it might affect a proposed strategy. (4 Marks) (Minimum 250 words)
5- Discuss the future of this company if it continues on its current path and conclude with a summary of key ideas of your essay. (2 Marks) (Minimum 150 words)
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 Amazon: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction and Company Background
Amazon.com, Inc. is a globally recognized leader in e-commerce and cloud computing, founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994. Originally starting as an online bookstore, Amazon has transformed into a diversified platform that offers a wide range of products and services, including electronics, apparel, and digital streaming. The company went public in 1997 and has since grown exponentially, becoming one of the largest companies in the world by market capitalization.
The leadership at Amazon includes a strong board of directors with notable figures such as Andrew Jassy, who succeeded Bezos as CEO in July 2021. The company’s financial statements reflect robust revenue growth, with total sales reaching $469.8 billion in 2021, marking a 22% increase from the previous year. Amazon’s business model is built on a customer-centric approach, leveraging technology and data analytics to enhance user experience while maintaining competitive pricing.
Key competitors include traditional retailers like Walmart, e-commerce platforms such as Alibaba, and tech giants like Microsoft in the cloud computing sector. Amazon’s vast array of services creates a unique competitive landscape that challenges its rivals.
Resource-Based View: Core and Distinctive Competencies
Applying the resource-based view (RBV) to Amazon reveals several core and distinctive competencies that contribute to its competitive advantage. One of its core competencies is its advanced logistics and supply chain management system, which enables rapid delivery and efficiency. The company has invested heavily in automation, robotics, and distribution centers, allowing for faster fulfillment of customer orders.
Another distinctive competency is Amazon Web Services (AWS), which provides scalable cloud solutions to businesses globally. This not only diversifies Amazon’s revenue streams but also solidifies its position as a leader in cloud computing. Furthermore, Amazon’s strong brand reputation and customer loyalty are significant intangible assets that enhance its market presence. Collectively, these competencies enable Amazon to maintain a competitive edge over rivals in both e-commerce and technology sectors.
VRIO Framework and Value Chain Analysis
Utilizing the VRIO framework—Value, Rarity, Imitability, and Organization—provides insight into Amazon’s competitive advantage.
– Value: Amazon offers significant value through its extensive product selection, competitive pricing, and fast delivery services. Customer satisfaction is paramount, driving repeat business.
– Rarity: The scale of Amazon’s logistics network and distribution capabilities is rare. The company’s ability to deliver products quickly (often within one day) sets it apart from competitors.
– Imitability: While aspects of Amazon’s model can be imitated, replicating its logistics infrastructure is costly and time-consuming for competitors. Additionally, Amazon’s strong brand loyalty is difficult to replicate.
– Organization: Amazon is well-organized to exploit these competencies through its leadership structure, technological investments, and robust data analytics capabilities.
Analyzing the value chain, Amazon excels in operations with its sophisticated logistics network and customer service that fosters satisfaction. Its marketing strategies effectively reach diverse consumer segments. To sustain its competitive advantage, Amazon must continue to innovate and invest in technology while expanding its global presence.
Imitation of Business Model and Corporate Culture
Amazon’s business model could potentially be imitated by competitors; however, doing so would require significant investment in technology, logistics, and brand-building efforts. New entrants would need to develop robust supply chain systems and establish a similar product range to compete effectively.
Amazon’s corporate culture emphasizes customer obsession, innovation, and operational excellence. The company fosters an environment where risk-taking is encouraged, enabling employees to experiment with new ideas without fear of failure. This culture aligns well with its strategy of continuous improvement and technological advancement.
However, this culture can also lead to challenges; high performance expectations can result in employee burnout or turnover. A proposed strategy focusing on employee well-being could enhance productivity by promoting a healthier work-life balance while maintaining the innovation-driven ethos that has propelled Amazon’s growth.
Future Outlook and Conclusion
If Amazon continues on its current trajectory—leveraging its core competencies and focusing on customer-centric innovations—it is poised for sustained growth. The company has significant opportunities in expanding AWS offerings, penetrating international markets further, and exploring new business ventures like healthcare and autonomous delivery systems.
In conclusion, this essay examined Amazon’s robust background as a global leader in e-commerce and cloud computing. The application of the resource-based view highlighted its core competencies in logistics and AWS. The VRIO framework showed how these competencies create a sustainable competitive advantage. While the business model could be imitated, Amazon’s unique corporate culture plays a crucial role in supporting its strategic initiatives. As the company continues to evolve, maintaining its focus on innovation will be essential for future success.
