Marshall Insurance Company
The case studies are designed to provide the opportunity for you to interpret situations involving supply chain logistics, distribution, and warehousing, and apply the material you have read and discussed. In a Word document, answer the following questions.
Remember all of your assignments should be in APA format. Your case study analysis is due at the end of the week.
Questions:
• As Kara Murphy, how would you respond to the proposal from David Callum? Are you prepared to provide him the information he needs?
• What criteria would you use to evaluate the proposal?
• Where do you see opportunities to outsource, insource, or subcontract? Is this the right move for Marshall?
• What conditions would you place on Gilmore if you were to pursue this relationship?
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
Essay: Analyzing Supply Chain Strategies for Marshall Insurance Company
Introduction
Marshall Insurance Company faces a critical decision regarding supply chain logistics, distribution, and warehousing. In this essay, we will delve into the case study involving Kara Murphy and David Callum to analyze the proposed strategies and provide recommendations for Marshall Insurance Company’s supply chain management.
Responding to David Callum’s Proposal
Kara Murphy, as the decision-maker at Marshall Insurance Company, should carefully evaluate David Callum’s proposal. It is crucial for her to respond thoughtfully and assess the implications of the proposed changes on the company’s supply chain operations. Kara needs to ensure that she is well-prepared to provide David with the necessary information to make an informed decision.
Criteria for Evaluating the Proposal
Several criteria can be used to evaluate David Callum’s proposal. These include cost-effectiveness, efficiency gains, quality of service, scalability, flexibility, and alignment with Marshall Insurance Company’s long-term strategic goals. Kara should consider how the proposal aligns with the company’s overall objectives and whether it brings tangible benefits to the organization.
Opportunities for Outsourcing, In-house Operations, or Subcontracting
In assessing opportunities for outsourcing, insourcing, or subcontracting, Kara should conduct a comprehensive analysis of the company’s current capabilities and limitations. Outsourcing certain functions can lead to cost savings and operational efficiencies, especially in non-core areas. On the other hand, insourcing critical operations can provide better control and customization options. Subcontracting may be suitable for specialized tasks that require external expertise. The decision to outsource, insource, or subcontract should be aligned with Marshall’s strategic priorities and operational requirements.
Conditions for Establishing a Relationship with Gilmore
If Kara decides to pursue a relationship with Gilmore, she should establish clear conditions to ensure a mutually beneficial partnership. Conditions may include service level agreements, quality standards, pricing structures, performance metrics, data security protocols, and contingency plans. By setting transparent conditions, Kara can mitigate risks and safeguard Marshall Insurance Company’s interests in the partnership.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Marshall Insurance Company stands at a pivotal moment in its supply chain management strategy. Kara Murphy must carefully evaluate David Callum’s proposal, consider various outsourcing options, and establish robust conditions for potential partnerships. By making informed decisions and aligning supply chain strategies with the company’s objectives, Marshall can enhance its operational efficiency and competitiveness in the insurance industry.
In this analysis, we have highlighted key considerations for Kara Murphy as she navigates the challenges and opportunities in supply chain management at Marshall Insurance Company. By applying strategic thinking and leveraging external partnerships effectively, Marshall can optimize its supply chain operations and drive sustainable growth in the dynamic insurance market landscape.
