1. How do individual and group decision processes aid or impede business decision making?
2. What are the latest developments in the process of strategy development and execution?
3. How can my academic discipline (see note below), as a function within the organization, influence the process of business strategy development and execution?
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.
1. Individual and Group Decision Processes in Business Decision Making
Individual Decision Making
-
Advantages:
- Speed: Decisions can be made quickly.
- Consistency: Decisions are often consistent with the decision-maker’s values and beliefs.
- Clear Accountability: Responsibility for the decision lies solely with the individual.
-
1. Individual and Group Decision Processes in Business Decision Making
Individual Decision Making
-
Advantages:
- Speed: Decisions can be made quickly.
- Consistency: Decisions are often consistent with the decision-maker’s values and beliefs.
- Clear Accountability: Responsibility for the decision lies solely with the individual.
-
-
Disadvantages:
- Limited Information: Individuals may not have access to all relevant information.
- Potential for Bias: Personal biases can cloud judgment.
- Risk of Error: Mistakes can occur if the decision-maker is not well-informed.
Group Decision Making
-
Advantages:
- Diverse Perspectives: Groups can bring together a variety of viewpoints and experiences.
- Increased Creativity: Group brainstorming can lead to innovative solutions.
- Shared Ownership: Group decisions tend to be more widely accepted.
-
Disadvantages:
- Time-Consuming: Group decision-making can be slower and more complex.
- Potential for Conflict: Disagreements and conflicts can arise within groups.
- Groupthink: The desire for harmony can lead to poor decision-making.
The optimal decision-making process often involves a combination of individual and group approaches. It’s important to select the appropriate method based on the specific situation, considering factors such as the complexity of the decision, the time constraints, and the level of expertise required.
2. Latest Developments in Strategy Development and Execution
The field of strategy development and execution is constantly evolving. Some of the latest trends include:
- Agile Strategy: A more flexible and iterative approach to strategy development, allowing organizations to adapt to changing circumstances.
- Digital Transformation: Leveraging digital technologies to create new business models and improve operational efficiency.
- Sustainability and ESG: Incorporating environmental, social, and governance factors into strategic decision-making.
- AI and Machine Learning: Using AI-powered tools to analyze data and make informed decisions.
- Remote Work and Virtual Collaboration: Adapting to new ways of working and collaborating in a remote or hybrid environment.
3. Influence of Academic Discipline on Business Strategy
[Your Academic Discipline] can significantly influence business strategy development and execution. Here are some examples:
Computer Science:
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Using data analytics to identify trends, opportunities, and risks.
- Digital Transformation: Leading the development and implementation of digital technologies.
- Cybersecurity: Protecting the organization from cyber threats and ensuring data privacy.
Business Administration:
- Strategic Planning: Developing and implementing business strategies.
- Financial Analysis: Making sound financial decisions.
- Operations Management: Optimizing processes and improving efficiency.
Marketing:
- Brand Management: Building and maintaining strong brands.
- Customer Relationship Management: Developing and managing customer relationships.
- Digital Marketing: Leveraging digital channels to reach and engage customers.
Human Resources:
- Talent Acquisition: Recruiting and hiring top talent.
- Employee Development: Investing in employee training and development.
- Organizational Culture: Shaping a positive and productive work environment.
By understanding the role of your academic discipline within the organization, you can contribute to the development and execution of effective business strategies.
