Overview
Business leaders are often faced with situations that require swift but responsible decisions. You’ve learned how critical thinking is more than simply evaluating the pros and cons of a situation. It is a method that engages broad thinking abilities that include brainstorming, data analysis, creativity, collaboration, and reflection. The ability to adapt to ever-changing conditions through critical thinking and decision making is key to capitalizing on market upturns and staying afloat during economic declines.

As part of this course, you will complete a series of assignments.

Prompt
For this assignment, analyze the diversification strategy of either Disney or Kimberly-Clark using the documents linked within your Soomo webtext. Explain how critical thinking applies to decision making based on your review of a real-world scenario. Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:

Application: Explain how critical thinking for decision making is applicable to the scenario. Use evidence to support your explanations.
What makes critical thinking crucial for decision making?
Analysis: Explain how information (such as facts, opinions, and published reports) is used to determine or establish the context. Use evidence to support your explanations.
Why do you think the company reached the decision to diversify?
What steps do you believe were taken? Explain your response using sources found during the research of your selected company.
Conclusion and related outcomes: Describe the role of logic, evidence, and arguments in the company’s decision-making process.
Was the decision to expand products, services, or value chain successful? Why or why not?
To begin, choose one of the following to focus on for this assignment.

-Kimberly-Clark
-Disney

Choose anyone and You should write using a professional voice, and any sources should be cited according to APA style.

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.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

Diversification Strategy of Disney: A Critical Thinking Perspective
Introduction
In the dynamic business environment, critical thinking is crucial for effective decision making. This essay will analyze the diversification strategy of Disney and demonstrate how critical thinking applies to decision making in a real-world scenario. By examining the application of critical thinking, the analysis of information, and the role of logic, evidence, and arguments, we can evaluate the success of Disney’s decision to diversify its operations.

Application of Critical Thinking for Decision Making
Critical thinking is essential for decision making as it enables business leaders to evaluate various options, consider potential outcomes, and make informed choices. In the case of Disney, the decision to pursue diversification required critical thinking skills to assess market trends, identify growth opportunities, and mitigate risks associated with a single line of business.

Evidence supporting the application of critical thinking in Disney’s decision making includes:

Market Analysis: Disney’s decision to diversify was based on a comprehensive analysis of industry trends, consumer preferences, and emerging technologies. By critically evaluating market data and understanding changing customer demands, Disney identified opportunities to expand into new segments such as theme parks, television networks, and streaming services.

Risk Mitigation: Critical thinking played a crucial role in assessing the risks associated with over-reliance on a single business line. By diversifying its operations, Disney reduced its vulnerability to economic downturns, changes in consumer behavior, or disruptions in specific markets. This proactive approach demonstrated the application of critical thinking to anticipate potential challenges and develop contingency plans.

Analysis of Information for Context Establishment
To determine the context for diversification, companies must analyze various forms of information, including facts, opinions, and published reports. In the case of Disney, the following factors likely influenced their decision:

Market Research: Disney conducted extensive market research to identify growth opportunities and understand consumer preferences. By analyzing consumer behavior, media consumption patterns, and global market trends, Disney gained valuable insights that formed the foundation for their diversification strategy.

Competitive Analysis: Disney evaluated the strategies of its competitors to identify gaps in the market and areas where they could add value. This analysis involved understanding competitor strengths, weaknesses, and market positioning. The critical examination of this information allowed Disney to differentiate itself by offering unique products and services.

Technological Advancements: Disney critically assessed emerging technologies and their impact on the entertainment industry. They recognized the potential of digital media platforms and streaming services early on, leading to the successful launch of Disney+.

Financial Analysis: Disney likely conducted a thorough financial analysis to assess the feasibility and profitability of diversification initiatives. This included evaluating potential revenue streams, projected costs, and return on investment.

Role of Logic, Evidence, and Arguments in Decision-Making
Logic, evidence, and arguments play a central role in the decision-making process at Disney. These elements are crucial for justifying strategic choices and evaluating their success.

Logic: Disney’s decision to diversify was driven by logical reasoning. By critically analyzing market data and trends, Disney identified logical connections between emerging opportunities and its existing capabilities. This logical framework guided their expansion into new segments and ensured alignment with their overall corporate objectives.

Evidence: Disney relied on evidence-based decision making by gathering and analyzing relevant information from credible sources. This evidence included market research data, financial projections, and consumer insights. By basing their decisions on factual evidence, Disney minimized bias and made informed choices.

Arguments: The decision to diversify was supported by well-constructed arguments that considered multiple perspectives. These arguments were backed by evidence and logical reasoning to convince stakeholders of the potential benefits of diversification. Critical thinking skills were employed to anticipate counterarguments and address them effectively.

Conclusion and Related Outcomes
The decision by Disney to diversify its operations through expansion into various segments such as theme parks, television networks, and streaming services has been overwhelmingly successful. The company’s critical thinking approach to decision making has been instrumental in achieving positive outcomes.

The success of Disney’s diversification strategy can be attributed to several factors:

Revenue Growth: Diversification has enabled Disney to tap into new revenue streams from different sectors of the entertainment industry. This strategy has helped the company achieve consistent growth even during challenging economic periods.

Brand Synergy: By leveraging its brand recognition and reputation, Disney has successfully extended its presence across various platforms. This synergy has created cross-promotional opportunities and enhanced customer loyalty.

Adaptability: Through critical thinking, Disney has demonstrated adaptability by embracing emerging technologies such as streaming services. This agility has allowed them to stay ahead of competitors and cater to evolving consumer preferences.

In conclusion, Disney’s decision to diversify its operations exemplifies the application of critical thinking in decision making. By analyzing information, considering multiple perspectives, and using logical reasoning supported by evidence-based arguments, Disney successfully expanded its reach while mitigating risks associated with a single line of business. The positive outcomes achieved through diversification validate the effectiveness of critical thinking in strategic decision making within a real-world scenario.

References:

Soomo Webtext: The Diversification Strategy https://soomo-publishing-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/management/BUS_206_Fundamentals/lesson5/index.html
The Walt Disney Company https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/

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