Internal and external factors that impact an organization

by | Feb 18, 2025 | business

Discuss examples of internal and external factors that impact an organization and its ability to change
Describe the characteristics of S.M.A.R.T. goals

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.


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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.

Internal and External Factors Impacting Organizational Change

Organizations operate within a dynamic environment, constantly influenced by both internal and external forces. These factors can significantly impact an organization’s ability to adapt and change effectively.

Internal Factors:

  • Organizational Culture: A culture that embraces innovation and risk-taking can facilitate change, while a rigid and resistant culture can hinder it.
  • Leadership: Strong leadership that champions change and communicates a clear vision is crucial. Conversely, a lack of leadership or resistance from top management can stall change efforts.
  • Resources: Adequate financial, human, and technological resources are essential for implementing change initiatives. Limited resources can restrict an organization’s capacity to change.
  • Employee Attitudes: Employee morale, trust, and willingness to embrace change can significantly influence the success of change initiatives. Resistance from employees can derail even well-planned changes.

Internal and External Factors Impacting Organizational Change

Organizations operate within a dynamic environment, constantly influenced by both internal and external forces. These factors can significantly impact an organization’s ability to adapt and change effectively.

Internal Factors:

  • Organizational Culture: A culture that embraces innovation and risk-taking can facilitate change, while a rigid and resistant culture can hinder it.
  • Leadership: Strong leadership that champions change and communicates a clear vision is crucial. Conversely, a lack of leadership or resistance from top management can stall change efforts.
  • Resources: Adequate financial, human, and technological resources are essential for implementing change initiatives. Limited resources can restrict an organization’s capacity to change.
  • Employee Attitudes: Employee morale, trust, and willingness to embrace change can significantly influence the success of change initiatives. Resistance from employees can derail even well-planned changes.
  • Organizational Structure: A flexible and adaptable structure can facilitate change, while a hierarchical and bureaucratic structure can impede it.

External Factors:

  • Market Forces: Changes in customer preferences, competitor actions, and technological advancements can necessitate organizational change. Organizations must adapt to remain competitive.
  • Economic Conditions: Economic downturns may force organizations to cut costs and restructure, while periods of growth may create opportunities for expansion and innovation.
  • Technological Advancements: New technologies can disrupt existing business models and create opportunities for new products and services. Organizations must adapt to stay relevant.
  • Regulatory Changes: Changes in laws and regulations can require organizations to modify their operations and processes.
  • Social Trends: Shifts in demographics, social values, and lifestyle preferences can impact demand for products and services, requiring organizations to adapt their offerings.

Examples:

  • A company with a strong culture of innovation (internal) may be more likely to successfully implement new technologies (external).
  • A company facing increased competition (external) may need to restructure (internal) to become more agile and responsive.
  • A company with limited financial resources (internal) may struggle to adapt to new regulations (external) that require significant investment.

Characteristics of S.M.A.R.T. Goals

S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym that outlines the key characteristics of effective goals:

  • Specific: Goals should be clear and well-defined, leaving no room for ambiguity. They should answer the questions of who, what, where, 1 when, why, and how.  
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  • Measurable: Goals should be quantifiable, with clear metrics to track progress and determine when the goal has been achieved.
  • Achievable: Goals should be challenging yet attainable, considering the available resources and constraints. Setting unrealistic goals can lead to demotivation and failure.
  • Relevant: Goals should align with the overall strategic objectives of the organization and be meaningful to the individuals working towards them.
  • Time-bound: Goals should have a specific deadline or timeframe for completion, creating a sense of urgency and accountability.

By setting S.M.A.R.T. goals, organizations can improve their chances of success in achieving their objectives and driving positive change.

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