Determine the internal strengths and weaknesses of specific businesses and explain their interrelationship with external macro factors.
Question one: Choose two companies and Use SWOT analysis to conduct an internal and external analysis in order to identify strengths and weaknesses, then show how strengths and weaknesses relate to external macro factors?P
Question two: Select a company and use TOWS (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis, and explain their impact on decision-making processes.
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
Internal Strengths and Weaknesses in Relation to External Macro Factors
Understanding a company’s internal strengths and weaknesses is crucial for strategic decision-making. These internal factors can be influenced by external macro factors, which are beyond the control of the organization. In this essay, we will conduct a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) on two companies and explore how their strengths and weaknesses relate to external macro factors.
Question One: SWOT Analysis
Company 1: Apple Inc.
Strengths
Strong brand reputation: Apple is known for its innovative and high-quality products, which have helped establish a strong brand image globally.
Superior design and user experience: Apple’s products are renowned for their sleek design, intuitive interfaces, and seamless integration across devices.
Robust supply chain: Apple’s efficient supply chain management allows for timely delivery of products and ensures availability in the market.
Extensive ecosystem: The integration of hardware, software, and services within Apple’s ecosystem creates a seamless user experience and fosters customer loyalty.
Weaknesses
High product prices: Apple’s premium pricing strategy may limit its market share, particularly in price-sensitive markets.
Dependence on specific suppliers: Reliance on a limited number of suppliers for key components can pose a risk to the supply chain if disruptions occur.
Limited customization options: Compared to competitors, Apple offers limited customization options for its products, potentially limiting appeal to certain customer segments.
External Macro Factors
Economic Factors: Economic conditions, such as recessions or economic downturns, can impact consumer purchasing power and willingness to spend on high-priced products like Apple’s. This can affect the demand for Apple products and potentially impact sales.
Technological Factors: Rapid technological advancements can lead to increased competition in the technology industry. Competitors offering similar features or innovations may challenge Apple’s market share.
Legal Factors: Intellectual property rights and legal challenges related to patents can impact Apple’s ability to protect its innovations and defend against patent disputes.
The strong brand reputation and superior design of Apple’s products align well with the societal trend of consumers valuing quality and innovation. This positive relationship between internal strengths and external macro factors contributes to Apple’s continued success in the market.
However, high product prices may be a weakness in price-sensitive markets or during economic downturns when consumers prioritize essential needs over luxury purchases. Economic factors can influence the affordability and demand for Apple products, impacting the company’s sales performance.
Apple’s dependence on specific suppliers for key components is another weakness that can be influenced by external macro factors. Disruptions in the supply chain due to unforeseen events or changes in trade policies can impact production and availability of Apple products.
Company 2: Starbucks Corporation
Strengths
Strong global brand presence: Starbucks has established a strong brand image globally, becoming synonymous with premium coffee and a cozy café experience.
Extensive retail network: Starbucks has a vast network of stores worldwide, providing convenient access to its products for customers.
Customer loyalty program: The Starbucks Rewards program encourages repeat purchases and fosters customer loyalty through personalized offers and discounts.
Ethical sourcing and sustainability practices: Starbucks’ commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainability resonates with consumers who value socially responsible businesses.
Weaknesses
High prices compared to competitors: Starbucks’ premium pricing strategy may limit its appeal to price-sensitive customers.
Dependence on seasonal trends: Fluctuations in consumer preferences for certain seasonal beverages or limited-time promotions can impact sales.
External Macro Factors
Social Factors: Evolving consumer preferences towards healthier options or plant-based alternatives can influence the demand for Starbucks’ products. The company’s commitment to offering diverse menu choices aligns with these changing social trends.
Economic Factors: Economic conditions can impact consumer spending patterns. During economic downturns, consumers may reduce discretionary spending on premium coffee beverages, affecting Starbucks’ sales performance.
Technological Factors: Advancements in mobile ordering and payment technologies have changed consumer expectations for convenience and speed. Starbucks’ investment in its mobile app and digital capabilities aligns with these technological trends.
Starbucks’ strong global brand presence and extensive retail network align well with societal trends of consumers valuing premium coffee experiences and convenience. These internal strengths positively relate to external macro factors, contributing to Starbucks’ success in the market.
However, high prices compared to competitors may be a weakness, particularly during economic downturns when consumers prioritize essential needs over luxury purchases. Economic factors can impact the affordability and demand for Starbucks’ premium coffee offerings.
Starbucks’ dependence on seasonal trends is another weakness that can be influenced by external macro factors. Changes in consumer preferences for certain seasonal beverages or limited-time promotions can impact sales performance and require adaptability in product offerings.
Question Two: TOWS Analysis
Company: Coca-Cola Company
Strengths
Strong global brand recognition: Coca-Cola is one of the most recognized brands worldwide, which gives it a competitive advantage.
Extensive distribution network: Coca-Cola has an extensive distribution network that allows it to reach consumers across various markets globally.
Diverse product portfolio: Coca-Cola offers a wide range of beverage brands, catering to different consumer preferences and market segments.
Effective marketing campaigns: Coca-Cola’s marketing campaigns are creative and memorable, contributing to brand loyalty and consumer engagement.
Weaknesses
Negative health perception: Increasing health concerns related to sugary beverages have led to a decline in demand for traditional carbonated soft drinks like Coca-Cola.
Dependence on bottlers: Coca-Cola relies on bottling partners for production and distribution, which can introduce complexities in supply chain management.
Opportunities
Growing demand for healthier beverages: The shift towards healthier lifestyles presents an opportunity for Coca-Cola to expand its portfolio of low-sugar or no-sugar beverages.
Global expansion into emerging markets: Coca-Cola can focus on expanding its presence in emerging markets with growing populations and rising disposable incomes.
Threats
Intense competition: The beverage industry is highly competitive, with numerous players vying for market share through innovative product offerings and marketing strategies.
Regulatory pressures on sugary beverages: Governments worldwide are implementing regulations and taxes on sugary drinks, which may impact Coca-Cola’s sales and profitability.
The strengths of Coca-Cola’s strong brand recognition and extensive distribution network relate positively to the opportunities presented by growing demand for healthier beverages and global expansion into emerging markets. These strengths align with external macro factors, enabling Coca-Cola to capitalize on these opportunities.
However, the weakness of negative health perception poses a threat to Coca-Cola’s traditional carbonated soft drinks segment. Regulatory pressures on sugary beverages further compound this threat by impacting sales and profitability.
In conclusion, analyzing internal strengths and weaknesses is essential for companies to understand their competitive position within the market. The interrelationship between these internal factors and external macro factors determines the opportunities a company can exploit and the threats it must mitigate or
