Discuss a current business activity that you or your department does that could be improved by leveraging Variance Analysis. Discuss the perspective you could gain, and what a “favorable price” and a “favorable quantity” variance mean in this application.
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
Leveraging Variance Analysis for Improved Business Activity
At our department, one area that could benefit from leveraging Variance Analysis is the procurement of raw materials for our manufacturing process. By conducting a detailed analysis of variances between standard costs and actual costs, we can gain valuable insights into cost drivers, supplier performance, and inventory management practices.
Perspective Gained
Through Variance Analysis, we can gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing cost discrepancies in raw material procurement. By examining both price and quantity variances, we can differentiate between cost variations due to changes in material prices and those arising from differences in usage or waste. This perspective enables us to pinpoint inefficiencies, negotiate better terms with suppliers, and optimize inventory levels to reduce costs and improve profitability.
Favorable Price Variance
A favorable price variance occurs when the actual purchase price of raw materials is lower than the standard cost. This variance indicates cost savings achieved through negotiating better prices, securing volume discounts, or sourcing materials from alternative suppliers. A favorable price variance reflects efficient procurement practices and can contribute to higher profit margins and cost competitiveness in the market.
Favorable Quantity Variance
A favorable quantity variance arises when the actual amount of raw materials used in production is less than the standard quantity specified. This variance suggests improved efficiency in material usage, reduced waste, or enhanced production processes that result in lower material consumption. A favorable quantity variance signifies operational effectiveness and resource optimization, leading to cost savings and increased productivity.
Application in Raw Material Procurement
In the context of our department’s raw material procurement, Variance Analysis can help identify opportunities to streamline sourcing practices, enhance supplier relationships, and optimize inventory management. By monitoring price and quantity variances regularly, we can proactively address cost discrepancies, adjust purchasing strategies, and align procurement decisions with organizational goals.
By leveraging Variance Analysis in raw material procurement, we can uncover cost-saving opportunities, mitigate supply chain risks, and enhance overall operational efficiency. The insights gained from analyzing variances enable us to make data-driven decisions, improve budget forecasting accuracy, and drive continuous improvement in our procurement processes.
In conclusion, incorporating Variance Analysis into our raw material procurement activities empowers us to identify cost drivers, mitigate financial risks, and optimize resource allocation. By understanding the implications of favorable price and quantity variances, we can leverage these insights to drive sustainable cost reductions, enhance supplier performance, and strengthen our competitive position in the market.
