Hypothesize, in (750 words), about two potential international companies what would create a successful merger or acquisition by addressing the following:
Describe two organizations from an international perspective that when merged or acquired could be fiscally successful while ensuring future sustainability.
Explain the influencing factors such as company culture, country culture (Hofstede’s cultural dimensions), economic success, international location, human resources practices, or any other considerations, that would contribute to its success.
Consider the tactical practices human resources would be involved in during the merger or acquisition to minimize any potential negative consequences in regard to human talent.
Propose two human resources best practices for the successful assimilation of human talent for companies considering a merger or acquisition.
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
Hypothesis: Potential International Companies for a Successful Merger or Acquisition
In the global business landscape, mergers and acquisitions have become common strategies for organizations looking to expand their reach, enhance their capabilities, and achieve economies of scale. When exploring potential international companies for a successful merger or acquisition, two organizations that could create a fiscally successful and sustainable partnership are Company A, a technology firm based in the United States, and Company B, a manufacturing company headquartered in Germany.
Company A: Technology Firm (United States)
Company A is a leading technology firm based in the United States with expertise in software development, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing. The company has a strong track record of innovation and a broad customer base across various industries. With its established market presence and cutting-edge solutions, Company A has the potential to contribute significantly to the success of a merger or acquisition.
Company B: Manufacturing Company (Germany)
Company B is a prominent manufacturing company based in Germany, specializing in precision engineering and advanced manufacturing processes. With a reputation for superior quality and precision, the company has a vast customer base in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and engineering. Company B’s expertise in manufacturing excellence and established relationships with key clients make it an attractive partner for a merger or acquisition.
Factors Contributing to Success
Several factors would contribute to the success of a merger or acquisition between Company A and Company B:
Company Culture: Both organizations share a strong commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction. Alignment in values and a shared focus on excellence would facilitate a smooth integration of operations and minimize potential conflicts.
Country Culture (Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions): The United States and Germany have cultural similarities in terms of individualism, achievement orientation, and assertiveness. This similarity would promote effective communication and collaboration between teams from both companies during the integration process.
Economic Success: Both Company A and Company B have demonstrated financial stability and success in their respective markets. Their strong financial positions would provide a solid foundation for the merged entity, ensuring long-term sustainability and growth potential.
International Location: The strategic locations of both companies – one in the United States and the other in Germany – offer access to diverse markets and talent pools. This geographical advantage would enable the merged entity to tap into new opportunities and expand its global footprint.
Human Resources Practices: Effective human resources practices would play a crucial role in minimizing potential negative consequences during the merger or acquisition. Open communication, transparent information-sharing, and inclusive decision-making would foster trust among employees from both organizations.
Human Resources Best Practices
To ensure the successful assimilation of human talent during the merger or acquisition process, the following human resources best practices can be proposed:
Communication and Change Management: Clear and timely communication is essential to address employee concerns, minimize resistance to change, and foster a positive work environment. Regular updates on the progress of the merger or acquisition, open forums for questions and feedback, and comprehensive change management plans would support employees’ understanding and engagement.
Talent Retention and Development: Identifying high-potential employees from both organizations and offering development opportunities would help retain top talent during the integration process. Providing cross-training programs, mentorship initiatives, and career advancement pathways would demonstrate a commitment to employee growth and create a sense of stability within the merged entity.
By implementing these human resources best practices, the merged entity can effectively manage the transition, retain valuable talent, and promote a harmonious work environment. Additionally, offering cultural sensitivity training programs that educate employees about each other’s cultures can help bridge any cultural gaps that may arise during the integration process.
In conclusion, a potential merger or acquisition between Company A (a technology firm based in the United States) and Company B (a manufacturing company headquartered in Germany) has the potential to create a fiscally successful partnership with future sustainability. Factors such as company culture, country culture, economic success, international location, and effective human resources practices would contribute to the success of this merger or acquisition. By implementing human resources best practices focused on communication, change management, talent retention, and development, the merged entity can minimize potential negative consequences and ensure a smooth assimilation of human talent into the new organizational structure.
