Employ the sample TARGET CASE and apply Porters Diamond Model and its Determinants, the VRIO and SWOT Analysis, PESTEL Analysis, Strength and Diversification Analysis and finally the MATRIX analysis that you have learned in class, in order to improve the competitiveness of the company.
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.
Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
Threat of New Entrants:
- High: The retail industry is relatively easy to enter, especially for online retailers and discount stores.
- However, Target’s strong brand recognition, extensive supply chain, and loyal customer base create barriers to entry.
Bargaining Power of Suppliers:
- Moderate: Target has significant bargaining power due to its large scale and ability to negotiate favorable terms with suppliers.
Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
Threat of New Entrants:
- High: The retail industry is relatively easy to enter, especially for online retailers and discount stores.
- However, Target’s strong brand recognition, extensive supply chain, and loyal customer base create barriers to entry.
Bargaining Power of Suppliers:
- Moderate: Target has significant bargaining power due to its large scale and ability to negotiate favorable terms with suppliers.
- However, suppliers of unique products or niche brands may have some bargaining power.
Bargaining Power of Buyers:
- Moderate: Consumers have a variety of options, including online retailers and discount stores.
- Target’s strong brand loyalty and convenient shopping experience can mitigate buyer power.
Threat of Substitute Products:
- High: Consumers can easily switch to online shopping or other retail formats, especially for commodity products.
- Target’s differentiation through private-label brands, unique merchandise, and strong customer service can help mitigate this threat.
Competitive Rivalry:
- High: The retail industry is highly competitive, with major players like Walmart, Amazon, and Costco.
- Target can differentiate itself through its focus on style, convenience, and a curated shopping experience.
VRIO Analysis
- Valuable: Target’s strong brand reputation, extensive store network, and efficient supply chain are valuable assets.
- Rare: Target’s unique combination of merchandise and shopping experience sets it apart from competitors.
- Inimitable: It is difficult for competitors to replicate Target’s brand identity and customer loyalty.
- Organized: Target has a strong organizational structure and effective management team.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths:
- Strong brand recognition
- Extensive store network
- Strong supply chain and logistics
- Customer loyalty program
- Private-label brands
Weaknesses:
- High operating costs
- Dependence on consumer spending
- Competition from online retailers
Opportunities:
- E-commerce growth
- Expansion into new markets
- Diversification into new product categories
Threats:
- Economic downturns
- Increased competition from online retailers
- Supply chain disruptions
PESTEL Analysis
Political: Government regulations, tax policies, and trade policies can impact Target’s operations. Economic: Economic conditions, interest rates, and consumer spending patterns can affect sales and profitability. Sociocultural: Changes in consumer preferences, demographics, and lifestyles can influence demand for Target’s products. Technological: Advances in technology can create new opportunities and challenges for Target, such as e-commerce and digital marketing. Environmental: Environmental regulations and consumer concerns about sustainability can impact Target’s operations. Legal: Laws and regulations related to labor, consumer protection, and antitrust can affect Target’s business practices.
Matrix Analysis (e.g., BCG Matrix, Ansoff Matrix)
A BCG Matrix can be used to analyze Target’s product portfolio. High-growth, high-market-share products can be considered “stars,” while low-growth, high-market-share products can be categorized as “cash cows.” Target can use this analysis to prioritize investments and allocate resources effectively.
Improving Competitiveness
To further improve its competitive position, Target could consider the following strategies:
- Digital Transformation: Continue to invest in e-commerce, mobile apps, and digital marketing to enhance the online shopping experience.
- Omnichannel Strategy: Seamlessly integrate online and offline channels to provide a consistent customer experience.
- Private Label Expansion: Expand its private-label offerings to differentiate itself from competitors and improve profit margins.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Implement sustainable practices to attract environmentally conscious consumers.
- Customer Loyalty Programs: Enhance loyalty programs to encourage repeat business and gather valuable customer data.
By leveraging its strengths, addressing weaknesses, capitalizing on opportunities, and mitigating threats, Target can maintain its position as a leading retailer and continue to thrive in a competitive market.
