Prompt: Looking at the emerging capabilities of autonomous commercial delivery systems (over-the-road trucks, urban pizza delivery, drones, etc.) and considering the different ways to assess competitive advantage thus far in the course. What factors must an organization consider in creating or maintaining competitive advantage in a world of autonomous delivery systems? Of the various internal and external stakeholders of an organization, how would you address stakeholder needs and expectations with respect to autonomous delivery.
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
The Future of Autonomous Delivery Systems: Creating and Maintaining Competitive Advantage
Introduction
The advent of autonomous delivery systems, including over-the-road trucks, urban pizza delivery, and drones, has the potential to revolutionize the way goods are transported and delivered. As organizations begin to explore and adopt these emerging capabilities, it becomes crucial to consider the factors that contribute to creating and maintaining competitive advantage in this rapidly evolving landscape. In this essay, we will delve into the various internal and external stakeholders of an organization and discuss how their needs and expectations can be addressed with respect to autonomous delivery.
Factors for Creating and Maintaining Competitive Advantage
Technological Innovation: Organizations must prioritize continuous research and development to stay at the forefront of autonomous delivery systems. Investing in cutting-edge technology, such as advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, and machine learning algorithms, will enable organizations to improve efficiency, accuracy, and safety in their delivery operations.
Cost Efficiency: Autonomous delivery systems have the potential to reduce labor costs significantly. Organizations that can effectively leverage these technologies to streamline their operations will have a competitive advantage in terms of pricing their services competitively while maintaining profitability.
Scalability: The ability to scale operations rapidly is crucial in the world of autonomous delivery systems. Organizations that can expand their fleet of autonomous vehicles or drones quickly and efficiently will be able to handle larger volumes of deliveries, providing a competitive edge over competitors.
Data Analytics: Autonomous delivery systems generate vast amounts of data that can be harnessed to gain valuable insights into customer preferences, optimize routing algorithms, and improve overall operational efficiency. Organizations that invest in robust data analytics capabilities will be able to make data-driven decisions, leading to enhanced customer satisfaction and improved performance.
Safety and Security: Ensuring the safety and security of goods during autonomous delivery is paramount. Organizations that prioritize implementing robust security measures, such as encryption, secure communication protocols, and tamper-proof packaging, will gain a competitive advantage by building trust with their customers.
Addressing Stakeholder Needs and Expectations
Customers: Autonomous delivery systems offer customers the promise of faster, more efficient, and reliable deliveries. To address customer needs and expectations, organizations must focus on providing accurate tracking information, real-time updates, flexible delivery options, and excellent customer support. Additionally, organizations can leverage autonomous delivery systems to offer personalized experiences through customized delivery schedules or tailored product recommendations.
Employees: As organizations adopt autonomous delivery systems, it is essential to address the concerns of employees whose roles may be impacted by automation. Transparent communication about the potential impact on job roles, retraining opportunities, and career development pathways will help alleviate employee anxiety. Organizations should also emphasize the benefits of autonomous systems, such as improved safety conditions and the ability to focus on higher-value tasks.
Regulators: Engaging with regulators is crucial to ensure compliance with evolving regulations surrounding autonomous delivery systems. Organizations should actively participate in discussions, provide input on policy frameworks, and collaborate with regulatory bodies to establish clear guidelines for safe and ethical operation.
Suppliers: Organizations must work closely with suppliers to integrate autonomous delivery systems seamlessly into their supply chain. Collaborative efforts such as sharing data insights, optimizing routes for efficient pickups and deliveries, and ensuring compatibility between systems will enable organizations to create a competitive advantage by streamlining their supply chain operations.
Local Communities: Autonomous delivery systems have the potential to impact local communities by reducing congestion and emissions. Organizations should engage with local communities through transparent communication, addressing concerns related to noise pollution, privacy, and the use of public spaces for autonomous operations. Additionally, organizations can invest in community initiatives, such as training programs for future autonomous system operators or supporting local businesses affected by automation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, creating and maintaining competitive advantage in a world of autonomous delivery systems requires organizations to prioritize technological innovation, cost efficiency, scalability, data analytics capabilities, safety, and security. Moreover, addressing the needs and expectations of various stakeholders such as customers, employees, regulators, suppliers, and local communities is crucial for long-term success. By embracing these factors and actively engaging with stakeholders in an open and collaborative manner, organizations can navigate the evolving landscape of autonomous delivery systems and emerge as leaders in this transformative industry.
