• Managing Differences
1. What is the underlying objective of Aggregation? If you were the CEO of Toyota, what aspects or facets of a car design and its marketing strategy would you examine to achieve this objective?
2. Beyond economies of scale what are some additional reasons why a firm will pursue an Aggregation strategy. Give examples (if you can’t think of one, frame your examples in the context of Nikon’s line of digital cameras aimed at professional (press, wedding, landscape) photographers. 3. What is meant by the term arbitrage in the context of the “Managing Differences” article?
4. What might be some bases by which a firm may engage in arbitrage that go beyond simple labor cost arbitrage
5. Imagine you are advising the CEO of Zara adapt the firm’s customer facing (not operational) strategy. What are some important adaptations you would recommend (provide a one sentence justification for each) to Zara with regard to STORE LOCATIONS; MERCHANDISE ASSORTMENT; and STORE PERSONNEL in order to succeed in North America?
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
Unleashing Competitive Advantage through Strategic Management: Insights from Toyota and Zara
In the dynamic landscape of business, strategic management plays a pivotal role in driving organizational success and gaining a competitive edge. By delving into the strategic approaches of industry giants like Toyota and Zara, we can uncover the essence of aggregation, arbitrage, and the significance of strategic adaptations in different markets.
Thesis Statement
Strategic management principles such as aggregation, arbitrage, and market-specific adaptations are crucial for businesses like Toyota and Zara to unleash their competitive advantage and succeed in diverse market landscapes.
Aggregation Strategy at Toyota
As the CEO of Toyota, the underlying objective of aggregation would be to streamline car design and marketing strategies to appeal to a broad customer base while optimizing operational efficiencies. To achieve this objective, aspects such as modular design for customization, eco-friendly features to attract environmentally conscious consumers, innovative technology integration for enhanced driving experience, and targeted marketing campaigns tailored to different demographics and regions would be crucial facets to examine.
Reasons for Pursuing Aggregation Strategy
Beyond economies of scale, firms pursue an aggregation strategy to leverage brand reputation, capitalize on global market trends, diversify product offerings, and enhance customer loyalty. For example, Nikon’s line of digital cameras aimed at professional photographers showcases how the company strategically aggregates features like high-resolution sensors, advanced autofocus systems, and rugged designs to cater to specific niche markets.
Understanding Arbitrage in Strategic Management
Arbitrage in the context of the “Managing Differences” article refers to the practice of exploiting price or value differentials in various markets to generate profits. Firms engage in arbitrage not only based on labor cost differentials but also factors like currency exchange rates, regulatory disparities, supply chain inefficiencies, and technological advancements.
Bases for Engaging in Arbitrage
Firms may engage in arbitrage by leveraging differences in tax regulations, raw material costs, intellectual property rights, consumer preferences, technological expertise, and distribution channels. By capitalizing on these variations across markets, companies can maximize their profitability and gain a competitive advantage.
Strategic Adaptations for Zara in North America
1. Store Locations: Expand presence in high-traffic urban areas and upscale shopping districts to enhance visibility and attract target customers.
2. Merchandise Assortment: Introduce region-specific clothing lines and collaborations with local designers to resonate with North American fashion trends.
3. Store Personnel: Invest in customer service training to provide personalized shopping experiences and strengthen brand loyalty among North American consumers.
