Current Strategic Potential Essay Example for Free

Current Strategic Potential Essay The strategic potential of an enterprise (SPE) depends on the ability of an enterprise to take into account and properly assess both the internal and external conditions of its activities (Ginevicius et al. 2010). This means to know the strategic potential of an organisation, in other words ‘what it can do’, one has to analyse how different environments can be more or less rich in opportunities or hostile and how organisational capabilities ( resources and competences) can enable or constrain strategies. This essay will examine which information tools are necessary to assess the current strategic potential of Lufthansa. A globally leading aviation group focusing on the core competencies of its five business areas: Passenger Airline Group, Logistics, MRO, Catering and IT Services. The ability to analyse and evaluate the external conditions (environment) internal conditions (capabilities) is a complex phenomenon and dependent of an organisation’s activities and usage of appropriate tools. The essay will argue that for an organisation like Lufthansa with global presence and complex operations, to assess external environment PESTEL whereas for diagnosing strategic capabilities Value chain Value network are the most appropriate tools. Due to the reason that Lufthansa is an internationally operating organisation it faces international challenges. These international challenges govern as well the internal organisation as the external environment. The external environment has huge impacts on the Lufthansa. To conduct external environment analysis of Lufthansa it is essential to have information about the company, its financials, operations, global network, Strategy statement, Markets customer segment research studies, information about alliances partnerships,  Flight Schedules/Routes, Environmental challenges / studies ( e.g. Noise pollution, energy consumption controls related information), Fleet information (type aging of fleets), Competitor comparison reports, Legislation and regulations ( e.g. preferential airport rights if any) and Customer satisfaction studies. When it comes to select the tools for external environment analysis, there are quite few tools / technique available but two major / widely used to ol / techniques are PESTEL Porter’s Five forces. However use of PESTEL provides a wide overview reveal threats and opportunities presented e.g. by technological changes (i.e. fuel efficient engines, airframes, internet) or shift in market demographic, legal issues such as restriction on mergers, political such as security controls etc. PESTEL analysis helps to uncover issues likely to have major impact upon the future of the industry, regions or markets. The identification of the key drivers in macro environment changes help focus on what is most important and can be used to construct scenarios of alternative possible future. PESTLE-analysis tries to make the future more comprehensible and predictable though we have to take into account that future is something which cannot be forecasted, as unpredictable events might occur.Porter’s five forces framework which helps identify the attractiveness of an industry in terms of five competitive forces is another option to analyse external environment. However to be used carefully as not necessarily complete even at the industrial level for example, * Defining the â€Å"right† industry, most industries can be analysed at different levels e.g. different markets and even different segments within them e.g. airline industry has different geographical markets (Europe, Middle East, China etc.) with different segments (leisure, business freight). The competitive forces are different for each of these markets so must be analysed separately * Converging industries, definition of industry is too difficult because of continuous change of boundaries e.g. high tech area is converging. * Complementary organisation, analysts argue that industry analyses needs to include ‘sixth force’ due to the organisation that are complementary rather than competitors. An example is Microsoft Windows software and McAfee each is better because of others. Complementarity implies a significance shift in perspective. While Porter’s five forces sees organisations as battling against other for share of industry value, whereas  complementors may cooperate to increase the total value available. Others tools / techniques for external environment analysis such as Strategic group analysis, market segment analysis and the strategy canvases. These tools / techniques covers only the inner layer of the environment and help identify strategic gaps or opportunities thus misses the wider view of external environment for a company such as Lufthansa, thus may not be considered for analysis of Lufthansa.Strategic capabilities of an organisation contribute to its long term survival or competitive advantage. Two components of Strategic capability are ‘resources’ (what an organisation has) which includes physical, financial and humans resources and ‘competence’ (what it does well) how well these resources are deployed. The tools / techniques available to diagnose organisational capabilities includes, * Benchmarking, means to understand the relative performance of organisation * The Value chain and Value network, to understand how value to a customer is created and can be developed * Activity mapping, means of identifying more detailed activities which underpin strategic capabilities * SWOT, summarises the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats likely to impact on strategy developmentTo diagnose Lufthansa’s capabilities (Resources competencies) ‘the Value chain Value network’ is more appropriate tool/ technique. As it helps to understand the Lufthansa’s primary and secondary activities and how company strive to achieve competitive advantage by delivering value to the customer. The value chain can be used to diagnose and create competitive advantages on both cost and differentiation. The value chain is also beneficial to understand the strategic position as ‘generic description of activities’ help managers understand if there is a cluster of activities providing benefit to customer located within particular area of value chain. It also support analyzing competitive position of the organisation using VRIN ( Value, Rarity, inimitability, Non substitutability) criteria, further value chain helps to anaylse the cost and value of the of the activities. Since Lufthansa is part of wider value network (i.e. inter-organizational links relationship to create a product or services) it will further helps to understand the strategic position of the organisation. Other tools / techniques available to assess the capabilities of Lufthansa / organisation may not be able to stand simply because the value chain can be used to diagnose and create  competitive advantages on both cost and differentiation. Whereas Benchmarking is limited to comparing input output or outcomes and dose not identify the reason for relative performance in terms of underlying capabilities. Benchmarking may also lead to measurement distortions which mean you get what you measure. Activity mapping useful it is the danger is that, in seeking to explain capabilities underpinning their strategy managers may identify capabilities as too abstract a level. SWOT on the other hand may produce long list of strength weakness opportunities and threat so prioritization remains an issue, it may be used as a summary not as a substitute of analysis, it also lacks of specificity thus making value chain value network analysis more authentic to produce the needed analysis. To understand what kind of information is essential to conduct such analysis it’s important to draw a value chain map of the organisation. Below table is a representation of the value chain of an airline and give fair idea of the information needed for such an analysis. Conclusion,To assess the strategic potential PESTEL (for external environment), Value chain Value network (to diagnose strategic capabilities) tools / techniques are the most appropriate. With PESTEL broad macro environment of the organisation in terms of political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal factor is analysed. This leads to identification of key drivers in macro-environment which are used to construct alternative scenarios with regard to environmental changes. The strategic capabilities which provide competitive advantage on the basis of their value, rarity, inimitability and non-substitutability (VRIN) are diagnosed through Value chain Value network analysis. Thus considering international nature of Lufthansa operations and global presence both tools (PESTEL Value chain Value network) to be used to assess its strategic potential.| References, Johnson, G, Whittington, R, Scholes, Kevan 2011, Exploring Strategy,9th edn, Pearson Education Limited, England Richard J. Speed, 1989Oh Mr Porter! A Re-Appraisal of Competitive Strategy, Marketing Intelligence Planning, Vol. 7 Iss: 5 pp. 8 – 11 Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000001043 Rainer Feurer, Kazem Chaharbaghi, (1997),Strategy development: past, present and future, raining for Quality, Vol. 5 Iss: 2 pp. 58 70 Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09684879710167647 Joan Magretta, (2012),Michael Porter answers managers FAQs, Strategy Leadership, Vol. 40 Iss: 2 pp.11 – 15 Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/10878571211209305 G. Anand, Rambabu Kodali, (2008),Benchmarking the benchmarking models, Benchmarking: An International Journal, Vol. 15 Iss: 3 pp. 257 291 Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14635770810876593 Brian Leavy, (2003),Assessing your strategic alternatives from both a market position and core competence perspective, Strategy Leadership, Vol. 31 Iss: 6 pp. 29 35 Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/10878570310505578 Ginevicius, R, Podvezko, V, Nototny, M Komka, A, 2012, Comprehensive quantitative evaluation of the strategic potential of an enterprize, Economic Computation Economic Cybernetics Studies Research, vol.46, no.1, pp. 65-84 Kavanah, P Hisrich, RD, 2010, The relationship between the quality of the idea and the strategic potential of a new venture; a longitudinal study of five Irish campus companies, Managing Global transitions: International research Journal, vol.8, no. 3, pp. 261-284 Steven T. Walsh Jonathan D. Linton (2001): The Competence Pyramid: A Framework for Identifying and Analysing Firm and Industry Competence, Technology Analysis Strategic Management, 13:2,165-177

Japan History :: Japanese Culture, Shinto

Shinto Shinto is the aboriginal spirituality followed by the Japanese people. In the 8th century, Shinto practices were for the first time, archived in codified records of history of the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki. Shinto today is a term that is related to community shrines matched with various human ceremonies like historical memorials, marriage, harvest festivals and worship. People who practice Shinto express their varied values with a standard way of communication and activities, implementing similar ancient dress code and rituals. There are two main Buddhism branches in existence and Mahayana is one of them. The term Mahayana means great vehicle. The origin of Mahayana Buddhism is India (Mason & Caiger 98). Out of the two major Buddhism traditions in existence today, Mahayana is the largest. The Mahayana traditions teach that the tradition is a path of quest, for absolute enlightenment for the benefit of all mortal beings. Mahayana is also referred to as Bodhisattvayana (Mason & Caiger 98). The history of Mahayana shows the spread of the tradition from India to other Asian countries. Mahayana Buddhism traditions exist even today. The Heian period is a historical time in Japanese history, happened between the years 794 to 1185. During this period, Buddhism, Taioism and other Chinese traditions were at peak (Morton & Olenik 23). The Heian period was named after the capital Heian-kvo, the modern Kyoto City. It was also the peak of the Japanese imperial court. The period is noted for its literature, art and poetry (Morton & Olenik 23). During this period, the Imperial house had the power although the real power was held by the noble Fujiwara clan who had intermarried with the Japanese emperor. In Japanese, the term Heian means peace and tranquility. The establishment of Kamakura shogunate in Japan happened after the then ruling Taira clan was defeated in Genpei war. Kamakura shogunate was headed by shoguns (Mason & Caiger 158). The shoguns were hereditary military dictators of Japan. The shogunate was based in kamakura, and controlled the entire nation. Court Life in Heian Japan The Heian period saw the Fujiwara clan hold the real power. The Fujiwala clan was noble and so, they had great influence on politics and culture in Japan (Mason & Caiger 249). The noble families’ life was focused on manners and beauty guided by a powerful civil code called miyabi. At the Kyoto court, etiquette, appearance and self-discipline were stressed (Mason & Caiger 106).

A Lady with the Little Dog Essay

1.â€Å"The lady with the little dog â€Å"- Analyzing literature questions 1. Gurov’s character represents as a man who dislikes the company of man of his age. He finds their company uninterested and boring. In addition, he finds his wife to be unintelligent, narrow, and inelegant and he did not like to stay home at all and had been unfaithful to his wife as well. He also refers to woman’s race in a â€Å"the lower race. † Nevertheless, he seems to enjoy the company of women, which only associates with women. He believes, with woman’s company he finds himself free, knows exactly what to say and how to behave with them. He also believes that he has a charm, which attracts women to attract towards him. His character starts to develop when he chats with other women’s and there he finds Anna and starts talking to her. The main contribution to the development of Gurov’s character is caused through Anna. For most of the reason, because, he finds Anna attractive and Since, the day they both had a conversation, from that time, Gurov starts indulging himself to her even more. Later, he starts insisting her to meet every day. 2. The narrator describes Gurov’s wife as a tall, erect woman with dark eyebrows, staid and dignified and she says ‘intellectual to herself’. It can easily be notified that Gurov’s wife does not give that much effort to be familiar with his environment. She seems to take less care of her husband. ‘It seems like she does not want to do anything with her husband. So, which makes it much easier for reader to interpret that why Gurov gets in an affair with other woman. Even, though he has a family of his own and a wife as well. Of course, Gurov will have an affair with another woman since his wife does not seem to care about any of his activities or anything related to him. 3. In the story, Gurov and Anna love story begins in Yalta. Both of them starts talking to each other, and then starts meeting every other day. Then, both of them start falling in love. They, start meeting each other secretly. Their love story takes place continuous. One day, Anna had to go back to Petersburg, back to her original life- to her husband. Then , in Moscow, Gurov tries to forget Anna but he fails to do so. He keeps trying and trying but it doesn’t work. So then, flashback appears in his mind of all the memories he spent with Anna in Yalta. Then he finally decides to go to Petersburg to meet her and clear things out. After he meets her, she tells him she will visit him in Moscow. Then again both of them starts meeting each other secretly. Finally, both of them realizes they are doing wrong by meeting each other in secretly. Also, in Moscow he realizes for the first time he fall in love. Although, he seems a bit older, but for the first time he falls in love. Basically, in Moscow, both of them from their fantasy world goes back to their original world. But realization occurs, and they decides to plan out how they will try to sort things out. Also, Moscow’s cold weather symbolizes the realization of things. It also tells us shows the memories of moments spent before the winter.  It shows lonliness, cold, and unaware of things, uninterested and easily get bored. 4. When first coming into contact with her, Gurov notices that she is walking a dog. The kind of dog that she is walking, a white Pomeranian, symbolizes Anna’s innocence. She is a married woman, alone on vacation while her husband is back at home sick. It is evident that there was something special about Anna that drew in Gurov because the story says, â€Å"a romance with an unknown woman†¦ suddenly took possession of him. † Although, shortly after having sexual intercourse with Anna Gurov â€Å"felt bored already†¦ He was irritated by the naive tone. †

Bishop Alexander Walters Religious Leader and Civil Rights Activist

Noted religious leader and civil rights activist Bishop Alexander Walters was instrumental in establishing the National Afro-American League and later, the Afro-American Council. Both organizations, despite being short-lived, served as predecessors to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Early Life and Education Alexander Walters was born in 1858 in Bardstown, Kentucky. Walters was the sixth of eight children born into slavery. By the age of seven, Walters was freed from slavery through the 13th Amendment. He was able to attend school and showed great scholastic ability, enabling him to receive a full scholarship from the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church to attend private school. Pastor of the AME Zion Church In 1877, Walters had obtained a license to serve as a pastor. Throughout his career, Walters worked in cities such as Indianapolis, Louisville, San Francisco, Portland, Oregon, Cattanooga, Knoxville and New York City. In 1888, Walters was presiding over Mother Zion Church in New York City. The following year, Walters was chosen to represent the Zion Church at the World’s Sunday School Convention in London. Walters extended his overseas travel by visiting Europe, Egypt, and Israel. By 1892 Walters was selected to become a bishop of the Seventh District of the General Conference of the AME Zion Church. In later years, President Woodrow Wilson invited Walters to become an ambassador to Liberia. Walters declined because he wanted to promote AME Zion Church educational programs throughout the United States. Civil Rights Activist While presiding over Mother Zion Church in Harlem, Walters met T. Thomas Fortune, editor of the New York Age. Fortune was in the process of establishing the National Afro-American League, an organization that would fight against Jim Crow legislation, racial discrimination and lynching. The organization began in 1890 but was short-lived, ending in 1893. Nevertheless, Walters’ interest in racial inequality never waned and by 1898, he was ready to establish another organization. Inspired by the lynching of an African-American postmaster and his daughter in South Carolina, Fortune and Walters brought together a number of African-American leaders to find a solution to racism in American society. Their plan: revive the NAAL. Yet this time, the organization would be called the National Afro-American Council (AAC). Its mission would be to lobby for anti-lynching legislation, end domestic terrorism and racial discrimination. Most notably, the organization wanted to challenge ruling such as Plessy v. Ferguson, which established â€Å"separate but equal.† Walters would serve as the organization’s first president. Although the AAC was much more organized than its predecessor, there was great divide within the organization. As Booker T. Washington rose to national prominence for his philosophy of accommodation in relation to segregation and discrimination, the organization split in two factions. One, led by Fortune, who was Washington’s ghostwriter, supported the leader’s ideals. The other, challenged Washington’s ideas. Men such as Walters and W.E.B. Du Bois led the charge in opposition to Washington. And when Du Bois left the organization to establish the Niagara Movement with William Monroe Trotter, Walters followed suit. By 1907, the AAC was dismantled but by then, Walters was working with Du Bois as a member of the Niagara Movement. Like the NAAL and the AAC, the Niagara Movement was rife with conflict. Most notably, the organization could never receive publicity through the African-American press because most publishers were part of the â€Å"Tuskegee Machine.†   But this did not stop Walters from working towards inequality. When the Niagara Movement was absorbed into the NAACp in 1909, Walters was present, ready to work. He would even be elected as vice president of the organization in 1911. When Walters died in 1917, he was still active as a leader in the AME Zion Church and the NAACP.