The Strategic Manager Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The Strategic Manager - Assignment Example This is the three aspects that can be described as ‘layers’ of the business environment, which surrounds the organization. Macro-environment is said to be the most influential aspect of the environment that surrounds any organization. It comprises of the factors that impact to a greater or lesser extent on almost all organizations. Changes in macro-environment can have a negative or positive influence on an individual organization. The most commonly used framework that is used to analyze the macro-environment of an organization is referred to as PESTEL, which identifies the future trends of an organization in terms of political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal environment. Strategies will have to change depending on how a business organization adopts to certain changes in macro-environment. A strategic manager will have to alter a strategy if a factor in macro-environment such as technology changes in the future. The other ‘layer’ within the broad environment of business organization after macro-environment is the industry or a sector. An industry is a group of organization producing the same products or services. A strategic manager can use Porter’s five forces framework and cycle of competition concept to understand how the competitive dynamic around and within an industry are changing from time to time. Porter’s five forces framework was established to assess the attractiveness (profit potential) of different industries. A strategic manager can use this framework to identify the source competition in an industry or sector. These forces are very important to analyze the competitive environment that surrounds a business organization, it should be however be noted that the five forces are not independent since pressure in one direction can trigger off changes in a dynamic process of shifting source of competition. Competitors and market are the next immediate layer

Peace and conflict studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Peace and conflict studies - Essay Example Conflict resolution can be defined as a situation in which the conflicting parties go into an agreement that provides solution to their core incompatibilities, acknowledge the other individual’s continued subsistence as parties and stop all violent actions directed towards the other individual. Conflict resolution usually comes after a conflict (Wallensteen 8). Conflict Resolution Paradigm: Peace through the Power of Communication The paradigm provides a more practical approach to peace through the creation and refinement of the skills necessary for the analysis of conflict and responds to the conflict with effective communication and negotiation strategies (Funk 1). According to this paradigm, conflict is found at all the levels of organization and human interaction and it ranges from interpersonal to international. Although conflict causes great human suffering and separation, it does not lead to violence; the conflict is necessary for the main changes in the social systems and relationships (Funk 1). Peace is a continuous process that skillfully deals with the prevention or the transformation of conflict. Effective management and resolution of conflict requires the awareness of an individual’s attitudes towards conflict and regular conflict management styles such as collaborative, competitive, submissive and avoidant and other styles. This is done in order to achieve freedom that defines an individual’s response in a coordinated and proactive manner. The awareness enhances the chances of a win-win rather than lose-lose or win-lose solution. The paradigm helps the individual (a) to understand and operate his or her emotions, (b) to create openness to a more reliable communication, and (c) to manage the processes that can lead to escalation of a conflict (Funk 1). Conflict resolution paradigm proponents approach peace through straight interactions with the others. If peace is required, the suggestion provided is the development of skills f or coexistence and communication (Funk 1). Nonviolence Paradigm: Peace through Willpower The paradigm proposes that the government power is derived primarily from the people’s consent and secondarily from intimidation. By consenting to the affairs of the state and working within the norms’ framework, the individuals authorize that order. If the norms are dehumanizing, the individuals dehumanize and disempower themselves (Funk 1). The peace that coexists between human communities cannot be attained through violence nor can the democracy be achieved through armed rebellion within the society. Therefore, peace cannot be disentangled from justice and justice encompasses the lack of oppression; this is regardless of whether it was perpetrated directly through the use of weapons or indirectly thorough the inequitable institutions and structures (Funk 1). In a nutshell, peace only coexists in the absence of violence. According to this paradigm, the legitimate power is derived from the human solidarity and willpower rather from the violence; the violence undermines the community and bears seeds of destruction. The nonviolence paradigm provides a move towards peacemaking. Peacemaking has been utilized to counter any forms of political repression and social discrimination and resist foreign occupation and imperialism (Funk 1). My Opinion