A discussion regarding strategic management in different organizations, focusing on the Robin Hood Case Study as an example of successful strategic management techniques.
Abstract This paper takes a look at the Robin Hood Case Study to provide an example of how strategic management can affect an organization's mission, vision, future and overall success. This paper analyzes Robin Hood's organizational strategy, mission and vision in the context of strategic management, and offers a path of strategic management for Robin and the Merrymen to follow that will ensure their organization's success.
Outline:
Introduction
Organizational Structure of Robin Hood and his Merrymen
Motivation and Equity Theory as applied to the Merrymen
A Brief Overview of the Merrymen's Mission
New Strategy for the Merrymen's Organization
Changing Market Conditions
The Establishment of a Fixed Transit Tax
A New Vision for Robin Hood and the Merrymen
Conclusion
From the Paper "Goals setting theories argue that organization members set goals and that organizations can influence work behavior by influencing these goals. The major concepts in the theory are intentions, performance standards, goal acceptance, and the effort expended. These concepts are assumed to be the motivation. Individual goal setting should be more effective than group goals because it is the impact of goals on intentions that is important. In goal-setting theory the crucial factor is the goal. The ultimate goal of the Merrymen is to set King Richard free, and to continue to serve the farmers and townspeople through the inconvenience of the rich. Although the incentive or reward may affect goal acceptance and commitment, neither is the critical element. Tests of the theory show that using goals leads to higher performance than situations without goals, and that difficult goals lead to better performance than easy ones. In this case, the Merrymen are faced with a difficult goal because they are acting outside of the law of Prince John. Strategic management research indicates that although participation in goal setting may increase satisfaction, it does not always lead to higher performance. Difficult, accepted, specific goals combined with feedback and rewards for goal attainment should result in highly motivated members. What this means is that Robin Hood, as the leader of the Merrymen, must provide his followers with positive feedback and encouragement."
Abstract This paper explains that there have been numerous ?Robin Hood? movies, but the 1938 version created a new standard for the swashbuckling genre against which to judge various versions of Robin Hood legend. The author points out that character of Maid Marian, the love interest of Robin Hood, has undergone many modifications and enhancements over the years, being portrayed either as a meek and timid member of the royal family or as a strong and royal woman. The paper demonstrates that, in 1938 version of the film, Maid Marian was portrayed as strong-willed woman with a regal attitude, responsible for Robin's rescue at a critical point in the movie.
From the Paper "This dialogue indicates that Marian was portrayed as a woman with a mind of her own who didn"t want others to make decisions for her. Unlike the 1922 version in which Maid Marian didn"t even know what her role was in the movie; Enid Bennett, who played the part later recalled, in this version, Havilland knew where she stood in the movie and that is what gave her character strength and meaning. This is how one writer presents the view of Bennett on her role in 1922 version of the film: ?Lady Marian Fitzwalter (Enid Bennett) served as Robin Hood's romantic interest and is rescued by Robin Hood in time to end the film in his arms. As Bennett noted years later, she did not have much to do, or know exactly what she was supposed to be doing, but she did enjoy doing it.? "
Tags: medieval, swashbuckle, modifications, royal, royal
Abstract This paper takes a look at the case study of Robin Hood by using the Value Driven Management Model. The Value Driven Management Model analyzes eight drivers, which include External Culture, Organizational Culture, Individual Employee, Customer, Supplier, Third-party, Owner, and Competitor. The Robin Hood case study utilizes several of these value drivers, including Organizational Culture, Individual Employee, Customer, Owner, Third-party, and Competitor.
From the Paper "Robin's idea of organizational culture involved his merrymen to follow his vision of vengeance for the sheriff and his vision did not have a clear strategic plan for conquering the sheriff. He believed that strength lay in numbers so that quantity, not quality had a dramatic effect on his mission. He did not know if his men had the same vision he did. He was uncertain of his progress with the campaign, the disposition of his forces, recent moves, and options that confronted him. He did not comprehend how the impact of his decisions would affect his band. Decisions made or actions taken that run counter to the internal culture of an organization, may, depending upon their magnitude, seriously decrease value over time (Pohlman, 2000)."
Abstract The paper relates how beginning in the 1970s, citizens in poor school districts filed legal challenges to Texas' public education financing system, arguing that relying on property taxes for school funding gave wealthier districts an unfair advantage in educating their children. The Robin Hood Act was created, therefore, to distribute property taxes from wealthy districts to the poor districts. The paper reveals that the Act has succeeded in bringing the property wealth of wealthy districts down but has had less success in bringing the wealth of poor districts up. The paper discusses how the many complaints end in pledges to do away with the system. Nevertheless, political, economic and social forces in Texas make the death of Robin Hood not very feasible, at least in the short-term.
From the Paper "As a citizen and Texas homeowner, I am against the Robin Hood Act. The Act has resulted in my property taxes increasing without offering my children the benefits of those increases. The increases, as well as part of the base property taxes, are in use outside of my area and are in use in other school districts throughout the State."
"I think the Robin Hood Act is an ineffective way to fund schools because under the plan, local property taxes are the primary basis of funds for the 1,036 Texas school districts with the intention of levying a property tax. In 1999-2000, local taxes made up an additional 50 percent of school district revenues. The significant variation in school districts' taxable property results in a large gap between low-wealth and high-wealth school districts' ability to raise local funds for financing educational costs."
Tags: property, tax, funds, wealthy, poor, district
Abstract In this study of the book "Mutation" by Robin Cook the writer of the paper shows how Cook uses two distinct tones to address the reader - scientific detachment versus human concern. The writer shows that by using conflicting tones, Cook ensures that the reader does not take sides.
From the Paper "Most of the narrative traces the activities of Victor and Marsha, at home, at work and trying to "discover" their son. As is necessary to the plot, Cook devotes two sections of the novel to incidents involving the deaths of the Murray and Hobbs children (Chapter 2). This mention titillates us at the beginning; the reader sees a possible relationship with the story. It is only at the end that we discover that VJ ingeniously murders the two children (Chapter 14)."
An analysis of Robin D. G. Kelley's article, 'Playing for Keeps' and an in-depth look at the street culture defined by African-American's living in the inner city.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 1 source, 2006, $ 35.95
Abstract This essay analyzes the article 'Playing for Keeps' by Robin D. G. Kelley. This essay discusses how Kelley examines the meaning of play in mainly African-America inner cities. According to the paper, in this case play is defined as street basketball, street art and street performance, which for many of these youth presents potential labor especially in an economic and social climate that provides little opportunity for fulfilling wage labor. The paper also takes an in-depth look at hip-hop's rap music, graffiti art and break dancing.
Abstract This paper presents a book review of "Christian Ethics: An Essential Guide" by theologian Robin Lovin. The paper relates that, in the book, Lovin discusses how people of all faiths strive to lead a good life, although few could define a good life in a concrete fashion. The paper then relates that Lovin explains his beliefs and how finding a state of happiness and creating a truly good life means caring about the welfare of others in an indiscriminate manner, not simply satisfying desires.
From the Paper "Although almost everyone, Christian or non-Christian would say that he or she strives to lead a good life, very few people feel that they do lead such good a life, or, when pressed, could define a good life in a concrete fashion. Theologian Robin Lovin believes that a good life is not based in the pursuit of pleasure, although secular, materialist American culture may assure its citizens that this is the case. Lovin believes that such pleasure seeking is only that, in the true Aristotelian sense--a search for pleasures of the moment, rather than a search for the sort of true and lasting happiness that is the foundation of a good life. Finding a state of happiness within and creating a truly good life means caring about the welfare of others in an indiscriminate manner, not simply satisfying desires."
Abstract This paper examines how Samuel Morison turns a personal life interest into a passion as he studies the life and journeys of Christopher Columbus in his book, "Christopher Columbus, Mariner". It shows that, while the modern view of Columbus has been rewritten and disfigured by multiculturalists into that of a greedy, slave-mongering, tyrannical despot, Christopher Columbus's journey and his exploits arose from his deep convictions, and these actions qualify him as one of the greatest explorers of all time.
From the Paper "His lack of actual empirical knowledge of the length of the journey, and not knowing about the continent which lay between Columbus and the Far East is one more of the factors which make his journey such a triumph of spirit and dedication to his chosen task. After long negotiations, Columbus was financed for his voyage by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, and in the fall of 1492, three ships were prepared in the harbor Palos (p. 35). On August 3, 1492, the fleet left Palos heading westward, parallel of Gomera. The weather was good; ?like April in Andalusia,? as Columbus wrote in his diary."
Abstract This paper reviews Christopher R. Browning's "Ordinary Men," and its analysis of Nazi soldiers that murdered innocent civilians in the holocaust. The paper shows the methods used by the soldiers to rationalize their actions even though many of them were morally opposed to what they were ordered to do.
From the paper:
"It is understandably commonplace to refer to Hitler as a monster, as inhuman. It is also, by extension, equally commonplace to refer to the Nazis who obeyed him as monsters as well. Yet before the implementation of the madness that was the "Final Solution" in Germany and Eastern Europe, these Nazi soldiers were human beings like ourselves, individuals who lived in a world only a half-century or so before ours. They made ethical decisions on a day-to-day basis. They were ordinary men, according to Christopher R. Browning, who committed acts of extraordinary cruelty. The thesis of his book, appropriately titled 'Ordinary Men,' provides a less comforting view of the foot soldiers of the Holocaust than is tempting to take. But it is ultimately more ethically illuminating?these men were not monsters, Browning suggests, they were ordinary men who provide an example for us all how low we can sink if we are not vigilant in resisting the evil that exists around us."
Abstract The following paper compares and contrasts the themes, poetic techniques, choices of description and unique individual styles of the following poets and poems: William Shakespeare's 'Sonnet 29' and Christopher Marlowe's, 'The Passionate Shepherd to his Love', Michael Drayton's 61 and Sir Philip Sidney's 20,William Shakespeare's, Sonnet I and Walter Raleigh's, A Farewell to False Love,Sir Philip Sidney's 7 and William Shakespeare's, Sonnet 18,William Shakespeare's, Sonnet 55 and William Shakespeare's, Sonnet 71.
From the Paper "These two poems share one common theme, the happiness that their love brings them. But these two poems achieve this in very different ways. Marlowe's poem reads as a love poem. He is addressing his love and telling her how good life will be if she will be his love. At the same time he is also telling himself how much he needs her love. Marlowe does this simply by focusing on what life would be like. He focuses on all the pleasures that will come. In the first section he says that they will gather all the pleasures that are offered. He is referring here to how his life is not complete without her love and how everything will be more beautiful and more appreciated if she is there. He describes everything as perfect and calm. Phrases such as "melodious birds", "fragrant posies", "pretty lambs" and "silver dishes" all add to the feeling of contentment. The lines "a gown made of the finest wool, which from our pretty lambs we pull" is very meaningful. The fact that he describes the lambs that the wool will come from as "pretty" is interesting, as is the choice of the word "pull". Pull does not reflect the same contentment as it is a more forceful term....."
Abstract This paper discusses Christopher Marlowe, the famous playwrite, whose death is an unsolved mystery. It discusses the many different theories formed to explain his sudden death. The most likely possibility or reason for his death is explained in great detail.
From the Paper "Theatre is a very popular entertainment in today's world. Without the contributions of many phenomenal playwrights, theatre would not consist of what is does today. One of these great playwrights who greatly contributed to the world of theatre was Christopher Marlowe. Christopher Marlowe is remembered for not only his great works, but for his short life and sudden death. There is much debate over the death of Christopher Marlowe, and several theories have been created to try and explain the historic event. To fully understand and appreciate the impact of Christopher Marlowe's death, it is necessary to look at his life, death, and theories to explain his death."
Abstract This paper is written about comedy found in Christopher Durang works. In an effort to explore these three thematic elements within this playwright's work, two of his plays will be looked at very thoroughly. Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You, a play first produced in 1979, will provide a look at these motifs in his early work; and Betty's Summer Vacation, a play that premiered in 1999, will balance this out with a look at his later work. However, examples from work throughout Mr. Durang's career will also be presented within the context of this paper.
Abstract This paper will compare and contrast (from the works in the text) the motivations of Christopher Columbus and William Bradford for coming to the new world and will show how these motivations shaped their attitudes towards the people as well as things they discovered. This paper will tell the extent to which they seem to have been driven by economics, religious beliefs or simply idealistic curiosity. It will show how these drives seem to have framed their vision of the new world and its inhabitants.
Abstract This paper provides an analysis and positive review of Samuel Eliot Morison's book, "Christopher Columbus - Mariner". It discusses the perspective from which Morison wrote his book and summarizes its main points, noting the author's frequent allusions to God, to Jesus Christ, and to Christianity.
From the Paper "I choose this book because I have always been fascinated with the combined qualities of courage, intelligence, smart seamanship, leadership and unflagging optimism a man like Christopher Columbus was blessed with. Finding the "New World" by sailing west in relatively fragile vessels, with so many unknowns (do we have ample provisions; are the sailors adequately trained for the arduous and dangerous voyage ahead; will we be shipwrecked in a vicious storm; what reception will we receive from natives?), surely positions Columbus among the greatest adventurers and most accomplished visionaries in human history. And indeed, I believe Columbus's courage was far greater than the courage of a Charles Lindbergh, or a John Glenn, the first American to orbit the earth, or even Neil Armstrong's Apollo 12 flight to the moon and back: those men knew where they were going and something about what it was like to be on those missions, whereas Columbus was simply looking for the Orient with sails as power, the stars as navigational aids, and a burning dream, and was tossing the dice into the deep blue sea to find his way."
Abstract This paper explains that Christopher Byron, in his unauthorized biography of Martha Stewart, ?Martha Inc.?, describes how the girl from a blue-collar, dysfunctional family from New Jersey worked her way to star status by recognizing opportunities and knowing how to capitalize on them. The author points out that, with a mindset of unabashed determination, the book shows another essential quality that a manager must develop in order to have a successful career: working hard; Martha Stewart would not have built her empire without working hard. The paper relates that Byron's book shows the effects of Martha Stewart's egotism and her desire for success at any cost; Along the way, she cheated her friends, lost her husband, and became known for her unscrupulous business practices.
From the Paper "These management styles have put her at the top, but the final page has not been written. After Byron's book went to press, Martha Stewart found herself in the middle of an insider trading scandal. The press reports seem to back up the other stories in the book. She has passed blame to her broker; then to the broker's assistant. Her former business associates have not come forward to give accounts of Martha Stewart's integrity. Her management style and her treatment of friends and family have left her alone to fight the charges filed against her. If there is any one thing to take away from the book, knowing what has happened since its publication, it is not to burn bridges and to treat subordinates, partners and coworkers with respect. Not doing so could undo years of hard work and certainly come back to haunt you."
