Blockbuster Organizational Failure Research Paper

Blockbuster Organizational Failure - Research Paper Example At the same time, it also created numerous challenges in the market place regarding competitiveness, innovativeness as well as sustainability, which has greatly influenced company sustainability in many sectors. Focused on a similar notion, this paper will entail critical analyzes regarding the failure of Blockbuster LLC, which was formerly recognized as Blockbuster Inc. Overview of Blockbuster Organization Blockbuster is a global retail chain, which offers a vivid array of video games, home movie and rental services for DVDs and VCDs at reasonable price to its discriminating global customers. Besides, the organization is also dedicated to provide its customers with adequate product choices and unique purchasing experiences. Currently, Blockbuster is operating with more than 2,500 retail stores spread worldwide. Being an American MNC, the company owns its maximum number of retail stores in the US, apart from Europe, Asia and Australia. The primary objectives of the company over the y ears have been to provide a world class entertainment experience to the consumers with a vivid assortment of movie and game genres, serving to around 90 million people all around the world (Blockbuster, 2013). Irrespective of its success since its establishment, with the increasing pressure of competition in the global platform, the company had to witness a decline in its revenue structure. It was in the year 2010 that the organization filed for bankruptcy and was consequently acquired by Dish Network (Almeida, 2011). Analysis of the Organizational Failure Factors In order to analyze the reasons behind the failure of Blockbuster, the following subject areas will be taken into consideration, which shall be helpful to obtain an in-depth understanding of the role played by various external and internal business environment factors to secure the sustainability of a company in the long-run. Competitive Advantage According to Michael E. Porter (2008) competitive advantage is a strategy of gaining benefit over competitors by offering customers high value through reasonable price, good product quality, product variety, innovativeness as along with other value added services (Porter, 2008). In the current phenomenon, competitive advantages are not only necessary to assist a company in obtaining larger market share, greater profit and brand value, but it is also necessary to assure long-term leadership position of the company, in the modern era. However, when studying the incident of Blockbuster’s failure, it can be observed that the most significant aspect of competitive advantage is to guarantee the sustenance of a company, apart from the aforementioned benefits. It is in this context that apparently, due to its business model limitations, Blockbuster was in a competitively disadvantageous position. The industry context can be accounted as responsible in this regard, to a large extent. The current market structure of the entertainment industry tends to be highl y volatile, where both the suppliers and the customers possess high degree of bargaining power, majorly due to the availability of close substitutes. Additionally, with frequent occurrences of forward and backward acquisition and mergers, Blockbuster also had to witness the threat of new entrants. Hence, given the limitations of the business model followed by the organization in terms of ill fit with external environmental changes, rigidness to adapt innovative ideas and cost as well as time intensive characteristic, the organization failed to preserve its

The Role of Thusong Community Centre in advancing development to Essay

The Role of Thusong Community Centre in advancing development to communities - Essay Example ratic government in 1994. Black and rural area residents did not have the opportunity of the urban people to receive quality government services. Principal challenge of new democratic government is to reduce the gap created by the previous government in receiving services irrespective of location of regions, status and race of people. In 1999 government introduced Multipurpose-Purpose Community Centers (MPCC) to reduce the gaps. Today, those community centers; are called Thusong Service Centers (TSC). ... These centres are established as communication development hubs based on Batho Pele values and principles, which place people first. TSC’s primary focus was on rural and underserviced communities to address their historical, social and economic factors thru access to information and citizen participation. It also included these communities’ socio-economic problems such as poverty, high unemployment, low standards of living (people living below the poverty line), poor access to basic services, remote settlement patterns, lack of access to technology and information, poor health services, insufficient education and skills and poor infrastructure (GCIS, 2001; 5). Since its introduction, TSC has undergone several changes to improve national coordination at the local level. In this regards TSC program created two phases’ activities. The phases are called first generation and second generation. According to a document released by the GCIS (2006: 7), the first generatio n phase is developed to establish one TSC in each district by December 2004. In fact, by December 2004, sixty-five centres were established that provides services to more than 700 areas not served previously. As of September 2009, countrywide 139 TSCs are established. The further roll-out of TSCs in each local municipality is a target set for 2014. In 2006, Cabinet approved the second generation Thusong Service Centres Business Plan. It describes different participants roles and responsibilities, provides guidelines on the sustainability of existing TSC, and focuses on the role of future centers. Second-generation TSC Program entails government’s commitment to build a responsive state where citizens and the

Relationship Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Relationship Management - Essay Example The intention of this study is relationship Management. It is about attracting, maintaining and enhancing the relationships between an organization and its customers. This marketing strategy came about as a result of the effects of low growth rate and deregulation which made it necessary for organization to determine how they could maintain their existing customer base instead of developing new ones. Relationship marketing involves using satisfied customers as a way for attracting n0ew customers. This means using the element of customer loyalty to gain strength in a new market, which calls for interaction between an organization and its customers, wherein it is necessary for both parties to share the same philosophy to successfully interact. The power of relationship marketing is seen in its unique feature of trying to establish a long-term and mutually beneficial relationship between an organization and its customer. In order to do this, relationship marketing focuses on gaining as much knowledge as possible on customer preferences and implementing these preferences into product and service design. â€Å"Relationship marketing is a long term orientation, all marketing activities directed toward establishing, developing, and maintaining successful relational exchanges†. In we need to understand how relationship marketing can benefit an organization we need to see how different it is from transactional marketing.  

The analysis of core audience of GolfOnline Magazine Essay

The analysis of core audience of GolfOnline Magazine - Essay Example They like to be well-informed; especially when it comes to their favorite sport (Golf). The most important values used to segment this magazine's market are: Income (Demographic), and Lifestyle (Psychographic): the Golfer lifestyle. The consumers of GolfOnline have a high income, which allows them to afford an expensive sport such as Golf, which requires special equipment and traveling. They love sports and Golf is their passion. The magazine's audience is, as described on their website, "an affluent, professional male audience with high disposable income and propensity to buy". They travel frequently and 83% of them research or purchase travel packages online. They spend a lot of money in Golf equipment, 89% plan to purchase new equipment this year. The readers are interested in learning more about the sport; they are interested in hiring Golf teachers and getting lessons. Famous golfers such as President Bush help create an image of what the Golfer lifestyle is like. According to an article for Golf Magazine by reporter Harry Hurt cited on CNN, "golf just may be the sport of presidents". "Golf has been used by presidents and presidential candidates for years. For example, President Eisenhower was the first president in office to really associate himself with golf". They have good taste and appreciate quality in what they buy. They are interested in Real Estate, and usually they think long-term, investing in properties and business. 3. Advertisers of GolfOnline GolfOnline works above all with sporting, travel, entertainment, technology and automotive industries. According to their information, they have worked with over 200 clients within these industries. As of this date, they advertise the following categories and brands: Category Brand Automotive Mazda Cadillac Jeep Acura Online Shopping - Golf Products GolfGalaxy.com FootJoy Educational The Range Instruction Videos Finances Ameriprise Financial Services Travel Packages Myrtle Beach Golf Trips Ocean City Golf Getaway Telecommunications Sprint The strongest product categories are the automotive, they have three different brands: Jeep, Mazda and Cadillac. The target consumers of these products are likely to read Golf Online. They have the resources and the taste to acquire these kind of "high-involvement" products. The category itself is an expensive product, but the brands advertised are also expensive within their own category; Cadillac is the brand for luxury automobiles, it's classic and elegant. The New 2006 Cadillac DTS has the slogan: "Presence. Power. Performance". Mazda advertises the new Miata MX-5 with the concept of Oneness with the car. It is also important to note that it advertises a road trips across America. It's using the experiential marketing, by offering "Great Road Trips" across the country so that the consumer associates an exciting experience with the car. In Ameriprise and

Why Control Development Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Why Control Development - Research Paper Example Control development is such a scheme. Emphasis is given on answering the following question: ‘Why control development?’, meaning the reasons for the superiority of control development towards other concepts and mechanisms of similar role. Through the review of the literature published in the particular field it has been proved that control development can significantly help towards the improvement of urban planning; however, it would be necessary for certain terms to be met. In the long term, the effectiveness of control development cannot be guaranteed, being influenced by the social and economic trends that are likely to change overtime. In any case, control development is the most credible process for securing the quality of urban planning and for this reason it should be preferred by urban planners when having to address various social, economic or spatial challenges. 2. Planning Theory Various approaches have been used in the literature for describing the role and the value of planning, as a theoretical concept with important implications on town planning worldwide. In accordance with Lichfield (1998) the theory of communicative planning best reflects the context of planning as the basis for the design of cities and communities worldwide. The above theory is based on realities, as the main element of planning; it is explained that these realities are depended on the life of people within a particular community and the needs of this community. It is implied that planning, as a theory, is a reflection of daily human needs – referring to people as members of a community. From a similar point of view, Sorensen (1999) notes that the first signs of town planning and control development can be identified in the academic movement based on the views of 19th century philanthropists; it is explained that the academic writers who based on these views emphasized on the need for ‘rational public control for urban development’ (Sorensen 1999, p.147). The above theory is characterized as socialist aiming to achieve the following targets: protection of the interests of the working class, of ensuring the expansion of public housing and ‘the increase of the power of citizens to participate in urban management’ (Sorensen 1999, p.147). The above theory was opposed by the revisionists, who emphasized on the value of privatization of public assets and the limitation of public housing – highlighting the importance of private capital for defining the terms of housing and the urban planning in modern cities (Sorensen 1999). This trend is reflected in Cities for Sale of Sandercock; in the above book reference is made to the power of the state to set the rules for urban planning and to prevent the private sector from highly intervening in the town planning process (Sorensen 1999). However, concerns are developed regarding the effects of the limitation of private funding in various public projects. The revisionist approach in town planning has been opposed by the idealism, a theoretical trend that has been partially based on socialist and revisionist theories for explaining the context and the value of town planning. In accordance with the idealism approach on town planning, ‘planning should be based on a ‘

Enforcing Arbitration Agreements and Awards for non-signatories in Essay

Enforcing Arbitration Agreements and Awards for non-signatories in International Commercial Arbitration - Law - Essay Example However, the main focus of comparison of information used in and throughout this report will proceed to brake down and give actual facts of participation, pertaining mainly to non-signatories when they become involved or as in many instances avoid involvement altogether tying in the obstacles and many challenges that simultaneously includes themselves during International Commercial Arbitration for non-signatory issues. Showing how joining non-signatories to arbitration in each new development so as to keep down increased incidence of unfair practices during separation and illegal usage of power and authority cornering judgments and official decrees of agreements. Non-signatories arbitration rights which have been in connection to International Commercial arbitration during past mediation matters are relatively rare occurrences, but in recent times it has become quite common place for most companies to use a more standard form of arbitration being a simplified formation that does cre ate a more legally fit system for up to date court rules that has compelled non-signatories to choose to avoid involvement altogether. ... he arbitration clause have one element in common: namely the element that justice would not seem to be done.’ Pepperdine Dispute Resolution, Law Journal, 2004: p.469 Arbitral Commencement During a commencement of functional arbitral duties, the arbitral community seeks to show that arbitration is a mediated dispute that works to settle up a resolution of choice between to parties that have some sort of binding contract between each other. These issues are usually quite complex, especially when dealing with a multi-party that have multi-contracts which have become all tangled in a dispute of some sort. This is particularly a most challenging position for an arbitration committee to be involved in. However, there are differences that make the handling of a domestic dispute a little harder than when dealing with an international issue that have been in a working process of business with each other. The courts of the Untied States will usually seek to handle the laws in awarding t he judgments toward each of the respective parties. Although this is a usual occurrence, it does not always happen this way when dealing with foreign disputes. In these cases there are special convention laws that have been set in place to handle such situations in a specific manner. First let’s get a better feel for what the statement word of convention means when dealing with business arbitration. A convention is a formal agreement between nations. It used when there is a specific law or ordinance that is used to set in place the rules of engagement being in business, war, or any issue that deals in a binding agreement between nations. These types of conventions will govern with authority the do’s the don’ts and all the consequences that follow disobedience. Now, there is one particular

The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara - Essay Example It resulted in loss and injury of 51,000 men. The characters of the book include General Robert E. Lee (commander of the Confederate army), General James Longstreet (General Lee’s second in command); and Union Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain (the participant of the fighting on Little Round Top, one of the most popular divisions of the Battle of Gettysburg). On June 29, 1863, Longstreet meets a spy, who tells him that the Union army is moving, which surprises him because he thinks that General Stuart is supposed to follow the Union army. He thinks it appropriate to catch the Union army from north. The Confederates move south-east in Gettysburg. Colonel Chamberlain finds out that there are a hundred new mutineers from the Second Maine, out of whom six join his Twentieth Maine after his speech. The Union army, under supervision of General Buford, arrives in Gettysburg to find out the Confederates already present there. Buford positions nearly 200 soldiers along the hills to confron t the Confederates, because he thinks it easier to fight from the top. George Pickett and many other Generals meet Longstreet in the Confederate camp. General Lee is irritated at the absence of General Stuart. On July 1, he meets Longstreet who tells that he wants to confront the Union army from south-east, to come between them and Washington D.C. Lee refuses. The Confederates attack the Union army at Gettysburg. Buford keeps back the Confederates with the help of General Reynolds, who gets killed. Lee arrives and finds the battle going on, and orders his Generals to attack the Union army from south. Chamberlain’s troops also move in the north of Gettysburg. The union army retreats to the hills and sets up cannons. Longstreet is perplexed at Lee’s decision, and is angry at General Ewell’s move of making the Union forces retreat in hills. The Union army blames Buford for the retreat. Chamberlain is still moving in the north of Gettysburg on July 2, where he meets an escaped slave. Lee approves of Ewell and Early’s plan to attack two flanks of the Union. He moves his forces toward the hill, where the Unions had already come down. Lee attacks, and the result is a scene of carnage from both sides. Chamberlain reaches the little Round Top. His troops run short of bullets. They scream and frighten the Confederates away, making the Unions possess the Little Round Top. Lee gets angry at Stuart when he arrives. Lee sets a new plan of attacking the middle flank of the Unions. He orders Chamberlain’s troops to take position, on July 3. Longstreet tries to convince Lee to leave the plan, but all in vain. He gives Pickett the charge of attack. The Confederates attack the Unions. Chamberlain is safe, though his troops are in the center. The attack is of less harm to the Unions, who attack back with cannons, causing the Confederates much loss. Confederates retreat, and the gory battle ends (Bailey). Shaara’s attempt at describing eve nts made this book the top best-seller (Wilson and Fischer 492). I loved reading the book, and appreciated the way the writer has conveyed the correct sequence of events. The way of writing is subtle yet imaginary, and I can feel myself present at the place of war while reading. The tone is expressive, and the style of writing, with which the chronological order of events has been presented, is lucid. While synopsis, I