Porter's Five Forces Model to the American automotive industry Research Paper

Porter's Five Forces Model to the American automotive industry - Research Paper Example Introduction In the automotive industry or any similar business field, an essential step is to identify the critical paths and limiting factors involved in profitability. Where does the power reside in a business situation? Based on the forces of supply and demand which party can command the most advantageous bargaining position? A number of business tools and theoretical models address these and other questions; the Five Forces model is among them. When the manager has a clearer understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of all parties involved in a potential transaction, it permits him or her to leverage the situation to maximum advantage, and prepare for the most likely responses from the other party (Samuelson & Marks, 2012) Overall, it is beneficial to acquire data allowing the manager to take a longer view of holistic market forces in order to define costs and risks in terms of doing business. In any competitive environment, an inevitable hierarchy will develop, likely throu gh a combination of simple random forces as well as actual merit. These forces are influenced by social and legal factors in a civilized environment, but within the competitive framework certain fundamental rules will remain universal. This analysis will focus upon Porter's Five Forces model as an explanatory tool to put these factors in perspective relative to the automotive industry. By 2009, the global recession crisis sent ripples through the banking sector, credit markets and then most productive industries across the industrialized world. The American automotive industry was no exception. Chrysler and General Motors were on the financial precipice, and Ford faced an uncertain future. 2008 automotive sales had plummeted to historic lows, with sharp declines in the disposable income and available lines of credit for the purchase of new vehicles. A loan process was deemed necessary in order to rescue these and other industries from total collapse, at the likelihood of further dam age to the American – and potentially the global economy. Industry Definition For the purposes of this analysis, the automobile industry will be defined as the American corporations involved in the direct manufacture of automobiles, and the challenges they have faced in light of the current financial crisis. The scope of this analysis will include the interests of car production as well as sale, and the companies in the United States that perform both functions. Specifically, this will focus on what are termed 'The Detroit Three', generally understood as Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors. Industry Profile With the immediate danger of total collapse averted as a result of the federal loans, it is necessary to take stock of the situation using sound theoretical planning in order to plot the next move forward for the automotive industry. Theoretical models to identify forces and threats must be given careful consideration during the planning process. The planning process must i nclude the prospects and profile of the 'big three' automakers as described above, specifically the damage to the economy that might ensue if they were allowed to go bankrupt and fail entirely. Structured bankruptcy agreements for General Motors and Chrysler were considered during the spring of 2009, with considerable national debate regarding the possible ripple effects from their collapse (McAlinden et al., 2009) Ultimately there were two approaches by which

Black Suffering Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Black Suffering - Term Paper Example The idea of a "suffering God" was put forward by some black theologians who coined the term by re-reading the Bible and comparing it against the backdrop of the hardships, oppression and struggles faced by them (Badham, 1998). In order to interpret the biblical significance of 'liberation' and justice; the black theologians referred to the exodus, and the messages of the prophets. The Gospel story of life, death and resurrection of Jesus was used as a biblical foundation to interpret love, suffering, hope, liberation and justice with regard to the struggle for freedom of the blacks. However, it was the actual suffering of the blacks in various countries across the globe that brought to the fore, a drastic change in the interpretations and reflections of Jesus Christ on the cross (West, Glaude, 2003). The issue of black suffering and black theology The African-American Christians have, historically maintained two fundamental tenets – that of God being the most powerful and kind being, and the existence of evil and suffering. These concepts have been popular throughout the history of black religion, i.e. ever since the beginning of black slavery to the creation of black churches, and continues to thrive, even today in the post-liberation, and post-institutionalized world. The black theology is which developed as a result of the civil rights movement, led to the awakening of a new consciousness among the black Christians, whereby a new sense of dignity and social awareness were realized. It is not only concerned with resolving issues related to culture, but also with the harsh realities experienced by the Blacks in America. However, despite the differences, it does not intend to question the idea of God, but instead connect the ideology conveyed by him, that of the existence of evil and suffering (West, Glaude, 2003). The black theologians primarily emphasize the experiences of blacks as a central aspect of their theological norms. It is argued that the the ological interpretations must commence with issues faced by the blacks and thus, ascertain the relevance of such issues to the religious teachings. Conventionally, there exists a paradox within black theology, where the black believers never blame the God for the sufferings and hardships suffered by the blacks during their racial oppression. On the contrary, the black churches have always preached a gospel justifying and re-emphasizing the sufferings of the black race and its contribution in building a morally strong and positive character. Also, the black suffering has been linked to various positive traits among the blacks such as the development of a strong moral leadership among blacks; as well as the fostering of religious humility which is the ultimate goal (West, Glaude, 2003). As mentioned in God of the Oppressed: â€Å"The cross of Jesus reveals the extent of God's involvement in the suffering of the weak. God is not merely sympathetic with the social pain of the poor but becomes totally identified with them in their agony and pain. The pain of the oppressed is God's pain, for God takes their suffering as God's own, thereby freeing them from its ultimate control of their lives. . . . God in Christ became the Suffering Servant and thus took the humiliation and suffering of the oppressed into God's own history. This divine event that happened on the cross liberated the oppressed to