Decisions In Paradise Part 1
Expanding Springer and Associates’ Presence in Kava
Springer and Associates, a leading provider of web and software development, website hosting, and information technologies consulting services, provides solutions for large and small businesses, communities and community organizations, and government agencies. (Springer and Associates, 2007) Springer and Associates is interested in increasing its presence in the island nation of Kava, located in the South Pacific. This paper analyzes the potential risks and benefits of such an expansion.
Risks and Challenges
Significant risks threaten Springer and Associates’ expansion on Kava. Natural disasters such as typhoons, tsunamis, volcanic activity, and earthquakes have deposited a great deal of debris island-wide; the country’s infrastructure has been overwhelmed by these disasters. Health hazards include a high risk of avian flu and the island’s relatively high number of citizens infected with the HIV virus or living with full-blown AIDS. In addition, the island is quite vulnerable to spills from its burgeoning petroleum industry, and has a higher-than-average risk of terrorist activity from within and outside of the country.
The population of Kava is a mixed bag of various ethnicities, languages, cultures, and religions. This will be a challenge for Springer and Associates, as the company currently consists of a small homogeneous group whose members generally think and make decisions the same way. The current corporate makeup is not particularly diverse; management and key personnel come from quite similar backgrounds and have a similar level of education. As Springer and Associates increases its presence, it will of necessity become more diverse, and the company will need to implement some sort of diversity education program. While this initially may be a challenge, it also brings the opportunity to incorporate diverse viewpoints into the decision-making process, leading to better...
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