Decision Making Case Study Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Decision Making Case Study Analysis - Essay Example Mary, as a relatively new and inexperienced probation officer has a fresh outlook and different expectations from the system. Her approach to the case places more importance on "positivism" and a "watchman style" as she has not yet become part of the system; the cultural ethos of the organization on the other hand in entrenched in "classicalism" and has a rigid "legalistic" approach (Stojkovic, Kalinich, & Klofas, 2003, p. 295). If only rational guidelines were to be considered, then, based on the crime score and offender score parameters (Stojkovic, et al., 2003, p 312), the offender qualifies for probation. Moreover, the offence is one of statutory rape and charges have been filed by the parents of the girl, over the objections of the victim. Hence more discretion, within the boundaries of bounded rationality is warranted and needs to be the primary factor in this case. Political considerations, however legitimate should not fly in the face of natural justice. Most decisions are arrived at keeping an organization's long-term goals in mind and solutions fall in to well established and acceptable solutions for identified problems - the 'garbage can' concept. To that extent, organizational culture is a definitive influencing factor. In fact it is this deeply ingrained ethos which influences the advice given to Mary by her supervisor. This kind of 'standard operating procedure' leads to the formation of 'legitimizing rituals' that further perpetuate the laid down decision making process. In effect, "equilibrium is set and protected" (Stojkovic, et al., 2003, p 301). This is what Mary learns from the case. Symbolically the case is a sex offence and because of the pressure of organizational culture it has to be treated as one of many such cases rather than treating it on its own merits. The pre-set solution for such cases is the decision already 'arrived at'. This results in a compromise solution that though not exactly the best satisfies everyone in the system. This is because all decisions are made with incomplete information and although rationality requires the ability to choose between all possible courses of action, in practice all of them are not capable of being implemented due to various constraints. Hence the adoption of the concept of satisfycing i.e., "the attainment of acceptable rather than optimal results" (Stojkovic, et al., 2003, p 298), which is a useful concept in criminal justice to satisfy diverse and contradictory interests. Cultural and Political Concerns in Decision Making Cultural and political concerns can never be left out of any decision making process as decisions are not made in a vacuum. Hence, understanding of thee limitations and learning how to work through them is a better option in the long run. This is what Mary realizes when it dawns on her that a compromise solution would have a better chance of success, since, "recommendations of probation officersgenerally correlate with sentencing decisions" (Stojkovic, et al., 2003, p. 302). The inputs given by Mary as a result of the PSI would provide crucial inputs that would influence the final outcome. Recommendations that are grounded in rationality and backed by the results of prediction models would certainly enhance the acceptability of the recommendations.

Consumer Behaviour- Redbull Case Study questions

Consumer Behaviour- Redbull questions - Case Study Example Through the marketing strategy of employing thrill into the advertisements, the company targets the young generation to consume the drink as a supplement to the adrenaline inducing sports. Such market segmentation has allowed the company to merge its natural consumer base with its targeted market. In the future, Red Bull’s most beneficial marketing strategy would be to segment the market based on consumers and innovation specifically rather than brute sponsorship based advertisement. Targeting a behavioural segment that is divided in to the groups of those who regularly, for example, go to gym or those that work in tough environments in the same age limits; it would be wiser, as per Walker’s (2006) research, to spend more marketing funds on those who are behaving in a more favourable way to consume the product. For example a 20 year old who goes to gym is more open to Red Bull’s advertisements than a 20 year old who works in a print shop. By specifically targetin g behaviour based market segments, Red Bull’s future marketing can further be optimized in line with the company’s current policy without interfering with other policies like those of thrill based advertisement. ... Starting from distributing free cases of the energy drink at gyms, schools and different buildings where they could find their consumer base, the Red Bull started with a viral advertising policy. The success of the viral advertisement resulted in rapid growth in sales. The motivations of consumers were based on their own needs, or their own needs as shown by the company. The need to re energize at work, gym, construction sites and other advertised areas has shown to be a consumer need by the Red Bull and often the Red Bull consumers are compared with non consumers in advertisements. The comparison often either implies the lack of energy in the individual and the inability to perform properly without re energizing or shows extra abilities in the individual consuming the product. The moto â€Å"No Red Bull, No Wings† clearly backs up this concept. Furthermore, by sponsoring highly thrilling race competitions, both on air and ground, the motivation to use the product is further a roused in the consumer base, both psychologically and as a way to try the product for the new consumers by creating a ‘buzz’. Describe the Brand Personality of Red Bull. Why do you think the concept of brand personality is so important to Red Bull? Being an energy drink aimed at the youth, Red Bull has developed a bold brand personality of a strong bull as depicted by its logo. The brand personality of the energy drink implies the traits of the type of boost it claims to give the consumers; strength, energy, physical resistance, quicker reaction time and improved mood. Giving an emotional character and association to the brand’s image, the company has devised a strategy