Big Mart Cheap Goods at What Price - Case Study Example

Big Mart Cheap Goods at What Price The case study “Stakeholders and Storytellers: Playing Politics and the Policy Process” provides a fictional case concerning the effects of big-box chains on economies. This essay provides a stakeholder analysis, and the way power and democracy shaped the stakeholder analysis. It also provides the linking mechanisms used by the two opposing groups, strategies used by key players, a win-win policy, and an appropriate policy process for VanWood Heights. Key Words: Stakeholder Analysis, Power and Democracy, Linking Mechanisms, Policy Big Mart Cheap Goods at What Price Introduction The world has in the recent past and at present discussed much concerning the impacts that big-box chains have on the economy. As a result, several arguments about the issue have been created with each side fiercely defending their opinion. The proposing sides insist that big-box chains can boost the development of the economy, while the opposing side insists that such business cause unemployment. Additionally, the opposing side usually insists that such businesses provide stiff competition to local businesses thereby leading to their failure (Mitchell, 2010). Generally, the issue is still under discussion and researchers focus a lot on finding the most appropriate answer. Stakeholder Analysis In the case study, the residents of VanWood Heights and a few foreigners strive hard to air their opinions considering the establishment of a new store by Big-Mart in the town. From the views of some few members at the meeting, the following stakeholder analysis can be derived: A local farmer, Mike Zander, who argues that Big-Mart has the possibility of stunting their local economy, has little influence. Most of the issues and arguments surrounding the problem seem to have a political origin. As a result, a local farmer like Zander has little influence on determining the appropriate solution that can be implemented. Zander, however, has a significant importance. If Big-Mart begins its business in VanWood Heights, it will most probably get supplies from the foreign farmers, just as Zander suggests (Yablonsky, 2006). Leah Lindser, a VanWood Treasure’s owner, has a significant influence and significant importance. Since, the town has depended on her business for generations (Yablonsky, 2006); she has a lot of power and influence on the natives of the town. Additionally, she has a political impact on the decisions made concerning the issues since leads the organization “Coalition Save VanWood Heights.” Moreover, her influence and power result from the fact that she acts as a local investor to her town. An individual like Andrew Amers, the president of a workers union has great influence and importance concerning the matter at hand. His power originates form the authority given to him by the members of his union. Amers insists that Big-Mart has a record of offering low wages to workers, poor working conditions and rules, and discriminates both women and minorities when it comes to payment and promotions (Yablonsky, 2006). Generally, he acts as a strong critique of the idea that Big-Mart should open a store in the town. Another criticizer, Alex Stanley, provides the idea that the natives of town should consider reinvesting in their community instead of inviting multinational corporations such as Big-Mart. Moreover, his arguments are based on economic development (Yablonsky, 2006). Stanley has a great influence, power and importance considering the fact that he is president of the organization “Coalition Save VanWood Heights”, which fight to ensure continuity in the development of the town. Alex Stanley’s opinions are strongly supported by Rana Sadiqah, a member of the Regional Environmental Group. A supporter, Suzanne Sturgan has significant importance but has no influence. Her importance results from the fact that she leads the Chamber of Commerce, as a result, has adequate and useful knowledge about the likely impacts that may result from Big-Mart’s investment in the town. Sturgan insists that Big-Mart will offer the local economy the boost it requires, both economic and environmental. Additionally, she asserts that the regulations imposed on Big-Mart business are unnecessary (Yablonsky, 2006). Certainly, she proposes the new investment into town. She, however, may not have influence since the issue has been politicized. John Elko, acts as Big-Mart’s representative. He therefore has much influence and importance about the matter at hand. Generally, Elko exhibits much power since his group has managed to convince 45% of VanWood Heights’ population into favoring the existence of the store (Yablonsky, 2006). He further gains significant influence from the incentives, and arguments he offers. For instance, he claims that his company will ensure environmental conservation, good working policies and conditions for workers, and affordable prices. In addition, Katie Schnitz, a local citizen and teacher, seems to hustle a lot to make end meets. She supports the idea of Big-Mart opening a store in VanWood Heights. Her main reasons for supporting the idea include the fact that the new store will provide goods at a lower price than the local stores and in addition offer affordable health care services. Certainly, she seems not to care much about the economic impact that the existence of Big-Mart will have on her local economy. Generally, she has little influence and importance in this situation since she is a common citizen with no power or authority. Frank Sherrie, also in the same situation as Schnitz, supports the idea of Big-Mart investing in their town. He believes that whatever Big-Mart has to offer has greater benefits than whatever the town residents usually receives from the local stores. Just like Schnitz, Sherrie has no power to influence the decisions made. Power and Democracy Certain views of power and democracy shape this stakeholder analysis. In most cases, power provides an individual some form of influence and/or importance (Rosa & Scheuerman, 2012). Considering the individuals assessed, the normal citizens have limited or no power. Such individuals include Katie Schnitz, and Frank Sherrie. Certainly, these three individuals are less influential and important since they do not have power. Additionally, their opinions are negligible on the determination of the policies to be made despite them representing a larger section of the population (the 45%). Additionally, from the case study, evidence exists that there is the practice of democracy; however, it is somehow undermined. For instance, despite McGee giving different people the opportunity to air their views during the meeting, not every view receives a consideration. Especially the views of minor individuals like Schnitz and Sherrie. Generally, democracy determines influence and importance among individuals (Rosa & Scheuerman, 2012). This has been used to shape the stakeholder analysis. The Linking Mechanisms The case study provides two groups. One group opposes the policies that allow Big-Mart to operate and invest in VanWood Heights. The other group supports the policy. The group that opposes the policies seems to have a greater level of power (which acts as their linking mechanism) and use it to air their grievances and views. The opposing group therefore has high chances of driving away the foreign investors. The groups that supports the policies consists mainly the common citizens who operate under the authority of those in power. Moreover, poverty and daily hustle to make ends meet appears to be their main linking mechanism. The case study provides that 45% of the town’s population support the idea while 42% oppose. As much as the majority is for the idea, they may end up losing the arguments since they lack power. Strategies Used As much as the Mayor had earlier on politicized the issue in favor of Big-Mart, the same strategy (politics) has a high probability of being used to drive away the foreign investors. Generally, the key players include the individuals like Leah Lindser who have the power. The case study provides evidence that the individuals with power have politicized the issue. In other words, Big-Mart representatives provide clear explanations on the improvements that the company has made in the past years yet those opposing (individuals with power) seem to base so much on the company’s past mistakes. Such individuals end up overshadowing the fact that the common citizens labor hard to make ends meet. For that reason, politics will most probably be used to drive away the investors so that the few individuals with power can thrive. A Win-Win Policy Since every group expects its interests and values to receive a consideration, a policy that can result to a win-win situation has great importance. The authorities of the town should consider implementation polices that allow investment of foreigners in the town. At the same instance, policies that ensure that foreigners receive some of their stock from their natives should also be implemented. Moreover, the town’s leadership should create a policy that controls the level of monopoly in the market, for example, the authorities can set fixed prices for significant commodities for all businesses present in the town. The Appropriate Policy Process The case study depicts a crisis that will probably affect the public either negatively or positively. A public policy process would therefore be appropriate for VanWood Heights’ situation. This process acts as a multi-stage cycle, which involves six phases. These stages include problem identification, setting of the agenda, policy formulation, budgeting, implementation process, and finally evaluation of the process (Sabatier, 2009). The process if correctly followed can help result to a win-win situation in VanWood Heights. Additionally, as a policy analyst, my role in the process would be to assists in the processes of policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation. In conclusion, the case study depicts that there is clear evidence that the big-box chains have certain impacts on the economy. It further shows the different views held concerning the issue and the reasons provided for such views. Additionally, it provides that such views are implementable or ignorable because of factors such as power and democracy. References Mitchell, S. (2010). Big-box swindle: The true cost of mega-retailers and the fight for Americas independent businesses. Boston: Beacon Press. Rosa, H., & Scheuerman, W. E. (2012). High-speed society: Social acceleration, power, and modernity. University Park, Pa: Pennsylvania State University Press. Sabatier, P. A. (2009). Theories of the Policy Process. Boulder, CO: Westview Press. Yablonsky, E. M. (2006). Stakeholders and Storytellers: Playing Politics and the Policy Process. Economic Development Journal. 31-37. Read More