Robin Hood Case Study, by Case Study

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Moving on to the means of generating revenue and controlling the inventory of goods and supplies, we should mention that the first step consists of rationing the supplies in the forest. Due to the increased number of Merrymen living within the Sherwood Forest, the supplies gathered are insufficient in liaison to their needs. We can consider the supply of products (the loot) as being roughly constant. An augmented demand confronted with a constant supply leads to a shortage of products. In order to deal with this matter, Robin could keep a tighter control over the supplies and allocate them more strictly.

However, if the number of men decreases as a result of the intense controls, the demand will also decrease and, thus, the products will be enough. It is up to Robin to decide how much level of control he wishes to impose and also how many men he needs in order to serve his purpose. Even if a decrease in the number of men will resolve the problem with the food supplies, their treachery is another reason of concern. It is not acceptable to have so many disloyal people. In order to establish the cause, Robin may find a fault in his recruitment method or maybe see that people are dissatisfied with his conduct and achievements.

As is the case of a company, when the supply is low and the demand is high, then the price increases and the desired level of products cannot be achieved. If we make a comparison to the financial status of a company, we can note that many inefficient employees will lead to an inefficient allocation of the resources. Money is spent without the achievement of the desired results. The company is confronted with costs higher than the revenues. Consequently, the business is heading towards its dissolution, meaning its bankruptcy. If we take into consideration the balancing of the resources with the employees by removing the incompetent men, it is beneficial up to a certain point. If the number of staff employed doesn't suffer major reductions, then the process is cost-effective. But, if the analysis leads to the remains of only few employees it is possible for the company not to be able to conduct its business for a period of time.

We have previously discussed the ways of balancing the demand and supply by means of reducing either the quotas of food or the number of men. Now, we will go on with applying a different method, meaning raising awareness about the needs of financing. Since Robin Hood's purpose is to improve the lives of the poor, he is sure to find support among the villagers. However, the people which share his view have reduced possibilities of sponsoring his band. In fact, they are the ones who expect benefits from his side. Nevertheless, there may be others which own a kind heart and are willing to come to his rescue. Also, there may be various people supporting the goal of getting the king back and, therefore, willing to give some money or food to the Merrymen.

This second approach involves finding ways of getting more resources. In the case of a company, it can contract credits or issue bonds and shares. The process of issuing shares is somehow similar with the money given by the townspeople. The investors in a company buy the shares with the view of getting future benefits (profits, social benefits etc.). Therefore, the townspeople expect from Robin to bring the King back on the throne and, consequently, improve their life by removing the tyranny of the Sheriff and Prince John. Their aid is based on trust and on their expectance of future gains.

Robin can also change his way of doing affairs by transforming the outfight confiscation of goods into a fixed transit fee. This approach is seen as beneficial by some of the men and opposed by others who believe that taxing the townspeople and the villagers will lead to their discontent. Robin Hood finds himself in a tough condition. Should he institute the tax or continue with the previous method of stealing from the rich? As an aid to his future decision, we know that the travelers started avoiding the forest and, therefore, the men were left with few sources of supplies. Also, the confiscation involved a rougher method of claiming the goods. Maybe, sometimes it also involved the usage of violence on the people not accustomed with the actions of the Merrymen.
In comparison with a firm, the previous decision resembles the choice that a company may make, meaning to change the pricing policy. Instead of charging a high price and expecting a low volume of sales or a low demand for the services, the company chooses to institute a lower price but to benefit from the increasing demand. The firm must make the best choice in accordance with its profile, its production capabilities (or its service offering capabilities), its target markets and the current situation on the market.

I believe that a fixed tax is more reasonable than the robbery of all the good possessed by the travelers. As we can depict, the number of travelers through the forest is decreasing even if their detouring traveling costs are big. Instead of being left with nothing, these men preferred to pay more but to keep their goods. An obvious result of this fact is that, after a period of time, the Merrymen could be left without resources. On the other hand, a fixed tax would involve a greater number of visitors. I believe that they would accept the tax (a cost that they already pay when choosing to detour the forest) and they will gain some time (lose the inconvenience of spending a lot of time detouring the forest). It is true that the fixed tax would involve receiving money from the persons which are supposed to offer their help against the Sheriff. Nevertheless, these fees are distributed to the poor people, so they are given back to the townspeople. Another issue is the fact that if those people are supporters of the king and are against the Sheriff, they do this because of their inner feelings, their inner convictions and not on the basis of their taxation. They are aware that the Sheriff is corrupt; they know for sure that their lives would improve once the king is brought back.

A different approach of the situation could mean splitting the band into two groups. Each group should have as territory one distinct forest. Therefore, the coverage area would become wider and there would be more chances of getting supplies. A more extended region is sure to provide more travelers. However, this splitting could involve a loose control for Robin. He would find it harder to keep in touch with both groups split into two forests.

The previous idea can be translated into a business language as extending the company's market inside the country where it is currently operating or even going global. If the firm perceives expansion opportunities, then it should take advantage of them and take the business to a more elevated level. By covering a wider area, the company will find a wider market and, subsequently, a greater demand. This expansion must take into consideration the external environment which imposes certain rules or presents specific benefits. Due to the fact that no market fully resembles another, each of them comprises advantages and disadvantages. The factors that determine these implications are: political, social, economical and technological. As in the case of the two forests, one of them may be more intensely visited and the other may not be as important as the first. In one of the forests, the men may be easier to identify and in the other they may enjoy better concealing. However, the coverage of both of them is the best approach in order to get the maximum gains.

So as to put an end to all the vicious activities of the Sheriff and of Prince John (the Sheriff's supporting authority), Robin has to evaluate three alternatives. He can kill the Sheriff, join a conspiracy against Prince John or pay the ransom. In order to determine the best solution, we should assess each of them.

Firstly, by killing the Sheriff, Robin realizes that he will only satisfy his inner resent towards the man. He must not let the thirst for revenge become the only factor influencing his behavior. In addition to that, the death of the Sheriff will not mean the end of the repression on the townspeople. Prince John will remain the vindictive figure and will surely maintain the dreadful actions. Killing the Sheriff implies getting rid of only one adversary. Even so, this does not signify the ending of the tyranny. Furthermore, if the attempt to kill the man does not succeed, Robin will be accused of murder attempt and, if caught, he….....

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