China is pursuing a policy of 'creeping assertiveness' in the south Essay

China is pursuing a policy of 'creeping assertiveness' in the south China Sea - Essay Example It is considered to be the only place that has the depth and expanse to baffle the Japanese and American navies’ ability to reel in the Chinese navy. In an interesting comparison of China’s maritime geography and that of imperial Germany, they argue (convincingly) that China holds an advantage (strategically) in naval competition and rivalry in the South China Sea (Bussert 2011, p.16). According to Antony (2010, p.24), the South China Sea has been identified as a weakness in the strategy of ‘peaceful rise’ that has been adopted by Beijing. The announcement by Zhou Enlai that the waters of the SCS were a ‘vital interest’, China has used its claims to the water body as a stern warning to other nations that its regional dominance could be more aggressive than is insinuated by Chinese leaders. What has been more surprising (and alarming) is the fact that it is clear Beijing has succeeded in splitting the diplomatic harmony and solidarity in ASEAN w ith regards to the issue. Other powers in Asia should take note because their reaction to this matter stands to play a significant strategic role in Indo-Pacific’s future landscape. ... Key words; Assertiveness, South China Sea, PLA Navy Introduction China is one of the most rapidly economically developing nations in the world with a Growth Domestic Product of 1.8 percent expansion in the first quarter of 2012 (Clarke 2010, p.34). Historically, China’s average quarterly GDP growth has risen from 2.15 percent to a record 2.20 percent (considered the highest in history). China’s economy is rated the second largest in the world after the economy of the United States of America. In the last three decades, China’s economy has varied to a great extent from a centrally planned system that was largely closed to the international business towards a more market oriented mode which has a rapidly growing sector. A major component that supports China’s economic growth been ascribed to its high exports. In the quest to promote more economic development as well as the social advancement within the republic of China, the government has taken measures dir ected towards territorial protection, control and expansion (Cordesman 2007, p.31). Discussion The Chinese government has shown aggression towards territorial expansion especially the South China Sea (SCS) leading to an intensive political concerns and creation of a negative effect on the relationship between China and other countries surrounding it (Klare 2001, p.42). The Chinese government has practically claimed the South China Sea by using modes that may lead to military confrontation between China and the ASEAS such as Philippines. This condition has resulted to unresolved conflict between China and especially the Philippines over time. The claims over the South China Sea by

Audi's Strategic Capabilities Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Audi's Strategic Capabilities - Case Study Example Tangible resources are the physical resources such as land and building, man and money and intangible resources are non-physical assets such as knowledge, intellectual capital and reputation. Audi is known by its abundant resources in physical as well as non-physical form to differentiate it from its rivals. A large amount of skilled people with right aptitude is the most significant capital of Audi. In a market of many giant car manufacturers with diverse products and product strategies, the first and foremost weapon of every automaker is to keep itself ahead in producing quality products at minimum cost. The strategic management basically relies on the philosophy that difference creates business. This difference from rivals firms can be achieved in many ways. Firms differ in competencies and resources. Cost reduction and efficient production has been the basis of strategic capability for many organizations. Audi has also been very strategic in reducing the cost of their production without sacrificing the quality of their products. This has made the company to turn itself as one of the most sought after automaker in the world. Competitive advantage of an organization is the unique quality which its rivals firms do not possess. These competitive advantages can be attained in any area such as production, marketing or customer relationship management. Firms that possess these competencies in more fields as compared to that of its rivals are said to have competitive edge over others and they are likely to succeed more in relation to its competitors. As regards Audi is concerned, it has built overtime a highly effective and efficient multichannel customer care center across the world which helped the firm to be effective in individualized marketing campaigns, customer process costs. This has further reduced the lead-processing by more than 80 percent. Discusses how the concept of organizational knowledge relates to strategic capability and how it might contribute to competitive advantage of organizations. Organizational knowledge is the aggregate acquaintance accumulated through systems, routines, and activities of sharing across an organization. As such it is carefully accompanying to what has so far been discussed as the competences of an organization. Organizational knowledge has become so important because of several reasons. In the modern business environment organizations have become so complex and larger, as a result of people need to share their knowledge over wide sphere of activities and departments. Moreover, the information technology has improved dramatically so as to pave the ways for more accurate and real time knowledge processing and sharing. Consider the ways in which strategic capability might be analyzed. First consider the concept of the value chain and value network as ways of understanding which activities add value and which do not. Conclude with a SWOT from the point of view of understanding strategic capability in relation to competitors Strategic capability