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Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation
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Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation
Motion picture and video production industry is one of the fastest growing industries considering technological progress and increase in disposable earnings. The success of this industry is largely attributed to mergers and acquisitions where a parent company is seen to have numerous subsidiaries. However, Lion’s Gate Entertainment Corporation has not been as successful as other potential competitors in Motion Picture and Video industry have. The Turnaround side has analytically studied the basis of the company’s meager and dreary performance and came up with the possible solutions, which may boost the financial destiny of the Lion’s Gate Entertainment Corporation. The Turnaround group of analysts considered the six best performing companies in the industry, which is indeed a reasonable number to regard in compiling the report. This piece of writing analyses the way out given by the explanation compiled by the team.
The Turnaround research team’s idea of rating Lions Gate Entertainment’s company as the low performing firm is dreadfully precise considering the corporation’s portfolio diversification, leverage level, profitability and market allocation. Nevertheless, the firm performs highly in video production compared to other competitors. The Turnaround team therefore considered the overall industry performance, which is exceptionally plausible. The first six companies in the Motion Picture and Video production industry occupy the market focus. The top six companies comprises of 91.2% market absorption and experiences a fierce competition amongst themselves abandoning Lion’s Gate Entertainment Company with only 4.3% of the market allocation (Davidson et al 1) .
High profitability in this established companies are caused by various factors ranging from the barriers imposed by the existing firms, buyers bargaining power, medium supplier power and the economies of scale enjoyed by the firms. The financial capabilities of the top six Motion Picture and Videos production companies have enabled them to acquire highly developed technologies and burly promotional networks thus covering a wider market. The monetary competence boosts the medium supplier power by using celebrities and creative artists in their Video production thus attracting larger crowd. Investors’ self-belief is also elevated on these companies due to a first-rate standing enjoyed by the enormous companies thus encouraging investments. The need to focus on the taste and fulfillment of the population is additionally important in attracting a huge customer base as explained by the team (Davidson et al 2-3).
Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation should embark on having a large risk tolerance portfolio, which eventually increases investors’ confidence, and widening customer base. However, the increase of portfolio does not directly raise customer base as claimed by the report. The Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation should increase its investment in production in order to increase their profit margin as explained by the team. The larger firms seem to be investing much in video production thus increasing their income. This can also apply in the Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation for higher profitability.
The fact that Lions Gate Entertainment Company has lower cost of production is not adequate since the team further explains the higher debt to equity ratio, which directly affects the net profit of the firm. The shareholders do not enjoy the dividends because a larger amount of profit is used to pay the debtors. The Lions Gate Entertainment firm cannot therefore use diversification strategy properly due to its fiscal incapacity. Furthermore, the financial inability makes the corporation have a low cost budget, which cannot be interpreted as efficiency due to diseconomies of scale. Although, Lions Gate has expanded its portfolios, it experiences an overall net loss due to its unprofitable subsidiaries thus reducing its dividends. The team suggestion that the company should center on deleveraging itself is very important in order to improve its overall performance. The cost of debt is very high compared to shareholders funding thus there is a great need to reduce interest expense by avoiding further debt funding (Davidson et al 8-9).
The suggestion by the team that the Lions Gate Entertainment industry should diversify in order to lessen the financial threat is incredibly important in increasing the firm’s profitability. The company should indeed collaborate with other firms without same financial risk and engage in joint ventures to encourage portfolio diversification. Portfolio diversification may certainly heighten investors’ confidence in the midst of debt crisis as it may increase the net earnings. Considering the Lions Gate Entertainment firm’s strength in movie production, it should remain independent as it collaborates with other companies to maintain higher profit obtained from the production of movies. It is definitely true from the teams report that the Lions Gate Entertainment Company may not be able to acquire other firms because of its financial problems. The firm’s best strategy is therefore limited to joint venture and partnership (Davidson et al 11).
The Lions Gate Entertainment firm has very great potential of expansion as suggested by the research team since The Hunger Games, which is one of its franchises, has only released one movie out of the many existing movies it has. The company may also expand its distribution network especially when acquired by a highly distributed company. However, the fact that culture differences may hinder the buyout of Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation as suggested by the team is not true since the cultural divergence may be harmonized. When acquired, the Lions Gate Entertainment will share its losses with the parent company. The Lions Gate Entertainment firm should not consider potential buyers such as Viacom who are engaged in similar activities and are aligned to like audiences as it would discourage diversification. The team’s proposal that the companies with same arrangement in content and audiences should acquire the Lions Gate Entertainment firm is therefore not appropriate. The matter of conflict of interest is similarly imperative while considering mergers and acquisition as illustrated by the research team in Sony and Samsung case (Davidson et al 11-14).
The research group conclusively did a commendable job in their research by deeply analyzing the motion picture and video production industry situation. The companies in this industry largely require mergers and diversification in order to maximize their profit and reduce financial risks. The Lions Gate Entertainment firm, to the highest degree, call for mergers and acquisition in order to solve their leverage problems and improve its profitability level. The company, as suggested by the study group, should be bought by a financially stable parent companies with very high portfolio diversification to reduce its marketing and distribution cost, maximize profit and eventually increasing its dividends hence attracting more investors.
Works Cited
Davidson et al. “Motion Picture and Video Production Industry: Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation Turnaround Proposal.” Winter 13 (2013): 1-28. Print.
Sony Corporation is one of the biggest media conglomerates in the world with its headquarters in Tokyo.edited (1)
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Corporate Leadership and technological innovation in Sony Company
Sony Corporation is one of the biggest media conglomerates in the world with its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. Sony, which is a multinational Company, is a leading company in the manufacture of electronics, video games, and video communications. The company also deals with information technology and has revenue amounting to over US$88.7 billion from its technologically motivated productions. Currently many companies have emerged posing a competition challenge for Sony in terms of technology advancement and manufacture of new products. The top management of Sony are facing various challenges as the company profits decrease due to factors such as innovation challenges, low profits, sales remaining flat, and the poor performance of the company’s films. Sony management team’s technological and innovation strategies include changing from analogue to digital technology.
Sony Company faces most of its challenges in the electronics section, yet it is the sector that gives it the largest amount of revenue totally to almost two thirds of its total revenues. The main electronics devices offered by the company are television sets, Music and DVD players. The electronic business faces a lot of competition from the other products such as Samsung and Apple companies. The problems facing Sony in its electronic production is competition due to new products by the competitors, which applies the current technology. Digitization in the electronics industry is a factor that contributes to winning the market especially the mobile and the television markets as its CEO Hirai believes. Some countries in the developing world are turning to digital television transmission, providing a market for digital TVs and decoders. For a company to maintain high profits, it must meet the market demand in both quality and quantity. Sony Company has resulted to the production of high quality Sony televisions and other electronic gadget to meet the market requirement.
Sony applies the method of division of labour and task coordination to provide high technological goods to its market, a factor that will enable it to compete well with its competitors. The company has many innovative workers who are good decision-makers although they have to keep but with the fast changing technology patterns in the electronic and entertainment industry. The centralized decision-making strategy adopted by Sony management team helps the company to gat innovative ideas from its entire staff to help in the production of new products. The company applies the porters 5 forces and the 3 generic strategies to help in setting out its strategies for the production of new products in the highly competitive market. Sony leadership allows its employees to come p with ideas aimed at developing the cutting-edge technology especially in the entertainment sector. For the companies to compete well with the other products from the competitors, the company tries to come up with something new or improve on the existing products. The manufacture of thee high technological gadget iPod by Apple company made Sony to realise that it was not doing enough to outshine its competitors. Sony management is therefore keen to keep up with the new technology to come up with new digitalized products for its market especially involving video communication and video games.
Sony is currently producing new products under the Sony’s 4K Ultra High-Definition technologies, smart Wear, and High Resolution Audio also Hi-Res. The products include the 4K BRAVIA LCD TVs which are its newest products in the market and the thinnest series of televisions with Hi-Res compatible speakers in the world. The other technology Sony is working on is the equipment of the4K and full HD sets to make a cross functionality between the TV and the Mobile better. The sets will work with Google’s Android operating System (OS) to make the functionality a reality. The company’s entertainment sector is also busy developing a high tech One-Flick Entertainment interface enable the users to access more content by Flick Operation through the touchpad. The consumers of Sony products will now increase their Telvision usage and get access to more services and apps. The digital imaging sector is also another target for Sony, through the use of 4K technology by coming up with the newest Action Cam Model able to shoot 4K videos. The camera will capture very clear images and videos making it one of the most effective cameras.
Sony is in the process of producing new high technology gadgets in the market such as HI-Res Walkman, wireless speakers, headphones, multichannel integrated amplifiers, and home theaters. Sony is using its new technology that it developed named as LDAC codec technology that beats the current audio devices by transmitting thrice the amount of data by the existing ones. The SongPal Link by Sony is also a new functionality that can allow simultaneous playback in interconnected devices. To expand its business activities beyond electronics and entertainment, the company plans to create its own SmartWear devices to provide newer living styles. The items will range from headsets, eyewear with various forms and shapes to suit the market demand. The company also plans to start producing Blues ray disks in May to enable it have a variety of products in the market. Sony’s products will provide the best entertainment gadgets and devices for many functions such as communication, running, and any fitness activities.
The CEO of Sony Company, Hirai, aims at reducing costs and integrating innovation in the company to avoid the company making losses in the future. His aims are to offer advice and teach the company’s employees on better production methods of producing both hardware and software to have a variety of products in the market. The main businesses for Sony according to the CEO are entertainment, banking, and electronics although the company suffers threats from hackers. The exposure of its personal information by the cyber criminals and the top executive’s communications via emails was a big blow to the company. High technology and innovation is the only thing that can help the company to solve such issues and prevents further attacks. The CEO promised the management of the company of negotiations with the US team to bring back the Hollywood studio, which moved from Sony after the hacking incident. The movie and theater business is a revenue earner to the company and the management intends to apply all technological means to secure its accounts from cyber criminals.
Its High-resolution audio device is one of the technologies promised by the management of Sony via the CEO, a device that has the capability of playing a high-quality audio and uses Bluetooth wireless connection. The other areas of interest to Sony are in the production of the image sensors and a cloud-based TV service called PlayStation Vue. The other service to be launched soon will be the subscription-based online videogame services for entertainment fans. The products will appear as new brands in the market and compete with products from Samsung, Apple, and other big companies. The CEO and the leadership of Sony Company aim at investing in real estates and production of devices for internet-connected homes to increase its entrepreneurial programs. The company uses the crowd-funding website for financing of Qrio Smart Lock, for enabling its Smartphones to have control of their door locks.
In conclusion, Sony is at the position of producing high-tech products ranging from the electronic devices, entertainment and imaging gadgets. The environment is full of competitors such as Samsung who pose a big threat to the company’s management team. To enable Sony remain relevant in the competitive world, the leaders through their CEO, Hirai have come up with several innovative gadgets such as high-resolution audios and also plans to venture in other areas such as real estate. The other areas of interest to Sony are in the production of the image sensors and a cloud-based TV service called PlayStation Vue. Sony’s products will provide the best entertainment gadgets and devices for many functions such as communication, running, and any fitness activities. Sony leadership allows its employees to come p with ideas aimed at developing the cutting-edge technology especially in the entertainment sector. The main aim of diversifying production is to enable the company recover and earn profits from its various devices and products. All the company’s plans will be effective if the company totally adopts modern technology where digitalization is the only thing that makes companies to remain relevant in the market.
References
Cozzarin, Brian Paul, William Lee, and Bonwoo Koo. ‘Sony’S Redemption: The Blu-Ray Vs . HD-DVD Standards War’. Prometheus 30.4 (2012): 377-394. Print.
Hachiya, Masanori. Historical Review Of Sony’s Innovations And Future Steps. 2010. Print.
Sangani, K. ‘Sony Security Laid Bare’. Engineering & Technology 6.8 (2011): 74-77. Print.
‘Sony Succeeds’. Int J Productivity & Perf Mgmt 61.1 (2011): n.p. Print.
‘The Teardown: Sony PS4’. Engineering & Technology 9.1 (2014): 88-89. Print.
levels of moral pluralism
MORAL PLURALISM
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Abstract
There are several conflicting theories within the moral domain in regard to good and wrong. In the process of determining the level of truth, an important is played by personal interpretations and judgments. In attempting to live together in a society, there are so many challenges in appreciating the authenticity of conflicting views and establishment of levels of agreement. This paper explores what moral pluralism is and the differences between the different levels.
Moral pluralism refers to the assumption that moral truths exist. However, it is worth noting that this assumption does not form the basis of rationality and reliability of truths in comparison to those found in scientific and mathematical approaches (Richardson & Williams, 2008). There are varied views in regard to moral pluralism, for example, some people believe that actions that yield positive results are morally good.
There is a plurality of values and principles relevant to moral judgment that cannot be reduced. In the principle of utilitarianism, there is a belief that morally important considerations can be quantified into pain or pleasure while Kantian theory asserts that all forms of moral judgment can be reduced to a single principle which has to do with rationality and the individuals bearing rationality. Moral pluralism is not subject to complete ordering of rationality. Therefore, it is believed that no procedure or principle can exist without a unique or determinate solution of a moral question that involves choices in moral values and principles (Sneddon, 2011).
There is a belief that the most important aspect of different levels of morality includes relative majority of duties and values. For the rest of morality, it is believed that equality and general wellbeing are the core values. The foundational level of morality is made up of actions that do not harm others and do not facilitate taking of other people’s possessions. Also, other similar pluralistic theories believe that an individual does not need to break promises, to tell lies and rather an individual need to go an extra mile in showing concern for individuals with special connections. Several versions of moral pluralism are founded and based on such lists of values and duties (Davis, 2004).
In addition, most pluralists believe that there are no strict rationales of precedence that seeks to resolve conflicts that might arise among the actions and values on which they are based. In this regard, there is need to utilize values of judgment so as to resolve conflicts among actions and values of moral pluralism. However, the assumption of moral truths fails to provide any procedure for moral advisement.
Also, the truths upon which moral pluralism is based are not coherent and consistent. There are conflicting theories within the moral domain in relation to rightness and goodness and each of the many theories contain realities about moral life though none of them is comprised of the whole truth (Moon, 2012).
Most activities in the society raise a lot of questions in regard to the type of morality that is guiding the members of the different societies. There are common actions that show that the moral standards are low, for example killing without remorse and dehumanization of each other. This is because the modern society is diverse and heterogeneous in composition. Also, the various cultures and traditions in the society are dynamic and pluralistic in several ways. However, it is unfortunate that pluralistic aspects of moralism are widening over time (Hinman, 2008).
There are four levels of moral pluralism; radical moral pluralism, pluralism of moral practices, pluralism of self-realization and radical moral pluralism. Radical moral pluralism is a level that describes a situation in which people hold different views about morality. However, the believers in this have divergent and radical views yet they do not form the society entirely (Timmons, 2012). In a society, a group needs to be in agreement with certain crucial principles and practices. It is important for members of any society to have a general agreement of the fact that life is worth living and that the lives of all members of the society need to be respected.
However, it is hard to convince those who do not care whether they live or die because it is almost impossible to inform them that they are mistaken. Such people do not form a society because morality is a shared responsibility for all members of a society. It is important to note that a society may be morally pluralistic on the basis of the other levels (Hinman, 2008).
Pluralism of moral practices implies compatibility with social agreement on morality of several basic patterns. However, such agreements do not involve agreements on the variation on the use of moral principles to evaluate actions. In as much as several people believe that murder is wrong, there are members of the society who operate at conventional morality. In regard to murder, there are different moral principles that are compatible to different moral assessment.
Radical moral pluralism refers to moral practices that come from differences in moral principles, differences of facts, differences in circumstances and differences in perception of facts. At this level of moral pluralism, most moral issues are not clear. The developing modern society provides room for moral disagreement. However, in most areas of agreement there is compatibility of agreeable moral practices.
Pluralism of self-realization provides that as long as members of the society adhere to laid down moral norms, they are allowed to make choices on their values and lifestyles. It is a kind of moral pluralism that provides for crucial aspects of moral pluralism such as self-fulfillment and development. Such a society tolerates several differences that cannot be found in a homogeneous society (McDonald, 2011).
References
Davis, J. C. (2004). The Moral Theology of Roger Williams: Christian Conviction and Public Ethics. Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press.
Henry S. Richardson, M. S. (2008). Moral Universalism and Pluralism: NOMOS XLIX. New York: NYU Press. Retrieved from http://books.google.co.ke/books?id=tU10u1F2bZwC&dq=moral+pluralism&source=gbs_navlinks_s
Hinman, L. M. (2008). Ethics: A Pluralistic Approach to Moral Theory: A Pluralistic Approach to Moral Theory. Stamford: Cengage Learning.
McDonald, H. P. (2011). Creative Actualization: A Meliorist Theory of Values. Amsterdam: Rodopi.
Moon, J. D. (2012). Constructing Community: Moral Pluralism and Tragic Conflicts. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
Sneddon, A. (2011). Like-minded: Externalism and Moral Psychology. Cambridge: MIT Press.
Timmons, M. (2012). Moral Theory: An Introduction. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Retrieved from http://books.google.co.ke/books?id=qWGp1iK9IlAC&dq=moral+pluralism&source=gbs_navlinks_s