Robin Hood Case Study by Joseph Lampel

Case 22: Robin Hood

Perform your case analysis using the guidelines and resources identified in “Performing Case Analysis” and “Guide to Case Analysis”.

The requirements for the Case Analysis are as follows:

1. Identify the factors involved in the case. Consider Economic, Cultural/Demographic, Legal, Financial, Human Resource Management, Marketing factors and implications on a global level. Name this section “Identification of Factors”.
2. Analyze competitive environment using Porter’s Five Forces Model (text pp. 49-63). Utilize company/competitor websites, and other media/information sources. Name this section “Analysis of Current Environment”.
3. Based on the information identified in (1) and (2) above, address the following:
4. What strategic alternatives (minimum of 2) does it have?
5. Which strategy would you recommend for? c. What do you see as the short and/or long-term implication of that strategy?

Solution

1-Identification of Factors

Several factors emerge in this case study. Robin Hood came up with some key objectives and missions. Creating the band to meet goals and objectives was the right approach. Accomplishing and justifying the purpose was important for Robin Hood. Economic, cultural, legal, financial, human resource management, marketing factors, and implications on the global level are some essential factors. The elaboration of these factors is as under

• Economic

The economic condition was not stable. The sheriff had power and authority to influence different economic policies. Rich people were the primary beneficiary of the inactive financial state. People, from different regions, contained the low-income level.

• Cultural/Demographic

People came from different regions. Robin wanted to integrate with different cultural values of people to create harmony in the group. For Instance, the merry man’s motto was to rob the rich and give it to the poor (Lambel, 2008). However, with the evolution of the group, including different age groups and beliefs, the need to change the structure was apparent.

• Legal

The legal factor is in the limelight. For Instance, Robin Hood spent the first to forge the group combined in antagonism against the Sheriff. The whole group was willing to avoid the law to meet this purpose. Thus, by this consideration, legal complications could occur.

• Financial

Scarlock maintained the financial operations. It seemed proper management of the looted money. For Instance, converting the loot into the cash was the part of the financial planning. Sharing wealth and finding a suitable place to hide the funds were also some vital economic activities (Lambel, 2008). The fixed transit tax was also the primary concern.

• Human Resource Management

Human resource process was in the limelight due to better people’s management. Robin successfully delegated different tasks and responsibilities to different people. The purpose was to maintain human resources. People were facilitated by food, camps, and many other necessities.  The most important thing was to enhance the motivation to stay in the band and meet the purpose.

• Marketing factors and implications on a global level

Changing the policy regarding outright confiscation of goods was a big concern. Robin used it for marketing purposes. He positioned better in the minds of the band members or group of people to take revenge from the Sheriff. He idealized this rebellion and marketed it through communicating with the whole band. On the other hand, the Sheriff and John were getting stronger. Robin positioned his forces to examine Sheriff’s moves. It was an excellent complete strategy to make the decisions. The impact on the global level was quite visible due to several consequences. People outside regions were also influenced.

2-Analysis of the Current Environment

The current environment of Robin Hood’s case can be navigated through porter five forces. This strategic tool can help to derive several competitive insights in an effective manner.

Porter’s Five Forces Model

• Power a of customers

The bargaining power of customers was low due to a single option for Sherwood Forest residents. For Instance, Robin always intended to give to the poor.  However, he had to gain the support of these people to meet his mission. People had to meet their needs due to this group.   Intentionally, people supported this group because they wanted to improve the living standard. Food, shelter, and safety were precious of people or customers, and it helped Robin to keep people loyal and satisfied. The switching cost for people was high because they could not afford something legally. With the low bargaining power of customers, it depicted the long-term benefits.

• Power of suppliers

The power of the supplier was high due to lack of food and other necessary material supply. The band was looking to contain an adequate amount of food to meet the needs of members and prepare for revenge. The group required a constant supply of food to retain the best people. On the other hand, suppliers were always threatened by opponents. The sheriff could capture and punish suppliers for creating a negative impact on the band’s activities. Therefore, the power of suppliers was high, as they wanted more returns.

Interestingly, the Sheriff was quite aware of it, and he always tried to focus on the concentrated suppliers. Robin’s team was dependent on suppliers or constant supply of equipment and foods. It was a significant part of the planning process. Robin and his team had to pay the price to be relevant. Another factor that created the impact on the high supplier power was the legal complication. For Instance, Robin was looking to live outside the law. Suppliers were hesitating to work for this group due to possible penalties (Lambel, 2008).

• Threats of substitutes

The risk of alternatives was quite low. It was due to the lack of availability of a group of bands that could help residents of Sherwood Forest. Agreeing with Robin’s agenda was the need for people to meet their needs as well.  Robin aimed to help these people through investing looted money.  He identified people from Sherwood Forest to create a strong force to claim victory. No substitute in the form of a group or band occurred at that time, and it also became the significant strength of Robin’s hood team.

• The threat of new entrants

Robin’s group was emerging with the time, as he created an effective and flexible structure to embrace new people. The threat of new entrants was high because people did not take any risk by joining other forces of groups. The large group created barriers for new arrivals. However, entering the group was highly appreciated.  Also, new arrivals had to integrate with illegal activities such as robbery to become a part of these activities. Therefore, there was no group. The new group could emerge as a critical opponent of Robin Hood.  Due to lack of power and support, no one could stand except the sheriff. Thus, the competition was between these two groups, and no more space was observed for new entrants (Lambel, 2008).

• Competitive Rivalry

The competitive rivalry was fierce because the Sheriff was developed and maintained adequately. With adequate power and money, it planned to remove the band.  The Sheriff emerged as a great competitor of Robin’s band, as it tried to harass the group. He intended to utilize human and financial resources to create an impact on Robin’s group. It also depicted the threat for merry men. The most important thing was to dismantle Merry’s ideology. The sheriff did not want to rob the rich and develop poor, as he always wanted to dominate through power. On the other hand, the Sheriff was probing the weakness of the band. Thus, the competitive rivalry was high, and the group had to make effective strategies to get an edge and accomplish the mission (Roy, 2011).

3-Recommendation

• Strategic Alternatives

Robin navigated several options or alternatives such as killing Sheriff, joining the conspiracy, and global expansion of the group. However, all these alternatives triggered some advantages or disadvantages. The best way to meet the purpose was to find the strategic option. For Instance, Robin Hood must decentralize the organization to achieve short and long-term goals objectives. He needs the power of men for scanning of new people or recruitments. Finding people who depict a sense of justice and grievance can be useful.  Instead of killing the sheriff, the better strategy is to develop farmers to enhance the production. On the other hand, at the administrative level, a team can strengthen the organization. The control of the organization is necessary instead of just killing the sheriff.  Killing the sheriff is not a solution, as kind may refuse to agree on different terms and condition.  For Instance, Kind Richard cannot be released, and it can hit the group hard.

Another alternative for the group is to streamline the discipline and some related measures in the group. Training and development of people are necessary to obtain several skills.  Wealthy travelers usually avoid traveling on this route, and it depends on trained people how they capture them. Joining hands with Scarlet is another critical option.  It can help the group learn the best raid techniques. Building a strong internal force is a better idea to face the sheriff. Sherri is strong and skillful. Alliance with scarlet is one of the prominent options by keeping this threat in mind.

• Strategy Recommendation

The best strategy for the group or band is decentralization. It is the best strategy because it enhances the work delegation. Robin can make different groups to conduct operations. For Instance, due to devolution, one group can work to meet different training and development issues (Katz, Lee, & Lee, 2018). On the other hand, another group can hold the central location in the Sherwood Forest. Decentralization can help to maintain the group better. People can defend different possible raids or attacks from the Sheriff. The purpose of this strategy recommendation is to build the group against the sheriff.  As mentioned, Robin appointed its men to monitor activities of the sheriff.  Decentralization justifies the mission and purpose, as it is workable and easy to execute. Interestingly, this strategy recommendation enables some short and long-term implications. These implications must be kept in mind to make some changes in the future.

• Short and/or Long-Term Implication

With the release of King Richard, people can trust him to meet their needs and wants. However, it is risky because it can enable swift retribution. Also, if the focus is on the decentralization, the Sheriff can be removed from the power. However, it can be for a short run because he may contain alliance and emerge as a strong rival. Decentralization is based on the Merry Men ideology (Lambel, 2008). They decided to steal from the rich and give to the poor. Possibly, they may change the strategy, and it can hurt Robin’s group in the long run. Decentralization ensures a positive long-term impact. However, it needs group sustainability. Geographical expansion is possible for the group, and it can take a lot of time. Strategically, it is the right approach. Short term wins are needed to meet this purpose. Robin Hood must implement the decentralization strategy, as it can facilitate long ten developments. Some tiny steps from leadership with the time is needed (Lambel, 2008).

Finally, Robin will be in the best position to a beat sheriff, even without killing him.  Strategic thinking and a comprehensive competitive analysis have helped to come up with a practical strategy (Quickbase.com, 2015). Robin always wanted to reduce the sheriff’s impact, and it is possible now.

References

Katz, H. C., Lee, W., & Lee, J. (2018). The New Structure of Labor Relations: Tripartism and Decentralization. Cornell University Press.

Lambel, J. (2008). Case 22: Robin Hood. In A. A. Thompson, A. J. Strickland, & J. E. Gamble, Crafting and Executing Strategy: Concepts and Cases (pp. C-318-C-319). McGraw-Hill Companies.

Quickbase.com. (2015, May 8). 4 Management Lessons Learned from Robin Hood. https://www.quickbase.com/blog/4-management-lessons-learned-from-robin-hood

Roy, D. (2011). Strategic Foresight and Porter’s Five Forces: Towards a Synthesis. GRIN Verlag.