BMAL 550
Heather Discussion for reply
Case Study: Disney’s America Theme Park:
The Third Battle of Bull Run, Question 3
Question:
How could Disney have better anticipated the opposition to its new theme park proposal?
Answer:
To anticipate opposition to its new theme park proposal, Disney should have engaged local communities and stakeholders early on through town hall meetings and focus groups. By involving local residents, environmental groups, historians, and government officials, Disney could better understand concerns and expectations, gaining insights into potential resistance.
Disney should have conducted detailed environmental and historical impact assessments to understand the potential effects of the park on the local area, including traffic congestion, environmental concerns, and historical preservation. Collaborating with historians, environmental scientists, and urban planners to evaluate these impacts and incorporate their feedback into the project plan would have demonstrated Disney’s commitment to preserving the area’s heritage. Pedrini and Ferri’s article emphasizes the growing adoption of stakeholder theory in corporate activities due to internet, social networking, and big data integration. Key themes include transparent communication, stakeholder engagement strategies, and technological impacts. The findings highlight the need for proactive stakeholder management in corporate governance to improve performance and satisfaction (2019).
A proactive public relations campaign to communicate the park’s benefits, such as job creation and economic growth, while addressing potential concerns head-on would have been beneficial. By providing clear, factual information about the project, Disney could have addressed misconceptions and countered negative narratives early on. Consulting with historians and cultural experts to ensure the park’s themes and attractions were respectful and accurate representations of American history would have helped mitigate backlash. Ensuring that sensitive historical topics, such as slavery, were portrayed with the utmost care and accuracy would have mitigated some of the backlash from historians and cultural critics.
Disney could have evaluated alternative locations with less historical and environmental sensitivity to reduce opposition. Disney could have partnered with preservation organizations to develop joint initiatives that would preserve and promote the region’s historical significance. Demonstrating a commitment to local preservation efforts by investing in historical site preservation or educational programs could have built goodwill. Hart-Fredeluces et al. found the need for inclusive practices prioritizing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring diverse representation and equitable participation of all stakeholders. It underscores the importance of ethical considerations, calling for a better understanding of ethical dilemmas and developing guidelines to navigate these challenges (2023).
Strengthening political alliances at both the state and local levels and addressing concerns from political opponents would have been crucial. To garner more local support, Disney could have developed community investment initiatives, such as funding local infrastructure improvements, education programs, and community development projects. Strengthening political alliances and addressing political concerns are essential for navigating regulatory landscapes. Lobbying is a crucial aspect of government relations that influences legislators and policymakers. It is important to maintain strong relationships with government officials based on communication, trust, and credibility (Argenti, 2023). Research on stakeholder management underscores the importance of securing political support and understanding the political context to anticipate and mitigate opposition (Uddin et al., 2023).
Finally, having a well-defined crisis management plan in place would have allowed Disney to respond quickly and effectively to opposition and negative publicity. Monitoring public sentiment and media coverage would have enabled Disney to adjust its strategy in real time and address emerging concerns. By taking these proactive steps, Disney could have better anticipated and mitigated the opposition to its theme park proposal, aligning the project more closely with the interests and values of the local community and other stakeholders.
Biblical Integration
Proverbs 21:5 states, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty,” which relates directly to Disney’s strategy for anticipating opposition to its new theme park proposal (
New International, 1978/2011). This verse underscores the value of diligent, thoughtful planning mirrored in the suggested strategic measures Disney could have taken. Engaging local communities and stakeholders early, conducting environmental and historical impact assessments, and maintaining transparent communication exemplify diligence and foresight. These proactive steps would have allowed Disney to align the project more closely with local interests and values, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful implementation and minimizing opposition. In contrast, hasty decisions without comprehensive stakeholder engagement and impact analysis could lead to significant setbacks and resistance, analogous to the “poverty” mentioned in the proverb. Thus, applying Proverbs 21:5 highlights the importance of careful, well-considered planning in achieving successful and profitable outcomes.
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