To begin assignment read Henry Mintzberg's article (enclosed) The Fall Essay

To begin assignment read Henry Mintzberg's article (enclosed) The Fall and Rise of Strategic Planning (Harvard Business Review, January-February 1994) - Essay Example One weakness with strategic planning is that it is comprised of a calculated approach which is fixed towards attaining a goal in contrast to strategic thinking which is committed to encompass other people’s views in attainment of that particular goal. Strategies are only effective if committed people infuse them with their energy directed at achieving the stipulated goals. On the other hand, it can be noted that planning could not learn or think but only limited to the widely held belief of doing things within an organisation. He posits that strategic planning should have been termed strategic programming rather where it would be promoted as a process to formalise the strategies that have already been developed. On its own, planning cannot generate strategies. However, planning is important in that it promotes coordination and also ensures that everyone in the organisation pulls in the same direction. It can be used to gain moral support from outsiders who are more influential to the organisation. In this scenario, it can be noted that as human beings, we are inclined to formalise our behaviour in most instances but careful consideration has to be taken when it comes to strategy making process. Strategy making is often a complex activity which requires creativity in the process. The extent to which we are guided by formalisation sometimes make us stop thinking beyond what is regarded as the norm. When it comes to strategic making process, intuitive thinking ought to play a pivotal role in informing and shaping of the organisational vision. This can be possible through the use of effective thinking which is not only subjected to the principles stipulated to be followed. A close analysis of the given article shows that it is concerned with highlighting some of the shortfalls of strategic planning that can impede the process of strategic decision making process which ought to be guided by

From the perspective of UN peacekeeping operations, was the Essay

From the perspective of UN peacekeeping operations, was the humanitarian intervention in Libya justified - Essay Example Considering both the views listed above and the situation that existed in Libya during the unrest, an important question arises: was humanitarian intervention justified? By considering the systematic violation of human rights by the regime, the aggravating refugee situation and the rampant anarchy, do the UN protocols really reflect changes in international politics? In addition to this, does it justify the need for humanitarian intervention in such a way that the needs of the country are met without negative impacts such as exploitation? Did the situation in Libya really necessitate UN humanitarian intervention? And do the rules and regulations laid down by the UN justify military intervention in Libya under international law? As a result of these questions, the underlying factor that stands is whether there is need to justify the UN Humanitarian Intervention in Libya. In this paper, I shall review the problem statement in order to understand the background of the situation. Review of the various literatures concerning humanitarian intervention with a focus on the United Nation shall then be carried out. I shall then develop a testable hypothesis which will then be tested to show a causal-effect relationship. Problem Statement This research seeks to find out whether UN peace keeping protocols are in compliance with international law on matters regarding military intervention with a focus on the Libyan civil unrest. The research intends to justify the military operation carried out in Libya based on the provisions of the United Nations Security Council charter as well as international law. On February 2011, protests began in Libya to oust the government of Muammar Gaddafi. The protests were part of a bigger revolution that was taking place in most of the Islamic nations at the time including Tunisia, Egypt and Syria (Pargeter, 2012). Gaddafi unleashed his military force on his quest to crush the rebellion. After this, the rebellion spread rapidly throughout Lib ya and soon Gadhafi lost hold over most of the eastern part of his country. On 26th February 2011, the United Nations Security Council adopted the resolution 1970 calling upon member states to: ensure that no arms exchange took place across their borders to Libya, freeze assets owned by Gaddafi and those in his government allied to him, and to facilitate humanitarian aid in Libya (Cheslow 2012). The resolution however did not ratify the use of military force in Libya. Due to increasing fighting and an increase in oppression of Libyans by Gadhafi’s loyalist, a multistate coalition began military operations on 19th march 2011 (Noueihed 2012). Air strikes against army tanks and bases were carried out thereby frustrating the efforts of Gaddafi’s forces to bring the country to heel. International law generally proscribes that nations should apply the doctrine of non-intervention when dealing with intervention of parties within the territory of a sovereign nation. Von Hippel (1995) defines intervention as the use of coercive tactics to direct a given nation to take a particular course that it would not have likely taken and may involve military action by a foreign power in a domestic conflict. Intervention may take other forms than military