Decisions in Paradise

Decisions in Paradise:

Implementation and Ethical Considerations

Decisions in Paradise: Implementation and Ethical Considerations

Developing an educational system using public television as the foundation can serve as the catalyst for additional businesses that are essential for the growth of Kava's economy as well. Nik and his team need to next define the key factors that can contribute to the success of the initial development of a public-television-based educational system that can qualify for national, regional and global grants. Based on the success of this model, Nik and his team need to expand into location-based trade schools and colleges, and work to turn these into profitable businesses while also providing the necessary education for Kava residents so they can better their lives by getting better jobs, attracting employers to the country based on qualified workers being there. This model can also be applied to healthcare and banking, where initial partnerships need to include companies interested in expanding in Kava, and also government, regional and global organizations who have an interest in assisting Kava's economy to grow. The intent of this paper is to explore the resources and actions necessary in addition to the ethical implications of completing these strategies.

Education Needs to Come First

Nik and his team need to think strategically, or long-term, about the implications of their initial strategies on Kava's economy and residents. The ability of a nation to grow economically and improve the quality of life for its residents is directly correlated to the cumulative investment in education (Rehme, 2007). As a result, Nike and his team need to see educational programming as a potential funding source, and long-term, as the foundation for creating additional services the island needs and that can be profitable. Educational programming has the potential of generating subsidies both from the Kava, and also from regional and global development agencies. From a strength developed in public television, Nik and his team could then expand into other service areas that are pivotal to the island nations' growth including courses and programs to teach residents the latest agricultural practices, tourism marketing and planning techniques and how to promote their island nation globally, and banking courses to help this industry as well. There is also the need for creating more effective healthcare, and this could follow the same business model as using public television, specifically using public televisions' reach of the island nation to attract new customers to a healthcare center, and also seeking funding for a healthcare center as well. The strength of the public television aspect of Nik's company can serve as the foundation for all of these service businesses.

The decision implementation to pursue educational services is also underscored by the demographics of the island as well, which has a high level of young inhabitants. This signals the need for education and also healthcare. Further supporting a decision implementation strategy to concentrate on services is the ability to compete on increased knowledge vs. increased spending on fixed assets. Services-based businesses are also complimentary to the existing industry base of Kava and the entire region.

Recommendations

When all these factors are taken into account in addition to the unmet needs of the population of Kava, the following recommendations are made. First, with over 50% of the population being less than 15 years of age, there is the need for advanced education in the form of colleges, universities, in addition to trade schools as well to give these residents an opportunity to gain knowledge and marketable skills they can use to find better-paying jobs and potentially start new businesses on Kava as well. Second, there is the need for inexpensive healthcare programs, which are especially in the area of pediatrics and child care. As has been mentioned, the majority of the island's inhabitants are in their teenage years or younger, and this points to family sizes being relatively large. Prenatal care is critical for these families. Third, there are significant needs of banking services to enable Kava citizens to create their own businesses as well, including the development of a micro-payment bank that offers low-cost or no-cost micro-payment loans so they can start their own businesses. In attracting joint venture partners in each of these service areas, Nik and his team also need to consider the underlying utilities of the island and work to make sure there is a sustainable electricity, Internet, water, and natural gas for the businesses to run reliably.

Strategic Plan Is Essential Defining Phases of Development

Alex, Nik and Chris will also need to create a strategic plan to define the sequences of businesses and their specific partnership and joint venture needs as well. The ability to attract and retain educational foundations as partners to initially fund the development of a learning network that needs to include on-site services including classrooms is necessary. In addition the team's ability to attract and retain physicians, additional educators and bankers to the island nation is critical for these service businesses to succeed. Third, the need for a building suitable to be a medical clinic or small hospital, the development of a school or small college on the island, and several small banks are needed. The team needs to realize that in terms of resources, global and regional partnerships are going to be critical for the success of these services businesses. The team needs to also consider partnering with companies who are leaders in healthcare, education, and banking to see if they are interested in operating satellite offices in Kava as well. The use of joint ventures with companies in each of the targeted services industries who are interested in expanding to Kava would greatly minimize the risks as well. In addition to attracting talent and finding locations, the team will also need to determine how stable the underlying systems each of these services businesses are on the island. For example medical facilities require electricity constantly and must also have generators to keep life support equipment going. The team needs to think about the contingencies specifically relative to electricity on the island as well.