Evaluating Government Relations and Opposition Anticipation: A Critical Analysis of Disney’s America Theme Park Proposal

BMAL 550

Discussion Assignment Instructions

Replies

You are required to reply to the Case Study responses of two classmates. The classmates you choose to respond to should not have researched the same question as you. Each reply will include at least 2 original references, i.e. 2 scholarly articles by 2 different authors, and should be at least 300 words. The response should not be an agreement or disagreement with the initial post, but an evaluation of the author’s analysis. All assertions must be supported by research and should not be based upon one’s “feeling” or “opinion.”

For each reply, the following headings should include:

Response to:

Classmate’s Name, Case Study Name, Question Number

Response:

An evaluation written in current APA-7 format.

References:

Refer to the APA-7 Manual for proper formatting.

Biblical integration:

Just as you did for the thread, provide integration of a biblical concept that supports your reply. Make sure to reference the biblical verse(s) that you are integrating in your response.

for this assignment please provide 4 sources within 5 years including the biblical reference so there should be a total of 5 sources in the references

note: Argenti, P. A. (2023). Corporate Communication (8th ed.). McGraw Hill. Is not to be used as a source

BMAL 550

Joshua Discussion for reply

Question:

Disney’s America Theme Park – Question 1: What are the key issues that Eisner must consider in this situation from a government relations perspective?

Answer:

There are many issues that Michael Eisner could have considered from a government relations perspective, but two that stood out were understanding the reach of regulatory agencies and the benefits of coalition building. Beginning with regulatory agency reach, Argenti (2023) explains that such agencies are responsible for inspecting and approving businesses before they can essentially break ground (p. 187). In Disney’s scenario, they were faced with the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) which claimed that the theme park would encroach on the beauty and history of Virginia. Instead of engaging the PEC directly, it seemed as if Eisner instead tried to make allies with government officials in hopes of going above the PEC. Nielsen and Nielsen (2023) would likely classify this as a form of “challenging” based on their analysis of business behaviors in response to regulatory agencies, however, a better approach likely would have been “befriending” to find a win-win solution (p. 70). Trying to work with the PEC and empowering them to help find a solution that could be mutually beneficial could have resulted in a better outcome instead of competitively seeking friendships with other influential officials. Essentially, Eisner was avoiding the allegations instead of trying to clarify how Disney could align itself with the PEC’s preservation goals.

This also relates to coalition building. Making friends with those who have been through your situation, or who are motivated to support a business’s cause, can be much more effective than trying to fight the opposition. Hecht (2020) uses Hurricane Katrina as an example of how coalitions can be built through relationships, and those associations can be both local and from other parts of the country (p. 9). Eisner was trying to win friends, but he failed to develop relationships with those who were most concerned about what his business would do to the local area. He also failed to consult other businesses that may have faced similar challenges. Coalitions are fragile, must be nurtured, and can take time to develop (Harter, 2022, p. 204). As with any relationship, trust and commitment are generally not given upon the first meeting. It must be earned through mutual care over an extended period.

Biblical Integration:

Government relations are an important part of business strategy and planning. As discussed, it can make or break a company’s business plan if it is not in alignment with the local community. Instead, seeking mutual purpose and developing coalitions are a better approach. Proverbs 27:17 speaks to this as “iron sharpens iron” ( King James Bible, 1769/2024). When people work together to develop win-win results, everyone benefits and grows. However, when they stand in opposition of one another they both are likely to lose time, money, and potentially credibility.

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.