Issues about the Tax

3. Core Issue(s) Based on the strategic analysis, describe what you believe is the core strategic issue(s) facing the organization. - Use specific references to the case to support your argument. Be careful not to confuse symptoms with core issues. If more than one key issue exists, make an argument for those having the biggest impact. Robin Hood Joseph Lampel New York University T t was in the spring of the second year of his insur- The fame of his Merrymen was spreading, and new rection against the High Sheriff of Nottingham recruits were pouring in from every corner of that Robin Hood took a walk in Sherwood For- England. As the band grew larger, their small bivouac est. As he walked he pondered the progress of the became a major encampment Between raids the men campaign, the disposition of his forees, the Sheriffs milled about, talking and playing games. Vigilance recent moves, and the options that confronted him. Was in decline, and discipline was becoming harder The revolt against the Sheriff had begun as a per- to enforee. "Why," Robin reflected, "I don't know sonal crusade. It erupted out of Robin's conflict with half the men I run into these days." the Sheriff and his administration. However, alone The growing band was also beginning to exceed Robin Hood could do little. He therefore sought al- the food capacity of the forest. Game was becoming lies, men with grievances and a deep sense of justice. scarce, and supplies had to be obtained from outlying Later he welcomed all who came, asking few ques- villages. The cost of buying food was beginning to tions and demanding only a willingness to serve. drain the bund's financial reserves at the very moment Strength, he believed, lay in numbers. He spent the first year forging the group into a those with the most to lose, were now giving the fordisciplined band, united in enmity against the Sheriff est a wide berth. This was costly and inconvenient to and willing to live outside the law. The band's organi- them, but it was preferable to having all their goods zation was simple. Robin ruled supreme, making all confiscated. important decisions. He delegated specific tasks to Robin believed that the time had come for the his lieutenants. Will Scarlett was in charge of intel- Merrymen to change their policy of outright confisligence and scouting. His main job was to shadow the cation of goods to one of a fixed transit tax. His lieuSheriff and his men, always alert to their next mowe. tenants strongly resisted this idea. They were proud He also collected information on the travel plans of of the Merrymen's famous motto: "Rob the rich and rich merchants and tax collectors. Little John kept dis. give to the pooc." -The farmers and the townspeocipline among the men and saw to it that their archery ple," they argued, "are our most important allies. was at the high peak that their profession demanded. How can we tax them, and still bope for their help in Searlock took care of the finances, converting loot to our fight against the Sherif?? cash, paying shares of the take, and finding suitable Robin wondered how long the Merrymen could hiding places for the sarplus. Finally, Much the keep to the ways and methods of their early days. Miller's son had the difficult task of provisioning the The Sheriff was growing stronger and becoming beever-increasing band of Merrymen. The increasing size of the band was a source of and was beginning to hanss the band, probing for its satisfaction for Robin, but also a source of concern. weaknesses. The tide of events was beginning to turn against the Merrymen. Robin felt that the campaign Copyrith o 1991, by Jowept. Lantinel. mast be decisively concluded before the Sheriff had a C-318 chance to deliver a mortal blow. "But how," he won- first given him the regency but were now beginning dered, "could this be done?" to dispute his claim to the throne. Several of these Robin had often entertained the possibility of barons had set out to collect the ransom that would killing the Sheriff, but the chances for this seemed release King Richard the Lionheart from his jail in increasingly remote. Besides, killing the Sheriff Austria. Robin was invited to join the conspiracy in might satisfy his personal thirst for revenge, but it return for future amnesty. It was a dangerous propowould not improve the situation. Robin had hoped sition. Provincial banditry was one thing, court inthat the perpetual state of unrest, and the Sheriff's trigue another. Prince John had spies everywhere, failure to collect taxes, would lead to his removal and he was known for his vindictiveness. If the confrom office. Instead, the Sheriff used his political spirators' plan failed, the pursuit would be relentless, connections to obtain reinforcement. He had powerful and retributions swift. friends at court and was well regarded by the regent, The sound of the supper horn startled Robin Prince John. from his thoughts. There was the smell of roasting Prince John was vicious and volatile. He was venison in the air. Nothing was resolved or settled. consumed by his unpopularity among the people, Robin headed for camp promising himself that he who wanted the imprisoned King Richard back. He would give these problems his utmost attention after also lived in constant fear of the barons, who had tomorrow's raid