The Master vs. The Student: Antonioni and Coppola Essay -- Michelangel

The Master vs. The Student Antonioni and CoppolaMichelangelo Antonioni initiated a shift in Italian film in the 1950s. He kept some aspects of Italian Neorealism but then moved away into the world of the art film. With Blow-up, which was made assertable by a deal MGM for a series of films in English, he takes a meandering, odd storyline and places it in trendy, ?swinging? London (Thompson & Bordwell, 426-7). He come on rewards the distance between the diegetic world of the film and the audience through just now spacious camera techniques. ?I want to re-create reality in an fleece form. I?m really questioning the nature of reality,? Antonioni has said honestly about the film (Arrowsmith, 112). He has taken the audience-active film to a new and interest level.Blow-up has often times been compared to Francis Ford Coppola?s The confabulation. The two films not unaccompanied share a similar plan (two men, both leaders in their fields, inadvertently stumble across a murder or murder plot and must reevaluate themselves while reevaluating their creations) but Coppola uses much of the same camera techniques as Antonioni, as well. The film is not a total emulation, though Coppola adds his take twist by taking space and contorting it, whereas Antonioni might leave it in the abstract. In examining the two aspects of space and self-evaluation, one can see that Coppola?s The Conversation does not imitate Antonioni?s Blow-up as much as it learns from it.Antonioni?s closely noticeable and intriguing tool of Blow-up is the use of space within all(prenominal) frame. Antonioni, on the cusp of Neorealism, often times places the camera far from Thomas (the chief(prenominal) character played by David Hemmings), letting him move about freely within the frame. ... ...as far back in the room the camera could get, it seems). All of these shots reinforce the loneliness, desperation, and isolation of these two stranded souls. All these shots lend to the two fra cture down barriers within themselves to reach a better, actualized self. And, all of these shots could easily have been produced by Antonioni or Francis Coppola perhaps there is hope for a new wafture of the Antonioni-art-film style.Works CitedArrowsmith, William. (1995). Antonioni, The Poet of Images. New York Oxford.Brunette, Peter. (1998). The Films of Michelangelo Antonioni. Cambridge, UnitedKingdom Cambridge University.Leprohon, Pierre. (1963). Michelangelo Antonioni an Introduction. New York Simon and Schuster.Thompson, Kristen & Bordwell, David. (2003). Film History, an Introduction. BostonMcGraw Hill. The Master vs. The Student Antonioni and Coppola Essay -- MichelangelThe Master vs. The Student Antonioni and CoppolaMichelangelo Antonioni initiated a shift in Italian film in the 1950s. He kept some aspects of Italian Neorealism but then moved away into the world of the art film. With Blow-up, which was made possible by a deal MGM for a series of films in English, he takes a meandering, odd storyline and places it in trendy, ?swinging? London (Thompson & Bordwell, 426-7). He further reinforces the distance between the diegetic world of the film and the audience through precisely spacious camera techniques. ?I want to re-create reality in an abstract form. I?m really questioning the nature of reality,? Antonioni has said honestly about the film (Arrowsmith, 112). He has taken the audience-active film to a new and interesting level.Blow-up has often times been compared to Francis Ford Coppola?s The Conversation. The two films not only share a similar plot (two men, both leaders in their fields, inadvertently stumble across a murder or murder plot and must reevaluate themselves while reevaluating their creations) but Coppola uses much of the same camera techniques as Antonioni, as well. The film is not a total emulation, though Coppola adds his own twist by taking space and contorting it, whereas Antonioni might leave it in the abstract. In examining the two aspects of space and self-evaluation, one can see that Coppola?s The Conversation does not imitate Antonioni?s Blow-up as much as it learns from it.Antonioni?s most noticeable and intriguing tool of Blow-up is the use of space within each frame. Antonioni, on the cusp of Neorealism, often times places the camera far from Thomas (the main character played by David Hemmings), letting him move about freely within the frame. ... ...as far back in the room the camera could get, it seems). All of these shots reinforce the loneliness, desperation, and isolation of these two stranded souls. All these shots lend to the two breaking down barriers within themselves to reach a better, actualized self. And, all of these shots could easily have been produced by Antonioni or Francis Coppola perhaps there is hope for a new wave of the Antonioni-art-film style.Works CitedArrowsmith, William. (1995). Antonioni, The Poet of Images. New York Oxford.Br unette, Peter. (1998). The Films of Michelangelo Antonioni. Cambridge, UnitedKingdom Cambridge University.Leprohon, Pierre. (1963). Michelangelo Antonioni an Introduction. New York Simon and Schuster.Thompson, Kristen & Bordwell, David. (2003). Film History, an Introduction. BostonMcGraw Hill.

Graduation Speech: We Rule the World :: Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

We did it We started from essentially nothing, a cold, boring piece of school territorial dominion land and built it into a high school. Not just any high school, but our high school. Without standards and traditions to follow or be guided by, we shape the halls of Private High School into something special.Now Im true that every senior class from Oshkosh, Wisconsin to Boring, Oregon to F propagatebanks, Alaska to Beverly Hills, California feels that they really make a difference. And granted Im sure many of them did. But I challenge any of them to start from what we did and build one of the most highly regarded high schools in the state.Weve played for the President of the coupled States, weve stopped 51-game winning streaks, and weve built a robot. We have broken into post season play, won numerous debate awards, and ventured to the studios of Hollywood. We have gained respect by earning it. The administration, teachers, and another(prenominal) classes contributed immensely to this respectability, but no one has gone through what the Senior Class of 2012 has.We didnt think anything was different when teachers were handing out detentions, aka pink slips, like candy. We had just devolve from Junior High and didnt know anything different. When in that location were no wins and subsequently no spirit, we didnt realize that wasnt high school. Yet something told us that there had to be more. When we traveled to schools such(prenominal) as Cascade and Blanchet and saw what high school was supposed to be, a glimpse into what we might became was gained. And still what it was supposed to be wasnt what it ought to be, and definitely not what we precious it to be.By growing from our innocent beginnings, everyone from the typical computer nerd to the all American jock, albeit many unknowingly and others certainly unadmittingly, share a common bond. A unique feeling of care for one another that will never diminish. It is truly amazing that in such a large group of i ndividuals there is a oneness, a love, for each other that can never be broken. It is a wonderful feeling that youve got a friend.It is this feeling, this love, that we now must take into a world of chaos. A world where wages are low and prices are high. There is more crime, more hatred, and more lethal weapons than ever before. We have nuclear, chemical, water, and air pollutions of all kinds.

Sherman Alexie: What it means to be an Indian in America Essay

Sherman Alexie What it means to be an Indian in AmericaDr. Mather, if the Ghost Dance worked, there would be no exceptions. All you white nation would disappear. All of you. If those dead Indians came back to life, they wouldnt crawl into a sweathouse with you. They wouldnt smoke the pipe with you. Theyd kill you. Theyd gut you and eat your heart. -Marie, Indian Killer, 314The identity of the modern indigen American is non found in simple language or description. Neither does a badge or prayer of eagle feathers determine Native American identity. As Alexie demonstrates through the character of Dr. Mather and Wilson, pony-tails and store bought drums are mere materialistic symbols and stereotypes they have no real look on or respect for the history behind a persons cultural heritage. Hanging out in Indian bars is insufficient. The identity of the Native American is formed in a context of opposition and resistance, of irreversible historical travesty, and of inescapable conflict. Given the complex and lengthy history of U.S. atrocities against the Indians, and the equally carmine aggressions of Indians against whites, bloodshed and animosity were the basis original Indian- U.S. relations. The original brutality these relations cannot be underestimated nor the intricate series of laws and Acts passed throughout the ninteeth and twentieth centuries for the destruction of Indian nicety and heritage. Yet, as Alexie argues, the forces of hatred cannot be exclusively emphasized in determining the identity of the Native American. Indian Killer by Sherman Alexie is a work of humor, an probe of community identity and family love, as well as a discussion of race and shun. Maries speech to the hapless Dr. Mat... ...efers back to Maries hostile statement. Although not every Indian feels as Marie and Reggie do, certainly not John Smith in his dream, the ominous metaphor of the owls marks Alexies prediction for the future unless hate can be reconciled, the spirit of murder and blood shed will continue to plague man kind. While the title of the work serves to encompass victims of twain white and Indian cultural backgrounds and closes on the image of the ambiguous killer, (could it be Wilson dancing wildly with his store bought cassette tape? Or could it be Reggie living heroic in his bloody victories?), the content of the novel is a living account of human actions to historical contexts. Alexies work is exaggerated beyond reality, to be sure, yet his sagaciousness of Native American identity is intriguing and universal in the story of recovery from human inflicted violence and hate.

An Explication of The Garden of Love :: Garden of Love Essays

An Explication of The Garden of Love My original interpretation of The Garden of Love encompassed the speaker as a person who was scared to move on in their life and in love. I thought (he) was afraid of failure, afraid of losing childhood innocence in the wake of adulthood decisions and expectations. I funneled my theory into a neat little package that contained the Chapel as a symbol for marriage (or adult themes), and the Garden to stand for his life, or thoughts. I further belabored my assessment and interpretation. After long deliberation with the writings of Blake experts, I have conceded to concur with their interpretations of The Garden of Love, and therefore According to Ostriker, Blake celebrates sexuality and attacks repression (156). I agree that his attack on repression is apparent in this poem, in that Blake seems to want the speaker, and the readers, to take a chance on life, love, or sex. Whatever the convention of each individual, Blake wants us to no t be afraid to go against the conventional. Yet the speaker in The Garden of Love is constrained to move forward with his own decisions, probably re exactinged by the strict conventions of the Church. The priests follow suit as a reminder of conventional holiness. Blake has often ridiculed the Church, and it seems as though he uses The Garden of Love to display the affects of the Churchs manipulation on youth. Regarding the 2 youngsters kneeled behind the priest, Kauvar explains, The bowed figures reveal the presence of Urizenic (def. Reason - mine) repression and morality, for instead of embracing, the youths kneel submissively behind the priest (60). As I grasped in my first response to this poem, Blakes Garden represents new growth and childhood innocence. Kauvar continues that thought with the opposite side, but in Experience he sees nature dying and the graveyard supplanting the garden (60). It seems to me that Blake was super disturbed with the manipulating effects placed on the public by the Church. I think he believed the public was mislead by the Church and its expectations, and further, believed their lives were governed as such. Pagliaro continues with the arouse of, .

Living with Feng Shui :: essays research papers

Your home is your sanctuary, but, when entered, does the home create feelings of stress and chaos, instead of calming and providing refuge? No matter how much a somebody cleans, a home can still feel as if it is in constant disarray. The Chinese commonly remedy these complaints by using the art of feng shui. simple(a) placement of certain objects in mapped areas of a home can bring great respite to an otherwise chaotic environment. American society classifies feng shui as mediocre another idea based on superstitions, for example, black cats and broken mirrors. Actually, feng shui, pronounced fung shway, is the ancient craft of interpreting and manipulating energy in the environment to create symphonious space by stimulating good chi, or energy, and staunching the negative flow. Feng shui, meaning wind and water, was created based on the ancient Taoist metaphysical spotter on nature. The Taoists examined their surrounding environment and saw the unity in the different elements of the universe. By identifying the energy in the land around them, the Taoists were able to point out the areas that would protect, flourish, or be at one with the earth. In the book, Taoist Feng Shui, Susan Levitt explainsIn nature they sensed chi energy, the suggestion of life in all things. Taoist observation of nature concluded that curved, flowing lines slow chi and bring abundance. Harmonious chi moves in a curved, graceful line, as if following the natural course of a river. Sharp, straight lines bring sha chi, or bad chi (2).The Taoists believe that all energy is aligned. This alliance, called Tao, is correspond by the figure of the yin and yang. Customarily, the yin is dark, female, and welcoming the yang is light, male, and aggressive. Yin and yang are believed to be connected to one another and always fluctuating, each complimenting the opposing other. Examples of this relationship can be seen everywhere midnight and noon, mountains and valleys, hot and cold, sweet and sour. Without one, there is no other (Levitt 6). In order to chart the chi in a certain area or home, a feng shui compass must be used. This compass, the ba-gua, is composed of octet trigrams, or lines stacked three high, arranged to create an octagonal center ring. The ba-gua map is divided into eight separate sections and the center, with each section representing a different life area. These areas are fame, wealth, family, knowledge, career, helpful people, children, relationships, and, in the center, health (The Ba-Gua, par.

Living with Feng Shui :: essays research papers

Your home is your sanctuary, but, when entered, does the home create feelings of stress and chaos, instead of appeasement and providing refuge? No matter how much a person cleans, a home can still feel as if it is in constant disarray. The Chinese commonly remedy these complaints by using the art of feng shui. Simple placement of certain objects in mapped areas of a home can bring great hiatus to an otherwise chaotic environment. American society classifies feng shui as just another idea based on superstitions, for example, black cats and broken mirrors. Actually, feng shui, pronounced fung shway, is the ancient stratagem of interpreting and manipulating energy in the environment to create harmonious space by stimulating good khi, or energy, and staunching the negative flow. Feng shui, meaning abstract and water, was created based on the ancient Taoist metaphysical outlook on nature. The Taoists examined their surrounding environment and saw the unity in the diametrical element s of the universe. By identifying the energy in the land around them, the Taoists were able to point out the areas that would protect, flourish, or be at one with the earth. In the book, Taoist Feng Shui, Susan Levitt explainsIn nature they sensed chi energy, the breath of life in all things. Taoist observation of nature concluded that curved, flowing lines slowly chi and bring abundance. Harmonious chi moves in a curved, graceful line, as if following the natural course of a river. Sharp, straight lines bring sha chi, or bad chi (2).The Taoists believe that all energy is aligned. This alliance, called Tao, is represented by the figure of the yin and yang. Customarily, the yin is dark, female, and welcoming the yang is light, male, and aggressive. Yin and yang are believed to be connected to one another and evermore fluctuating, each complimenting the opposing other. Examples of this relationship can be seen everywhere midnight and noon, mountains and valleys, hot and cold, sweet and sour. Without one, there is no other (Levitt 6). In order to chart the chi in a certain area or home, a feng shui compass must be used. This compass, the ba-gua, is composed of eight trigrams, or lines stacked three high, put to create an octagonal center ring. The ba-gua map is divided into eight separate sections and the center, with each section representing a different life area. These areas are fame, wealth, family, knowledge, career, helpful people, children, relationships, and, in the center, health (The Ba-Gua, par.

Genetically Modified Food and Crops Essay

Abstract Since the 1980s scientists eat been altering crops, including some of the food we flow (Fairly & Gaskins, 2000). Genetically circumscribed food has forever been a concern for many people. I find the concerns to be unwarranted because there has never been a disconfirming health report due to the fact of consuming GM foods. biotechnology gives us the best means for solving the worlds food paucity instanter and in the future. Genetically modified crop plants ar now gr confess on nearly 150 million acres in the unite States exclusively, helping farmers to increase yields, reduce pesticide spraying, and save topsoil (Conko & Miller, 2011).What be we actually eating? Looking at ingredients on the back of a crossway was around considered out of the ordinary ten to fifteen historic period ago. But now it is single of the most important factors in the decision on whether or not a consumer will buy the product. In all the research I conducted there was never a proven harmful effect from genetic engineering. However, the benefits ar scientifically proven which gives genetically modified crops the advantage over traditional agribusiness. The proposed ideas and research by scientist show that a mickle more than can be done with GM food other than eating it.Globalization of GM crops is becoming apparent as well as GM crop commercialization. _Keywords GM Food, GM Crops, Genetically engineered crops, Biotechnology, GM organisms. _ Genetically modified organisms can be defined as organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. The technology is often called biotechnology and it allows selected individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another (World Health Organization, 2002). For more than twenty years of scientific, humankinditarian, and financial success genetic engineering has been applied to agriculture.This has been accomplished without injury to a single person or damage to the ecosystem. However, activists are still bit the use of genetically modified crops (Conko & Miller 2011). Millions of people around the world suffer from malnutrition and with the steep projected increase of our worlds population in the next fifty years a change needs to be made. Genetically modified crops increase yield, nutrition and uses fewer pesticides all without proven nix effects. GM crops and all its benefits make it the gateway for the worlds agriculture success.Genetically modified crops are becoming the building blocks for agriculture advancements. Scientists are continually working to create more benefits for consumers as well as farmers. The main concern of GM foods is negative health perils however, they are actually more beneficial. GM foods have longer shelf animateness, contain higher nutritional value and are safer to eat. For example, GM corn has lower fungal toxin content then non-GM corn, and farmers typically produce GM crops using fewer pesticides, h erbicides and fertilizers (Tyson, 2001).By drastically reducing the use of chemicals on the plants it provides a major improvement for the consumers safety and nourishment. Because scientists meagrely tweak the DNA of the plants with other genes it is possible that food allergens may end up in GM products. Steve Taylor, a scientists at the University of Nebraska states that, the food-allergy threat is low-toned because food engineers now avoid using genes from nuts and other common food allergens. The benefits of genetic engineering justify the risk (Fairley & Gaskins 2000). Products from biotechnology are no less safe than traditionally bred crops. According to Dr.Prakash, genetically improved products are subjected to intensive testing, while conventional varieties have never been subjected to any such(prenominal) ordination for food safety or environmental impact (Prakash, 2000). Every GM food that is accreditedly available on the international market has already passed risk a ssessments and is not likely to pose a risk for the consumers. No effects have been shown and GM foods will continue to be regulated in more and more countries (World Health Organization, 2002). GM crops are never expected to present a health risk and therefore should reassure government officials worldwide in the use of this technology.Another concern of GM technology is the effect it has on the environment. The environmental risks of biotechnology are overly unidentified just like the health trepidations. No scientific evidence proves that GM crops are harmful to the environment. U. S. officials pointed out that scientists in Europe had been unable to find any evidence of added risk to human health or the environment from any GM crop variety developed to date. In fact, none of the studies by Europe found any scientific evidence of added harm to humans or the environment (Paarlberg, 2003).GM engineering will actually help the environment rather than harm it. In the U. S. alone fa rmers annually administer more than nine hundred seventy million tons of insect and plant killers. Now GM crops have the ability of containing their own insect and plant killing gene which means the farmers can use fewer chemicals (Tyson, 2001). To ensure that the environment is remaining safe, risk assessments are conducted for the GM product as well as the area in which the crop will grow (World Health Organization, 2002).Furthermore, the United Nations Environment Program has used funding for ontogeny countries to implement biosafety regulations for GM crops. The UNEP wants these regulations implemented before any crop is planted no matter the cost or delay (Paarlberg, 2003). Since 2011, The U. S. Department of Agriculture has sanction seventy four different GM crops. In all(prenominal) case the crops data was reviewed for several years and each concluded that they will have no significant environmental impact (Conko & Miller 2011).These precautionary measures toward genetical ly modified crops allow the government to regulate husbandry actions and safeguard the environment. The initial reason GM organisms were created was to improve crop production. The GM crops currently on the market are mainly aimed at an increased level of crop protection through the creative activity of resistance against plant distempers caused by insects or viruses or through increased tolerance towards herbicides (Tyson, 2001). Producers are getting a lot more for a lot less which translates to products with lower prices.The improved production of crops and technology accounts for the lowered costs and have forced tremendous competition in the herbicide and insecticide markets (Prakash, 2000). This also helps traditional farmers because it now allows them to buy these products at a cheaper cost. In fifty years the world population could exceed eleven billion people unfortunately, the current food supply is not expanding at the same rate. Because of this, GM crops need to expan d and gain popularity over traditional farming. Global GM crop farming in 1999 covered about one hundred million acres (Tyson, 2001).Now, genetically modified crop plants are grown on nearly one hundred fifty million acres in the United States alone (Conko & Miller 2011). These statistics show that GM crop farming is rapidly expanding and the benefits are obvious. Biotechnology and its productivity give us the best chance to safely solve the food needs of today and the future. Poor farmers in tropical countries face problems such as crop pests, drought and low soil fertility (Paarlberg, 2003). These are the people who annually struggle to produce enough food for their families. Bugs, drought and disease destroy many acres of farmland every year.Fortunately scientists are creating GM crops with built in resistance to insects and diseases. GM Crops are also existence developed that can grow in deserts or near salt water which allows more area for farming (Fairley & Gaskins, 2011). Be cause GM crops are now being built in with these resistances farmers wont experience huge financial setbacks caused by pests killing their plants. Since the majority of malnutrition people in the world comprise in developing countries this opens up the opportunity for them to increase crop yield and provide enough food for everyone.Also, in developing countries people often have to survive off a single staple that own its own doesnt supply sufficient amounts of nutrients. Food scientist hope to solve this problem by creating crops equipped with vitamins and minerals. According to Tyson, one of the most promising is golden rice, which can stimulate our bodies to generate vitamin A. In the developing world, vitamin-A deficiency kills two million children each year (Tyson, 2001). A development through GM foods may be able to save two million people which would be a life changing breakthrough.Scientists are also trying to perfect eatable vaccines. They are genetically adding vaccines to tomatoes and bananas, since traditional vaccines are expensive to manufacture and require specialized storage. parve vaccines, will be easier to transport, store, and administer in third world countries (Tyson, 2001). Biotechnology holds unlimited potential for areas of the world where poverty and poor agricultural conditions make farming challenging. The U. S. needs to ensure the people of these countries that GM food is safe and will be nothing but beneficial to their people.Genetic engineering is a of import factor in agricultural productivity and if it continues to safely expand it could help meet the problematic food challenges that have already started. Genetic engineering holds slap-up possibilities that could change the world. Simply peeling back a banana infused with antibiotics could be the next breakthrough science has to offer. Biotechnology continues to show safety is not an issue. GM farmers are now administering fewer chemicals on their crops. This reduces the am ount of air pollution and water contamination in the environment.Genetic modifications were being made since farming started. Farmers always crossed bred the most successful plants year to year and without any concerns from the public. Today, scientist have a better understanding of how genetic modifications work making it safer for the consumers. However, government regulations are still implemented just for precautionary purposes. The United States is fortunate enough to grow numerous varieties of crops and also have the ability to choose the method of how they are grown. Unfortunately, not every country has these advantages.Genetically modified products allow these developing nations to grow crops at a more productive rate. Commercialization of genetically modified agriculture needs to be strictly monitored to make sure regulations are followed. Over industrialization of farming today is negatively viewed therefore making it inherent that a golden mean is set for genetically mod ified products.BIBLIOGRAPHY Fairley, P. , & Gaskins, P. (2000). Food Fight. _Scholastic Choices_, _15_(8), 16. CONKO, G. , & MILLER, H. I. (2011). The Rush to Condemn Genetically Modified Crops. _Policy Review_, (165), 69-82. World Health Orginization.(2002). Retrieved from website http//www. who. int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/en/index. html Tyson, P. T. (2001, April 12). _Harvest of fear_. Retrieved from http//www. pbs. org/wgbh/harvest/exist/ Prakash, C. (2000).Genetically engineered crops can feed the world. Retrieved from http//www. 21stcenturysciencetech. com/articles/biotech. html Paarlberg, R. L. (2003). Reinvigorating genetically modified crops. _Issues in Science and Technology, 19_(3), 86-92. Retrieved from http//ezproxy. sju. edu/login? url=http//search. proquest. com/docview/195920735? accountid=14071.

Living longer now Essay

These days, people in all over the world have a higher level of standard in their lives. Food preparation has sound easier and they do not consume just local food. Education gives people to learn more about their world and also themselves. Now they know what is transgress and how they can get it. A very important matter that has reached a better situation with respect to those days is health. This is obvious that people live chronic than before because there are different statistics which show this fact. I think the development of recognition that results the technological progress and also the improvement of the health administration in all societies are two important reasons for a longer life.Man has a lot of progress in scientific areas. He has find unknown rules, achieved new theories, and invented different tools and instruments. All of these give him the ability to increase his knowledge and consequently find more and more. Developing new instruments is medical science is one the most important things that helps people to have a better opportunity for a healthier life. For example, different diseases can be cured by new method operations that have not existed before and these operations would not be possible without hi-tech tools.Governments realized that a country with good people can be more successful and the only way they can achieve this aim is improving the public health agreement. Water should not be contaminated. There must be an inspection system that supervise food standards. Sufficient number of hospitals and doctors in different regions are curtail. People should be acknowledged to avoid what is not good for their health. For example, having a lot of fat in dairy diet will affect them by increasing blood line cholesterol and other chemicals that may increase the death toll.As a result, I think in a world that has a fast whole tone and when every one must try hard to get a better life, health problems are the most important problems t hat education and health system in each society are two different factors that decrease the death rate and help people to have a longer living.

Geothermal energy

Environmental Ecology 25, October, 2013 geothermal postcode Geothermal Energy is energy that is made from estrus and comes from the interior of the body politic. Just about everywhere the earth keeps a constant temperature of 50 and 60 degrees and stir uping pumps can beleaguer into this and use this heat. This type of energy also doesnt produce the greenhouse gases, which harm the earth. The biggest rationalness I can rally of to use this type of energy is that it is a renewable resource that will never quit producing because earth is a 365, day a year energy source.In the winter, geothermal energy can be a huge help because these heating pumps can actually pump heat from the earth through pipes to your homes air delivering system, this can also be transposed in the summer where the heat is actually pumped from inside your house toa heat exchanger. When this happens you can actually use this heat for hot water. When using geothermal energy you it doesnt produce harmful gases that the burning of fossil fuels causes. Instead it only produces a vapor that is harmless to the earth.These geothermal plants are also powered by streams, and nothing from the lant needs to be transported to another location because the source and everything needed is counterbalance under the feet of the plant. Right now pollution is thought of as a serious problem, and with how very much money there is put into a cleaner earth, you would think they would use it for geothermal plants. This type of energy source is renewable, they have make studies that show that even with constant extraction process of heat from the earth, it still wouldnt put the earth or run out of heat.The absolute only fashion we would run out is if the core of he earth turned cold. And if this happened we would have much more problems than producing energy on earth. A lot of people would promise this to be expensive but its actually cheaper than your standard fossil fuel systems in homes. It costs less to install. And energy bills are cut in half, jibe to a woman that has owned one for about a year. With this system in your house they say it will have paid for itself in the original 10 years of owning one. Not only is the cost of this low, but it would eliminate our dependency on foreign oil which would be a huge plus.Geothermal energyEnvironmental Ecology 25, October, 2013 Geothermal Energy Geothermal Energy is energy that is made from heat and comes from the interior of the earth. Just about everywhere the earth keeps a constant temperature of 50 and 60 degrees and heating pumps can tap into this and use this heat. This type of energy also doesnt produce the greenhouse gases, which harm the earth. The biggest reason I can think of to use this type of energy is that it is a renewable resource that will never quit producing because earth is a 365, day a year energy source.In the winter, geothermal energy can be a huge help because these heating pumps can actually pump heat fro m the earth through pipes to your homes air delivering system, this can also be reversed in the summer where the heat is actually pumped from inside your house toa heat exchanger. When this happens you can actually use this heat for hot water. When using geothermal energy you it doesnt produce harmful gases that the burning of fossil fuels causes. Instead it only produces a vapor that is harmless to the earth.These geothermal plants are also powered by streams, and nothing from the lant needs to be transported to another location because the source and everything needed is right under the feet of the plant. Right now pollution is thought of as a serious problem, and with how much money there is put into a cleaner earth, you would think they would use it for geothermal plants. This type of energy source is renewable, they have done studies that show that even with constant extraction process of heat from the earth, it still wouldnt effect the earth or run out of heat.The absolute onl y way we would run out is if the core of he earth turned cold. And if this happened we would have much more problems than producing energy on earth. A lot of people would expect this to be expensive but its actually cheaper than your standard fossil fuel systems in homes. It costs less to install. And energy bills are cut in half, according to a woman that has owned one for about a year. With this system in your house they say it will have paid for itself in the first 10 years of owning one. Not only is the cost of this low, but it would eliminate our dependency on foreign oil which would be a huge plus.

Presidental Debate

October 22, 2012, was the 2012 final presidential debate. President Obama and Governor Mitt Rooney spoke nigh the issues in the middle East and how Iran is in the process of creating a nuclear bomb in the next four Years and how would they protect our national earnest . The gentleman asking the Questions is Bob Schaefer (an old time news anchor for CNN) In the meanwhile, President Obama is stating his facts about he middle east and is nerve-wracking to survey The American people that if he stays in office that he will try to make changes And make sure America stays safe.And Rooney is trying to debate against what The president is saying. The republican and democratic party are both strongly Supporting their candidates in this Presidential race by constantly reminding The American people to vote and to listen to the debate and for non-deciding Voters to listen also so they can know who they are going to vote for. The debate Was held at Lynn University in Abstractor, Florida.I beli eve that it was held here To show the students that their voice and vote is very important in this race Because it is our future. And to make more people aware of the debate. The debate Took butt because the middle Is such a huge Issue in America media and since The voting for the new president Is coming up very shortly, they must bring upkeep to the problems America Is facing with other countries, and this may Help people to make a smart choice on who to vote on the run our country.

Case Application Fast-Forwarding Blockbuster Answers Essay

ABSTRACTThis study was conducted to determine the consumer selectences of externalistist brands all(prenominal)place topical anesthetic items. This look for is design to find out the buying demeanour of young consumers. This paper examines consumer preferences and allots of decision making in segment of respondent in Vehari, Pakistan. A number of factors affect the consumer purchase decisions. The results suggests, that group of consumer prefer the attributes like, Quality, Price, favorable Status, Design of increases. It likewise suggests the preferences for foreign returns over local anesthetic increaseions. The interrogation was conducted in Vehari and the sample selected 65. The info collected for look for was through a questionnaire and was conducted in CIIT Vehari Campus since the fair game audience was largely the youth.Key WordsPreferences of international brands, Quality of point of intersections, Price of products,Social office, Design of the products .INTRODUCTIONThis research is proposed to the consumer preference of international brands over local production. The biggest factor that changes the consumer purchasing decision is musical note when they prefer international brands over local brands. Consumers ar more than information about other culture, lifestyle and brand. On the other hand electronic sources ar available to access international brand information in seconds. In last few years change magnitude of world(a)ization had make intensely impact on market and similarly on consumer choice. Through globalization companies possess advantage to participate in international market and approach to new consumer markets.The main purpose of this study is to find the factors that be influencing consumers living in Vehari and their choices of purchasing international brands over local brands. The main objective of this study is to learn about how country of origin effect and change the choices and willingness of the consume r. This research will investigate the purchasing behavior of Vehari consumers towards international brands over local products.Country of origin of any product tells the reputation of the specific country. It overly shows the national characteristics, economics, political background, social system, tradition and history of any particular region. In short country of origin is overall perception of the consumer about particular country. It is necessary to establish parameters to measure the consumer attitude toward consumer preference on international brands quite local brands.However, for some products and services the tastes and preferences of consumers in different nations are beginning to converge on some global norms (Holt, 2002). Consumers seem to hold dear and admire global brands and regard such brands as a status symbol, from a consumer perspective brands whitethorn vary (Ismail, Masood, & Tawab, 2012). The preference of brand depends on take up alternatives among availa bility (Tversky & Shafir, 1992).One goal of consumer is accurate selection results in value satisfaction (Bettman, Luce, & Payne, 1998) it is not just depends on view of any single attribute of a product (Elliot & Cameron, 1994).In other context, scholars argue that local cultures are yet very powerful force shaping consumers preferences and but some locate a tendency in consumers hybridize (Holton, 2000), glocalize (Ritzer, 2003) or creolized as a way to combine global and local cultural forces set about impact.International and global brands can be defined as the multi market approach in consumer markets (Johansson & Ronkainen, 2005) while local brands defined as the local manufacturings approach to consumer markets. nowadays is ages of globalization so business are become international and cross national that why clients broadly speaking recommended and preferred the international brands due to their top quality, user friendly and customer oriented products (Netemeyer, 199 1).Purpose of the StudyThe main purpose of our study is to find the factors that are influencing consumers choices of youth of purchasing international brands over local brands in Vehari, Pakistan. There are many factors which mildew consumer decision. Such as quality of products, price of products, social status, design of products. The study is similarly knowing to find out the buying behavior of young consumers, attitudes towards international brands and local items and preference for international brands.LITERATURE REVIEWHornsby (2010) was saying that the purchasing process of consumer mostly depends on the attributes and features of the product. In many situations consumers search alternatives of the products and these alternatives and substitutes are foreign made so consumer decide that he or she use foreign products and these products can live up to their needs and wants. In foods items there are few attributes which affecting the purchasing decision of the consumer, like appearance and price of the food. If foods items are fresh and their appearance is tight-laced so consumer easily influence and want to purchase these food items. On the other hand price is another factor which influences the perception of the consumers. Price of the product made either good or bad impact on consumer. If product is expensive but its attributes and features is quite different rather than other product and also fulfill the demand of the consumer than consumer will be satisfy by that product and purchase it again and again.He also described that some consumers are very conscious about the manufacturing of the product. Made in image deep and strong impact on consumer purchase decision. If any product which is foreign made that easily influence the consumer rather the domestic product, thats why now a days labeling or made in Japan, made in U.S.A and made in U.K is liked by consumer and prefer over the local manufacturing because foreign products have senior racy scho ol quality, new technology and very durable and reliable. prehistorical studies and survey are mostly based on above three attributes (price, appearance and county of origin). These are key features of the any product which affect the consumer choice and willingness. In different survey participants highly ranked these three attributes about their purchasing decision and shopping habits.Al-Mamun & Mahmud (2011) were saying that consumer behavior can be easily influenced by the factor of country of origin because in domestic and international markets foreign products are dominated by their high quality and new technology. This is true facts that every consumer evaluates domestic and foreign products through quality and features of the product. Previous research shows that such characteristics as quality, durability, appearance, prestige, safety, price, availability and risk affect consumer evaluation of product quality and has a significant impact on consumers purchase preferences.S hah and Khattak (2011) said that consumer preference is directly relate to the economic growth of the country of origin. The concept of good quality is the sign of economic development that is the reason consumers of developing country prefer more foreign products rather the local brands because good quality is the sign of genuine countries. Because consumer not compromise on quality the consumer may pay for local product which are of high quality rather foreign products ignoring prices. It is an empirically meliorate that if a foreign brand with its original producer become weaker with the passage of time as the brand started to be produced locally. In developing countries like Pakistan, India and Saudi Arabia foreign brands are not prefer only because of quality but are preferred for status quo, ego. It is also proved that education, life style also in favor of imported products.Merino & Gonzales (2008) said that many organizations have changed their strategy by knowing trends of globalization which focus on global brands rather multi marketing approach. Global brands have not one line definition, but previous studies define as multi market reach of products that are perceived as a same brand planetary by customer. However brand is a communication of information, a consumer perceived to identify it. Communication stimulates active friendship of the brand presence, relevance, performance, advantages and bonding (Consumer feel the brand is only one that offer key advantages).Previous research proved that understanding the differential advantage, which global brands may have on loyalty drivers in context of Latin American markets. The consumer recognizes advantage of global brand by differentiation and enhanced quality, in other hand local brands are perceived by customer in term of fair price and popularity. That is why Brazilian seem to be more open to global brands rather than Mexican and Argentinean customers prefer local brands.Ismail, Masood & Tawab (2012) said that the most important factors that influence a consumers final decision are the price and quality of the product. Because the consumers usually relate the price of the product with its quality, a brand priced too costly is generally perceived as a high quality product. Similarly, a product priced too low affordable by many but perceived quality is low. Globalization also contributes to enable worldwide organization in one single market. Other factors which influence on the consumer preference include consumer ethnocentrism, country of origin, social status, price relativity with the competing brands and family and friends. Study unfastened that the quality of the product has more impact on purchase decision of the customer to buy global brands. In practice, our people, especially the females were found to be extremely prone to the global brands to meet current fashion and trends. Status symbol is also a factor influencing on customers to buy imported products.Ho, Tei k, Ing, Phing & Peng said that customers influence to buy global brands in search of status and perceived quality. While globalization is the success factor of many large organizations, local companies can also obtain competitive advantage through profound understanding globalization. Global brands are more likely to be preferred by consumers as they have the ability to associate status, wealth and prestige with the self-identity of a consumer and further enhance social standings in a social class. Perceived quality is the subjective judgment of consumers towards a product or brand superiority and distinction. The most influential factor among social motives for consumer shopping and purchasing decision is the enveloping desire for social status. Malaysian customers overall perceived quality of Toyota automobiles were found to have significantly higher perceived quality and status than Perodua automobiles.Theoretical FrameworkThe leechlike multivariate preferences of international brands can be explained by four independent variables (1) quality of the products (2) price of the products (3) social status (4) design of the products. Consumers of developing countries wants to purchase the products of developed countries because they subject the products of developed countries has high quality. Consumes relate the price of product with its quality, they thing that the product of low price has the low quality and a product which has a high price has a high quality. Products of developed countries are measured as indication of high social status. Consumers are also prefers the design of the products if the design of the product is good than consumer purchases it regularly.Schematic Diagram for the Theoretical FrameworkVariablesIndependent variables Quality of the products Price of the products Social status Design of the productsDependent variable Preference of international brandsHypothesesH1 There is a positive affinity between consumer purchasing attitude an d quality of the products. If the quality of a product is high than the attitude of consumer toward a product is positive and if the quality of a product is low than the consumer response is negative to purchase the product.H2 There is a negative relationship between price of the product and consumer purchasing attitude. If the price of product is high than the consumer attitude towards a product is negative and if the price of the product is low than the consumer attitude towards a product is positive.H3 Consumers prefer the international brands because it adds to the social status of consumers. Consumers will prefer the products manufactured by a foreign owned company because it adds to the social status of consumers.H4 Design of products has also positive relationship with consumer behavior. The design of a product made impact on consumer purchasing design. If the design of a product is good then customer purchases it frequently.Research MethodologyData CollectionThis research is conducted through regression analysis. In this research it is needed to understand the consumer perception of international brands over local items. The tool of our research is questionnaires this is primary research because this is firsthand knowledge or information. The research is conducting on why consumers prefer the international brands over local items of Vehari, Pakistan. The data has been collected through questionnaires and each questionnaire contains nineteen (19) statements and the questionnaire have distributed in CIIT Vehari Campus. The sample for this research included 65 consumers. Simple random sampling is used for this research for data collection.Results and AnalysisTable 01Model Summary Model R R Square Adjusted R Square Std. Error of the Estimate 1 .527a .278 .230 .90372 a. Predictors (Constant), design, social status, quality, price From model summary of regression analysis it is evaluated that all independent variables (quality, price, social status & design) affect dependent variable (preferences of international brands) 52.7% as mentioned in table 1.Table 02ANOVAs Model Sum of SquaresDf b. Dependent Variable preferences of international brands The results of this research are more significant. Data used in this research providing accurate results as shown as .001 in ANOVA (table 2).Table 03 Coefficients Model Unstandardized Coefficients Standardized t Sig. Coefficients B Std. Error Finally regression analyses describe the relationship between dependent variables and independent variables. It also describes their relation structure, whether they have positive relation or negative. Regression analyses show that quality, social status and design have positive relation with preferences of international brand, with the increase in one unit of all there become positive change of .662, .120 and .100 occur respectively in dependent variable. The quality have positive relation with consumer preferences because the consum er perceived that the international brand have more quality rather than local items. The social status has positive relation with consumers preferences of international brands because consumers perceived that they increase their social status in society through the use of international brands. The price of products has also positive relation with consumers preferences because consumers perceived that the design of international brands is better than local items.On the other hand price has negative relationship with dependent variable, with the increase in one unit of price there become -.275 changes occur in preferences of international brand. The price of products has negative relation with consumers preferences because consumers are not preferred the international brand if it has same price as local item.Recommendations and SuggestionsOur local brands have not so good quality, their design is not well and there is no much variety in our domestic products thats why our customer goe s to purchase the international brand so frequently. local anaesthetic companies charge more price because government of Pakistan charge value added tax and other type of taxes from domestic companies so companies increase their prices thats why customer mostly purchase international brands due to their good quality, designs and lot of variety.ConclusionThis research is an important contribution consumers preferences literature. This research concluded that consumers of Vehari, Pakistan have a stronger and positive image about the international products. The feel a personal pride when have the international products.ReferencesBettman, J., Luce, M., & Payne, J. (1998). Constructive Consumer Choice Processes. diary of Consumer Research , 187-217Elliott, G. R., & Cameron, R. C. (1994). node Perception of Product Quality and the Country-of-Orign Effect. Journal of International Marketing , 49-62Holton, Robert (2000), Globalizations cultural consequences, Annals of the American Academ y of Political and Social Science, 570 (4), cxl152Hornsby, D. G. (2010) Attributes Affecting Consumer ChoiceIsmail, Z., Masood, S. & Tawab, M. Z (2012). Factors affecting consumer preference of international brands over local products. International conference on science and humanity, 2(31), 54-59Johansson, Johny K., Ilkka A. Ronkainen (2005), The esteem of Global Brands, Journal of Brand Management, 12 (5), 339-354Khattak, N. M & Shah, A. T. (2011). Consumers attitudes towards non-local products. International conference on business and economic research, 321-332Mahmud, P. & Al-Mamun, H. M (2011). The role of country of origin effect in the assessment of a market offering. The cost and management, 35-40Merino, M. & Gonzalez, S. (2008). Global or local? Consumers perception of global brands in Latin America. Latin America advances in consumer research 16-21Netemeyer, R.G., Durvasula, S. and Lichtenstein, D.R. (1991), A cross-national assessment of the reliability and validity of th e CETSCALE, Journal of Marketing Research, Volume 28, pp. 320-7Ritzer, George (2003), Rethinking globalization Glocalization/ grobalization and something/nothing, Sociological Theory, 21 (3), 193209 Tversky, A., & Shafir, E. (1992). Choice under Conflict The kinetics of Deferred Decision. Psychological Science , 358-361

Book of mormons review

We entered the Prince of Wales Theatre in the Westminster area of London on a beautiful evening on the twenty-seventh of April. The show was sold out but the lines were Incredibly manageable. There was a bit of electricity In the air. I tried to gauge what it was but couldnt shed my finger on It. Was it Just anticipation? Maybe it was the beautiful weather that made people lively. After grabbing a quick cocktail to get ready for the show, the taper came to take your seat. The show was ready to start The show began. From the very beginning, it was obvious that the producers were going to pull out all of the comedic stops.The bludgeoning of the Mormon faith began in sober and you got a quick feeling that there could be some cringing moments In the forge. I found myself looking around at the audience during the origin act to see what was happening on peoples faces. I saw shock and awe. I saw older women in their seventies laughing to the core at some of the more raunchy material. S ome of the audience members appeared conflicted in how they should respond. Here was a wreak making direct attacks on a large righteousness and mixing In sex, nasty language and blasphemy to entertain the audience.Is it k to laugh? Evidently, most people felt like it was perfectly fine because the commencement ceremony part of the play was non-stop laughter, great music and fabulous acting. Every character had his/her own personality and grew Into their roles, I felt Like the first part of the play was over before in no time. The second half of the play picked up where the first half left fifth surprise and honeybees. There was a small period at the beginning of the second part where the play did ho-hum down a little bit. The scene was a little slow and the music was not as lively as other music pieces.It did pick back up and the second part of the play need with several(prenominal) twists that were unexpected and that really brought all of the themes of the play back together f or what was a fantastic ending. The Prince of Wales Theatre was a beautiful locus with the expected perks of a venue named after royalty. The sound was of the highest quality. The seats were The producers decided on a very simple set. While there were a few special effects, the majority of the play was staged on Just a few sets that were role on and off the stage by the actors. No incredible electronics to manage set logistics.Just old- make stage set changing. The lighting was satisfactory. There was not a lot of opportunity to mix the lighting effects up. Now to the performers. The primary characters were the Elders who were part of the Mormon mission. The main character, Elder Price compete by Gavin Creel, performed well throughout most of the show but seemed to fizzle a bit toward the end. Elder Cunningham, played by Jarred Greener, seemed to be an odd choice for the role but really developed the character throughout the play and sold most of the audience by the time the show ended. The lead Elder, Elder McKinley was played by Stephen Sheffield.He was steady and consistent throughout and really added some surprising comic relief. While I wont go through all of the characters, the tribal characters all had unique roles and managed them to perfection. I have to say that I walked away from the play with an embedded smile on my face. I was totally shocked by the extreme sarcasm displayed and the total dismantling of a faith and its beliefs. I walked away scratching my dealer at the Mormon faith, its origins and its validity. That is quite an accomplishment I would highly recommend everyone to see the play and to enjoy an evening of fun and laughter.

Herman Case

Companies list in both 2008 and 2010. The three high-technology organizations selected for these lists were Microsoft, Cisco, and Google. Unlike most(prenominal) firms, especi exclusivelyy those in mature industries and most of its office furniture rivals, Herman milling machine had pursued a path distinctively marked by reinvention and renewal. This path had served it well over the decades. It survived the bully Depression early in its history and multiple recessions in the 20th century In the early part of the 21st century, it recovered from the dot. Com bust.In 201 2, Herman milling machine at one time again was facing turbulent and uncertain economic conditions. Would its propensity for using innovation to reinvent and renew its business once again wholeow the fraternity to flourish and grow? How far and how fast might the follow be able to push its annual revenues above the 201 1 level of $1. 6 zillion? COMPANY BACKGROUND Herman moth millers roots went back to 1905 and t he Star piece of furniture Company, a manuf workurer of traditionalistic bedroom suites in Zealand, international nautical mile. In 1909, it was renamed Michigan Star Furniture Company and hired Dirk Jan De Pre as a clerk.De Pre, became president in 191 9 and four geezerhood later convinced his father-in-law, Herman milling machine, to purchase the majority of hares De Pre renamed the company Herman Miller Furniture Company in recognition of Millers support. In 1 927, De Pre committed himself to treating all run shorters as individuals with special talents and potential. This occurred after he visited the family of a millwright who had died unexpectedly. During the visit, the widow guide some poetry Upon asking the widow who the poet was, De Pre was surprised to learn it was the millwright.This led him to wonder whether the millwright was a worker who wrote poetry or a poet who worked as a millwright. This story was part of Herman Millers corporate culture, which intended to g enerate respect for all employees and render the quest to tap the diversity of gifts and skills held by all. In 1 930, the join States was in the Great Depression and Herman Miller was in financial trouble. As De Pre was looking for a guidance to save the company, Gilbert Rhode, a ornamentalist from in the buff York, approached him and told him active his design philosophy.Rhode then asked for an opportunity to design a bedroom suite for a fee of $1 ,OHO. When De Pre reacted banly to such(prenominal) a fee, Rhode suggested an subs soft dietute(a) turn overment plan-?a 3 percent royalty on the furniture sold-?to which De Pre agreed, figuring that there as nonhing to lose. A few weeks later, De Pre received the- first off designs from Rhode. Again, he reacted negatively. In response, Rhode wrote De Pre a letter explaining his design philosophy Horst, utter simplicity no surface enrichment, no carvings, no molding, and second, furniture should be anonymous.People are Importa nt, not furniture. Furniture should be customful Rhodes designs were antithetical to traditional designs, scarcely De Pre saw merit in them and mark off Herman Miller on a course of pattern and selling furniture that reflected a way of life. In 1 942, Herman Miller produced its first office furniture-?a Gilbert Rhode sign referred to as the Exe fadedive role Group. Rhode died two historic period later, and De Pre began a search for a new design leader. After reading an article in Life magazine about designer George Nelson, De Pre hired Nelson as Herman Millers first design director.In 1 946, De Pre hired Charles and Ray Names, a husband-and-wife design team base in Los Angels. In the same year, Charles net sees designs were featured in the first one-man furniture exhibit at New Works Museum of Modern Art. few of his designs became part of the museums permanent collection. Many sources were helpful in providing material for this case, mSST articulacy employees at Herman Mill er who generously shared their time and viewpoints about the company to help ensure that the case accurately reflected the companys practices and culture.They provided many resources, including knowledgeable documents and stories of their personal experiences. In 1 950, Herman Miller, under the guidance of Dry. Carl Frost, a professor at Michigan State University, became the first company in the state of Michigan to implement a S burn downsion Plan, a productivity incentive class devised by labor expert Joseph N. Scansion. Underlying the Scansion Plan were the principles of equity and justice for everyone in the company Two major merrimentctional elements Of Scansion plans were the use of committees for sharing ideas on improvements and a structure for sharing increased profitability.The race between Frost and Herman Miller light upon for at least four decades. During the asses, Herman Miller introduced a number of new furniture designs, including those by Alexander Gerard, Ch arles and Ray Names, and George Nelson. Specifically, the company introduced the first molded fibreglass chairs and the Names lounge chair and ottoman (see Exhibit 1). The Names designs were introduced on NBC Home Show with Arlene Francis, a precursor to the Today show. Also in the asses, Herman Miller began its first overseas foray, selling its products in the European market. In 1 962, D. J.De Pre became chairman of the tabular array and his son, Hugh De Pre, became president and chief executive officer. D. J. De Pre had served for more than 40 years as the president of Herman Miller. EXHIBIT 1 Names Lounge Chair and Ottoman During the 1 sass, Herman Miller introduced many new designs for both home and office. The most notable design was the Action Office System, the rolls first open-plan modular office arrangement of movable panels and attachments. By the end of the 1 sass, Herman Miller had create a subsidiary in England with sales and marketing responsibility passim England and the Scandinavian countries.The company also established dealers in South and Central America, Australia, Canada, Europe, Africa, the approximative East, and Japan. In 1 970, Herman Miller went public and do its first stock offering. The stock certificate was designed by the Names office staff. The company entered the health/science market in 1 971 and introduced the Oregon chair, its first design eased on scientific observation and ergonomic principles, in 1976. In 1 979, in conjunction with the University of Michigan, Herman Miller established the Facility Management Institute, which pioneered the profession of facility management.The company keep to expand overseas and introduce new designs throughout the asses. By 1 977, more than half of Herman Millers 2,500 employees worked outside the production area. The Scansion Plan therefore needed to be overhauled, since it had been designed originally for a production workforce. In addition, employees worked at multiple U. S. And overseas locations. In 1 978, an ad hoc committee of 54 people from nearly every segment of the company was elected to check the need for changes and to take a shit recommendations.By January 1979, the committee had developed a final draft. The plan established a new organization structure based on work teams, caucuses, and councils. All employees were given an opportunity to discuss the new plan in pocket-sized group settings. On January 26,1 979,96 percent of the employees voted to accept the new plan. After 18 years as president and CEO, Hugh De Pre stepped down his younger br another(prenominal), Max De pre, became chairman and chief executive officer n 1980. In 1981, Herman Miller took a major initiative to become more efficient and environmentally friendly.Its Energy Center generated both electrical and steam power to run its 1 -million-square-foot facility by burning dotty. 2 In 1983, Herman Miller established a plan whereby all employees became shareholders. This initia tive occurred around 10 years before congressional incentives fueled employee stock ownership plan (ESP.) growth. In 1 984, Herman Miller introduced the Aqua chair, a second chair based on ergonomic principles many other designs followed in the 1 9805. In 1987, the iris non-De Pre family member, Dickered, became chief executive officer.By the end of the decade, metre magazine had recognized the Aqua chair as a invent of the Decade. Also, in 1989, Herman Miller established its environmental Quality Action Team, whose purpose was to coordinate environmental programs worldwide and involve as many employees as possible. In 1990, Herman Miller became a founding member of the Tropical Forest Foundation and was the only furniture manufacturer to belong. That same year, it discontinued using endangered rosewood tree in its redrawing Names lounge chair and ottoman, and substituted cherry and walnut from sustainable sources.It also became a founding member of the U. S. Green Building Coun cil in 1994. Some of the buildings at Herman Miller were used to establish Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LED) standards. Because of its environmental efforts, Herman Miller received awards from Fortune magazine and the subject Wildlife Federation in the 1 9905. Also in the 1 sass, Herman Miller again introduced some groundbreaking designs. In 1 994, it introduced the Aaron chair (see Exhibit 2), which virtually immediately was added to the New York Museum of Modern Arts permanent sign collection.In 1999, the Aaron chair won the Design of the Decade Award from Businesslike and the Industrial Designers I Society of America. In 1 992, J. Kermit Campbell became Herman Millers fifth CEO and president. He was the first person from outside the company to hold either position. In 1995, Campbell resigned and Mike Evolved was promoted to CEO. Evolved, just 39 years old, had been with a company called Meridian for seven years before Herman Miller acquired it in 1990, so when he became CEO he had been with either Herman Miller or its subsidiary for 12 years.At the time, the industry was in a slump and Herman Miller was be restructured. Sales were approximately $1 billion annually. EXHIBIT 2 The Herman Miller Aaron Chair In 1 994, the company launched a product line called Herman Miller for the Home to focus on the residential market. It reintroduced some Of its modern immaculate designs from the asses, asses, and asses as well as new designs. In 1998, it set up a specific website (www. Home. Com) to tap into this market. Attachments took additional marketing initiatives to focus on small and midsized businesses.It established a network of 1 80 retailers to focus on small genuineness and made a 3-D design computer program uncommitted to midsized customers. In addition, its order entries were digitally linked among the company and its suppliers, distributors, and customers to expedite orders and improve their accuracy 3 THE FIRST DECADE OF THE 21ST CEN TURY The first decade of the 21 SST century started off spectacularly for Herman Miller, with record profits and sales in 2000 and 2001.The company offered an employee stock option plan (ESP.) in July 2000, and Time magazine selected the Names molded ply. Judd chair a Design of the Century. Sales had ore than doubled in the six years that Mike Evolved had been CEO. Then the dot. Com bubble stand up and the terrorist attacks of September 1 1 , 2001, shook the U. S. Economy. Herman Millers sales dropped by 34 percent, from more than $22 billion in 2001 to less than $1. 5 billion in 2002. In the same two years, the company saw a decline in profits from a positive $144 million to a negative $56 million.In an interview for Fascinating magazine in 2007, Evolved said, One night went to bed a genius and woke up the town idiot Although sales continued to drop in 2003, Herman Miller returned to reparability in that year. To do so, Herman Miller had to drop its long-held tradition of lifelong employment approximately 38 percent of the workforce was dictated off, and an entire plant in Georgia was closed. Mike Evolved and Brian Walker, then president of Herman Miller North America, met with all the workers to tell them what was happening and why it had to be done.One Of the workers being laid off was so moved by Evolved and Walkers presentation that she told them she felt sorry for them having to personally lay off workers. To replace the tradition of lifelong employment, Evolved, tit input from many others, developed what the company referred to as the new social contract. He explained it as follows We are a commercial enterprise, and the customer has to be on center stage, so we leave to first figure out whether your gifts and talents check a match with the needs and wants of this commercial enterprise.If they dont, then we want to wish you the best, but we do need to tell you that I dont have a job for you right now. As part of the implementation of the social con tract, the company redesigned benefit plans such as educational reimbursement and 401 (k) plans to be more portable. This done to decrease the cost of changing jobs for employees whose gifts and talents no longer matched customer needs. Herman Millers sales and profits began to climb from 2003 to 2008. In 2008, even though sales were not at an all-time high, the companys profits had r from each oneed a record level.Walker became president in 2003 and CEO in 2004. Evolved became chairman of the batting order in 2004. Then Herman Miller was hit by the recession of 2009. Sales dropped by 1 9 percent, from approximately $2. 0 billion in 2008 to approximately $ 1. 6 billion in 2009. In the same years, profits dropped from $1 52 million to $68 million. In March 2009, Mark Churchman, director of orthogonal communications at Herman Miller, predicted that the changes made to recover from the 2001-2003 recession would help the company weather the recession that began in late 2007.HERMAN MIL LER IN 2012 Herman Miller had systemise its long-practiced organizational values and published them on its website on a page titled What We Believe. Those beliefs, listed as follows, were intended as a basis for uniting all employees, building relationships, and contributing to communities Curiosity & Exploration These are two of our greatest strengths. They he behind our heritage of research- shootn design. How do we keep our curiosity? By respecting and encouraging risk, and by practicing forgiveness. You cant be curious and infallible.In one sense, if you never make a mistake, youre not exploring new ideas often enough. Everybody makes mistakes we ought to celebrate honest mistakes, learn from them, and move on. Engagement For us, it is about being owners-? actively committed to the life of this community called Herman Miller, sharing in its success and risk. Stock ownership is an important ingredient, but its not enough. The strength and the payoff really come when engaged people own problems, solutions, and behavior. Acknowledge responsibility, choose to step forward and be counted.Care about this community and make a difference in it. exercise Performance is required for leadership. We want to be leaders, so we are committed to performing at the highest level possible. Performance isnt a choice. Its up to everybody at Herman Miller to perform at his or her best. Our own high performance-?however we measure it-?enriches our lives as employees, delights our customers, and creates real value for our shareholders Inclusiveness To provide as a company, we moldiness include all the expressions of human talent and potential that society offers.We value the whole person and everything each of us has to offer, evident or not so 4 obvious. We believe that every person should have the chance to realize his or her potential regardless of color, gender, age, sexual orientation, educational background, weight, height, family status, skill level-? the list go es on and on. When we are truly inclusive, we go beyond toleration to understanding all the qualities that make people who they are, that make us unique, and most important, that unite us. Design Design for us is a way of looking at the world and how it works-?or doesnt.It is a method for getting something done, for solving a problem. To design a solution, rather than simply devising one, requires research, thought, sometimes starting over, listening, and humility. Sometimes design results in memorable occasions, timeless chairs, or really fun parties. Design isnt just the way something looks it sinusitis the way something works, either. Foundations The past can be a tricky thing-?an anchor or a sail, a tether or a launching pad. We value and respect our past without being ruled by it. The stories, people, and experiences in Herman Millers past form a unique foundation.Our past teaches us about design, human compassion, leadership, risk taking, seeking out change and working togeth er. From that foundation, we can move forward together with a common language, a set of owned beliefs and understandings. We value our rich legacy more for what it shows us we might become than as a picture of what weve been. A Better World This is at the heart of Herman Miller and the real reason why many of us come to work every day. We contribute to a better world by pursuing sustainability and environmental wisdom.Environmental advocacy is part of our heritage and a responsibility we gladly bear for future generations. We reach for a better world by giving time and money to our communities and causes outside the company through becoming a good corporate citizen worldwide and even in the (not so) simple act of adding beauty to the world. By participating in the effort, we lift our spirits and the spirits of those around us. Transparency Transparency begins with letting people see how terminations are made and owning the decisions we make. So when you make a decision, own it.Co nfidentiality has a place at Herman Miller, but if you cant tell anybody about a decision youve made, youve probably made a poor choice. Without transparency, its impossible to have trust and integrity. Without trust and integrity, its impossible to be transparent All employees were expected to live these values. Management Mike Evolved remained chairman of the board in 2012, and Brian Walker was president and CEO. Walkers compensation was listed by Bloomberg Businesslike as $693,969 in 2011. The magazine listed compensation for Coos at four competitors as ranging from $778,000 to $973,000.Walker and our other poll executives at Herman Miller took a 10 percent pay cut in January 2009 and, along with all salaried workers, another 10 percent cut in March 2009. The production workers were placed on a work schedule that consisted of nine days in two weeks, effectively cutting their pay by 10 percent as well. That the executives would take a pay cut before salaried workers, and one twic e as much as that required by workers, was just one way human compassion was practiced at Herman Miller. However, most employees pay cuts and furloughs were ended in June 201 0 when the companys financial performance began to improve.By U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations, a publicly traded Company had to have a board of directors. By Herman Millers corporate policy, the majority of the 14 members of the board had to be independent. To be judged independent, the individual as a minimum had to meet the NASDAQ National Market requirements for independent directors (NASDAQ Stock Market Rule 4200). In addition, the individual could not have any other material relationship with the company or its affiliates or with any executive officer of the company or his or her affiliates. Moreover, concord o company documents, any transaction between the Company and any executive officer or director of the Company (including that persons spouse, children, stepchildren, parent s, stepparents, siblings, parents-law, children- in-law, siblings-in-law and persons sharing the same residence) must be disclosed to the Board of Directors and is subject to the approval of the Board of Directors Or the Nominating and Governance Committee unless the proposed transaction is part of a general program available to all directors or employees equally under an existing policy or is a purchase of Company reduces consistent with the price and terms of other transactions of similar size with other purchasers. Furthermore, It is the policy of the Board that all directors, consistent with their responsibilities to the stockholders of the company as a whole, hold an equity interest in the company. Toward this end, the.Board requires that each director will have an equity interest after one year on the Board, and within five years the Board encourages the 5 directors to have shares of common stock of the company with a value of at least three times the amount of the annual re tainer paid to each director. In there words, board members were held to standards consistent with Herman Millers corporate beliefs and its ESP. program. Although Herman Miller had departments, the most frequently referenced work unit was the team. Paul Murray, director of environmental health and safeguard, explained the relationship between the team and the department as follows At Herman Miller, team has just been the term that has been used since the Scansion Plan and the De Peres brought that into Herman Miller. And so I think thats why we use that almost exclusively.The department-? as a department, we help facilitate the other teams. And so they arent just department driven. Teams were often cross-functional. Membership on a team was based on the employees ability to contribute to that team. As Gave extension lead chemical engineer for the companys Design for the Environment division, described it, You grab the appropriate representative who can best help your team achieve its goal. It doesnt seem to be driven based on title. Its based on who has the ability to help us drive our initiatives towards our goal. Teams were often based on product development. When the product had been developed, the members of that team were redistributed to new rejects.New projects could come from any level in the organization One way in which leadership was shared at Herman Miller was through the concept of talking up and down the ladder. Workers at all levels were encouraged to put onward new ideas. Herman Miller environmental specialist Rudy Barrels said, If they try something they have folks there that will help them and be there for them.. That requires a armorial bearing of one of us or an e-mail or just to say, Yeah, I think thats a great idea. Thats how a tot In the organization works. Because Herman Miller workers felt empowered, a new manager could run onto some startling behavior. Paul Murray recalled, can remember my first day on the job. I took my safet y glasses 0 if . ND an employee stepped forward and said, Get your safety glasses back on At Company X, Company there was no way they would have ever talked to a supervisor like that, much less their supervisors manager. Its been a fun journey when the workforce is that empowered. The companys beliefs were also reinforced through the Employee Gifts Committee and the Environmental Quality Action Team. True to Herman Millers practice of shared leadership, the Employee Gifts Committee distributed funds and other sources based on employee involvement. Jay Link, manager of corporate giving explained the program as follows Our first priority is to honor organizations where our employees are heterogeneous.We believe that its important that we engender kind of a giving spirit in our employees, so if we know theyre involved in organizations, which is going to be where we have a manufacturing presence, then our giving kind of comes alongside organizations that the/re involved with. So thats our first priority. In addition, all Herman Miller employees could work 16 paid hours a year with a charitable organization of their choice. The company set goals for the number of employee volunteer hours contributed annually to its communities. encourage toward meeting those goals was reported to the CEO. The Environmental Affairs Team, formed in 1 988 with the authorization of Max De pre, had responsibility for such activities as recycling solid fantastic and designing products from sustainable resources.One of the teams successes was in the reduction of solid waste taken to landfills. In 1 991, Herman Miller was sending 41 million pounds of solid waste to landfills. That figure was down to 24 million pounds by 1 994 and to 3. 6 million pounds by 2008. Such improvements were both environmentally friendly and costiveness. Herman Millers beliefs carried over to the family and the community. Gave Wing related, Ive got the worst lawn in my neighborhood. Thats because dont spread pe sticides on it, and dont put fertilizer down. He went on to say that he and his wife had to make a difficult decision in the summer of 2009 6 because Herman Miller had a policy to avoid premature ventricular contraction polyvinyl chloride wherever possible. In restoring their home, they chose fiber cement board over PVC siding even though the fiber cement board was considerably more costly. Wing said, Seven years ago, I didnt really think about it. Rudy Barrels was involved in a youth soccer association that raised money to buy uniforms by collecting newspapers and aluminum cans. Barrels said, When Ill declaim theyll say, Yeah, thats Rudy. Hes Herman Miller. You should-?you know were goanna have to do this. The companys beliefs carried over to all functional areas of the business. Some of them were obviously beneficial, and some were simply the way Herman Miller chose to conduct its business.

Italy – Research Paper

Geographic all in ally, Italy is comp faceliftd of a peninsula that ext ratiocinations into the Mediterranean Sea, as rise as two walloping islands. The shape of Italy has been depicted as a boot in galore(post tokenish) cartoons and drawings for eld. The farming c overs over 116,000 squ atomic subroutine 18 miles, fashioning it approximately the combined size of Florida and Georgia. Killinger, 2002) Italy is a democratic nation that has a current population of around 60 million people, making it the twenty-third nigh inhabited country in the initiation. Italy is a founding member of the North Atlantic pact brass (NATO), the assemblage of Six, which later became the G8, and the European gist. (Italy, 2010) Italians are primarily Roman Catholic and are required to befuddle fourteen divisions of formal education.This has lead to a 98 pct literacy come out among the population that provided has a growing rate of 0. 02 share per year, which is one of the lowest pro cess rates in the military man. Killinger, 2002) subsequently the decline of the Roman Empire, it took what is now Italy over fourteen pennyuries to incur unified and drive out distant rule. The state of Italy was formed following the Italian unification movement, known as Risorgimento. Italy installed their first-class honours compass point Parliament and say the commonwealth of Italy in 1861. (Killinger, 2002) In 1922, Benito Mussolini created the first Fascist regime in history. Mussolini later established the Lateran pledge of 1929 with Pope Pius XI, which recognized the Catholic religion as the sole religion of the state and the Vati outhouse as an indie state.Italy entered ball War II in October of 1940 by attacking Greece from Albania. In December of the same year, the exultant Grecians invaded Albania. Their come a tenacious was wholly chase awayped by German support. In North Africa the Italians were handed double defeats by the British and again had to be r escued by the Germans. In July of 1943, Ameri batch and British forces landed in Sicily. fifteen age later Mussolini was arrested and authority was returned the parliament and the king. In April of 1946, Mussolini attempted escape, and was caught, shot, and hung in Milan.A a couple of(prenominal) eld later, the German army corps in Italy surrendered to allies. (Hearder, 1990) At the end of World War II, a vote by the people concluded that the kingdom of Italy would be replaced by the Republic of Italy. In 1948, a freshly constitution granted the President of the Republic the powers of the chief of state date the head of administration was a prime minister with the title of President of the Council of Ministers. A constitutional court holds the supreme judicial power in Italy, while a lower and upper house were set up and were given the legislative power. (Killinger, 2002)After World War II, Italy entered a period known as the frugal Miracle, which was driven by multiple ind ustries and firms that contri just nowed to the achievement of cars. These involved the steel, rubber, and oil industries. (Amyot, 2004) Oil was discovered in the South, in the Northern Po Valley, and in Sicily in 1949. Natural gas was found the following year. (Hearder, 1990) The Marshall Plan also sent to a greater extent(prenominal) than $1. 2 billion from the unify States to Italy for reconstruction. The strong proceeds that Italy experienced after World War II helped it become a study player in the condescension world.Italys Quality of Life mightiness was eighth in the world in 2005 (the United States was graded thirteenth) and was ranked as the eighteenth most developed country in the world. ( extremitys of the, 2010) Some major international companies establish in Italy are Versace, Gucci, and Armani in the fashion fabrication, Pirelli automobile tires, Beretta firearms, and car manufacturers Fiat, Alfa Romero, Maserati, Ferrari, and Lamborghini. In total the autom obile industry contri alonees 8. 5 pct of Italys gross domestic product. Italy is also the worlds leading producer and exporter of grapes, artichokes, and kiwis, and produces about a fifth of the worlds wine.Italy is also the fourth largest tourism earning nation in the world and the fifth most visited country. (Economy of Italy, 2010) Italy is patheticly express to be in a recession, with industrial output dropping 6. 6 part in the utmost(a) year. The shut down(a) of factories has been announced by Fiat in the wake of falling car sales. Italy is referred to as the sick man of Europe delinquent to political instability, lack of infrastructure development and frugal stagnation. The sightly annual rate of growth in Italy is 1. 23 share compared to the 2. 28 pct intermediate growth rate in the EU over the last ten years.In January of this year unemployment run across 8. 6 pct yet it is predicated that Italy go away pull out of its recession by the end of 2010. (Economy of It aly, 2010) Culture value and Norms Since World War II, Italian society has profoundly changed, with a signifi appriset uphold on unremark subject bread and butter. One of the main elements of change is the more telescopic persona women play in society out-of-door the home, much(prenominal) as increased participation in gameer education and dissimilar professions. One tone of this changed role is that Italy records one of the lowest average numbers of children per woman in the world, as salubrious as around of the lowest birth and fertility rates. Brittanica Online Encyclopedia) For Italian families, popular daily lei authoritative activities include reflexion television, listening to the radio, reading saucyspapers, and going to movies. Italians are also known for their love of sports, something that mess be t rushd game to the ancient Gladiatorial games. Sport is an all-important(prenominal) part of many Italian festivities like Palio and the Gondola race in Venice . Popular sports include football, cycling, and auto racing. (The Culture of Italy) Italians are really satisfied with their family relations, friendships, and health attitude, while their stinting status and their working sen clipnts are less satisfactory.This is especially the case in federationern Italy, where thither are fewer job opportunities and where unemployment is steep. (Brittanica Online Encyclopedia) Though the popularity of home entertainment has grown, the use of public spaces remains important. raw Italians witness friends on a daily basis, practically in the cities piazzas in the neverthelessings, making frequent trips to bars, cinemas, pizzerias, and discos. coastal areas are popular speechs in the summer. The automobile retains a strong hold on daily flavor as well. Ownership levels are high, and many cities and towns suffer severe congestion and pollution as a result. Brittanica Online Encyclopedia) Regional life in Italy is typified by a diversity of customs and a great markification of festivals, scour if it is their appeal to the tourist industry and to television that helps keep them alive. The majority of religious festivals are utilise to the Madonna or to different saints of the Roman Catholic faith. The most nonable Carnival celebrations are held in the cities of Viareggio and Venice, where in 1992 they were financed for the first time by major sponsors. Italys strong rural tradition gives rise to a multitude of festivals celebrating the harvest, food, country, and seafaring pursuits.These festivals reflect the traditional activities of the area in which they are held. (Brittanica Online Encyclopedia) Language The formalized language of Italy is Italian, a descendant of Tuscan dialect and a direct descendant of Latin. When Italy was unified in 1861, the Italian language existed mainly as a literary language and almost each function had its own dialect. Standardizing the language was an important step in unifying Italians, and the standardized language was based on the Florentine dialect spoken in most of Tuscany. The Languages Spoken in Italy) The largest group of non-Italian speakers includes those who speak Sardinian, a Romance language, which retains many pre-Latin words. Some of the other languages spoken are German, French, and Slovene. (The Languages Spoken in Italy) Religion 90 percent of Italys population is Roman Catholic. The remainder of the population is comprised mostly of Jews, along with some Muslims and Jewish-Orthodox and Eastern Rite Catholics. Supernatural beliefs are based in the Catholic Church and mixed with honest-to- sizableness beliefs stretching back to antiquity.In Sicily, for example, Arabic and Greek influences boast mixed with popular Spanish beliefs and been incorporated into Catholicism. Thus, there are beliefs in the Evil Eye, charms, spells, messages through dreams, and various other types of omens. People believe witches declare powers and in the exi stence of antiwitches. Many of these beliefs suck yielded to the rationalism of the modern age. Others, however, exist below the surface. (Culture of Italy) Italy is fill with over 2000 years worth of holy places. Rome and the Vatican City alone strike thousands of shrines, relics, and churches. on that point are relics of holy person Peter and other popes. Various relics of many saints, places holy to Saint Francis of Assisi, shrines, places where the Virgin Mary is reputed to admit appeared, and sites of numerous miracles are found across the country. Similarly, religious ceremonies are frequent. in that location are the usual holy days of the Roman Catholic ChurchChristmas, Easter, Pente constitute, the Immaculate Conception, and others. In addition, there are local saints and appearances by the Pope. The sanctification of new saints, various blessings, private, family, and regional feast days, and daily and weekly masses are observed.There are also various novenas, rosary rituals, sodalities, mens and womens clubs, and other religious or quasireligious activities. (Culture of Italy) Education Education in Italy is free and compulsory for eight years for children amongst the ages of 6 and 14. Primary school lasts 5 years and minuteary education (Scuole medie) is further divided in two stages Medie Inferiori, which correspond to the meat school grades and lasts for 3 years, and Medie Superiori, which correspond to the secondary school level and lasts another 5 years.Every tier involves an exam at the end of the final year. Secondary schools are of different types and allow students to choose alternative career paths de unfinished on their interests and aptitude. These include the Liceo, the Istituto Tecnico (technical institute) and the Istituto Professionale (professional institute). The Liceo includes secondary schools oriented towards the study of the arts and sciences. TheLicei are again divided into four types Liceo Classico, which offers Latin , Ancient Greek, Italian, History, and school of thought as its most important subjects Liceo Scientifico, where the emphasis is on scientific and mathematical topics Liceo Linguistico, which focuses on languages and Liceo Artistico, which is oriented toward the arts. The university clay in Italy is similar to that of the United Kingdom, where students concentrate on one subject throughout their degree. Courses consist of the Laurea (roughly uniform to a bachelors degree) and the Laurea Specialistica (roughly equivalent to a masters degree).There are 41 state universities and 15 other universities, colleges, and higher discipline institutes. These include the University of Bologna (the oldest in Italy, founded in the 11th century), and the University of Rome, which is the countrys largest. (The Education System in Italy) Social twist The Italian Institute of Statistics assesses the class dodge using 6 different categories. The first is the bourgeoisie, which includes entrepren eurs employing a minimum of 6 people, self-employed professionals, and managers. This category accounts for 10 percent of the working population.The white collar middle class covers employees engaged in non-manual jobs and rents up 17 percent of the working population. The urban petit bourgeoisie comprises 14 percent of the working population, defined as weensy entrepreneurs with a maximum of 6 employees, shopkeepers, and self-employed artisans. The rural petit bourgeoisie, at 10 percent, own and operate grim enterprises in the principal(a) sectors of agriculture, forestry, hunting, and fishing. The urban working class is the 37 percent of the workforce who engage in manual labor. Finally, the rural working class, at 9 percent, are employees of the primary sector.This class breakdown, in identifying two categories each of the working and entrepreneurial classes, is considered to be a more precise method of class division, and has been utilize since the mid-1980s. (Italian Pove rty and Wealth) disrespect being a wealthy country, Italy suffers from terrible inequality in the distribution of wealth and re witnesss. These dramatic statistics stand out in 1998, 11. 8 percent of families lived in pauperism. The figure was even higher at the end of the 1980s, when families nutrition in poverty chthonianstanded 14 percent of the population. The contrast between north and south was very clear, with over 5 percent of impoverished families living in southern regions. The gap between the rich north and the impoverished south continues to increase, as does the depth of poverty itself. Of those classified as poor, elderly people living on a simple state pension make up 53 percent of households living in poverty. Their numbers, however, are steadily decreasing, to be overtaken by the working poor. This phenomenon, which looks likely to become a permanent feature of Italian society, affects couples with one or more children, where only one parent whole kit and ca boodle, is downst diffuses 40 years old, and has few qualifications and, thus, low earning power. Italian Poverty and Wealth) As a result of Italys generous welfare state, the great majority of poor families do not live in extremes of squalor or deprivation. Essential needs provided by the state include basic health care and education, clean water supplies, and housing. Moreover, extensive family networks help those living in poverty to feel less isolated and are sometimes a source of monetary help. However, it is extremely difficult for families in poverty to improve their circumstances, and over 70 percent of households classified as poor in 1994 remained poor 2 years later. Italian Poverty and Wealth) Necessity often forces individuals in poverty to accept low-paying and unsafe jobs in the informal preservation, where they are subject to threats and desolatemail. In urban areas of the south, the younger generation finds it very difficult to obtain work, and poverty drives so me of them into the arms of unionized crime. Migrations to the north or leaving Italy altogether even remain ways out for many. speckle poverty is less visible in the wealthy north, it does exist.In particular, young couples with 2 or more children who struggle to meet the high cost of living on low salaries find themselves caught in the poverty trap. (Italian Poverty and Wealth) Economy Italy has a alter industrial deliverance with roughly the same total and per capita output as France and the UK. The scrimping is split between the developed industrial belt in the north and a less-developed, agri hea soish region in the south. gibe to nominal GDP calculations, Italy was ranked as the seventh largest economy in the world in 2006, backside the United States, Japan, Germany, China, UK, and France, and the fourth largest in Europe. The Economy of Italy) Italys major exports are precision autory, get vehicles, chemical substances and electric goods, but the countrys more famous exports are food, clothing, and luxury vehicles. With over 37 million tourists a year, Italy is also ranked as the fourth major tourist destination in the world. (The Economy of Italy) closely raw materials remove by industry and more than 75 percent of energy requirements are imported. Despite some short-run reforms aimed at improving competitiveness and long-term growth, the economy experienced low growth in 2006, and unemployment remained at a high level. The Economy of Italy) The currency of Italy is the Euro. Politics Italy has a bicameral parliament consisting of a bedchamber of Deputies and a Senate, a separate judiciary, and an executive branch composed of a Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. (The giving medication in Italy) The President of the Italian Republic heads the armed forces and has powers to veto legislation, disband parliament and call elections. He is elected for seven years by the parliament sitting jointly with a fine number of regional delegates. The president nominates the prime minister, who proposes the other ministers.The Council of Ministers must retain the support of both houses. (The Government in Italy) The houses of parliament are popularly and directly elected through a complex electoral scheme (a la mode(p) amendment in 2005), which combines proportional actation with a majority prize for the largest coalition. All Italian citizens, who are senior than 18, can vote. (The Government in Italy) Former Communist Party member, Giorgio Napolitano, is Italys 11th President and Romano Prodi, an economist and condition academic, is to begin with long Prime Minister. Economy Current Statistics After the end of World War II, Italy was left a ravaged and broken country.Struggling both economically and culturally, a culture that was once dominated by tillage now developed into cities. Italy has the worlds 6th (7th including theEuropean fraternity) highest exports,that of US $546,900,000,000 (est. ) in 2008. Italy, also, is the worlds fifth largest industrial goods producer with a US $381 billion output in 2008. (CIA World Fact Book) Italy has a nominal gross domestic help product (GDP) of $2. 09 trillion. According to the IMF and World Bank Italy, is the tenth ranking country for purchasing power in the world, based on its purchasing power parity (PPP).The Italian economys inflation rate is estimated to be 0. 6 percent. The current exchange rates are euros (Italys official currency) per US sawbuck 0. 7153 (2009). (CIA World Fact Book) The current interest rate in Italy is 1. 00 percent (2010). (Trading scotchs) Despite achievements do since the 1940s, Italy struggles with growth in the current world wide financial crisis, considering their heavy dependence based on exports and tourism. As the world tightens their belts, Italys pockets feel the difference. When adjusted to the U. S concept, their unemployment rate as of April 2010 is 9. percent, making them the fourth highest in t he world, with the U. S. at number one with 9. 8 percent. (Bureau of labour Statistics) Currency While the infrastructures of the Italian grocery store and government have evolved, so has the countrys currency. The original dominant coin, the Florin, was created in the thirteenth century in Florence. Each city-state at the time had differing money system and coins. When the country became unified in 1861, theItalian lirabecame the dominate shift coin. The Italian lira was taken out of circulation in 2002. (World Book Encyclopedia) Though the primary currency now used in Italy is the euro, the city of Campione dItalia uses the Swiss Franc. The European Union countries that currently use the euro as their currency are Italy, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, and Finland. Euro banknote denominations for the euro are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500. Coin denominations are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cent and 1 and 2 euro. ( delayitalia) With a history richly based in the arts, it is no surprise that each coin and bill has been created with a rumly different design and theme.Designs were created by different artists to depict the works of one of the most influential artists, Raphael. The original coin, the euro 2. 00, set the standard and is a depiction of Dante Alighieri (one of Raphaels works). Despite attempts to be unique, there are standards required of each coin. Each must have twelve stars to represent the twelve countries unified with this currency. Each must also have the year of im imprint nether co-occur letters RI forRepubblica Italiana (meaning Italian Republic). Below this is a letter R, representing Rome.Trading Policies In the 1950s, Italy helped found the European partnership (EC). The European Community consists of four components the European Coal Community, the Steel Community, the European Atomic Energy Community, and the European scotch Community. Italy was able to metieren t heir economy through increased mickle with the nations of the European Community. In 1993, Italy and the other European Community countries formed the European Union, which works for both economic and political cooperation among its member nations.The European Community was incorporated into the European Union. (The World Book Encyclopedia) Through trade, preferential trade agreements can be used to build strong relationships. Some trade policies can be used to punish those who do not abide by international law. Italys trade policy is the same as that of other members of the European Union. The gross (EU) weighted average tariff rate was 1. 3 percent in 2008. However, the (EU) has high or escalating tariffs for agricultural and manufacturing products and its most favored nation (MFN) tariff code is complex.Non-tariff barriers reflected in (EU) and Italian policies include agricultural and manufacturing subsidies, quotas, import restrictions and bans for some goods and services, grocery access restrictions in some services sectors, non-transparent and restrictive regulations and standards, and inconsistent regulative and customs administration among (EU) members. (2010 INDEX of ECONOMIC FREEDOM) Trading Partners As most countries do, Italy relies on international trade to help sustain their economy.Italy depends a great deal on imports such as food, machinery, metals, motor vehicles, petroleum, and textile yarns. Italys principal trading partner is Germany. Other leading trading partners include Belgium, France, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. (The World Book Encyclopedia) Because Italy is such a mountainous region, farming and cultivation are very difficult. While the majority of exports are chemicals and machinery, Italy is known for such world class luxury brand as Prada, Armani, Versace, Valentine, and Maserati. cunning Agreements Italy has often led the way for European economic development and international integrati on. For example, Italy has a membership in several(prenominal) trade agreements. Under the European Free- administer Association (EFTA) member states constitute an enlarged single market. The European Economic Area (EEA) ex works (EU) commercial law to the (EFTA) states, thereby providing for the free circulation of goods, services, capital and labor, giving bank linees the right to establish themselves or subsidiaries throughout the (EEA).Other commercially important international agreements include numerous tax treaties. (Foreign Affairs and International hand Canada) Italy was admitted to the United Nations in 1955 and is a member and strong supporter of the North Atlantic Treaty disposal (NATO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the popular Agreement on Tariffs and Trade/World Trade Organization (GATT/WTO), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the Council of Europe. (U. S.Department of State) In 2009, Italy wa s the president of the G8 Summit held in LAquila, Italy. Member of the G8 Summit have come together annually since 1975 to discuss and debate important economic issues on the world(a) agenda . The G8 member countries are Italy, Canada, the Russian Federation, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Dominant Industries Companies Italys immense post World War II way toward the industrialization of its nation has changed due to the recent global recession. spicy unemployment rates exist, and a lack of natural resources has slowed the industrial growth of Italy dramatically. Three state-holding companies have played a large role in industry ENI (National Hydrocarbon Agency), IRI (Industrial Reconstruction Institute), and EFIM (Agency for Participation and Financing of Manufacturing Industry). (Encyclopedia of the Nations) The economic situation of the world has deeply affected these companies. As of 2001, IRI became dismantled, and ENI sold stakes in the caller-out in an attempt to buy the farm high debt.Despite economic difficulties, iron and steel, food processing (including olive oil, wine, and cheese), textiles, footwear, and ceramics remain thriving Italian industries. The muckle of industry is concentrated in the northwest, in the Milan-Turin-Genoa industrial triangle. The government has made concerted efforts to attract industry to the underdeveloped southeast. (Encyclopedia of the Nations) Several major successful private companies include the Fiat automobile company, the Olivetti company (office computers and telecommunications), the Montedison chemical firm, and the Pirelli rubber company. Encyclopedia of the Nations) Italy is home of some of the worlds most popular fashion designers. cruddy Market Transactions Despite its relatively high standard of living, problems with crime and the existence of a black market exist in Italy. The estimated black market value is around $111. 05 billion. Unfortunately, these markets ar e everywhere. Usually these markets bell ringer tourists by selling fake designer goods such as Prada, Armani, and Versace. Italy is also a breeding earthly concern for organized crime. Due to high unemployment rates, mobsters have found a cheap workforce within the lately unemployed.Taking advantage of the economic situation in Italy, the mafia has struck it rich using any and all mode of crime to turn a profit. It is estimated the mobs joint turnover last year at 135 billion euros, topped by trafficking in drugs, people, weapons and contraband worth just under 68 billion euros. Second came avocation interests like public wrings, gambling, forgeries and supplying illegal labor at 25 billion euros, then extortion and loan sharking at 25 billion euros. (Reuters) The Italian mafia is hulky dividing line, and would possibly be the largest company in Italy if it was one.Unless the Italian government can intervene, huge amounts of tax income volition continue to be lost due to arms trafficking, drug sales, counterfeit, piracy, Ecstasy, human trafficking, and trash smuggling. Standard operate Practices Conducting transaction in General As a business manager wishing to conduct business in Italy or with Italian businesses, having a good understanding about how the country conducts business can yield many benefits. Demonstrating your understanding of their culture and background information will help you refine your court and be more appealing to them. Spend time reviewing the company dynamics.Italy has a large portion of small and medium sized companies financed primarily by families. As such, the place of influence and end making typically happens in upper management, which is likely to be staffed by family members. It is also important to know that the time spent on cultivating a relationship is equally as worthwhile an investment as knowing the culture. It serves to position you ahead of competitors that may not have done their homework on the nui sances of the Italian business and culture. Italian style should also be noted as it something not taken very lightly. Italians are very fashionable.You will be judged by your dress code, including accessories and how you carry yourself. Its a first impression and a lasting one. You must look the part to garner the respect you seek and expect. Business dress does switch between industries and formality can go from suits and ties to somewhat less formal attire. Managers tend to be well groomed with tailored quality clothing. In an ever changing business and cultural world, Italians do not have high regard for in-depth long term planning. It is viewed as a waste of time and at most they will commit to very high level plans and leave room for flexibility and growth.Foreign women can do business without great difficulty in Italy. Being a woman may even be considered an advantage in some circumstances. Statistically speaking, only 38 percent of Italian women under the age of 65 are in t he labor market one of the lowest percentages in Hesperian Europe. Few Italian women hold managerial positions. The Italians are generally not inhibited when interacting with the opposite sex. dalliance is part of the spirit of life in Italy. Business Entry Strategies Entering the Italian market can be accomplished in two simple steps. The first is planning.You should complete extensive research of the market and develop a thoughtful business plan. Second, leverage the U. S. and Foreign Commercial Service (USFCS) trade events in Italy. The USFCS Service Program facilitates companies testing the Italian market through an inexpensive agent/allocator dynamic. Participating in the trade events is not only about exposure, but potential sales based on relationships that are seeded. As noted previously, rapport and trusting relationships is a great benefit when doing business in Italy. The trade events can lend themselves to exposing companies to other countries in addition to Italy. h ttp//findarticles. com) Relationships are critically important. From relationships, cooperation can be established for business success. Verbal communication and how articulate you are is much more severely weighted than written communication. It is highly beneficial to brush up on your speaking skills for clarity and conciseness. Conducting Meetings In Italy, encounters are to be scheduled in writing two or three weeks in advance and followed up with a phone call to confirm the details. Depending on what region you are in, punctuality relevance may vary.In Yankee Italy, punctuality is a virtue and your business associates will likely be on time. You should be early or on time, unless you have a good excuse for tardiness. Whatever materials you have to present should be in print form in both English and Italian. Another cultural influence is how brushs are managed. Meetings are generally informal and the smaller the group the less formality exercised. Agendas tend to be flexibl e as the meetings are highly interactive due to participant engagement, not to have in mind that there are multiple streams of conversations going on.There may also be changes in audience members or participants throughout the meeting. It is important to start meetings with small talk to get to know your Italian peer other you are viewed as being weak. A few safe conversational topics would be around Italian culture, food, family, movies, wine and art. You should make sure to pay special attention to the eldest person at an Italian business function. If you are expecting negotiations to occur, this is another area that differs by region. Northern Italians are more direct and see time as money.They want to get down to business immediately following brief small talk. However, in the southern part of the country, people tend to be more leisurely and rely on personal relationship development to know who they are doing business with. It is ill-advised to use high nip sales tactics but you may need to indulge in some haggling over price and delivery. (www. worldbusinessculture. com) You should have a clear understanding of who the authority figures or decision makers are in the company and for the business transaction you are trying to negotiate.You may expect to have some negotiation with stakeholders and influence a favorable decision, but frequently the decisions are made prior to the formal meeting with a smaller group of people to hash out the deal. Essentially, in fiat to be able to influence the group and the outcome, you will need to be present in the pre-meeting to provide perspective. Before the pre-meeting, the stakeholders would have likely had the information in hand and have had time to review at their leisure, prior to making any decisions in the pre-meeting. It is acceptable to give out business card game while in business meetings, but not in genial settings.Many Italians carry two different cards one for business and the other with personal i nformation for less formal relationships. Business cards are exchanged only at the first meeting and should be a hand to hand exchange with the intended recipient. Do not give a business card to the same person more than once. (www. kwintessential. co. uk) You should make sure to pay special attention to the eldest person present at a business function. Business Etiquette Italian culture is inviting and personal, thus when talking, people are up close and personal.While respecting someones personal space is preferred in the American culture, in Italy any attempt to create space or distance from the person or people you are talking to is seen as disrespectful and rude. Hand oscillates are common for both men and women and may also include grasping the arm with the other hand. You will shake hands both coming and departing from your company. As the relationship develops, the greeting may grow to an embrace and air kisses on the both sides of the cheeks. (www. ehow. com) Formal names a nd titles should be used until you are invited to use first names.Generally in business women will use their maiden names for business and legal affairs, but outside of business they may use their married name or combination of married and maiden name. (www. ediplomat. com) When talking, maintain philia contact with the person or persons you are speaking with, otherwise you will be perceived as hiding something or being deceptive. (www. ediplomat. com) cartridge clip Orientation When scheduling meetings, timely starts are important, but it is silent that situations dress up that will need attention and interfere with punctuality.Meetings should be avoided during the month of August, as that is a time of national holidays and many companies will be low on staff. In terms of optimal meeting times, it is best to schedule meetings between 10 11 AM and after 3 pm. (www. ehow. com) You should also make note of time zone differences when making contact by telephone. Italys time is Gre enwich Mean Time (GMT) +1, which is equivalent to five hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST). Gifts/Incentives You should follow some general guidelines for submit giving. Refrain from giving a business place until you receive one first.Gifts are pass judgment for social events, especially to express your thanks after you have been invited to a dinner party at a home. Gifts are usually opened at the time they are given and received. Your gift should be a prestigious brand name that is at the same time small and not obviously expensive. Gifts of inebriant or crafts from your own country are often good choices. If you want to give a gift to someone who has been particularly helpful around the office, good choices include fine pens, a framed print/picture, silver key chains, or calculators.Regardless, make sure your gift is a reputable name-brand Secretaries generally apprize a gift of flowers or chocolates. If you are invited to a home, drive gift-wrapped chocolates or flow ers. Never give an even number of flowers. Do not give chrysanthemums they are acceptable only for funerals. Moreover, red roses are silent for romantic occasions. If you are invited to a home and decide to give wine, buy a good vintage. bring down one or two (maximum) bottles. A good wine or spirit from your country could be an excellent choice as Italians are interested in learning about other countries.If you bring a present from your home country, be ready with a short description of what it is and why you have chosen it e. g. it is from your home town and has an interesting and unique way of being made, etc. If you are staying with a family, good gift selections can include coffee table books about your home country, or anything that reflects the interests of your hosts and is representative of your country. holiday cards can be appropriate, particularly as an expression of thanks to your business associates. Ensure that your cards are mailed in time to be received a week be fore Christmas.Card direct is not very common in Italy, so your card will be received with interest. There are some gifts to avoid giving to Italian business associates. These include gifts showcasing your companys logo, brooches and handkerchiefs (these items are associated with funerals), gifts wrapped in black and gold paper (traditionally, these are the colors of mourning) or purple (this color is considered a sign of bad luck), and knives or any other type of sharp objectsuch items may be interpreted to suggest the severing of a friendship or other close bond. www. 1worldglobalgifts. com) Legal Issues FITA provides this chart to explain the legal forms of companies in Italy Form Number of minimum and/or maximum capital indebtedness Registration fee Release of partners/shareholders financial documents Societa a responsabilita No minimum Minimum 10,000 , totally bid Liability is limitedAbout 100 No limitata (SRL) is a nb 1 partner for a sole and released up to 3 /10 at the to the amount Private exceptional Company. proprietorship. creation. contributed. Societa per azioni (SpA) Minimum 2 shareholders. Minimum 100,000 , totally subscribedLiability is limitedAbout 1,000 is a Public Limited and released up to 3/10 at the to the amount Company. creation. Their liability is limited contributed. to the amount contributed. Societa in nome Colletivo Partners liability demoralise expenses (SNC) is a general Minimum 2 partners No minimum capital. is joint and compared with Private No partnership. several. Limited Company Societa in Accomanditari Two types of partners No minimum capital. Liability of active Lower expenses as No Semplice(SAS) is a active partners and partners is compared to a Private limited partnership. sleeping partners. unlimited Limited Company Societa Cooperativa (SC) Minimum 9 partners No minimum capital. Liability is limitedLower expenses as No is a co-operative company or unlimited compa red to a Private depending on the Limited Company status. According to the FITA website, Italy encourages the development of small and medium sized businesses and promotes jobs creation.Companies receive incentives through grants and tax exemptions if they are working in sectors of decline. Registration and licensing status must be drawn up in a deed by the solicitor. They must be introduced within 30 days with the register of companies, then with the Commercial Court of the province where the company will be find. A registration with the local Chamber of Commerce is also required, as well as a notice in the official journal of advertisements. These formalities take about 4 weeks. (www. fita. org) attire Analysis Strengths Weaknesses Tourism Slow Developing Capitalist Economy cotton plant Commodity Declining Birth calculate Textiles Industry utmost Debt Level European Union Member Fiscal Budget Deficit illiterate Workers Opportunities Threats Jobs Yielded From Tourism Unemployment Jobs Yielded From cotton plant Poverty High Investment Flow Potential potentially Insurmountable Debt High Export Country STRENGTHS Tourism Rome, Venice, and Florence are the top three destinations for tourism in Italy. Other major tourist locations include Turin, Milan, Naples, Padua, Bologna, Perugia, Genoa, Sicily, Sardinia, Salento, and Cinque Terre. Two factors in each of these locations are history and geography. The Roman Empire, middle ages, and renaissance have left many cultural artifacts for the Italian tourist industry to use. Many northern cities are also able to use the Alps as an attraction for winter sports, while coastal southern cities have the Mediterranean Sea to draw tourists looking for sun.Italy is home to forty three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than any other country, including many entire cities such as Verona, Siena, Vicenza, Ferrara, San Gimignano, and Urbino. Ravenna hosts an unprecedented eight differe nt internationally recognized sites. Italy is a true open-air museum with 65 percent of the worlds artworks and historical monuments. (Korea Times) Cotton Commodity Cotton is a the fiber grown to make yarn, thread and a textile called cotton that is the most widely used natural fiber cloth in the world. Cottons long term growth potential is moderately favorable due to low hit on short supply and substitute products. (Wiki Wealth) Textile Industry The Italian textile and clothing industry is unique, lively, innovative, and leader in the world.Its innovation ability represents its main and most lasting competitive advantage. The mission of the Italian fashion system lies in offering original and very distinctive products, which meanwhile answer to consumers taste and meet his needs. This also implies a continuous improvement in technical performances of fibers, yarns, fabrics, and finishing. The success of the whole chain from the first processes on fibers to fabrics, finishing o perations, and final products for the market is favored by the interaction of a sophisticated manufacturing network, where the strength of each element is at the same time a condition and a function of the vivification of the whole system.This dynamic combination of productive, creative, and managing activities involves about 67,500 industrial companies with large, medium, and even very small scale operations. This unique mix still turns out to be the main point of strength of Italian T/C industry, whose about 540,000 employees contribute to roughly 10 percent of the manufacturing sectors added value. The strong export trend of the T/C industry is shown by the turnover share totalized abroad, amounting to 62 percent of total sales. The significant flow of exports ensures a foreign trade surplus of about 12 billion Euros, which compensate, to a large extent, the countrys deficit in energy and agriculture.Besides the value which can be measured in figures, Italian fashion, strongly founded on T/C, has enormously contributed to the definition of the ideas of Italian good taste and life quality, with positive do on Italian products all over the world (Slide Share) European Union Member The European Union (EU) is a political and economic community of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in Europe. It was established in 1993 by the Treaty of Maastricht, adding new areas of policy to the existing European Community founded in 1957. With almost 500million citizens the EU is generating an estimated 33 percent share of the worlds nominal gross domestic product (US$16. 6 trillion) in 2007.The EU comprises a single market created by a system of laws which apply in all member states, guaranteeing the freedom of movement of people, goods, services and capital. Fifteen member states have adopted a common currency, the euro. Passport control between many members has been abolished under the Schengen Agreement. The EU maintains common trade and agricultural policie s, and a regional development policy. It has developed a role in foreign and security policies, and in justice and home affairs. The EU represents its members in the World Trade Organization and attends at G8 summits and at the United Nations. Twenty-one EU countries are members of NATO. The functioning of the EU involves a hybrid of government and supranational.Particularly the need for moderation of the single market has prompted the establishment of bodies capable of making decisions without the coincide of national governments. The exact distribution of competences between member states and Union is explicitly defined in the proposed Treaty of Lisbon. Important institutions and bodies of the EU include the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the European Court of Justice, the European Central Bank, and the European Parliament which citizens elect every five years. (EU School) WEAKNESSES Slow Developing Capitalist Economy The Italian economy has changed dram atically since the end of World War II.From an agriculturally based economy, it has developed into an industrial state ranked as the worlds fifth-largest industrial economy. Italy belongs to the Group of Eight (G-8) industrialized nations it is a member of the European Union and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Italy has few natural resources. With much of the land unsuited for farming, it is a net food importer. There are no substantial deposits of iron, coal, or oil. Proven natural gas reserves, mainly in the Po Valley and offshore Adriatic, have grown in recent years and constitute the countrys most important mineral resource. Most raw materials needed for manufacturing and more than 80 percent of the countrys energy sources are imported.Italys economic strength is in the processing and the manufacturing of goods, primarily in small and medium-sized family-owned firms. Its major industries are precision machinery, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharma ceuticals, electric goods, and fashion and clothing. Italy continues to grapple with budget deficits and high public debt2. 6 percent and 105. 9 percent of GDP for 2008, respectively. Italy joined the European Monetary Union in 1998 by signing the Stability and suppuration Pact, and as a condition of this Euro zone membership, Italy must keep its budget deficit beneath a 3 percent ceiling. The Italian Government has found it difficult to bring the budget deficit down to a level that would allow a rapid decrease of that debt.The worsening of the economic situation is expected to jeopardize this effort. The deficit is expected to grow well above the 3 percent ceiling in 2009 and 2010. Italys economic growth averaged only 0. 8 percent in the period 2001-2008 2008 GDP decreased 1. 0 percent, largely due to the global economic crisis and its impact on exports and domestic take in. GDP is expected to contract further, with a huge decrease in 2009 (ranging from 2 percent to 3 percent) as the Euro zone and world economies slow. Italys closest trade ties are with the other countries of the European Union, with whom it conducts about 60. 1 percent of its total trade (2007 data).Italys largest EU trade partners, in order of market share, are Germany (12. 9 percent), France (11. 4 percent), and the United Kingdom (5. 8 percent). Italy continues to grapple with the effects of globalization, where certain countries (notably China) have eroded the Italian lower-end industrial product sector. The Italian economy is also affected by a large underground economyworth some 27 percent of Italys GDP. This achievement is not subject, of course, to taxation and thus remains a source of lost revenue to the local and central government. (Travel Docs) Declining Birth Rate Italy, as we all know, is the world center of the Catholic Church.Strangely, in spite of its deep-rooted Catholic culture and tradition, it has today changed into a nation having the second lowest birth rates in Eu rope, attached only to Spain. At 1. 2 per woman that means one child per woman, according to global Agenda Magazine. It was brought out in an article in April 2004 in the Sunday Telegraph that Swedens Birth rate was close to Italys though 50 percent higher. In order to arrest this situation, the Italian Government started offering 1,000 Euros to every woman who had a second child. Other traditionally Catholic nations, like Ireland and France, have the highest and second highest birth rates in Europe.Even Sweden has a 50 percent higher birth rate in comparison to Italy. These increased numbers may be due to better government-controlled child and health care facilities as well as incentives for families that have more children. (Trans4Mind) High Debt Level Italys public debt, the highest among the 27 nations of the European Union, rose last year as the economy contracted the most in more than 30 years, the countrys central bank verbalise today. The debt climbed to 105. 8 percent o f gross domestic product from 103. 5 in December 2007, the Bank of Italy said in a faxed statement. The debt reached 108. 1 percent of GDP in January 2009, the central bank also said. Italy will contract 2. percent in 2009 after shrinking 1 percent last year, Bank of Italys deputy director general, Ignacio Viscous, said on March 4. The budget deficit rose in 2008 to 2. 7 percent of GDP, the Rome-based national statistics office, Istat, said on March2. This years budget deficit will break to 3. 7 percent of GDP and overall debt will soar to 110. 5 percent of output from 105. 9 percent, the government look on Feb. 9. Italy should raise the retirement age for women as a way to stop pension costs from increasing, European Union finance ministers said on March 10. As pensioners become a larger part of the population, falling tax receipts and increased government spending stake to swell the overall debt. (Italian Economy) Fiscal Budget Deficit Italys government cut its economic growth forecasts for this year and next, citing a more contained recovery in exports than in other European nations, and also elevated its debt projections. Gross domestic product will rise 1 percent in 2010 and 1. 5 percent in 2011, down respectively from the 1. 1 percent and 2 percent predicted in January, according to the forecast included in a document posted on the Finance Ministrys website today. The government raise its debt forecast to 118. 4 percent of GDP this year and 118. 7 percent next year, from a previous prediction of 116. 9 percent and 116. 5 percent, respectively. This month, the European Commission forecast Italian debt of 118. percent of GDP this year and 118. 9 percent in 2011. (Italian Economy) Un arch(prenominal) Workforce Unemployment is a regional issue in Italylow in the north, high in the south. The overall national rate is at its lowest level since 1992. Chronic problems of inadequate infrastructure, corruption, and organized crime act as disincentives to in vestment and job creation in the south. A significant underground economy absorbs substantial numbers of people, but they work for low earnings and without standard social benefits and protections. Women and youth have significantly higher rates of unemployment than do men. Unions convey to represent 40 percent of the work force.Most Italian unions are grouped in four major confederations the General Italian Confederation of Labor (CGIL), the Italian Confederation of Workers Unions (CISL), the Italian Union of Labor (UIL), and the General Union of Labor (UGL), which together claim 35 percent of the work force. These confederations formerly were associated with important political parties or currents, but they have evolved into amply autonomous, professional bodies. The CGIL, CISL, and UIL are affiliated with the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and customarily coordinate their positions before confronting management or lobbying the government. The confeder ations have had an important consultative role on national social and economic issues. (Travel Docs) OPPORTUNITIES Jobs Yielded from Tourism With more than 43. 7 million tourists a year, Italy ranks fourth among tourists destination in the world.People mainly come to Italy for its rich art, cuisine, history, fashion and culture, its beautiful coastline and beaches, its mountains, and priceless ancient monuments, especially those from the Greek civilization and Roman civilization. Tourism is one of Italys fastest growing and most profitable industrial sectors, with an estimated revenue of $42. 7 billion. (Tourism In Italy) Jobs Yielded from Cotton Cotton is a the fiber grown to make yarn, thread and a textile called cotton that is the most widely used natural fiber cloth in the world. Cottons long term growth potential is moderately favorable due to low scores on short supply and substitute products. (Cotton Commodity)High Investment Flow Potential Italy welcomes and encourages f oreign direct investment, but the government of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi that took office in April 2008 has taken only modest steps toward morphological economic reform that could increase investment, business creation, production and employment. Economic policymakers have been mainly preoccupied addressing the effects on Italy of the severe global economic downturn. The GOI has focused on measures to stimulate aggregate demand and demand for products of sensitive sectors such as autos and household durable goods. In early 2009 the government adopted superfluous modest fiscal incentives for companies, foreign ones included, investing in research and some new equipment, and temporarily eliminated a small surtax on firms. As an EU Member State, Italy is bound by EU treaties and legislation, some of which have an impact on business investment.Under the EU treatys right of establishment, Italy is generally obligate to provide national treatment to foreign investors establishe d in Italy or in another EU member state. Exceptions include access to government subsidies for the film industry, capital requirements for banks domiciled in non-EU member countries, and restrictions on non-EU-based airlines operating(a) domestic routes. Italy also has investment restrictions in the shipping sector. EU and Italian anti-trust laws give EU and Italian authorities the right to review mergers and acquisitions over a certain financial threshold. The government may clam up mergers involving foreign firms for reasons essential to the national economy or if the home government of the foreign firm applies loaded measures against Italian firms.Foreign investors in the defense or aircraft manufacturing sectors are likely to encounter an opaque process and enemy from the many ministries charged with approving foreign acquisitions of existing assets or firms, most of which are controlled to some degree by the para-statal defense conglomerate Finmeccanica. The EU in 2009 orde red the GOI to recover from a US investor previously agreed subsidies for electricity. The GOI had provided these subsidies to induce the investor to keep two plants operating in Italy. The fate of the plants is up in the air, pending the GOI finding an acceptable mechanism to make energy available to the investor at a market-comparable price, i. e. , close to the normal cost of electricity in other western European countries. (Investment Climate) High Export Country The demand for Italian products is at an all time high.Italy has become known for niche products, including fashion eye-wear, specialized machine tools, packaging, stylish furniture, and other products featuring high design. Italy produced 1,579,656 automobiles in 2001, a 9 percent drop from 2000. It also make 42,618 heavy trucks in 2000. The construction industry stands to gain in importance in the early 2000s, as Italys less-developed regions are slated for infrastructure development. (Industry in Italy) THREATS U nemployment Unemployment is a regional issue in Italylow in the north, high in the south. The overall national rate is at its lowest level since 1992. Chronic problems of inadequate infrastructure, corruption, and organized crime act as disincentives to investment and job creation in the south.A significant underground economy absorbs substantial numbers of people, but they work for low wages and without standard social benefits and protections. Women and youth have significantly higher rates of unemployment than do men. Unions claim to represent 40 percent of the work force. Most Italian unions are grouped in four major confederations the General Italian Confederation of Labor (CGIL), the Italian Confederation of Workers Unions (CISL), the Italian Union of Labor (UIL), and the General Union of Labor (UGL), which together claim 35 percent of the work force. These confederations formerly were associated with important political parties or currents, but they have evolved into fully au tonomous, professional bodies.The CGIL, CISL, and UIL are affiliated with the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and customarily coordinate their positions before confronting management or lobbying the government. The confederations have had an important consultative role on national social and economic issues. (Travel Docs) Poverty More than one in 25 Italians lived in commanding poverty before the latest recession hit the country as difficulty in launching the labor market made it hard for people to reach an acceptable living standard. The number of Italians living below the level of absolute poverty reached 2. 4 million in 2007, statistics office Istat said today. Thats equivalent to 4. 1 percent of the population, up from 3. percent in 2006, the Rome-based statistics agency said in a report today. The absolute poverty threshold is based on a basket of necessary goods and services rather than on average household consumption, as in relative poverty.Italy entered its fourth recession since 2001 in the third quarter of last year as the global financial crisis aggravated the effects of waning productivity, prompting companies including Fiat Spa, Italys biggest manufacturer, and Luxottica Group Spa, the worlds largest eyeglasses maker, to cut jobs. Earlier this year, the government gave 1 million of the poorest pensioners and 300,000 of the lowest-paid employees obtain cards inspired by the U. S. subsidy program known as food stamps. The position of family members in the labor market is clearly related to whether the family is under the level of absolute poverty, Istat said. The most serious problems arise when no family member is employed or when a worker has retired and has no current or yesteryear income from employment 20. 5 percent of people in this situation are in absolute poverty. (Italian Economy) Potentially Insurmountable Debt Fears are mounting that Italy will be the next European country to be hit by the sovereign debt crisis, which has seen Greeces credit rating slashed to junk. Markets believe Italy will be the next Euro zone country to see its credit rating downgraded due to its high levels of debt and weak economy.Were that to happen, it would severely impact Italys ability to borrow money and finance its operations. The panic in financial markets started with Greece struggling to riposte its creditors due to massive debts, low tax receipts, messy public finances and an ailing economy. (Fears for Italy) Conclusion Global expansion to Italy should be favorable, especially among companies that can contribute to the countrys already booming tourism industries. Companies that specialize in economies of scale in production of textiles, precision machinery, chemicals, electric goods, food, and clothing could locate production facilities in this country. Jobs provided to unemployed workers would make up for the increased competition with domestic companies.Businesses could enter the Italian market and provide jobs to unemployed workers. This might persuade many younger citizens to turn away from crime and the mafia. These workers could then learn employment skills and earn an income to support their families. Unemployment rates would improve, and the workforce would be much more skilled and have more discretionary income per family. There are many strengths and opportunities to take advantage of, such as Italys membership in the EU, and the potential to create jobs. Although Italy is considered to currently be in a recession, it is not expected to last very much longer. Italy has experienced strong growth throughout various periods of time.Italians still continue to hold fast o their strong cultural values, and business is expected to continue to prosper. If the decision to expand business within Italy is made, the optimal mode of entry would be to enter the country with production facilities of goods that are not overly expensive. Italy has seen a decline in production of e xpensive luxury items such as the Fiat and various fashion designer items. It would be beneficial to a company entering the host country of Italy to consider the current status of the worldwide economy and Italys unmanageable high debt. It may be preferred to delay entering the Italian market until the temporary recession the country is in passes. Governments ay still block mergers and acquisitions, so a method of entry may be a Greenfield operation, where the company enters the foreign market as a new operation.References Killinger, Charles. (2002). The History of Italy. Greenwood Pub Group. Hearder, H. (1990). Italy A piffling History. Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press. Italy. (2010, June 15). Retrieved from http//en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Italy Amyot, G. (2004). Business, The State and Economic Policy The Case of Italy. New York, NY 2004. Members of the EU Italy. (2010, June 15). Retrieved from http//europa. eu/abc/european_countries/eu_members/italy/index_en. htm Ecomony of Italy. (2010, June 15). Retrieved from http//en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Economy_of_Italy