Consider the theme of loneliness Essay

Steinbeck employs character are restrained by the â€Å"rules† of society and through them, to convey the characteristics of American society in the 1920s:a society based on physical strength and individualism. The unusual pair, Lennie and George, seemed incongruous in their situations and by comparing and contrasting their relationship to the others, the reader is given a further understanding to the theme. The entire novel is full of references to this theme. In Soledad, also the Spanish word for loneliness, situates the ranch where the majority of the story is set. It is an ordinary ranch with ordinary people doing monotonous, meanual work such as â€Å"bucking barley†. The nature of this work suggests the kind of lifestyle the characters on the ranch lead. The ranch also represents a microcosm of the outside world. Here in this close community, a range of characters, each identify by their own personality, are required to work closely together inorder to achieve their own, individual dreams. When George and Lennie first enters the ranch, they are greeted by â€Å"an old swamper† by the name Candy. A fragile old man with only one hand, he is used by Steinbeck to demonstrate the cruelty of society towards elderly and the disabled. In a society that emphasis physical strength, Candy is clearly at a disadvantage. However, he does not attempt this disadvantage but rather expose the more feminine and sensitive side of him to others to reinforce this weakness. His domestic role in the bunkhouse and part as the gossiper again is an expansion of his at5/9/00titude towards the rest of the male in the ranch. Candy separates himself from the rest of â€Å"guys† and has only the company of a â€Å"dragged-footed sheep-dog†. When Carlson demands the killing of this dog, although disapproves of it, does not retaliate but instead â€Å"looked hopelessly at Slim† and asks for his assistance. His reaction to Carlson’s demand is passive in the way that he only â€Å"watched uneasily† and tries to delay the killing by suggesting â€Å"may be to-morra†. His deep-rooted relationship with the dog is shown in this intensely emotional part that explicitly dissects his sensitivity. At the sound of the shot, he appears lost and all he manages to do is to â€Å"stare into the ceiling† blankly. Similar to this, at the end of the story, George too has to face with the death of his love ones. The difference however lies in the reason behind the killing. George justifies the killing and does it out of his concern for Lennie and not out of pressure from others. Curley is the second character appearing on the scene. â€Å"A thin young man† wearing â€Å"high-heeled boots†, he is clearly no ordinary labouring man. He is the boss’ son and is determine to show his status and authority using this kind of symbolism. However, by doing so, he achieves exactly the opposite. The other men do not acknowledge his authority and even Candy thinks of him as a â€Å"scrappy little guy†. His method of trying to gain respects by false image works against him and isolates him from the others. Curley also has a wife who is the only female in the ranch. This arrangement and character of his wife can only encourage the insecurity he feels anyway. Although he has a wife, she appears more a possession to show off rather than a company. Their relationship is equivocal since they appear to spend all day looking for each other. His stature also becomes a great encumbrance to him. With a personality that is completely obsess with self-image, Curley is deeply disturb by his height and to resolve this, he translates his anger towards himself onto others. To him, Lennie’s physique is a challenge of authority and because of this, he wants by prove himself by defeating Lennie. This transference accounts for his cynical nature and isolates him from everyone else. Although desperate to participate, his character and fear for judgement are essential ingredients for his desolation. Curley’s wife is too refereed to as a destitute character. Even before her appearance, the reader is given a pre-conceived image of a † lousy tart† by the introduction from Candy. Her dramatic entrance and physical appearance appears to fit the image: â€Å"full rouged lips and heavily made-up†, clearly she is not a simple country girl by any mean. From her â€Å"playful† action and â€Å"twitchy† body language, George immediately recognize her as the â€Å"femme fatale† and warned Lennie not to talk to her. This warning is a pre-echo to the trouble Lennie will get in for her later on in the story, a build up to the final tragedy at the end. Even at first sight she gave the reputation of a â€Å"tramp† and â€Å"jail-bait†. At a primary level, her action can be explained by boredom and experiment. She is the only in the ranch and clearly has no one to relate. However, from her past experience, Steinbeck implies that Curley’s wife dream about being in the movies all day. By flirting and making sexual suggestive message to others, she attempts to achieve the glamorous and danger feel of affair that she imagined they do in the movies. An alternative explanation to her action would be that she is another victim of loneliness, desperate to establish relationship with others. She dislike Curley for when Curley crushed his hand she even suggested to Lennie that she would have liked to done it herself. When she eventually discovers that Lennie is a good â€Å"listener†, she unburdens herself with â€Å"words in a passion of communication, as though she hurried before her listener could be taken away†. She is a highly ambivalent character because although the reader feels sympathetic towards her for her past â€Å"cast- couch† experience, her seduction that lead to the murder at the end is almost entirely her fault. One may argue that she had no knowledge of Lennie’s past and receives the punishment harsher than she deserves. More over, the price for her â€Å"innocent mistake† is on the destruction of the hope of three blameless people: George, Lennie and Candy. Similarly, George and Lennie have a dream, the American dream of â€Å"living off the fatta the lan’ â€Å". This phrase followed by a description of their future house is a leimotif representing the birth and rebirth of their hope. This hope is the source of energy and once shattered, unlike Curley’s wife who was then able to found a less satisfying alternative: George can find no other replacement like Lennie. Crooks the Negro stable buck is presented as another victim of loneliness. Due to his colour and disability, he is separated with the rest of the male community in everyway. This is shown in the examples that â€Å"the boss gives him hell† whenever he is mad and only in special occasion such as X’mas is he allow into the bunkhouse. In this highly racist period, Crook’s role as the â€Å"nigger stable buck† meant he is at the bottom of the hierarchy and therefore ostracized by the rest of the community. Due to this inferiority, Crooks feels even stronger about protecting himself in territorial terms and by isolation. Nonetheless, he does not enjoy this solitude but instead, quite prefer the opposite. This is best shown when Candy and Lennie enter his room, which no one but Slim had done before, Crooks â€Å"finds it difficult to conceal his pleasure in anger†. Although he would rather play card in the bunkhouse with others, since he â€Å"stink† and â€Å"ain’t wanted there†, instead, he has to â€Å"sit out here and read books†. This shows that he has adapted to loneliness using other means but although he knows nothing can replace a real company. In the scene which he unburdens himself to Lennie, the situation becomes parallel to that of Lennie and Curley’s wife. Not only are they both absurd and have difficulty in relating to others on the ranch due to society boundary based on racism and sexism, they both confide in Lennie because he would not â€Å"go on blabbin† to others. With Lennie they do not feel under threat and therefore do not have to protect themselves with masks of imagery. In comparison, George and Lennie are alway s at ease at the company of each other. Apart from Slim, they appear to be the only â€Å"guys† on the ranch to manage this. Slim the jekline skinner is the touch stone character in the novel used to reflect morally and decency. Although with a common appearance, every movement and air of his is described with â€Å"royalty† and â€Å"achieved only by master craftsmen†. However, his title as â€Å"the price of the ranch† is not self-given†. His authority is acknowledge by the other males on the ranch and so great the â€Å"his word was taken on any object†. His power appears to go beyond the system at the time. Even in this image-ridden macho culture, Slim does not needs to prove his position by creating illusion using force, yet with quite the opposite: gentleness and sense; elements of human quality that are most required in this imbalance situation. Apart from Lennie, Slim appears to be the only one who George is willing to confide. During the talk, they touch on the subject of loneliness, a sensation that grins a normal, respectable person to nothing but â€Å"a mean guy who wants to fight all the time†. In this part of the novel, George explains his relationship with Lennie and why they had traveled together. In a deeper sense, the phrase â€Å"got kinda used to each other† implies a long-term relationship which neither of the can live without now. Other minor characters in the novel such as Carlson and Whitney represent transaline people who best demonstrate the majority of the society at the time. They â€Å"ain’t got no people† so they move around the country as Crook states: â€Å"they come, an’ they quit an’go†. Their life style is monotonous and â€Å"they ain’t have no fun†. Their few entertainments include the horseshoe game and cards, which again are reference to competition and individualism. Nonetheless, it is only in these games they make allowance for their guard and relax into the company of each other. In conclusion, Steinbeck presentation of the theme of loneliness is reflected in the actions of his character. Although desperate to make contact, their concern for reputation and nature of the machismo culture in society isolate them from one another. The end tragedy then attracts sympathy from the reader by shattering the hope of few exceptions that appeared to have survived.

The Reasoning of the Astrology Using Illumination Manuscript by Essay

The Reasoning of the Astrology Using Illumination Manuscript by Lumbourg Brothers - Essay Example People dealt mainly with the effects of Black deaths and Great Schism1. In spite of the new age problems, there was an evolution of new economic system. The thriving economies gave a leeway to the evolution of various cities, as well as, rural-urban migration. It is worthwhile noting that during the period, gothic art became the epitome of an inspiration to the art of Northern Europe, especially the illuminations and the exquisite combination of colors seen through stained glass. One of the most significant developments in French manuscripts was the new concept, as well as, the presentation of space. The pictures and images done by the then artists no longer flat as they were but have been developed into three dimensions. Many historians argue that the style could have been possible due to the contact with Italian artists and their humanism development. One of the main artists during the periods was the Lumbourg Brothers. The group expanded the illusionistic capabilities of illuminat ion. The paper will cover a detailed analysis of their work, as revealed in the Book of Hours for Jean, the Duke of Berry. The analysis will be based on irony and astrological reasoning as depicted in the book. It will also include the examples of the works of arts during the period. To begin with, the calendar pages are perhaps considered the most famous in the illuminated manuscript history. ... In the month of January, the relationship between Duke and that of the peasant people is evident. The Duke appears at the reception of the New Year, at court and is noted by the existing large halo behind him. The chamberlains stand in front of him and they usher the two people with the words, â€Å"approach† written on both sides behind him2. The large tapestry believed to be a scene from the Trojan War and the table full of rich foods displays the wealth that accompanies The picture depicts the feast of Epiphany that was celebrated in the hall of Hotel d’Grac’. In the middle of the picture, next to Jean De Berry is an inscription, Aproche’. The prince is accessible to all in this festive occasion. the Duke. In addition, each illustration in the artwork is accompanied with an appropriate hemisphere showing a solar chariot, the degrees and the signs of zodiac as well as the numbering of the days of the month. They also show martyrological letters represent ing lunar calendar. The subjects of the illustrations for the first four months of the calendar are as shown: January is regarded as the month of giving New Year’s gifts, although the custom has died out currently contrary to the Christian teachings on generosity and sharing. On this day, Jean Berry is seen on the right and he appears as he wears the brilliant blue robe. In the month of February, it is wintertime in a peasant village and farm inhabitants are portrayed in the pictures as they warm themselves around the fires, in the background daily lives. To them, life goes on as normal. They cut wood, take cattle to the market, and perform all other normal chores

Liberal Theories of International Relations Essay

Liberal Theories of International Relations - Essay Example The apparent peaceful behavior of democracies was only an extension of the domestic ideal into the international sphere. At the end of the Cold War, with the fall of communist Soviet Union (USSR), the ideological triumph of liberal democracy (and its implications for IR) was celebrated with much gusto, with some going so far as to claim that the event signified the â€Å"end of history† (Fukuyama 1992). Liberal states were deemed to be internally more stable and externally most peaceful.  Such a description, however, is not an accurate reflection of the true nature of democracies in the international sphere. As two seminal studies on the democratic-peace thesis note, democracies are equally aggressive as any other rà ©gime type in their relations with authoritarian states (Doyle 1995: 100) and young democracies tend to be more war prone than other states (Mansfield & Snyder 2005). In fact, even this explanation remains somewhat inadequate; take, for instance, the dyad of In dia and Pakistan, two countries with a long history of confrontations. The last armed conflict between the two states in 1999 occurred when a democratic government led either state. This shows that there may be contextual reasons for states go to into war, and their internal configurations may not matter in this regard.  The optimism of liberal international theory at the end of the Cold War was buoyed to a large extent by the hopes attached with the resurgence of the United Nations (UN) and the collective security system. In fact, the success of the multilateral venture at Iraq in 1991 reinforced these hopes.

Price drop of crude oil Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Price drop of crude oil - Essay Example In addition, several deals that America has made with war-torn oil-producing countries. The art article addresses the factors mentioned above. The quantity of crude futures declined in the recent past on concerns that the global oversupply is hurriedly filling oil stocks. Total petroleum output in the year 2015 is expected to go up to 9.35 million barrels every day. The quantity is slightly more than the 9.3 million barrels daily forecast in the previous period, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) highlighted last week in its monthly short-term energy outlook. Independently, oil stocks went up more than anticipated marking the several consecutive week of a higher overall than at any other time for the last 80 years and more. The American commercial crude oil stocks rose by approximately 4.5 million barrels from the previous week; the EIA said Wednesday. Another reason weighing on oil price is the OPEC policies on the export of crude oil to the global market. As a result, the American oil output could be adversely affected in the recent years due to low oil prices offered by the OPEC countries. In addition, OPEC also outlines that the lower global oil prices may have affected the marginal barrel output from other sources, such as shale. The OPEC is a significant body in the oil industry. Therefore, its decisions and marketing affects trade in crude oil because it controls a large percentage of the world’s fuel production. As such, any decision that they make directly affects the market prices of the commodity (Why the oil price is falling , 2014). In this case, the petroleum trading block may take actions targeting their competitors in order to establish gain control of a larger market. Such activities may include flooding the market with the commodity leading to market forces coming into play and hence price decline.

Case Analysis Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 4

Analysis - Case Study Example ollowing issues: To begin with, the supply process was characterized by manual modes of operations, creating time challenges with regard to operations of the Company; moreover, the manual aspect of the supply process compelled the company to apply large amount of labor resources. Another issue that faced Phase 1 of R/3 implementation process is the fact that the Macpac package that was applied to manage shop floor operations did not have capacities for simulation in order to operate alternative operational processes. Moreover, the system did not have the capacity to support formal procedures of distributing resource planning. Consequently, this phase is characterized by a scenario whereby Material Requirement Planning was supported in a partial dimension. The use of manual operational processes that were used in the previous operational systems was replaced by the use of a Macpac Package that was applied to manage and control various floor operations. The fact that the system did not support a formal operational system, did not deter the company from achieving its goals, due to the fact that it was solved by implementing a replenishment schedule that took into consideration predefined economic facets. On the other hand, the challenge facing Material Requirement Planning was solved through manual operations that basically involved physical entering of pre-planned orders. Phase II of the project was conducted in October, 1998; one of the issues that was faced in the second face of the project that seem to have been more complex as compared to Phase I, is the fact that the use of MacPac and FYI Planner systems were not able to facilitate some desired changes in the second phase of the project. Specifically, the FYI Planner forecasting software was not able to facilitating forecasting on the dimension of customer by customer, as required by the company. Another complex challenge that characterized the second phase of Geneva’s operational improvement project was

What do You expect will be The Character of the 21st Century Essay

What do You expect will be The Character of the 21st Century - Essay Example This has all come to be in the present century, and the damage all this groups have caused is visible. There exists examples of drug groups becoming successful because of the network type of organizational setting. ‘All these licit and illicit social groupings have in common the network form of organization—hallmarks of which include minimal central control and great connectivity’ (Of networks and nations, 1). All this illicit groups have grown to be successful and result to many misunderstandings and problems in the world because of the networking type of organization2. Though its undisputed that the network type of organization has made improvements in the world like in sectors such as human rights activists groups, they have done more damage than good. Despite the fact that it has a lot of negative effects, networks cannot be left out in the development of a country if it is to grow and rise in everything. The solution to all this is accepting hat we cannot liv e without networks and instead of using it to build more destruction to the country, we can use it for the wellbeing of society3. We can use it to build the economy and invent better ways of developing the country instead of looking at the present benefits while there lie deeper and long term damaging effects. An example is of America and how its network supports existence of nuclear weapons. They do not look at the long term effects hat state the fact that once this weapons are used on various countries, they are the ones who still use funds to help the affected countries. The short term effect is that the weapons help in case of an attack from any enemy while another fact is that other terrorism units will get hold of them and use them in causing a lot of destruction. All this point out to the fact that the 21st century is bound to have a lot of chaos at the turn at which everything is taking. John J. Mearsheim involves in the 21st century struggle for power amongst each other for various alleged reasons. He talks of the belief that most states who lead have great military power 4. Most states believe that once one is a super power, she must have some superficial powers that none can surpass; hence she cannot be attacked by any enemy at all. States aim at controlling all the wealth in the world and since they believe I the fact that power goes hand in hand with control, they struggle for the top slot in leadership. The issue about arsenal superiority is core in the struggle for the world’s to leadership slot. Most countries believe the fact that once they are the top country, they get the advantage of having enough resources of making the most superior weapons which prevent any threats of attack from any nations which grow to fear them5. Therefore, they get to protect their citizens very efficiently and comfortably. They also consider the fact that they will acquire most land once they rise to superiority; hence the fact that they end up fighting for the top slot of superiority. Having noted the importance with which nations in the 21st century take superiority, it is evident that they apply any skills to be at the top. Most of these methods are destructive; hence, end up causing confusion everywhere. The first method they consider fit to gain power is through war. Most countries believe that when they wage a war and win it, they gain superiority over all other nations. This was as the case during the cold war. The fact they fail to comprehend is the that when they w

Math Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Math - Essay Example The writer compares the ordeal underwent by these discipline to that facing mathematics in the contemporary world. The teachers have oriented there students towards believing that cramming formulas is the only best way to pass mathematics. The students do not get the chance of knowing the various dimensions since they only have to substitute the given values in the formula. Lockhart argues that the belief inflicted by the teachers is what makes the student perceive mathematics as no art. Lockhart presents a conversation between Simplicio and Salviati who go on to stress about the failure of the teachers to make mathematics easy to their students (Lockhart 6). The conversation brings a reader to realizing that the teachers only require the students to master the techniques without considering the context and the whole process. The failure by the standard mathematics curriculum triggers Lockhart to propose the relivening of aesthetic in mathematics as the only way to promote the love f or this subject. He disapproves the so called â€Å"ladder myth† associated with the contemporary mathematics. The ladder myth makes students to concentrate only on the theory part without considering how the structures of the questions came to be; consequently diminishing the art nature. The writer concludes by proposing a standard school mathematic curriculum whereby lower school math students consist of the explanation about the origin of various mathematics aspects. The last part of the curriculum is Calculus. Question 2 I agree with Lockhart’s view that the curriculum has fabricated the real mathematical model to a sculpture that scares the students away. The contemporary mathematics education has forced the students to go direct into mastering the techniques and not appraising the real context and process (Lockhart 4). This design acts as the basis for the witnessed failure by most students to embrace the existence of mathematics. Most of the students get scared at the first view of a â€Å"long formula†, such as that for calculating surface area of a cylinder (2?r2 + 2?rh). The teacher requires the students to master this formula otherwise they will not get the right answer. This has acted as the most surprising part of the modern education. As stated by Lockhart, the curriculum, teachers included, do not understand that the students need to get a broader perception about the context implied. Lockhart’s comparison of math to art proves strong since the involved teacher could have broken the surface area of a cylinder as the sum of the surface area of the two circles (at the top and bottom) plus that of the area of the triangle (2?rh). Considering the nature of math teaching, the educators should be fully responsible for making math interesting to the kids. The educators have failed in recovering the need for studying and embracing math. The curriculum accentuates that the only expectation from math education is to perform wel l in the subject while living out the need for real knowledge useful in the long run. It orients the students to believe that cracking the exams is the basis for studying math. The educators need to realize that the math students are just like other human beings who usually become at ease with something they can relate to. As asserted by Lockhart, they should consider making math curriculum be practical and relevant to the kids’

Differentiating Between Market Structures for the Toyota Motor Essay

Differentiating Between Market Structures for the Toyota Motor Corporation - Essay Example According to the research findings, it can, therefore, be said that market structures refer to the kind of market organization or plan that exists in a certain economy with reference to the supply of products, customers’ behavior and strength and distribution of suppliers into the market. For any organization to prosper in its business processes there must be a properly defined and established market structure to assist in conducting a significant sale of products. Determining the nature and structure of the market in which a company intends to venture prepares the company in making critical decision and systems to encounter potential competition in the targeted market. Prior information of market structure that rules in a particular market setup prepares business organization on how best to face the existing challenges in the particular market. Some of the most common market structures operating in the contemporary economic standing include perfect competition, monopoly, olig opoly, and duopoly. A decision on the kind of market structure to venture into depends on the products and customers targeted by a given business organization. The Toyota Motor Corporation is an example of an organization that has emerged successful in the global market due to the realistic choice of a market structure. The Toyota Motor Corporation has adopted strategies to emerge successful in a perfectly competitive market structure that characterizes the global automobile industry. To survive in this market, Toyota has been successful in identifying and analyzing the nature of the market, the responsiveness of its customers and the ingenuity of its competitors. In this respect, Toyota has focused its technology and production processes towards filling the perceived loopholes that exist in the global motor market. Toyota operates in a market structure where there are many buyers and sellers interacting in a free market without hindrance to enter or exit with rational prices. This means that the market for products offered by Toyota Motor Corporation is highly competitive and requires the adoption of viable competitive strategies to succeed. Toyota Motor Corporation ventured into the perfectly competitive market not out of pleasure but due to the existence of stiff competition that characterizes the global motor vehicle industry. Even though Toyota Motor Corporation enjoys the status of being classified among top five global motor companies, it faces stiff competition from Ford Motor Corporation, KIA, Honda, Nissan, and Mercedes Benz, among other globally renowned motor producing companies. Operating in a perfectly competitive structure requires Toyota to adopt mass production as well as highly innovative and creative strategies to ensure a strong competitive advantage in the motor vehicle industry. In addition, Toyota Motor Corporation found it easier to settle on the perfect competition marketing structure due to the efficiency and price sanity ensured by t he model.

Cross Cultural Managemant Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Cross Cultural Managemant - Essay Example Prominently, it has been found that Egyptian culture favors authoritative leadership and team orientation; emphasizes the present and avoids risk or change; emphasizes laws and regulations and does not adhere to time schedules. Recommendations to managers have been made keeping in mind these and few other attributes. Table of contents 1. Introduction 4 2. Cultural assessment in global business: rationale and objectives 4 3. Determinants of culture 6 4. Analysis of Egyptian culture 7 4.1 Based on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions 8 4.2 Based on Trompenaars’ cultural dimensions 10 4.3 Based on Edward T Hall’s intercultural aspects in communication 11 4.4 Based on the GLOBE project by House et al., 12 5. Implications for business 14 5.1 From GLOBE’s cultural dimensions perspective 15 5.2 Other perspectives 17 6 Conclusions and Recommendations 19 Bibliography Appendices List of appendices Appendix 1: Steers et al.’s (2010) Comparison of models of cultural dimensions Appendix 2: Nardon & Steer’s (2009) Core cultural dimensions: an integrative summary Appendix 3: House et al.’s (2004) Summary of social cluster rankings for culturally endorsed implicit theory leadership 1. Introduction: Egypt, an African country, is known for its historical origins of world civilizations. Its culture is influenced by the Mediterranean, African and the Arab countries, and therefore predominantly follows Islamic religion. From international perspective, Egypt’s social and cultural considerations act as the constraints for business and management due to their vast dissimilarities with other nations’ cultures (Rice & Mahmoud, 2013). In view of this fact, Egypt’s conduciveness for business in international arena will be explored by using findings from literature. Literature on various researches related to world cultures will be studied, with main focus on the most significant studies, like those by Hofstede, Trompenaars, H all, and House et al will be used as reference points. Critical implications for effective management such as motivation, leadership, organizational policies and procedures will be identified based on analysis carried out on Egyptian culture using various cultural dimensions. Finally, conclusions will be drawn and recommendations will be made, if required, from management viewpoint. 2 Cultural assessment in global business: rationale and objectives Business management attracted a different perspective during the beginning stages of globalization owing to the various determinants of successful business run by people belonging to various backgrounds. This perspective was from the cultural aspect, which management specialists and scholars have been studying in detail to identify the role of national culture on various aspects related to organizational behavior. Business anthropology has thus permeated management field owing to various needs in globalized world, such as communication, b usiness growth, international relations, international laws and regulations etc, all of which are influenced by culture. For instance, the human resources perspective demands a thorough understanding and analysis in different countries, considering the similarities and variations of national and organizational cultures, for effective management of people. Extensive research work and evidences in the areas of marketing, consumer behavior, international business,

Ratio Analysis Essay Example for Free

Ratio Analysis Essay The aims and objectives of this report are to compare the two companies, Kingfisher Plc. and Home Retail Group Plc., using their annual report published for the year 2011. With the help of the financial statements, it will be possible to calculate different ratios that are relevant to the comparison between the two businesses. Through this comments can then be made on the performance of both companies for the year, stating some of the possible factors that could have made affected this. Comparison will be on a year-to-year basis and then between the two companies as a whole. When comparing two companies like Kingfisher and the Home Retail Group, there are a few limitations needed to be considered before this is possible. The first would be the different accounting policies that each corporation have chosen to adapt to their financial statements; this could be in regards of the depreciation or inventory valuation method used for the preparation of relevant statements. Another important point to note is that financial statements are based on historical information and therefore this would not be as objective to when we come to use them for the comparison. Expanding on this, the closing balances on the statement may make the ratios appear misleading when comparing the two companies for the period, i.e. seasonal sale boost; Christmas and New Year promotion. The main issue that should be considered is the date that they have published their account Kingfisher being 31st January 2011 and Home Retail Group at 28th February 2011. So it would not be possible to make a more accurate comparison, as the economic conditions may have changed for that one month Kingfisher did not trade. Although it would suggest comparing the two businesses is not ideal, the two companies are somewhat similar. Therefore this should make the approximation more accurate and thus the comparison more meaningful. Kingfisher PLC Kingfisher is a company that focuses on mainly offering its customers home improvements products for DIY and such likes. Its main retail brand in the UK is BQ with a market share of 14% and they are currently top of the market. They are also making a respectable breakthrough in France with their brands, Castorama and Brico Depot taking 21% of the market share with the top place. Moreover they have expanded to Germany, Turkey, Spain, China, Poland and Russia

Evaluation Of Formal Strategic Planning Business Essay

Evaluation Of Formal Strategic Planning Business Essay What is strategic planning. As in daily life when people have choices or plans to make, down to the simplest things as in, what will we do this weekend?, businesses need to form plans or strategies to know their way forward with a goal for the business to reach in order to maintain the success of the business and to achieve objectives. All members within a group must know of the plans made in order to follow them with the desire to be successful within their environment for continued growth, success and also to move with the ever changing world in which we live. It is important for management to set out a game plan to continually strengthen the performance of their company. A strategic plan will state how a business should conduct themselves for a period of time in order to achieve these desired goals, this can be seen as a means to an end, looking forward to where changes need to be made and setting out a plan in order to reach that point using strategic methods. Jasparro R.J. (2006) states that strategic planning can help companies to think and act strategically, develop effective strategies, clarify future directions, establish priorities, improve organisational performance, build teamwork and expertise, and deal effectively with a rapidly changing environment. This has proven difficult in recent years and the following report will go into more depth as to the reasons why certain conditions may impact Strategic Planning. Nature of Formal Strategic Planning To form a plan, a business will have to look at both the external and internal environments surrounding their specialist area. It is at this point a company will decide on their competences and look at what the company is best at doing. They may then look at how they can expand on their strengths and look at what their competitors are doing within the same area. They need to know what makes them special and stand out from the crowd, what makes customers turn first and foremost to them, then look at the options they have at that moment in time to maintain the momentum and the returning business. It is at this point in the planning stage that they may look at perhaps not doing something which may be good for the company at a later date and maybe it is not the right time to make such changes yet. There should be a clear distinction between formulation and implementation. Formulation is in the planning process, implementation is carrying out the plans made using SWOT and PESTEL. Five Forces Analysis is a technique for identifying the forces which affect the level of competition in an industry and scenario planning is a technique that builds various plausible views of possible futures for a business. The five forces framework takes into account the potential entrants to the market (threat of entry), buyers (buying power), suppliers (bargaining power), substitutes (threat of substitutes) all leading toward Competitive Rivalry as outlined below: Porters Five Forces Template from thevirtualconsultancy.com PESTEL, an analytical tool which considers external factors and helps a business think about their impacts, allows us to look at Political, Environmental, Social, Technological, Economic and Legal factors which might affect companies. This is a broader plan than a SWOT analysis which concentrates more on the internal factors of a company, on the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Both SWOT and PESTEL need to be taken into account when considering major changes for any company. Key Characteristics of Strategic Planning Upon consideration of PESTEL and SWOT, a company will be required to look closely at their present work ethics and see where changes are required to help the company improve. Companies also have to limit their weaknesses and see opportunities for the business to thrive for the future. External matters will need to be considered such as recession, the time of year, inclement in weather, looking at the global market, is there a need to outsource certain aspects of the business, will this be cheaper for the company, will it cause more threats? The characteristics of strategic planning are weighing up PESTEL and SWOT matters and forming a plan to overcome or take advantage of the market in which they are in at that specific moment in time. The strategy needs to be frequently reviewed against prevailing external and internal environments. An Intended Strategy is when a company will write down their plan for employees and management to follow, this plan may become a Realised Strategy when this will need to be reformed and another plan made to reach the next level. Sometimes however, these plans are not met and a company will need to sit down with their board of directors and look at an Emergent Strategy, this could be down to major changes within their market, inclement in weather for some companies or many other factors but companies are still required to find a way out of their Unrealised Strategy and to move on from that with another Intended Strategy. Planning is a huge factor in Formal Strategic Planning. Evaluations of Formal Strategic Planning In evaluating strategic planning, business intelligence interprets a need to constantly monitor how the strategy and the objectives are being implemented and to note whether or not the company have overcome problems using their plan or not. If they have not, then the way the strategic plan was set out will need to be restructured to combat the problems and redesigned to provide competitive advantage for the organisation. Drago, W., Clements, C. (1999) indicates that leadership qualities of management and staff should be taken into consideration when applying any strategic plan. This article outlines the necessity to draw on the strengths of your staff and their traits to incorporate this into your overall strategic plan helping you to attain the overall outcome required. Advantages/Strengths of Formal Strategic Planning Strategic planning models the future of the company and allows everyone to see that they are working toward the same mission statement or the same goal. It outlines a paradigm showing strengths and a focus on where the company sees its future. It can add stability to the workforce who can see the company making future plans. Failure to make plans could mean a company becoming stuck in the middle if they have not differentiated enough to gain market share. Through planning, it can be said that companies will learn their market better, know their competitors views and decide whether they need to change their product or become more diverse sticking to a related market or taking their products into another dimension. For example, Virgin began in the early eighties with Virgin music, moving onto Virgin Atlantic and now they have broadened to Virgin media and phones. They recognised that they needed to change their market at specific times in order to continue expansion through planning or foreseeing the future of the company thus increasing their market power. In the early days, Virgin music was used to balance cash flows in order to move into the Virgin Atlantic area and spread risks throughout different branches of the same company. Disadvantages/Weaknesses of Formal Strategic Planning It can be said that in todays economic environment that planning is not always effective, as the market is changing constantly, almost on a daily basis making it difficult to plan anything at all. It is difficult to control anything which is out of our own hands as per the external factors mentioned earlier within this report. A business model could be flawed and may not have had enough thought put into in the initial process which could lead to failure for a business. Personnel could change and a company may need to restructure a plan according to a new setup of staff. A number of external or internal factors or changes can make targets unobtainable. When plans change, and an emergent approach is required to combat weakness in the formal planning, it can reflect that management arent focused totally on the initial goal with a willingness to compromise which could prove time consuming and inefficient due to its flexibility. Mintzberg (1994) states that strategic planning often spoils strategic thinking, causing managers to confuse real vision with the manipulation of numbers, this reflects upon the fact that managers can lose sight of reality and instead remain focused on the strategic plan instead of their vision and may not have a desire to change. Uncertain Dynamic Environment It is indicated in a journal written by Pateli, A.G., Giaglis, G.M. (2005) that researchers are linking performances between business models and strategic planning to take into account strategy, industry and resource based effects outlining that companies are required to look at the broader spectrum and link outside influences with their internal influences. The strategy influence indicates considering such matters as where a company is within their market area, should they expand, should they outsource, are their staff equipped to deal with change, is training required, the need to focus on goals and realise if their potential could be realised or perhaps moving towards a different area entirely for the moment in order to survive as a business. The industry influence will concentrate more on the internal market, looking directly at competition and forward planning, find out if they are equipped to cope with such changes and if not, what steps are required to be taken in order to stay ahead of the game. Johnson G et al (2008) indicates that knowledge complexity of an industry or organisational complexity with larger companies (perhaps local governments with various sectors) makes it difficult to plan anything strategically within the global recession. Managers need to be aware of constant environmental scanning and know what is going on around them in order to know the future direction they face. Using emergent strategies may work best for companies. In this environment, companies will be aware of the constant forces of change outwith their control and realise ways in which to overcome these. Political issues are constantly changing too and at present we face the possible emergence of an Independent Scotland. Although it is said that Scottish people will have more say over ones government and more political freedom, they also face greater economic risks, less security and more differences with England and possible further insecurities with the Euro. Obviously for individual companie s, this could be a time of considerable change and a need to be equipped to face both outcomes. Businesses will need to look closely at both scenarios and have emergent strategies to deal with problems they may face. Challenges of Uncertain Dynamic Environment Within our Uncertain Dynamic Environment, despite the potential advantages of formal strategic planning approaches, it can be of limited benefit to organisations. In a highly volatile global economy, there is a need to act quickly and effectively to change and uncertainty. Contribution/Roles of Formal Strategic Planning in Uncertain Dynamic Environment The role of formal strategic planning comes under scrutiny in an uncertain dynamic environment as it can be shown to have some sort of effect if a company has proven effective in its ability to foresee external †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Scenarios are visions of the future, a look at what may happen. Conclusion Is planning worth it? Planning is not necessarily strategic thinking. Thinking is intuitive and entrepreneurial based on ideas and a foresight for something a person or a company might want in the future. This is based on questions of what if? and complex thinking. Planning is bureaucratic and can mean that management are overly complicated which can result in faulty decisions. A plan created by a bureaucracy could be overburdened by needless steps and obstructions that would hinder actually getting the task completed in a timely and efficient manner. Bureaucracy is often taken to mean inefficiency and absence of practical considerations. Orders made by people that do not have to follow those orders and really do not understand (or possibly even care) what their orders actually require. However, a certain amount of planning within any business or life decision has to be made to a certain degree with a view to being totally versatile in order to make major changes as and when required to move to the next level. Strategic planning is not easy and has challenges, but the hurdles could be worth overcoming.

Controversial Issues In The Industry Fashion Essay

Controversial Issues In The Industry Fashion Essay Fashion industry is always the topic that draws attention of every people of us at anywhere and anytime. Everyone becomes so familiar with fashion that he or she thinks that fashion is just simply a fashionable and sophisticated style. However, life in a modern community is far more controlled by fashion industry than many people realize; it affects not only clothing, but almost every aspects of our daily life. When many people think of the fashion industry, they often think of the association of four main areas such as: retail, manufacture, design and advertising. They are the four areas that cause not a little damage on our society and environment. Personally, I used to have a very simple and common conception about fashion industry that is merely clothing sales. However, after reading the newspapers and investigating thoroughly about the fashion industry, I was completely taken aback by the opposite sides of it in Australia and other countries. As a result, I came to focus on the effects of fashion industry on society and our environment. I determined my three objectives: How does fashion industry influence on teenagers body image? What are the facts about sweatshops behind the leading designer labels and are sweatshops exploiting or helping outworkers? Is the trend of the fur fashion industry in Australia and other countries ethical or not? (226 words) Section B: ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS I. Objective 1: To find out how fashion industry influences young women body image In fact, fashion industry is such a negative exertion on teenagers standard of beauty that it is now becoming an unsolved dilemma for our society. Sarah Murdoch, the representative of Bonds underwear, is of the opinion that fashion industry encourages unhealthy body images (Dunkerley, 2008) that is thought to be impractical and unhealthy for most women and girls. The fact that most designers prefer to choose thin models than big size ones (Bolger, 2007) shows us an astonishing phenomena that there are a lot of clothes from size 0 to size 4 displayed not only in the fashion shows but also on the sale markets because they think that there will be stigma attached when doing something for plus-size people (Stevens, 2010). Naomi Crafti representing for Eating Disorder Victoria thinks that teenagers are becoming obsessed with the very skinny models on the catwalk in the fashion shows (Stevens, 2010) which gradually leads to the issues relating to eating disorders, mental health and the impact of negative body image on young people (Stevens, 2010). Moreover, the figures of the News Editor show us a startling 75000 cases of 15-35 year-old British women suffering from eating disorder due to being sick of looking like cat models (Cooke 2000, pp 3). It is the evidence that append the controversy over the use of extremely thin models in fashion industry because it reduces the self-esteem of those who do not have ideal bodies and makes them besotted to strive to look exactly like catwalk models. The only way for them to do that is becoming anorexia that will certainly cause suffer drastic weight loss and premature ageing (Cooke 2000, pp. 3). As a result, The Federal Government has supported for the voluntary development of new code of body image from the fashion industry to curtail the situations of teenagers suffering from body image pressures immediately (Kennedy, 2010). Otherwise, there will be widespread unhealthy body images of teens with jutting bones and no breasts of hips in order to fit in dolls clothes in our society seriously (The Sunday Telegraph, 2009). Clearly, the growing obsession with being thin like catwalk is highlighting the risk of young women health and the rise in serious eating disorders. (370 words) II. Objective 2: To discover the facts about sweatshops behind the designer labels and whether they are exploiting workers or not. Fashion industry is thought to abuse workers. Workers in sweatshops have to work frantically in unacceptable working conditions, poor salaries and inhumane treatment. In Australia and other countries, it is reported that the use of outworkers by fashion industry in order to get more profit from cheap labours has been increasing significantly (Sheppard, pp. 20). Through the investigation of the Sunday Telegraph into Sydneys Sweatshop (The Sunday Telegraph, 2009), many uncomfortable facts are clearly discovered that behind some leading designer labels are the sweat and blood of poor workers. Nicola Finetti, Natashan Gan and Ginger Smart are the labels containing 30% Chinese and 70% Vietnamese outworkers who are usually paid between $10 and $35 when completing an article of clothing which will later sold in stores for at least 10 times the price (The Sunday Telegraph, 2009). Yet, workers interviewed for researches indicated that conditions had worsened worse in the past few years. A shortage of work all over the world has left them to have no other choices but to continue the job with poor conditions. One group working in the finishing department of Venus Knitwear in the research of Working Women organisation said they had to work long hours from 7 am until 11 pm (Oxfam 2003) and were even also threatened to be sacked if they refused to do overtime. In addition, many workers have to suffer health issues and may be dismissed for taking time off to see doctors or to recover from sickness. An interviewed worker was said to be deducted two days pay because of being absent one day to go to the doctor (Oxfam 2003). Some also reveals that they had to work in dim light and in condition with no proper ventilation system which had caused headaches, eyes, asthma and respiratory problems (Oxfam 2003). Finally, it is an urgent need that sweat-free labels must be highly appreciated by the manufacturers and consumers in order to create a fair work fair pay environment and to stop exploiting workers rather than practicing fashion industry motto: Winning Profits, Losing Rights (Oxfam 2004, pp. 28). (349 words) III. Objective 3: To consider the trend of the fur fashion industry in Australia and other countries and to see whether it is ethical or not. Fashion industry with talented designers has provided sale markets and consumers with a diversity of fashionable styles to meet the high requirements of our modern life. Furry fashion is now one of the styles coming back with more appealing appearance because of the popular use of real fur (Pepper 2010). Basically, the fur fashion trend was emerged at the Millenniums catwalk showed in Paris with the muttering that fur was definitely back in designers repertories (Cooke 2000, pp.13). Developments in fake fur technology (Cooke 2000, pp. 13) are thought to be partly a possible reason for the return of real fur. Perth label Harmony Lawson which produces garments made only of real fur said that her collections with rabbit and racoon fur have been proved to catch on most women and men and made the markets to desire it crazily (Pepper 2010). In the French designers fall 2008 collection, the models were all covered with wild furs which is embedded with tails, ears, noses and even teeth (ABC, 2008). Also, the fact that racoon, rabbit and fox fur were found in the winter collections of 4 Australian designers last year adds to the controversy about the increasing use of fur in fashion (CCF, 2010). However, a lot of people think that fur fashion trend stinks. It is no longer tolerable when designers have turned back in using real fur for their collections. ADI Chief Executive Creamer said that fashion industry has determined to close their eyes and hearts to the truth about fur production (CCF, 2010). The facts about ripped skin from rabbits bodies and fur taken off from possum, fox, mink, karakul (CCF, 2010) are believed to be inhumane and make those who support for choose cruelty free feel disgusted. Therefore, a lot of campaigns have shown their strong objection to fur fashion industry. Typical example is the top models got naked to encourage the anti-fur campaigns in fashion industry because the unnecessary killing those beautiful animals for coats are cruel and terrible (Cooke 2000, pp. 13). Giving publicity to outrageous collections will make them more successful but fashion industry is hoped to stop all the suffering of millions of animals as soon as possible (Cooke 2000, pp. 13). (371 words)

Hustler v. Falwell :: essays research papers

Hustler v. Falwell   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hustler Magazine versus Jerry Falwell was a case that involved many key elements. First of all it was a case that examined if a public figure such as Jerry Falwell could collect for emotional damages sustained to him by a parody that was published in an issue of Hustler Magazine. Secondly, did Hustler invade Falwell’s privacy by publishing the contents of the parody? The most important aspect of the case, that was under review, was if Hustler was in accordance with their First Amendment Rights, of freedom of speech, by publishing the parody.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The parody in question was published in an issue of Hustler in a faux advertisement for Campari Liqueur. In the advertisement entitled, â€Å"Jerry Falwell tells about his first time,† Falwell is portrayed as giving an interview. In the fake interview Falwell talks about his first sexual experience, which was with his mother, and describes how he was drunk and the experience took place in an outhouse. The interview also tells how Falwell doesn’t go out in front of the pulpit unless he’s â€Å"sloshed.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The district Court found Hustler Magazine liable for Falwell’s emotional distress and granted him 100,000 dollars in damages. However, the court did rule in favor of Hustler in that they did not invade Falwell's privacy since he was a public figure. They also ruled against Falwell’s libel claim, stating that Hustler did not publish anything that a reasonable person would misinterpret as the facts.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The big argument in the case, when it was introduced to the Supreme Court, was if the District Court had deprived Hustler Magazine of their First Amendment rights. Since Hustler was a magazine of nationwide circulation and since Falwell is a national figure Hustler argued that the parody was in no way wrong since any reasonable person would identify it as humor rather than facts. The Court agreed and it found that Falwell should not be rewarded any damages.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Chief Justice Rehnquist presided over the case. In his statement of opinion Rehnquist acknowledged that the article wasn’t of the best taste. He also acknowledged that there isn‘t really a good way to distinguish between cases of this nature. His argument of this was since all jurors have different views and opinions that verdicts in cases such as this would be of opinion rather than clearly defined by the law. He acknowledged that not all speech is protected equally by the First Amendment but this case didn‘t possess such speech.

The Red Room :: English Literature

The Red Room I am writing an essay, based on the story ‘The Red Room’, and will try to explain what makes it such a good mystery story. Some of the main reasons for why it’s a great story include the vocabulary and words the author has used and the setting that the story is created in. The author uses gothic language, giving the story more suspense; he also sets the story in a haunted setting which builds up tension. The story was written by HG Wells, between the turn of the 20th century. HG Wells was an English author and a political philosopher; he was most famous for his science fiction romances. Wells gets across his ideas of the red room in many ways throughout the story. ‘The Red room’ belongs to the gothic genre. A gothic novel emphasises mystery and horror and it is filled with ghost haunted rooms, just as ‘The Red Room’ does. They also have underground passages, secret stair ways and so on. The genre builds up a mount of tension in the story where the description of the house gives the impression that it is old and abandoned. The old woman says, ‘eight and twenty years you have lived and never seen the likes of this house’. This illustrates that the house must be historic and it could also be decaying. The story of ‘The Red Room’ is written in first person, this suggests that the reader believes it’s from personal experience and knows what they’re feeling. At the beginning of the story, the main character (also the narrator) is open minded and sure of himself. He believes that there are no ghosts. He is very cynical, which is shown when he refuses to believe what the three old pensioners tell him. The anonymous character is referred to as `I’ as we don’t know how these pensioners know him or who he is. This leaves him with no identity, making readers think he’s mysterious. The character says ‘I can assure you said I, that it will take a very tangible ghost to frighten me.’ The author uses very expressive words in his writing and uses the adjective `tangible’; this means you can touch the ghost. You cannot touch ghosts genuinely and this is why the author uses this adjective, because the character believes ghosts are not real. The character feels unsure when the three old pensioners make him feel uncomfortable. He says `the three old pensioners made me feel uncomfortable.' This explains that the character is not made to feel at ease. It also brings out that the old pensioners are quite

The History of Art Essay example -- essays research papers

The History of Art   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When we think of history we don’t often think of art. We don’t realize how the history of art can help us learn more about the people, the cultures, and the belief systems of those who lived hundreds and thousands of years before us. Art has developed, influenced, and contributed starting from the great Stone Age to the present day. Art gives an insight into the changes and evolution that man and culture have gone through to become what is today. Art is culture, art is the essence of the people who make it and the best way to appreciate art is to look at the history of it and it’s evolvement through time.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Great Ages consists of four distinct ages: The Old Stone Age, The New Stone Age, The Bronze Age, and The Iron Age. These four Great Ages is the complete history of art from the beginning to the present day. Each age is named characteristically for the type of material used for that time. Stone was used in the Old and New Stone age, bronze in the Bronze Age, and iron in the Iron Age.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Great Ages began with The Old Stone Age starting at 100,000 BCE. The people lived in tribes and clans and often moved from place to place, hunting and gathering to live. They believed all life was sacred and all beings were divine, including animals. The tribal teachings taught that man and nature are one. Hunting and gathering was a sacred ritual because they would often believe they were at one with the animal being hunted. Shamens and shamenesses, spiritual healers and seers between the people and spirits of animals, would often lead hunts and call forth the spirit of the animal to which they would ask the animal to offer their life willingly for a successful hunt. An illustration in Art Through The Ages, 1-4, (Hall of the Bulls found in Lasacux, c 15,000-13,000 b.c. Largest bull approx. 11’6† long) a beautiful cave painting of Bulls. It shows how sacred these animals were to the people. The painter took the time not only to paint such a true to nature image but also purposely put it in a remote location hundreds of feet above the entrance. The location of the painting suggest that it was used as a spiritual image that perhaps shamans would use to communicate with the spirit of the animal.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Shamans were necessary to the t... ...ng alongside the edifice and stained glass windows that were mystically illuminated with the sun’s rays. 13-29 (Interior of Ste.-Chapelle), 13-33 (St. Martin, St. Jerome, and St Gregory, c. 1220-1230, from the Porch of the Confessors, Chartres Cathedral France.). The beginning of the Renaissance around 1500 CE is considered the start of the Late Iron Age, which is still on going. The Renaissance was the age of enlightenment the rebirth of learning and culture where men were going beyond their ability, where artists were considered geniuses, and private pleasure became the subject of art. Great artists like Leonardo de Vinci, Raphael, and Titian emerged from the great period of the Renaissance; they were not only geniuses, but also great individual intellects, who defined the greatness of art. Individualism still prevails today and is the very core of modern society. Male-dominated societies still exist, but slowly the demand for equality is changing that. During the Four Great Ages, many things have changed, many things have been lost, but time has not taken a sudden halt, nor the art; people, cultures, and mentalities continue to grow and change, and from growth comes greatness.

Market entries to China for Holden Essay

Executive summary With more and more countries taking part in the international trade, the world’s market is expanding in a rapid pace. How to make use of the enlarging market and remain competitive become urgent for those participants. Market diversification is a good way to take full advantage of the resource and improve the efficiency by enlarging the business scope. In addition, it can also ease the pressure of competition and reduce the cost. The report mainly discuss that Australian Holden may enter Chinese market and chooses Shanghai as the target market. The report firstly analyzes the Australian and Chinese market and briefly introduces Shanghai. Then it presents the market-entry strategies and focuses on comparison on the advantages and disadvantages of Export-based entry and manufacturing-based entry. Through the comparison, the export-based entry is recommended to Holden. Finally, the report analyzes the 4p in marketing, which are price, place, products and promotion. In short, Shanghai is a bid developed country with the encouragement from the government to promote the development of automobile industry. 1.0 Introduction Holden is founded in 1856 with headquarter in Melbourne and it set into the field of automobile manufacturing after the company designed the body of the car for the first time in 1918. Australia-based GM merged with Holden in 1931 to establish GM-Holden Automobile Corporation. Holden’s Vehicle Operations produce 42 models from four vehicle body styles for domestic and export customers. For domestic market, the facility produces the Commodore range of sedans, Sportwagon and Ute together with Caprice long-wheel base luxury vehicles (Rob M 2011). Holden’s Global V6 Engine plant is located in Port Melbourne, Victoria and it gives Holden considerable flexibility in the range of engines it can produce for local and international customers including export customers in South Korea, Thailand and China. Holden is a centre of expertise in design and engineering for GM globally. Holden is one of GM’s nine global design centers responsible for vehicles such as the Holden Commodore and Chevrolet Camaro. Holden is also the centre of expertise for large, rear-wheel drive vehicles in the GM family as well as a major power train engineering centre with expertise in R&D and customer programs in V6 and V8 gasoline, CNG and LPG applications. 2.0 International and domestic marketing environment analysis 2.1 The analysis of Australian and Chinese market The economic crisis has negative effect on the global economy with high unemployment rate. As for Australian automobile industry, both the sales and production decrease. Although there is challenge, opportunity coexists. Holden saw the chance for industrial integration and it is inclined to import components from China and other countries. Hence, Holden is making efforts to enter Chinese market in order to achieve market diversification. The following table format shows the comparative analysis of Chinese and Australian market. From the above chart, it can be seen that China attracts Australia for the following reasons. Firstly, China is the world’s second largest economic entity and it has seen rapid development in recently years. With largest population in the world, China has wide potential in various industries with strong demand and high level of consumption. With the development of economy and high standard of living, people tend to purchase more expensive products as they have strong purchasing power. What’s more, Chinese government has announce some policies to promote its development, such as purchase tax-free for whose emission below 1.6, cash for energy-saving program and presentation of automobile credit. With the price of oil increasing, the compact vehicle has taken up the most of the market share. All those factors have stimulated the development of automobile industry in China (Piercy, N 1982). Compared with Chinese market, Australian automobile industry is more mature. In shor t, China is a place with great potential for automobile market. Shanghai is a global city, with influence in commerce, culture, finance, media, fashion, technology, and transport. Shanghai, the most developed city in China, is a major financial center in the world. With the development of automobile industry in China, the industry also sees rapid booming trend in Shanghai. As one of the earliest cities to carry out Chinese opening policy, Shanghai continues to go out of China, seeking for international level of development. In addition, it is a fairly open city with diverse culture and civilization. Taking consideration above factors, Shanghai will be the target market for Holden. 2.2. Estimated market size and gap analysis in Shanghai Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper by population in the world. With large population living in the city, their demand of automobile is strong, so there is hug amount of potential customers in Shanghai to buy cars. In addition, they also have strong power for purchase taking consideration of the economy in China. Actually, most young people will choose to buy compact and small cars in Shanghai as it is convenient. Automobile industry growth has been primarily driven by rising domestic demand stemming from rising incomes, a growing middle class, and by supportive industry policies from the Chinese government (Piercy, N 1982). However, the whole market is very fragmented and the research and development capacity is weak in China. The Chinese government has implemented a number of tax adjustments and subsidies for automobile purchases. In short, Shanghai has great potential for automobile development with strong demand and high purchase power, while the research and development is relatively weak. Holden can take the advantage to merge into Shanghai and bring about innovation to the whole market. 2.3 Expected sales and market share analysis in China. According to China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), automakers in China sold 18,505,100 new vehicles last year, 2.45% more than 2010, which also creates a historically high. The annual growth rate dropped sharply from the 32.37% seen in 2010. Production rose slight 0.84% to 18,418,900 units. Passenger car sales gained 5.19% on year to 14,472,400, as 14,485,300 units were produced, 4.32% more than 2010. The commercial vehicle market shrank 6.31% to 4,032,700, as production dropped 9.94% to 3,933,600. Shanghai GM sold 1.23 million cars in 2011, up 18.5 percent from a year earlier. The sales in China are expected to see more growth in the future and It is widely believed that China’s automobile market currently has the most growth potential around the world. The sales of automobile in Shanghai always took a large amount in Shanghai, so Holden expect a huge potential for sales in Shanghai. According to a survey, the domestic market of share for automobile industry in China is 29%, which means that the majority of market share is took up by foreign brand. It is great news for Holden that can make use of its great competitiveness to enter in Chinese market, especially Shanghai. 3.0. Market entry strategies Marketing entry means that the government of a nation allows citizen or legal person to enter the market to do business and commercial activities. The system for marketing entry indicates the control and management of the government on the market. The purpose of market entry is to stabilize the source of tax and rationally allocate resources. In addition, the market entry aims to pursue public safety and health and maintain sustainable development. The ultimate goal of marketing entry is to maintain free and equal competition for participants, which means that the global market is unified. However, the marketing entry is a process, different country will have various degree for openness considering their economic development level. When a company has made a decision to enter an overseas market, there are a variety of options open to it (Basche, J.R1971). These options vary with cost, risk and the degree of control. The simplest form of entry strategy is exporting using either a direct or indirect method such as an agent, in the case of the former, or countertrade, in the case of the latter. More complex forms include truly global operations which may involve joint ventures, or export processing zones. Entry strategies: There are a variety of ways in which organizations can enter foreign markets. There are export-based entry, manufacturing-based entry and relationship –based entry. The export-based entry and manufacturing-based entry are compared here. 3.1 The analysis of export-based entry Exporting is the mostly widely accepted and the most mature form of operating in foreign markets. Exporting can be defined as the marketing of products from one country into another, while no direct manufacturing is required in an overseas country and significant investments in marketing are required. This strategy does not need too much detailed information about the market compared with the manufacturing-based entry, but it still need some necessary information about the local market (Cunningham, M 1986). The export-based entry contains many elements, such as indirect export, direct export, establish sales offices in foreign market and licensing. Direct exporting means that the organization uses agents, distributors or oversea subsidiary or through government agency. In most cases, the company exports by means of local agents or distributors as they know more about the local market which is important in conducting the business (Jaffee S 1993). In addition, they have advantage in language and they know how to get local customers. Indirect export means that products are exported through trading companies and some export management companies. The advantage of indirect exporting is that the exporters do not need to know much information about the local market as they can rely on trading companies. Another option for exporter is to sell products directly to foreign end-users and this method does not incur intermediary costs and exported can gain higher profits. The web-based B2C and B2B sales are the most common ways to sell products to end-users. The advantages of exporting are that: Firstly, exporting is very simple and low costs and risk, so it is usually the first forms that companies will choose to get knowledge of the target market. Secondly, as the exporting-based entry is home based, the utilization of domestic plants are increased and costs are decreased at the same time. Thirdly, the method can also help to diversify markets, which reduce the company’s exposure to domestic demand instability. The disadvantage is that: firstly, high transport costs from the exporter to the target market. Secondly, exporting may encounter some trade barriers and problems with agents will also affect the export (Sharma, D 1989). Thirdly, exporters have lower control of the agents, facing the risk of exchange rate fluctuation, and are subjected to custom duties and tax from the target country. Although the export costs are low, the exporter has to pay for know more about the market, increasing sales, distribution networks, and attracting customers. Furthermore, exporters should design their products as per the requirement of target market. 3.2 The analysis of manufacturing-based entry Manufacturing-based entry includes joint venture. Joint venture means alliances where there is equity participation from both the foreign entrant and the local companies. The equity participation indicates that one can have minority of stakes, equal stakes or majority of stakes (Terry J 2006). The advantages of joint venture are: firstly, one can decrease the capital risk. Secondly, exporter can use the target companies’ facilities in manufacturing distribution and sales. Thirdly, the exporter can take advantage the local companies to enter the market and they can contact with local government through local companies. Many companies avoid having joint venture as it is complex in coordinating policies, decisions and execution with a different company. Disadvantages of joint venture are that: a. Different in culture and language with communication problems b. Different in managerial styles c. Different in the motivation behind participation. d. Selection of the right partners. Other than above problems, there are also risks in entering in joint venture as the complication at the time of exit, when a foreign entrant decides to leave the market and the joint venture should also have an exit strategy (Yip, G 1982). Another is the company’s intellectual property, which is more difficult to control the access to the technology. Furthermore, if the IP is stolen by local partner, it will become a big problem to deal with. 4.0. Recommendation on how to enter Chinese market 4.1 Market entry strategy choice An organization wishing to enter other market faces three major issues: a. Marketing – which countries, which segments, how to manage and implement marketing effort, how to enter – with intermediaries or directly, with what information. b. Sourcing – whether to obtain products, make or buy? (Keegan, W1989) c. Investment and control – joint venture, global partner, acquisition. Decisions in the marketing area focus on the value chain. The strategy or entry alternatives must ensure that the necessary value chain activities are performed and integrated. As for Holden, the export-based strategy is greatly recommended as Firstly, exporting is very simple and low costs and risk, so it is better for Holden to get know more about Chinese market. Secondly, as the exporting-based entry is home based, the utilization of domestic plants are increased and costs are decreased at the same time. Holden has its own manufacturing plants and it can save costs in this way. (Khoromana, A 1991)Thirdly, the method can also help to diversify markets, which reduce the company’s exposure to domestic demand instability. Holden can gradually come to Chinese market after get a better idea of Chinese market and customer’s demand. Another approach is to direct invest in Chinese market. Holden can set up manufacturing facilities as it is capable of putting large amount of capital with management dedication (Korey, G 1986). 4.2 Estimated budget The marketing mix is one of the most famous marketing terms. The marketing mix is the tactical or operational part of a marketing plan. The marketing mix is also called the 4Ps which are price, place, product and promotion. |Price |Price is the amount the consumer must exchange to receive the offering | |Place |Place includes company activities that make the product available to target consumers | |Product |Product means the goods-and-services combination the company offers to the target market. | |Promotion |Promotion includes all of the activities marketers undertake to inform consumers about their products | | |and to encourage potential customers to buy these products. | So the budget includes activities for efforts to make the products available to target consumers, service for the target market and promotion. 4.3 Time frame (2014—2017) for Holden |Price |Making an analysis of prices in Shanghai and setting the price according to the consumption level. | |Place |Target market: Shanghai | |Product |Holden’s compact and small cars. | |Promotion |Making some advertisement for Holden’s cars with the help of local agents or distributors as it use | | |export-based entry methods | As Holden uses the export-based entry methods, most work can be done by local agents or distributors and also the budget also includes the pay for them besides the budget for 4ps. 5.0 Conclusion In the recent years, trading has become more and more popular among countries. Trading activities has become increasingly global in some way due to the need to gather and increase the company’s financial bases. Advancement in technology including communication efficiency and better international relations has contributed to the development of the international trade. However, competition has become a great challenge to the expanding of global business, but most companies are making great efforts to solve the problem. In order to make the good use the situation as the world has become a village and to achieve greater investments and better market opportunities in the international market, it is necessary that primary and secondary market research is done to ensure that information regarding the target markets in countries desired is obtained. To choose the best way for market entry is crucial for a company as it can help the company to diversify market in other countries and help it gain competitiveness in the world with fierce competition. 6.0 Reference 1. Basche, J.R(1971) Export Marketing Services and Costs, New York: The Conference Board , p4. 2. Cunningham, M (1986), Strategies for International Industrial Marketing. In D.W. Turnbull and J.P. Valla (eds.) Croom Helm, p 9. 3. Dan W (2002), Countertrade, Business Credit, P48 4. Jaffee S (1993), Exporting High Value Food Commodities, World Bank Discussion Paper, p 198 5. Keegan, W(1989), Global Marketing Management, Prentice Hall International Editions, P23-40 6. Khoromana, A(1991), The Experience and Problems in Exporting Spices, In S. Carter (ed.) Export Procedures Network and Centre for Agricultural Marketing Training in Eastern and Southern Africa, P45-60 7. Khoury, S(1986), Countertrade: Forms, Motives, Pitfalls and Negotiation Requisites, Journal of Business Research, p 257-270. 8. Korey, G (1986) Multilateral Perspectives in International Marketing Dynamics, European Journal of Marketing, p 34-42. 9. Pavord and Bogart (1991), The Export Marketing Decision S.A. Hara in S. Carter (Ed) â€Å"Export Procedures, Network and Centre for Agricultural Marketing Training in Eastern and Southern Africa P102-120. 10. Piercy, N (1982), Company Internationalisation: Active and Reactive Exporting, European Journal of Marketing, p 26-40. 11. Rob M (2011), Larger Holden Barina a more credible car, Dominion Post, P3 Russow, L (1996), Market diversification: Going international, Review of Business, P32 12. Sharma, D(1989) Overseas Market Entry Strategy, Journal of Global Marketing, P89-110 13. Terry J (2006) Hispanic-Market Entry Strategies, ABA Bank Marketing, P18 14. Yip, G(1982), Gateways to Entry, Harvard Business Review, P85-91

Strategy Formulation

Yeo’s compete directly with one another at what is called the business level of strategic management. Competitors may be individual business units of a larger corporation or they may be stand- alone businesses. Because competition takes place at the business level, strategic management here is crucial to the overall success for Yeo’s . Accordingly, the concept of competitive advantage is both the focus of the three subsequent on strategy formulation. There is three parts that reflect the three major considerations in formulating a business- level strategy.The first part is to discuss alternative competitive advantages (Overall cost leadership, differentiation and focus group) and the strength and limitation of each. Yeo’s company has competitive advantage whenever it can attract customers and defend against competitive force better than its rivals. Successful competitive strategies usually involve building uniquely strong or distinctive edge over rivals. Some exa mple of distinctive competencies are superior technology and product features, better manufacturing technology and skills, superior sales and distribution capabilities and better customer service and convenience.Competitive strategy is about being different. It means deliberately choosing to perform activities differently or to perform different activities than rivals to deliver an unique mix of value. (Michael E. Porter). The essence of strategy lies in creating tomorrow competitive advantages faster than competitor mimic the one you possess today. (Gary Hamel & C. K. Prahalad). Overall cost leadership strategy The classic cost leadership strategy involves offering a no-frills product aimed at the most typical customer in a large target market.Anything to do with cost which related to money example raw material is cheap, workers salary is low facilities that Yeo’s can bite with the competitor. Because cost can usually be lowered as a product become more standardized, low-cos t manufacturing strive for long production runs and low- cost uniform packages. By targeting broadly defined markets with standard products, production technique can be used to create the greatest possible benefits from economies of scale and experience curve effect. Such as price sensitive customer do not mind about the price but customer care about the taste and uality like Maggie and Kraft. In this case Yeo’s should apply leadership strategy low- cost producers are protected from customer pressure to lower prices. Competitors cannot consistently price below what is known as their survival price, that which allow profit margins just adequate to maintain a business. The low- cost leader has a lower survival price than other competitor does, so customer will not be able to play one competing supplier against another to force prices below a level at which the cost leader can still make profit.Yeo’s would force less efficient suppliers out business, leaving the low-cost supplier with a monopoly. New entrants competing on the basic of price must face the low-cost leader without having the experience necessary to become efficient. Yeo’s company cumulative volume of production increase and the company gains experience in providing a particular good or service, production costs tend to decrease the experience curve effect. To the extent that experience affects costs in a particular industry, the low-cost leader is likely to have already moved far down its experience curve.New entrants lacking this experience will not enjoy a comparable cost reduction benefit and may be forced to enter market using some of the competitive advantages not related to low pricing. Holding the low-cost position may convince rivals not to enter a price war. Price wars can be ruinous to all competitor involved. Customer do not mind of the price whether is cheap or expensive, they only care about good quality and good taste which they trust on Yeo’s product. Diffe rentiation Differentiation strategies can help the company to differentiation their products offering by customizing product to suit consumer specific requirements.Appealing to broad cross- section of the market through offering differentiating features that make customer willing to pay premium price. Example quality, prestige, special features, service and convenience. Success with this type of strategy requires differentiation features that are hard or expensive for competitor to duplicate. Sustainable differentiation usually comes from advantages in core competencies, unique company resources or capabilities and superior management of value chain activities. Some condition that tend to favor differentiation strategies by Yeo’s company: * There are multiple ways to differentiate the product and ervice that buyers think have substantial value. * Buyers have different need or uses of the product and service * Product innovations and technological change are rapid and competit ion emphases the latest product features. Corporate Level Strategy In this aspect of strategy, we are concerned with broad decision about the total organization scope and direction. Basically, we consider what changes should be made in growth objective and strategy for achieving it, the lines of business we are in, and how these lines of business fit together.It is useful to think of three components of corporate strategy a) growth strategy b) portfolio strategy and c) parenting strategy. Growth strategy All growth strategies can be classified into one of two fundamental categories: concentration within existing industries or diversification into other line of business. When Yeo’s company current industries are attractive, have a good growth potential and do not face with serious threats, concentrating resources in the existing industries make good sense.Diversification tends to have a greater risk but is an appropriate option when a company current industries have little gro wth potential or are unattractive in other way. When an industry consolidates and becomes mature, unless there are other markets to seek, a company may have no choice for growth but diversification. Portfolio Analysis The experience curve is based on the concept that costs are a direct function of accumulated market share. Market share equates to profitability and cash flow.Market share equates to profitability and cash flow. Yeo’s company that successful in sub business unit and product lines will generate large cash flow as the sub business or products move toward maturity as contrasted to large cash requirement of sub business units and product lines in Yeo’s growth and development stages. As sub business units and products lines decline, cash flow will diminish and fade away. Effective utilization of cash flows and the nurturing of the most productive units requires management constant surveillance.The diversified company with multiple product lines has the opportu nity to balance cash flows and channel investment into the most promising areas of its portfolio. Diversified portfolio enables a company to control its internal allocation of resources. The ability to utilize tax losses from one units as an offset against a profitable one is an important advantages. Investing funds from a profitable maturing unit and product into the growing and cash- demanding part of Yeo’s, which show a tax loss, effectively lower the cost of the capital and provides an avenue for future growth through internally generated funds.The basis for portfolio analysis and the channeling of available investment funds into the most promising and productive units of the firms is based on the structure and philosophy of management. Its approach to control sub business unit and product lines, its attitude toward risk and growth and its interpretation of its life- cycle position are factors which have an impact on the effective use of portfolio management.Yeo’s which structure its diversified units into separate independent profit center entities with each area depending on its own resource may factors out the flexibility and advantages inherent in its diversification. Concentration on short-run profit and ignoring the potential growth sectors of the portfolio because of the initial lack of cash flow and profitability can lead to cash-draining in the defensive stage of the company Yeo’s life cycle and eventual movement into the decline. International strategy Mergers The threat of takeover was management of companies targeted for acquisition.The threat of takeover was more likely for companies which had low price and earnings ratios. The relatively low prices of the stock of Yeo’s company in relation to earning was attractive to aggressive expanding enterprises, particular the conglomerates. These predicated Yeo’s growth mainly on effecting financial synergy by trading the stock, which had high multiple of price to ear nings, for the stock of Yeo’s company with significantly lower price. Many effective strategies were developed by vulnerable companies to prevent unwanted takeover.Compatible mergers in such instances may provide an increase in the economies of scale and an increase in market share for the combined unit without the fear of cutthroat competition. The nature of the industry is an important factor determining the likelihood of acquisition and mergers. The mature industries which are generally dominated by large companies are less likely to have industry acquisitions and mergers. The new industries, which still lack dominant size in individual companies and are technologically oriented and most likely to have industry acquisitions and mergers.

Save-A-Lot Case Analysis

In 1977, Bill Moran, was the Vice President of Sales for a food wholesaler in St. Louis. After recognizing how the weak economy had affected his customers during the most competitive time, Bill Moran decided to become a hero. He invested his times and finally developed a retail strategy that would generate an extreme value for his customers by providing limited assortments of SKUs of the most popular items and not every brands out there in the larger traditional supermarket chains.. By doing this over the years, Save-A-Lot has expanded to over 1,300 stores across the United States and are continuing to grow. Save-A-Lot is operates in a foodservice industry that serves as retailers within a niche marketing segmentation. Save-A-Lot target market consists mainly of value seeking and convenience oriented psychographic segment. These consumers usually seek quality products at lower prices. They want valuable low prices like Costco but without the bulk, and a convenience of a mama and papa stores but much bigger, meaning that it is small enough and convenience enough that consumers don’t need to park and walk as far. For this mean, Save-A-Lot’s retailing concept meets the shoppers’ needs and expectation with smaller grocery stores. Within a year, through word-of-mouth advertising, Save-A-Lot spread to 29 locations. — (Save-A-Lot ) The constraints of Save-A-Lot in the foodservice industry comparing to its competitive retailer is that they lack the wide assortment of products to choose from. Another is the friendly customer services that helped customers around the stores or bagged the things the buy. The necessary cut-back is because they aim to offer values to their customers by saving them 40 percent from traditional grocery shopping. Save-A-Lots’ consumers may choose to go elsewhere, but they most likely not find a better saving as they will with Save-A-Lot. Save-A-Lot Food Stores, the nation's leading extreme value, edited assortment grocery chain and the nation's fifth largest grocery banner, operates more than 1,150 value-oriented stores in all types of neighborhoods: urban, rural and suburban, and delivers up to 40 percent of savings compared to conventional grocery stores†Ã¢â‚¬â€(Fintland ) The issue here as mentioned before, they stock much less inventories than other retailers. Comparing to other traditional supermarket chain stores stock approximately 30,000 SKUs vs. Save-A-Lot inventory of only 1,250 SKUs. As a part of the retail format, they carry less items with the same or similar high quality but at a more affordable price. The stocking and pricing are just some of the many things in their retailing format strategy. Aside from that, their main focus is affordability, not some pretty organizing shelves that is why their inventory remains in cardboard boxes that are cut off and stacked onto the shelves. Due to not having to sort-out the inventory, Save-A-Lot are able to cut-back on shelves costs, and creating a relationship with their vendors. With the vendor relation , Save-A-Lot benefits from low prices in returns for free advertisement and shelves spaces. Save-A-Lot does in fact saves a lot since they don’t have the typical numbers of employees compared to traditional stores. Customers pay to bag their own items, or they can just carry out their items with empty cardboard boxes laying around. The last biggest factor that contributes to Save-A-Lot profitability is the location. With their tightly controlled operation expenses, they are able to find inexpensive property to open business.

Roman Architecture from a Typological Standpoint

History and Theory of Architecture and Design Discuss Roman architecture from a typological point of view by emphasizing:The displacement from preexistent to freshly developed typologiesThe accomplishment gained in building techniques wherever applicableSee at least two different types. List of Illustrations 1. Rome, Forum Romanum: program Steve Watson, 1996,The Roman Forum[ online ] . Available from stevewatson.info/Rome/Italy/diary.html. Accessed 14ThursdayApril 2014 2. Athinais, Stoa Basileios: digital Reconstruction of the edifice Kronostaf [ online ] . Available from www.kronostaf.com/nr/images/d/d3/Stoa-Basileios.jpg. Accessed 14ThursdayApril 2014 3. Rome, Basilica Aemilia: program Vitruvius – De Architectura Libri X [ on-line ] . Available from www.vitruvius.be/aemilia.htm. Accessed 14ThursdayApril 2014 4. Rome, Arch of Augustus: a possible Reconstruction of the lift American Journal of Archeology [ online ] . Available from www.ajaonline.org/article/90. Accessed 14ThursdayApril 2014 5. Rome, Pantheon: program ( above ) and subdivision ( below ) My archicad [ online ] . Available from myarchicad.free.fr/Etudes/Pantheon % 20Rome/Pantheo % Rome01.htm. Accessed 14ThursdayApril 2014 6. Rome, Pantheon: the dome Travel there guide [ online ] . Available from www.gothereguide.com/pantheon+rome-place. Accessed 14ThursdayApril 2014 It is hard, without any uncertainty, to discourse about what can be defined as Roman architecture. Roman civilisation covered a immense clip span that began with the foundation of theUrbs( as Rome was called by Latin authors and philosophers ) , traditionally dated to 753 BC, and collapsed with the autumn of the Western Roman Empire, in 476 AD. Therefore, it is deducible that all the populations it got in touch with over the centuries influenced its civilization. Unlike Grecian architecture, merchandise of a self-assured civilisation that was able to keep an unbelievable integrity of artistic intent and that is still recognizable today as belonging to the Grecian civilization ( Ward-Perkins 1912 ) , Roman art and architecture â€Å"Were born and took form in a universe that was already dominated both by the substance and by the thought of Grecian accomplishment, foremost through the Grecian settlements in the West, at 2nd manus through Etruria.† ( Ward-Perkins, 1912, p.9 ) As the consequence of the lucifer of these influences, it could be debatable to understand when it is appropriated to speak about Roman architecture as a definable architectural manner. Harmonizing to Sear ( 1982, p.28 ) , â€Å"It is when all the outside influences had been forged together and assimilated, when techniques and decorations were so to the full understood that they could be used with assurance to make something fresh and original. This procedure of hammering a new manner began under Augustus.† In this essay the displacement from the pre-existing to the freshly developed typologies and the proficient inventions produced by Romans will be analyzed by concentrating on the relationship between the Roman and earlier architectures. In order to discourse this alteration, four typologies, all belonging to the Augustan or subsequently periods, will be taken in consideration. In the first paragraph the writer will reason about the connexion between the Greek agora and the Roman forum. The 2nd typology will concern the beginnings and the chief characteristics of the Roman basilica. The 3rd typology discussed will see the honorific edifice. Finally, the writer will exemplify the typology of the spiritual edifices, concentrating on Roman temples and the Pantheon in peculiar. As antecedently said, it is merely with the beginning of the Augustan epoch that a proper Roman architecture developed. This happened when the Foster boy of Julius Caesar, Augustus, started a redevelopment undertaking of his new born empire’s capital metropolis. Like Suetonius ( 1977 ) studies, â€Å"He found Rome a metropolis of bricks and left it a metropolis of marble.† , and he did it harmonizing to his personal gustatory sensation and involvements. In fact, it has to be considered that a crowned head is by definition the â€Å"architect† of his land. Furthermore, the rise of the Empire is a minute of primary importance for the Roman history. Since that, the Romans of the Republic have ever avoided to allow a individual single keeping absolute power. From this position the slaying of Julius Caesar could hold been justified by the senator’s will of continuing the unity of the Republic. In 27 BC, upon the assignment of the first Roman emperor, all the po wers were put in the custodies of one, legalizing him to became non merely the swayer of the Roman properties but even a kind of God ; to boot, Rome was per excellence the symbol of the emperor’s power. For all these grounds it was inevitable that Augustus likings were a major factor in determining a public gustatory sensation ( Ward-Perkins, 1912 ) . One of the most representative plants in this sense is the continuance of the Forum Romanum, originally begun by Augustus’s male parent Julius Caesar. When believing about the Forum, it is ineluctable to seek to happen a possible connexion with the Greek agora, the public infinite built by the Athenians. The Grecian agora was the topographic point where administrative, politic, legal, commercial and moreover activities occurred and the stoa or colonnade porch was likely the most of import edifice standing in the square: it is defined by Watkin ( 1986, p.49 ) as a â€Å"Covered meeting-place for a broad scope of activities.† However, it has been argued ( Pergolis, cited by Carlos Zeballos ) that the purpose of the agora was to give the citizen uneasiness ; on the other manus the Roman forum’s intent was to do him cognizant of the State. The purpose of the Forum Romanum was to remind the Romans of the award of the old Republic, and the victory of the new leader, Augustus. This aspiration is proved by the plants he started since the early old ages of his reign in this location. Once the redevelopment undertaking ended, the forum consisted in two long basilicas ( Aemilia and Julia ) , three temples, two of them started by Julius Caesar ( temple of Concord and temple of Castor ) , and a new last one, dedicated to the Divus Julius, Augustus former male parent. The temple of Divus Julius was flanked by a monumental building, the Arch of Augustus. All of these architectural buildings played a cardinal function in the Roman history. The Roman basilica is one of the most representative typology of edifices in the Roman architecture. It operated as a meeting-place for the citizens, an exchange for merchandisers and even as a tribunal of justness. In this sense, it has been argued ( Purdue University ) that the design hailed from an Hellenic Hellenic edifice called Stoa Basileios ( Grecian: I I ¬ ) , located in the Athenian agora. In this peculiar instance, the interlingual rendition of the term Basileios is Royal: it was in fact identified as the place of the Archon Basileus, one of the nine head magistrates in antediluvian Athens, whose responsibilities were spiritual and juridical. It appeared to be a rectangular edifice with eight Doric columns along the facade and four interior ( Foundation of the Hellenic World, 2006 ) , a form that good reminds of the basilica. A last grounds of the Greek beginning of the Roman basilica is the spelling of the word basilica itself that, as Welsh stated, came from the Grecia n term â€Å"basilike† , which means â€Å"kingly† . The basilica normally had a rectangular program and it was usually timber-roofed. It besides could hold a rectangular tribune, a individual or two apsiss and an interior colonnade that divided the infinite. The city manager entryway could hold been on either the transverse or the longitudinal axes ( MacDonald, 1986 ) . An illustration of this typology could be given by The Basilica Aemilia. It was one of theearliest basilicas: the first building is dated from 179 BC and it is stated that it has had a two-storied colonnaded facade of 16 bays as a stoa. On the interior, it was located an enclosed hall, where the magistrate could pattern his work. The basilica was wholly rebuilt by Augustus. The Imperial basilica was divided in three parts: the porch, the hall and the †tabaerne† , six square room that were likely used as offices. This porch was absolutely similar to the 1 of the basilica Julia: it consisted in two floors supported by marble’s pilasters and columns. The land floor facade was divided in 14 arches overcame by a Doric Lodge. The usage of the arch is one of the inventions that distinguish Roman architecture from 1s that came before. Greeks ne'er learned to construct an arched building and used a post-and-bean construction, as they did in their stoa. This technique allowed Romans to construct larger suites: â€Å"Arches couldredirecta edifice ‘s weight over long distances to thick stations, leting for huge, comparativelyunobstructedsuites† ( essential-humanities ) . In this instance, because of the singular size of the room, it was necessary to present some metal ironss to reenforce the construction. From the porch, the visitant entered in a secondary room that worked as passageway to the cardinal hall. It consisted in three naves separated by columns ; the side’s 1s supported a 2nd floor. ( Sear, 1982 ) Traveling on, the 2nd type that will be discussed will be the honorific memorial, concentrating on the best-known 1s, the triumphal arches. Boldwin Smith ( 1956 ) asserts that the beginning of triumphal arches has to be sought in the ceremonials of deification of the sovereign that gave a heavenly content to an arched portal, as it happened during the Hellenistic Epiphany. He even stated that merely the common factors in the history of ceremonials could explicate the manner in which the arched passageway was used to mark the ceremonial of Latin Triumph. It was in fact a Latin version of an Etruscan rite in which the Triumphant One was acclaimed as a God. A monumental arch, despite its monolithic and elemental signifier, is a complicated sort of edifice. In every archway the radiality works in opposing way at the same clip, â€Å"It focuses down and in toward the curve’s unseeable centre point, but at the same clip suggests mutual extension fanning outward and upward†. ( MacDonald, 1986, p.75-76, 1sthappening within the paragraphs ) MacDonald ( 2neodymiumhappening within the same paragraphs ) explains that this implies a tenseness that is regulated and framed either by flanking walls, or monolithic wharfs and by masonry piled up above the arch and its supports: this counterbalance is so increased by adding orders and ornaments. Triumphal arches were built in Rome since the 2nd century BC, nevertheless it was Augustus who set the manner for constructing them all over the Empire ( Watkins ) . Sear ( 1982 ) states that in the Forum Romanum it was erected a triumph Arch known as the Arch of Augustus, rebuilt in the 19 BC perchance with fragments from an earlier one, dated 29 BC. A description is given by MacDonald ( 1986 ) : it was a ternary gateway in which the centre nothingness was arched and set between immense wharfs with a outstanding Attic above ; side gateways were trabeated. The orders stood on a pedestals and base on the same degree. The interior one was overlapped with the wharfs and topped by a Corinthian capital. Wilson Jones ( 2000 ) claims that about two-thirds of all imperial columns were Corinthian. This order in fact suited the emperors for many grounds: it was Augustus pick to advance an Hellenic image of his Rome, eventually capable of fiting Greece culturally. For Augustus ‘ purpose t he Corinthian order was perfect to arouse the yesteryear without falling in a mere transcript of Grecian architecture. Furthermore, the acanthus, the taking subject of the order, was a symbol of sacredness but it was non related to any peculiar deity. This characteristic permitted Augustus to advance his imagine of a God. Political deductions in Roman architecture were involved even in the last type of edifice that will be analyzed, the spiritual 1. Roman temples find their beginnings in both Etruscan architecture and, as the old 1s, Grecian architecture. Early Roman temples were realized in brick and followed Etruscan design by demoing high dais and deeply columned porch. After the 2nd century, Grecian orders begun to be employed in the lift and, like Grecian temples, they were east orientated. However, Roman temples tradition had a facade that was easy recognizable thanks to the monumental steps that leaded to the porch, the lone portion of the edifice in which columns were erected ( Dried-up 1982 ) . Above all the others, The Pantheon is the most known Roman temple and it is considered, together with the Parthenon, the most representative memorial of classical architecture. The first Parthenon, commissioned by Agrippa, Augustus’ general and son-in-law, is dated between 27-25 BC. The purpose was to stand for Augustus’ Imperial program’s chef-d'oeuvre: in fact it has been claimed ( Ancient History Encyclopedia, 2014 ) that it may hold been designed as a topographic point where the emperor could do public visual aspects in order to remind his people of his Godhead position. However, the edifice was likely destroyed by fire and rebuilt by Emperor Domitian. The temple once more was destructed by a lightning bolt. The current Pantheon was built by Adrian on his return trip to Rome as the new emperor in 118 AD. Alongside his designers, he decided to construct the new Temple by utilizing a new design that attempts to unify the Greek’s porch and the Roman rotunda ( Wilson Jones, 2000 ) , a typology that had already been used in earlier Roman temples. It has been argued that Hadrian’s purpose was to plan the Pantheon in order â€Å"to turn out that the Imperial order, with its regulation of jurisprudence and its nucleus for the Republic was portion o f the Godhead order, initiated by it and subsumed to it.† ( McEwan, 1993, cited by Art History Presentation Archive, 2007 ) . The accent of the edifice is wholly focused on the interior infinite. The formal strategy of the inside could look rather simple, a cylindrical membranophone topped by a dome. By contrast, this building shows all the astonishing abilities owned by Roman designers and applied scientists. The construction of the rotunda is composed by eight wharfs which support eight arches, which in bend correspond to the eight bays. From this position, the membranophone could be seen as an arched construction designed to cut down weight and minimise the effects of differential colony. Once once more the prevalent order is the Corinthian: Corinthian columns of giallo antico are free-standing in each bay and stand for a superb device to give graduated table. The dome was the biggest of all time realized until the devising of Santa Maria del Fiore’s one in Firenze by Brunelleschi. In blending the concrete, another of Roman’s most superb inventions, several make fulling stuffs were used and graded in order that the construction resulted lighter at the dome’s top by utilizing pumice. The oculus captivates visitor’s oculus and is the lone beginning of visible radiation in the whole edifice, possibly to mean that in the Temple of all Gods the merely light admitted can come from the celestial spheres above. ( Wilson Jones, 2000 ) . In this essay the writer has illustrated the development of the displacement from the preexistent typologies to the freshly developed 1s, every bit good as the proficient inventions implemented. Furthermore, the Roman emperors ‘ political and personal attack to their architectures has been discussed. Four instances of survey were presented: foremost, a relation between the Greek agora and the Roman forum was demonstrated by demoing similarities in their utilizations but different political purposes ; secondly, the writer illustrated the Roman basilica as a new type of edifice that perchance derived from the Grecian stoa. Traveling on, political deductions and Hellenistic beginnings have been debated and proficient characteristics have been shown by showing the triumphal arch ‘s typology. Finally, the last instance, the spiritual edifice type, has been analyzed by concentrating on the Roman temple with two intents: in the first topographic point to explicate analogies with earlier illustrations and so to depict one of the most important edifice in Roman architecture, the Pantheon. Bibliography Ancient History Encyclopedia ( 2014 )Pantheon[ Online ] . Available from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.ancient.eu.com/Pantheon/ [ Accessed 05 April 2014 ] Art History Presentation Archive ( 2014 )The Pantheon and Hadrian’s Building Program[ Online ] . Available from hypertext transfer protocol: //honorsaharchive.blogspot.co.uk/2007/01/pantheon-and-hadrians-building-program.html [ Accessed 05 April 2014 ] Baldwin Smith, E. ( 1978 )Architectural Symbolism of Imperial Rome and the in-between Ages1stEd. 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Available from hypertext transfer protocol: //penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/I/Gazetteer/Places/Europe/Italy/Lazio/Roma/Rome/Forum_Romanum/_Texts/Huelsen*/2/21.html [ Accessed 05 April 2014 ] Ward Perkins, J.B. ( 1977 )Roman ArchitectureNew York, Harry Adams Incorporated Watkins, D. ( 1986 )A History of Western Architecture3rdEd. London, Lawrence King Publishing Wilson Jones, M. ( 2000 )Principles of Roman ArchitectureSingapore, Yale University Press Zeballos, C. ( 2011 )The Agora of Athens Vs. The Roman Forum[ Online ] . Available from hypertext transfer protocol: //architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/agora-of-athens-vs-roman-forum.html [ Accessed 05 April 2014 ]