A Room with a View: Chapter by Chapter Analysis

A Room with a View: Chapter by Chapter Analysis Opening a Window A Room with a View by E.D. Forster explores the struggle between the expectations of a conventional lady of the British upper class and pursuing the heart. Miss Lucy Honeychurch must choose between class concerns and personal desires. Honeychurch is a respectable young lady from a well-known family. She travels with Miss Charlotte Bartlett to Italy at the turn of the century. In Italy they meet Mr. Emerson and George Emerson. George is young man who falls in love with Lucy. Mr. Emerson is an idealist and a dreamer. Only a couple of days after they get to Italy George kisses Lucy while standing in the middle of a waving field of grass. George does this with out her permission or discussion. Even though this surprises Lucy and backs away she still participates in the kiss that tells the readers that there is something in her heart that drives her toward George. Georges function in A Room with a View is clear: he is a source of passion in a society that is tightly sealed with convention, timidity, and dryness. When Lucy comes home to Britain she is proposed to by Cecil. She accepts the offer because she knows that it is the proper thing to do. Cecil is an intelligent, well-respected man but lacks the passion that George penetrates. When Cecil attempts to kiss Lucy it is very different than George. He first of all asks permission, then Cecil timidly moves in to kiss her, and lastly his glasses fall off. This example shows the difference between Cecil and George and how Cecil lacks the aggression an d desire that George has. Lucy has to make the decision between the mind and the heart. She is torn between Cecils world of books and conformity and Georges world of passion and nature. This decision is not easy for Lucy to make. Lucy came really close to marrying the wrong man due to her lack of thought. She has grown up and lived a life of proper existence. However, Lucy possesses passionate qualities they have just been repressed her entire life. Her only emotion outlet is the piano, in which she prefers dramatic pieces by Beethoven. She plays the piano in order to let out her frustrations brought on by her surrounding characters. Lucy is brought up to be proper and not outgoing or passionate. George will eventually show her how to be passionate and open to new ideas. George is a man that breaks the chains of conformity to free Lucys spirit and he does this efficiency. George kisses Lucy for the second time and he explains that love exists between them. He tells Lucy that she can not marry Cecil because he does not understand women and will never understand Lucy. George also explains that Cecil only thinks that he loves but in actuality only wants her for an ornament. George, on the other hand, wants her as his partner in the great adventure of life. Lucy has lied to herself and to everyone else around her until she is eventually cornered into tearfully admitting her love for George. A Room with a View is a love story about a young proper women who is engaged to a proper man she does not love, and the frantic efforts a another young man to her see what love is and that she loves him. Lucy struggles between what is expected of her and what she really wants. By the end of the novel, George will have offered Lucy a view out of the window of her life. George will have opened a window for her. British social comedy examines a young heroines struggle against straitlaced Victorian attitudes as she rejects the man her family has encouraged her to marry and chooses, instead, a socially unsuitable fellow she met on holiday in Italy. Classic exploration of passion, human nature and social convention. A Room with a View was published in 1908. It was one of Forsters earliest novels, and it has become one of his most famous and popular. E.M. Forster was twenty-nine at the time of publication; two earlier novels, Where Angels Fear to Tread and The Longest Journey, had been poorly received. A Room with a View was blessed with good reviews, but it would not be until 1910 and the publication of Howards End that Forster would have his first major success. The novel deals with a group of British characters in two major settings: Part One and the final chapter are set in Florence, Italy, and Part Two is set mostly in a quiet part of Surrey, England. Forsters characters, like Forster himself at the time of the novels writing, live in the time of the British Empires zenith. With possessions in every part of the globe, the British Empire was as yet untouched by the difficulties of the two world wars. The monarch of England was also the king of Canada and the emperor of India; English citizens enjoyed the fruits of a system of exploitation and oppression that touched the far corners of the world. The remnants of Victorian sensibilities were still very much alive. Prim and proper Brits worried about refinement, the virtue of young girls, and the control of the passions. But it was also a time of change. Women began to clamor more loudly than ever for equal rights. Socialists were challenging old ideas about class and religion, and artists and thinkers began to challenge Victorian attitudes about emotion and sexuality. A Room with a View was one of those challenges. The story of young Lucy Honeychurchs choice between propriety and love, the novel casts Socialists as heroes and prim spinsters as antagonists. Lucys dramatic choice at the end of the novel is not only a victory for passion, but for womans independence. It was common for British citizens, particularly young men and women, to take the grand tour of Italy. The idea was for educated Brits to expose themselves to the work of Renaissance and Roman artists and architects, but like tourists throughout the ages, many travelers only had a superficial experience of Italy. They stayed with other British travelers, looked down on the Italians, and went to museums and ancient churches with their books of art criticism in hand. Forster criticizes this kind of tourist, but with some gentleness and a good deal of humor. A Room with a View is wonderful social commentary, but it is no acrid satire. The novel prefers to laugh lovingly at its subjects, and in the end the good in people matters much more to Forster than their shortcomings. The novel deals with Lucys growth toward self-awareness; by the end, she has learned the importance of expressing passion honestly. At the time, Forster was at the beginning of his first important relationship. A Room with a View is dedicated to H.O.M., Hugh Meredith, Forsters first love and the model for George Emerson. Throughout the novel, Forster speaks with great insight on the subject of repressed passion and the war between desire and societys conventions. His experiences as a gay man at the beginnings of his first relationship undoubtedly had a great influence on the writing of the novel. His lack of sexual experience also explains some of the novels shortcomings; although he writes beautifully about the beginning stages of the courtship between Lucy and George, in the final chapter he seems less certain, less insightful. Still, the book is an accomplished and beautiful love story, full of cutting but ultimately generous insights. And there are unforgettable moments: the firs t kiss between George is Lucy, passionate and unexpected on a hillside covered with violets, is one of the finest kisses in modern literature. Propriety and Passion: The conflict between social convention and passion is a central theme of the novel. Lucys match with George, by social standards, is completely unacceptable. But it is the only match that could make her happy. Her match with Cecil is far more conventional, but marriage to Cecil would destroy Lucys spirit. The Emersons are truly unconventional people. They care almost nothing for propriety. Mr. Emerson, a Socialist, speaks with great feeling about the importance of passion and the beauty of the human body. The British characters of the novel have very strong ideas about the need to repress passion and control young girls. To achieve happiness, Lucy will have to fight these standards, many of which she has internalized, and learn to appreciate her own desires. The beauty of human beings: A Room with a View is social commentary, but Forsters depictions of people are ultimately generous. He gently mocks the Honeychurches for their bourgeois habits, but he does not shy from depicting their strengths. They are loving and sincere, generous with guests and with each other. Cecils greatest fault is that he is entirely too critical of people. He cannot appreciate the good in the simple country gentry with whom Lucy has grown up. Even Charlotte, the prim spinster who is a major obstacle to the love between Lucy George, is allowed to have a moment of grace. In the end, Forster appreciates his characters goodness much more than he mocks their faults. Travel and the idea of Italy: Travel is a powerful force in the novel, and at its best it can be a life-altering experience. The heart of travel is to allow a place to get under ones skin; staying at British pensions and scorning Italian peasants do not the constitute the best experience one can get out of Italy. Italy gives Lucy insights into her life back at Windy Corner. It changes her perspective of herself. Although her experiences there confuse her, in working through the confusion she becomes a self-assured and independent young woman. The beautiful and the delicate: Lucy asks in the first chapter if beauty and delicacy are really synonyms. One of Lucys important lessons is that beauty need not be refined; much is beautiful in the gesture of kindness that oversteps propriety, or the act of passion that ignores convention. Lucy has to learn to see beauty in things that her society scorns or condemns. Womans position and independence: The Emersons are fervent believers in the equality of men and women. Lucy is not a rebel at heart, but she is often frustrated by the limitation put on her sex. Her marriage to Cecil could never be one between equals. Cecil is not so much in love with Lucy as he is in love with some idea of what a woman is supposed to be. He constantly compares her to a work of art, which, although it may be flattering, also objectifies her and ignores that she is a living person. What Lucy needs, although she does not know it, is a relationship between equals. She has no desire to be protected or instructed. Connection between nature and man: One of Mr. Emersons convictions is that man and nature are inextricable from each other, and only the mistakes of civilization separate man from his natural state. Closely connected to the theme of passion and the body, this theme runs throughout the novel. Forster emphasizes it by having the weather often mirror the thoughts of his characters. He also connects George and Lucy to the land at key points. Passion and the body: If nature and man are inextricable from each other, it follows that there should be no shame for the body or passion. Societys conventions try to hide both. The body must be hidden, a thing of which one should feel ashamed; passions must be controlled and regulated by rules tied to class and gender. Lucy has to overcome these conventions if she is to allow herself to love George. The Medieval/the Renaissance/the Classical: Forster uses time periods to represent characters and their attitudes. Uptight Cecil is always associated with the medieval; George is associated with the myths of the classical world. Italy is the land of both the classical Roman world and the Renaissance, and Forster uses these eras as symbols of beauty and passion. Music: Lucys relationship to her music is an important insight into her character. Her playing is an indication that she has untapped reserves of passion; Mr. Beebe remarks that one day Lucy will live as well as she plays. Lucys music also articulates her feelings better than her words can, and after playing she is more certain of what she wants. The Muddle: Forster constantly uses the word muddle to describe Lucys state of mind. The muddle arises when everything that one has been taught suddenly is thrown into doubt. It is one of the marks of growing up. Lucys muddle is frightening and confusing, but in working through it she will become a stronger and wiser person. Class snobbery: Class snobbery is a constant feature of A Room with a View. The Emersons, because they are not refined, are the most frequent victims of this snobbery. Country gentry look down on those who work hard for a living; Cecil looks down on the suburban ways of country gentry. Lucy has to overcome the class bigotry that she has been taught. Short Summary Lucy Honeychurch, a young English woman, is vacationing with her cousin, Charlotte Bartlett, at an Italian pension for British guests. They are vacationing in Italy together, and currently they are in Florence. While bemoaning the poor views outside their windows, Lucy and Charlotte are interrupted by another guest, an old man by the name of Emerson. Mr. Emerson offers them a room swap; he and his son George are both in rooms that offer beautiful views of Florence. Charlotte refuses; for a woman to accept such an offer from a man would make her indebted to him. It would be a serious breach of propriety. But later that evening, after the intercession of another guest, a clergyman named Mr. Beebe, Charlotte accepts the offer. Their stay in Florence continues, and Lucy continues to run into the eccentric Emersons. They are socially unacceptable by the snobbish standards of the other guests, but Lucy likes them. One day, while Lucy is walking alone in Florence, she witnesses a murder. George happens to be there, too, and he catches her when she faints. On the way home, they have a strange, intimate conversation as they walk along the river. But George stirs up feelings in Lucy that she is not ready to face, and she resolves not to see him again. However, later that week, they both end up on a carriage ride into the hills near Florence. The various British travelers disperse and wander around the hills, and Lucy finds herself alone. She stumbles onto an earth terrace covered with violets, and finds herself face-to-face with George. He kisses her, but the kiss is interrupted by Charlotte. The next day, under Charlottes direction, Lucy and Charlotte leave for Rome. Part 2 begins after the passage of several months. We are back at Windy Corner, the Honeychurch home in Surrey, England. In Rome, Lucy spent a good deal of time with a man named Cecil Vyse. The Vyses and the Honeychurches are on friendly terms, but Cecil and Lucy only knew each other superficially before Italy. In Italy, Cecil proposed to Lucy twice. She rejected him both times. As Part 2 begins, Cecil is proposing yet again. This time, she accepts. Now that they are engaged, Cecil and Lucy must spend time with Lucys various neighbors. Cecil, an aristocratic Londoner, despises the ways of the country gentry. He also dislikes Lucys brother, Freddy, and is not overly fond of Lucys mother. But Lucy puts up with it. At Charlottes request, she has never told anyone about her kiss with George. But before too long, the Emersons move into Cissie villa, a home not far from Windy Corner. Lucy is forced to face George Emerson again, but she manages to deal with him at a distance. She continues her engagement to Cecil, even though signs indicate that she is anxious about the marriage on a deep psychological level. To the reader, it is obvious that they are completely unsuitable for each other, but Lucy persists in the engagement. Soon, things come to a head: Charlottes boiler is broken, and she comes to stay as a guest at Windy Corner. And during her stay, Freddy, who has befriended George, invites George to come play tennis. It is all to take place on Sunday, and Lucy is terrified of what might happen. On Sunday, Cecil refuses to play tennis and pesters everyone by reading aloud from a bad British novel. Lucy soon realizes that the novel is written by Miss Lavish, a woman who stayed at their pension in Florence. Cecil reads a particularly humorous passage aloud, but Lucy sees nothing humorous about it: it is a fictional recreation of her kiss with George. The names are different, but the situation is unmistakable. She realizes that Charlotte told Miss Lavish what happened. George is also present for the reading of the passage. On the way back to the house, George catches Lucy alone in the garden and kisses her again. Lucy confronts Charlotte angrily about her indiscretion. She resolves to put George in his place. She has Charlotte sit in the room as support and witness, and she orders George never to return to Windy Corner. George argues with her passionately. He tells her that Cecil is stifling and unsuitable for her; Cecil will never love her enough to want her to be independent. George loves her for who she is. Lucy is shaken by his words, but she stands firm. George leaves, heartbroken. However, later that night, Cecil refuses again to play tennis with Freddy. Something in his refusal makes Lucy see him truthfully for the first time. She breaks off the engagement that very night. But Lucy still cannot admit to anyone, including herself, her feelings for George. Rather than stay at Windy Corner and face George, she resolves to leave for Greece. But one day not long before she is supposed to leave, she goes to church with her mother and Charlotte and meets Mr. Emerson in the ministers study. Mr. Emerson does not know that Lucy has broken off the engagement, but Lucy realizes before long that she cannot lie to the old man. She talks with him, and Mr. Emerson realizes that she has deep feelings for George. He presses the issue, forcing her to confront her own feelings. Finally, she admits that she has been fighting her love for George all along. The novel closes in Florence, where George and Lucy are spending their honeymoon. Not having her mothers consent, Lucy has eloped with George. Things are difficult with her family, but there is hope that it will get better. Whatever happens, George and Lucy have each other, and their life together promises to be full of happiness and love. We open in Florence at the Pension Bertolini, a pension for British travelers. Young Lucy Honeychurch and her cousin, Charlotte Bartlett, are bemoaning the poor rooms that they have been given. They were promised rooms with views. The two women sit at dinner in their pension, along with the other guests. Lucy is disappointed because the pension hostess has turned out to be British, and the dà ©cor of the pension seems lifted right out of a room in London. While Miss Bartlett and Lucy talk, an old man interrupts them to tell them that his room has a nice view. The man is Mr. Emerson; he introduces his son, George Emerson. Mr. Emerson offers Miss Bartlett and Lucy a room swap. The men will take the rooms over the courtyard, and Lucy and Charlotte will take the more pleasant rooms that have views. Miss Bartlett is horrified by the offer, and refuses to accept; she begins to ignore the Emersons and resolves to switch pensions the next day. Just then, Mr. Beebe, a clergyman that Lucy and Charlotte know from England, enters. Lucy is delighted to meet someone she knows, and she shows it; now that Mr. Beebe is here, they must stay at the Pension Bertolini. Lucy has heard in letters from her mother that Mr. Beebe has just accepted a position at the parish of Summer Street, the parish of which Lucy is a member. Mr. Beebe and Lucy have a pleasant talk over dinner, in which he gives Lucy advice about the sites of Florence. This vacation is Lucys first time in Florence. Soon, almost everyone at the table is giving Lucy and Miss. Bartlett advice. The torrent of advice signifies the acceptance of Lucy and Miss Bartlett into the good graces of the pension guests; Lucy notes that the Emersons are outside of this fold. After the meal, some of the guests move to the drawing room. Miss Bartlett discusses the Emersons with Mr. Beebe; Beebe does not have a very high opinion of Mr. Emerson, but he thinks him harmless, and he believes no harm would have come from Miss Bartlett accepting Mr. Emersons offer. Mr. Emerson is a Socialist, a term that is used by Mr. Beebe and Miss Bartlett with clear disapproval. Miss Bartlett continues to ask Mr. Beebe about what she should have done about the offer, and if she should apologize, until Mr. Beebe becomes annoyed and leaves. An old lady approaches the two women and talks with Miss Bartlett about Mr. Emersons offer. Lucy asks if perhaps there was something beautiful about the offer, even if it was not delicate. Miss Bartlett is puzzled by the question; to her, beauty and delicacy are the same thing. Mr. Beebe returns: he has arranged with Mr. Emerson to have the women take the room. Miss Bartlett is not quite sure what to do, but she accepts. She takes the larger room, which was occupied by George, because she does not want Lucy to be indebted to a young man. She bids Lucy goodnight and inspect her new quarters, and she finds a piece of paper pinned to the washstand that has an enormous note of interrogation scrawled on it. Though she feels threatened by it, she saves it for George between two pieces of blotting paper. Analysis Lucy is young and naà ¯ve; she is bright but not brilliant, although she has enough imagination and compassion to begin to look beyond the social conventions of her class and time. Forsters novel is full of insightful social commentary on the stuffiness of British social conventions. Modern readers are often surprised by Miss Bartletts deep anxieties about accepting a room trade with the generous but socially outcast Emersons. Miss Bartlett is acting under social pressures from several different directions. For one thing, Lucys mother has paid for Miss Bartletts travel expenses, and Miss Bartlett therefore feels responsible for guarding Miss Honeychurch from any possible harm. For Miss Bartlett, life is lived in accordance with what are arguably very precious and ridiculous concerns. Nothing is worse than a scene, and she must also guard Lucy from feeling obligation to a young man. Sex is a source of terrible anxiety for the British of this period, and a young womans reputation must be guarded at all costs. Lucy brings up an important theme of the novel when she asks about the delicate and the beautiful. Lucy wonders if delicacy and beauty might be different things, while Charlotte assumes that they are synonymous. As her social world defines beauty and delicacy, the two qualities are one and the same; beauty is found in politeness, in circuitous and subtle conversation, in avoidance of direct confrontation or over-earnest expressions of emotion. There is not beauty, therefore, in Mr. Emersons generous offer of a room trade. But Lucy is more imaginative than her cousin, and she is able to see that there is beauty in Mr. Emersons socially clueless but generous offer. He is completely unaware of the anxiety he is causing Miss Bartlett; either that or his is completely unconcerned about it. The important thing to him is the generosity of his offer. He does not intend to put Lucy or Charlotte under obligation. He sincerely thinks that a room with a view should go to the one who most enjoys the view. Lucy will have to learn to come to her own understanding of beauty. We see more of Lucys sensitivity and naturally sympathetic and sensitive disposition when she realizes that she and Charlotte have been accepted by the other guests of the pension. She sees that Mr. Emerson and George have not been accepted, and this knowledge makes her feel sorry for them. But Lucy is not strong enough yet to affect the world around her. Note that Charlotte handles all the details of the room trade, and Lucy is not yet confident enough to articulate her doubts about the stuffiness and petty concerns of her social world. Italy and travel make another important theme. The heart of this theme is a new places ability to get under the skin of the traveler, transforming her. Though she is not yet fully aware of it, Lucy longs for this kind of experience. She is deeply disappointed by the Pension Bertolini, which to her seems like another piece of England. She wants to go out into Italy and feel it fully, as richly as she can, away from the safety of British dà ©cor and sensibilities. The pension is juxtaposed to the world outside; the inside of the pension is decorated like a room in London. British social conventions are preserved and protected from the foreign country that surrounds the pension on all sides. The pension protects the guests from Italy, and so it prevents the transforming experience that is the best result of travel. Italy is also a direct challenge to the idea of beauty and delicacy being identical. Italys beauty is refined and sophisticated, but there is nothing delicate about its colo ssal Roman ruins, dramatic countryside, or rustic peasants. Lucys longing for a room with a view is a metaphor for her longing to connect with Italy and the new experiences the country offers. Instead of a view of the courtyard, she wants a view of the country. The window opening out into Florence symbolizes Lucys openness to a new world. Chapter Two In Santa Croce with No Baedeker: Summary: Lucy looks out her window onto the beautiful scene of a Florence morning. Miss Bartlett interrupts her reverie and encourages Lucy to begin her day; in the dining room, they argue politely about whether or not Miss Bartlett should accompany Lucy on a bit of sightseeing. Lucy is eager to go but does not wish to tire her cousin, and Miss Bartlett, though tired, does not want Lucy to go alone. A clever lady, whose name is Miss Lavish, intercedes. After some discussion, it is agreed that Miss Lavish and Lucy will go out together to the church of Santa Croce. The two women go out, and have a lively (but not too involved) conversation about politics and people they know in England. Suddenly, they are lost. Lucy tries to consult her Baedeker travel guide, but Miss Lavish will have none of it. She takes the guide book away. In their wanderings, they cross the Square of the Annunziata; the buildings and sculptures are the most beautiful things Lucy has ever seen, but Miss Lavish drags her forward. The women eventually reach Santa Croce, and Miss Lavish spots Mr. Emerson and George. She does not want to run into them, and seems disgusted by the two men. Lucy defends them. As they reach the steps of the church, Miss Lavish sees someone she knows and rushes off. Lucy waits for a while, but then she sees Miss Lavish wander down the street with her friend and Lucy realizes she has been abandoned. Upset, she goes into Santa Croce alone. The church is cold, and without her Baedeker travel guide Lucy feels unable to correctly view the many famous works of art housed there. She sees a child hurt his foot on a tomb sculpture and rushes to help him. She then finds herself side-by-side with Mr. Emerson, who is also helping the child. The childs mother appears and sets the boy on his way. Lucy feels determined to be good to the Emersons despite the disapproval of the other pension guests. But when Mr. Emerson and George invite her to join them in their little tour of the church, she knows that she should be offended by such an invitation. She tries to seem offended, but Mr. Emerson sees immediately that she is trying to behave as she has seen others behave, and tells her so. Strangely, Lucy is not angry about his forwardness but is instead somewhat impressed. She asks to be taken to look at the Giotto frescoes. The trio comes across a tour group, including some tourists from the pension, led by a clergyman named Mr. Eager. Mr. Eager spews commentary on the frescoes, which Mr. Emerson heartily disagrees with; he is skeptical of the praise and romanticizing of the past. The clergyman icily leads the group away. Mr. Emerson, worried that he has offended them, rushes off to apologize. George confides in Lucy that his father always has that effect on people. His earnestness and bluntness are repellent to others. Mr. Emerson returns, having been snubbed. Mr. Emerson and Lucy go off to see other works. Mr. Emerson, sincere and earnest, shares his concerns for his son. George is unhappy. Lucy is not sure how to react to this direct and honest talk; Mr. Emerson asks her to befriend his son. She is close to his age and Mr. Emerson sense much that is good in the girl. He hopes that these two young people can learn from each other. George is deeply saddened by life itself and the transience of human ex istence; this cerebral sorrow all seems very strange to Lucy. George suddenly approaches them, to tell Lucy that Miss Bartlett is here. Lucy realizes that one of the old women in the tour group must have told Charlotte that Lucy was with the Emersons. When she seems distressed, Mr. Emerson expresses sympathy for her. Lucy becomes cold, and she informs him that she has no need for his pity. She goes to join her cousin. Analysis: Although Miss Lavish prides herself on being original and unconventional, Forster subtly shows that her radicalism is polite, precious, and limited. She disapproves of the Emersons just as much as everyone else does, and though she pretends to be worldly and well traveled (she takes away Lucys Baedeker guide), she gets the two women lost. Nor does she understand the value of getting lost: she is so fixated on getting the women to Santa Croce that she rushes past the beautiful Square of the Annunziata without noticing a thing. Her attitude toward the Italians is patronizing in the extreme: she defines democracy as being kind to ones inferiors. Although Forster is writing incisive social commentary on the stuffiness of British society, he uses Miss Lavish as an example of a certain kind of false rebelliousness. She is ultimately as snobby and precious as everyone else, and her brand of radicalism tends to reinforce stuffy conventions rather than challenge them. Lucy is not a brilliant girl, and she lacks the originality and confidence to make her own judgments about art. In Santa Croce, she longs for her Baedeker guide so that she can know good art from bad. She lacks the confidence to just look at the paintings; she wants to know which frescoes have been pronounced by the critics to be truly beautiful. Lucy has some generosity of spirit and often feels uncomfortable with stifling social conventions, but she is not a genius or revolutionary. She is still young and very naà ¯ve; by the novels end she will be a much wiser and independent person. Part of Forsters brilliance is his restraint. He resists the temptation to make Lucy into a brilliant firebrand, and instead makes her to be, in many ways, a very typical girl for her class and education. She is often caught between convention and an inner sense of what is beautiful rather than delicate. She is unquestionably drawn to George Emerson. In Santa Croce, she notices that his face is rugged and handsome, and she also notices the strength and physical attractiveness of his body. But his melancholy attitude puzzles her, and his angst seems humorous to her in some ways. Mr. Emerson compares him to the child that stumbled and hurt his toe on a tomb statue of Santa Croce. The tomb becomes a symbol of mortality, and George has stubbed his too; George is upset by mortality and the transience of human existence. Life itself hurts and puzzles him. Mr. Emersons social awkwardness and earnestness combine to make him a very unpopular man. Even Lucy rebuffs him at the end of this chapter, resenting his pity for her. But we can see from his attempted apology to Mr. Eager that he does not mean to offend; in fact, he earnestly desires that everyone should always have a nice time. And his criticism of Mr. Eagers romanticizing of Giottos art and time has its own valid perspective, although Mr. Emerson has difficulty expressing his ideas tactfully. Cha Human Resource Management: State Bank of Pakistan Human Resource Management: State Bank of Pakistan The purpose of this report is to give an overview of the Human Resource Management of the bank , which management of the State Bank of Pakistan practice provides to its employees to achieve his goals of high professionalism and productivity. Motivation is the willingness to exert high levels of efforts toward organizational goals, conditioned by the efforts ability to satisfy some individual needs. The effort element is a measure of intensity. When someone is motivated, he or she tries hard. Efforts that are directed toward, and consistent with, the organizations goal is the kind of effort that we should be seeking. Motivated employees are in a state of tension. They exert effort. The greater the tension, the higher the effort level. If this effort successfully leads to the satisfaction of the need, tension is reduced. This tension reduction effort must also be diverted toward organizational goals. Individuals need be compatible and consistent with the organizations goals. The State Bank of Pakistan has embarked upon a major project to renew, build and strengthen its institutional capacity. Recently, State Bank of Pakistan has adopted highly motivated policies to transform the Bank into a highly professional, efficient and modern institution, which is fully equipped to play a meaningful role in the economic development of Pakistan. This report attempts to consolidate all motivational policies and guidelines in a summarized form for the benefit of students and perspective candidates for employment in the Bank. I hope that it would prove useful as a reference guide. INTRODUCTION State Bank of Pakistan is the Central Bank of the country. While its constitution, as originally lay down in the State Bank of Pakistan Order 1948, remained basically unchanged until 1st January 1974 when the Bank was nationalized, the scope of its functions was considerably enlarged. The State Bank of Pakistan Act 1956, with subsequent amendments, forms the basis of its operations today. Under the State Bank of Pakistan Order 1948, the Bank was charged with the duty to regulate the issue of Bank notes and keeping of reserves with a view to securing monetary stability in Pakistan and generally to operate the currency and credit system of the country to its advantage. The scope of the Banks operations was considerably widened in the State Bank of Pakistan Act 1956, which required the Bank to regulate the monetary and credit system of Pakistan and to foster its growth in the best national interest with a view to securing monetary stability and fuller utilization of the countrys product ive resources. Under financial sector reforms, the State Bank of Pakistan was granted autonomy in February 1994. On 21st January, 1997, this autonomy was further strengthened by issuing three Amendment Ordinances (which were approved by the Parliament in May, 1997) namely, State Bank of Pakistan Act, 1956, Banking Companies Ordinance, 1962 and Banks Nationalization Act, 1974. The changes in the State Bank Act gave full and exclusive authority to the State Bank to regulate the banking sector, to conduct an independent monetary policy and to set limit on government borrowings from the State Bank of Pakistan. The amendments in Banks Nationalization Act abolished the Pakistan Banking Council (an institution established to look after the affairs of NCBs) and institutionalized the process of appointment of the Chief Executives and Boards of the nationalized commercial banks (NCBs) and development finance institutions (DFIs), with the Sate Bank having a role in their appointment and remova l. The amendments also increased the autonomy and accountability of the Chief Executives and the Boards of Directors of banks and DFIs. Like a Central Bank in any developing country, State Bank of Pakistan performs both the traditional and developmental functions to achieve macro-economic goals. The traditional functions, which are generally performed by central banks almost all over the world, may be classified into two groups: (a) the primary functions including issue of notes, regulation and supervision of the financial system, bankers bank, lender of the last resort, banker to Government, and conduct of monetary policy, and (b) the secondary functions including the agency functions like management of public debt, management of foreign exchange, etc., and other functions like advising the government on policy matters and maintaining close relationships with international financial institutions. The non-traditional or promotional functions, performed by the State Bank include deve lopment of financial framework, institutionalization of savings and investment, provision of training facilities to bankers, and provision of credit to priority sectors. The State Bank also has been playing an active part in the process of Islamization of the banking system. The main functions and responsibilities of the State Bank can be broadly categorized as under. MAIN FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Being the Central Bank of the country, State Bank of Pakistan has been entrusted with the responsibility to formulate and conduct monetary and credit policy in a manner consistent with the Governments targets for growth and inflation and the recommendations of the Monetary and Fiscal Policies Co-ordination Board with respect to macro-economic policy objectives. The basic objective underlying its functions is two-fold i.e. the maintenance of monetary stability, thereby leading towards the stability in the domestic prices, as well as the promotion of economic growth. To regulate the volume and the direction of flow of credit to different uses and sectors, the Bank makes use of both direct and indirect instruments of monetary management. Until recently, the monetary and credit scenario was characterized by acute segmentation of credit markets with all the attendant distortions. A number of fundamental changes have since been made in the conduct of monetary management which essentially m arked a departure from administrative controls and quantitative restrictions to market-based monetary management. A reserve money management program has been developed. In terms of the program, the intermediate target of M2 would be achieved by observing the desired path of reserve money the operating target. While use in now being made of such indirect instruments of control as cash reserve ratio and liquidity ratio, the programs reliance is mainly on open market operations. INTRODUCTION TO HRM Human resource management plays a pivotal and expanding role in shaping the success of organizations and is done by the Human Resource department. PURPOSE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: The purpose of Human resource management is to improve the productive contribution of people to the organization in ways that are strategically, ethically and socially responsible. To carry out this role managers and HR department needs to satisfy multiple objectives like societal, organizational, functional, and personal objectives. These objectives are achieved through variety of HR activities designed to obtain, maintain, utilize, evaluate and retain an effective work force. These activities are the responsibility of all managers in the organization, even though many of them may be delegated to specialists in the HR department. DEVELOPING HUMAN ASSETS Alongside the development of its physical facilities, SBP is deeply conscious of the pivotal role that human resources play in the success of the organization. As the matter of fact, human resource development has been identified as an area of key importance. While strengthening the rank of is workforce with quality professionals at various levels of management, the bank also undertakes several initiatives for improving productivity and efficiency at all levels. Through computer training, various in house courses, sponsorship of staff for studies at professional institution and seminars, the bank is providing its employees ongoing opportunities for continuous self-improvement and learning. SWOT ANALYSIS OF SBP Strengths Internal Competencies specially core competencies of SBP weaknesses Inability to perform activities Opportunities Positive trends in the environment for SBP Threads Negative trends in the environment for SBP STRENGTH SBP is sole authority to regulate monetary policy and it is also bankers bank. SBP departments are computerized, and with modern technological facilities. SBP every year inducting fresh blood to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of bank. SBP is guide to government on economical and financial affairs. Deals with foreign exchange and bank reserve position and also with NOSTRO balance. Computerized system of data collection and dissemination. Security to depositor Watch dogs for frauds and money laundering. WEAKNESSES Decision making system is totally centralized. There were routine work and long working hours that effect on the efficiency of employees that causes bore. Lower employees are not satisfied with salary and facilities. Virus safety system. Data is stored in single place. Slow processing No surety of data received from authorized dealers. OPPORTUNITIES Through higher educational scheme for abroad, SBP can maximize efficiency. According to modern requirement. SBP is implementing new comprehensive software system. SBP can increase the confidence of investor in FX market, to control on money laundering. System is upgradeable, upgrading will improve the efficiency. They can use create operate. SBOTS scheme is a big opportunity in future to increase the level for State Bank. THREATS Instability of political government that effect on SBP performance. Law and order situation in country; lose the confidence of foreign investor as well as local, that also effect overall performance of SBP. High pressure of external donor agencies, that effect on the policies of SBP. Due to dependence on computerized data different kinds of Virus can attack and damage the data. Data can be manipulated easily. ROLE OF HR: STRATEGIC PARTNER: The strategic partner of SBP is Hay group. CHANGE AGENT: They have special teams from each department who is responsible to face the environmental challenges and bring any necessary change regarding such changes in organization. For this HR works closely with these teams to implement theses changes successfully. HUMAN RESOURCE PLANNING: In state bank of bank there is a key role of HR in developing the strategic management process of the company with the consultation of top management. The key role of HR in the planning process involves Compensation, Manpower requisition, Business growth, Evaluation and reduction of the costs of benefits given to employees etc. It is important to recall here that HR department has the influence only on the non-unionized staff, means any HR function related to non-unionized staff, like hiring, firing, Compensation, Perks and benefits etc, would be set by the HR department, while issues related to unionized staff would be handled by the Admin Department. Some of the major planning functions of Human resource department in state bank of Pakistan are discussed below: Reducing the Costs of Benefits: Here the department determines the costs that incurs to the company due to the benefits given to its employees and find ways how to reduce them. These human and financial costs include salaries and the perks and benefits given to employees. For example state bank gives Cars to its employees at managerial level positions and above. To Ensure the best use of Financial Resources: Here, the HR department monitors the ratio of manpower to other costs in order to assist decisions regarding the best use of financial resources. Succession Planning: In order to better meet the needs of business and to avoid external hiring, the HR department develops succession plans. In this process, they create a chart of succession plans, which lists down the acting head, and his particulars like age, qualifications, traits, etc and his alternative available options, this chart assists in the situation when the incumbent leaves the job due to any reason, then what are the best options, age wise, experience wise, qualification wise, etc. Salient Features of Human Resource Planning: To help in determining appropriate recruitment levels to avoid expensive and unsatisfactory panic measures, in case of staff shortage, or frustration of losing business through lack of trained staff. To anticipate redundancies and find ways of preventing them and their attendant human and financial costs. To monitor the ratio of manpower to other costs in order to assist decisions regarding the best use of financial resources. To provide the basis for training and development programs in order to meet the needs of business and related succession plans. To identify future accommodation requirements in the form of working space, lunchroom, library, conference room and prayers area, etc. To help in making cost of living and other compensation estimates. To have appropriate control over capital expenditures. HUMAN RESOURCE INFORMATION SYSTEM There is a centralized HR information system from which employees can access information. It consists of a website where employees can gain access to information about the company background, financial, careers/job opportunities and newsroom. JOB ANALYSIS In SBP job analysis is done through individual interview questionnaire and intermediate supervisor. JOB DESCRIPTION Job description: job description is design by HR joint director, immediate supervisor of that specific department .they has divided this job to their respective department, head. They have to design the job description of their respective department. RECRUITMENT SELECTION The quality of an organizations human resources depends on the quality of its recruits. Recruitment is the process of finding and attracting capable applicants for employment and Selection is a series of steps through which the applicants pass. It heavily depends on inputs such as job analysis, HR plans, and recruitment. Although operating managers are often involved, much of the recruitment process is the responsibility of professionals in the HR department. These professionals are called recruiters. Recruiters should be aware of constraints and challenges surrounding the requirement process before they attempt to find suitable applicants.SBP is very responsive organization and is always in a process of finding capable applicants for employment. This responsibility primarily belongs to personnel department and all the recruiters are trained for this purpose. METHOD OF RECRUITMENT INTERNAL HIRING: SBP is done through internal advertisement and mail to their respective department. It is done through notice board. EXTERNAL HIRING Giving an add in the leading newspapers does the job announcement. As per criteria of SBP, on receipt of the applications from candidates holding masters degree in any one of the following disciplines. Business Management. Economics. Maths/ statistics Computer Sciences. Are entered in the database and are sorted out w.r.t. Pre-requisites. The applicants are then called for a written test through a letter. The tests along with the result are handled by an independent institution (IBA)(IBP) and SBP The results are then submitted to SBP for further processing. The successful candidates are called for an interview. The short listed candidates from the first interview are then called for the second and then third interview. The successful candidates are then informed through a letter and called to give a joining date. The candidates confirm the joining dates to the Personnel department. The selected candidates are then given brief orientation about different department and functions of the bank. After orientation they are placed in to different departments according to their qualifications and department needs APPRAISAL SYSTEM CONDUCT IN SBP The Appraisal process commence with the performance standards in accordance with strategy set by the State bank of Pakistan. The policy of the State bank of Pakistan in respect of job measurement is skip span. The employees are asked to write a daily report on the work done by them. These reports are submitted to the subordinators on the daily bases , on the other hand the subordinators personally observe every employee and mach them with marks according to the work accomplished by the employee. The subordinator then submit the daily report after every four weeks to the managers along with the letter of recommendation written by the subordinators after evaluating employee performance. These reports are then send to the HRM department where these reports are discussed in the meeting and then all decisions take place according to the merit. TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT Training and development is a continuous process and is designed to bring about a change in the attitude of employees with respect to the job they are doing, the people around them, the new procedures, techniques and skills which they can use. It is also to make them more conscious of their responsibilities and how to perform them will. Therefore, all training is planned and coordinated in a systematic manner by the bank in terms of the needs and the talents required in the bank. The training and development efforts are not confined to a few formal class room courses but extended in all directions to remove employees weaknesses and making the most of their strengths. TYPES OF TRAINING 1. ORIENTATION TRAINING Every new employee will be given an orientation to familiarize him with the bank organization, functions, activities, policies, procedures and programs. This type of training would be an individual basis or group classroom training, depending on the number of participants available. The duration and content of the course will be determined to meet the needs of individuals concerned in consultation with respective Department Heads / General Managers. Depending upon the type of job and the expense needed, newly hired employees as well as the promotes assigned to new fields of activities, will be given on the job training for a period ranging from one week to twenty-four weeks as may be deemed necessary. 2. TECHNICAL AND SPECIALIZED TRAINING Job knowledge is an essential part of ones responsibility in any position. Since technology, methods, processes are changing at a fast rate, it is imperative that employees should learn new skills and techniques through specialized and technical courses organized within the bank, or by outside agencies. It is through these courses that the employee will be able to reach a high level of proficiency. 3. SUPERVISION/MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT THROUGH IN-HOUSE TRAINING COURSES COURSES CONDUCTED BY OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS IN PAKISTAN In order to have a balanced approach to n all-round development of our management employees, appropriate emphasis will also be laid on the development of supervisory and management skills employees. To this end, selected employees will participate in formal classroom course workshops, which may be either bank organized or conducted/sponsored by outside organizations such as Pakistan Institute of Management, Pakistan Management Association or other similar organizations. Standard basic management training programs, which may be considered for participation, are as follows: Effective Supervision Practice of Supervision Problems of Management Seminar Advance Management Course Management Course for Junior Executives Problem Analysis and Decision Making Conference Leadership Job Instructions Methods etc. The employee will be exposed to these development courses in a systematic manner. The supervisor of the participants will be responsible for follow up on the training and for ensuring that the techniques and methods learnt by their subordinates are applied to on-the-job performance. Nomination of an employee to attend such courses will be at the discretion of the Management. 4. ON-THE-JOB TRAINING It is well regarded that the best place for effective learning to occur is on-the-job i.e. the employee learning the job by doing it under skillful instruction and coaching by his superior. Since many Supervisors/Managers are not trained instructors, the Department will provide training the Job Instruction Methods through practice of Supervision Course. 5. SELF-DEVELOPMENT Recognizing that self-development is the primary responsibility of the individual, bank would provide opportunities for development through making available professional literature, job rotation, counseling and discussions and seminars relating to the job of the individual. 6. TRAINING OUTSIDE PAKISTAN For acquiring specialized skills, the bank may nominate management employees for training abroad with international training institutions of repute of such organizations that may be having commercial affiliation of technical collaborationAlso nominations may be made to suitable courses and seminars abroad if foreign governments or international institutions offer such opportunities to Pakistan through the Ministry. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS Steps have been taken to improve the motivation and morale of the employees with focus on employee training and development and performance appraisals. Computer training courses, workshops and seminars have been conducted to equip the employees with modern techniques. Relationships with all the employees have remained cordial. Management Division: All policy matters and planning for new initiatives is carried out in Compensation Benefits Performance Management Division. In this division some operational elements are running simultaneously. The Competency based Performance Management System is managed by this Division. This Division also handles Manpower Planning and Job evaluation process, which is another new area. IMPROVEMENT IN SERVICE CONDITIONS State Bank is the central bank of Pakistan. It provides matchless intrinsic as well as extrinsic motivations for development of the professionalism. The following is a brief of motivations provided to its employees by the State Bank of Pakistan:- SALARY STRUCTURE FRINGE BENEFITS STAFF LOAN POLICY FACILITY OF OUTSTANDING DUTY FACILITY OF BANKS CAR PETROL CEILING MEDICAL FACILITIES TELEPHONE CHARGES AT RESIDENCE FACILITY OF NEWSPAPERWS JOURNAL GROUP TERM ASSUARANCE CASH AWARDS FOR ACQUIRING RETIREMENT POLICIES PROFESSIONAL/ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION FAMILY PENSION GRATUITY BENEVOLANT FUND SCHEME GRANT FROM THE FUND GIFT TO RETIRING EMPLOYEES General Salary Structure (Officer Cadre) Salary Grade Minimum (PKR) Maximum (PKR) OG 7 58,500 135,300 OG 6 43,400 109,300 OG 5 40,200 103,000 OG 4 36,500 95,000 OG 3 30,000 83,000 OG 2 25,000 67,500 OG 1 16,481 47,850 (Support Staff Cadre) Salary Grade Minimum (PKR) Maximum (PKR) S- 7 14,400 37,400 S- 6 13,838 34,500 S- 5 11,903 31,600 S- 4 10,733 29,000 S- 3 9,675 24,500 S- 2 8,573 20,300 S- 1 8,100 18,700 (Specialized Salary Structure) Level Minimum (PKR) Maximum (PKR) Entry 40,000 80,000 Middle 60,000 120,000 Higher 80,000 150,000 Managerial M-1or M-2 Core Benefits (applicable across salary structure) Medical Full medical facilities for self, spouse, children and dependent parents as per bank rules. Also, applicable to retired employees Rest Recreation Leave Allowance 15 days leave with 50% of monetized salary as Rest Recreation Allowance each year for Officers. Leaves All officer-grade employees earn leaves for every 6 working day. All support-grade employees earn leaves for every 5 working days. Leaves earned can be accumulated up to 40 per year for Officer-grade employees. Leaves earned can be accumulated up to 72 per year for Support-grade employees. Upon accumulation of leave balance, the employee can proceed to perform Hajj once in the entire service 90 days maternity leaves (exclusive of regular leaves) are allowed to all female employees subject to maximum of three times. Staff Loans Personal loan (Interest free) to meet emergencies up to 03 monetized salaries payable in a maximum period of 2 years House Building Loan / Car Loan up to 60 monetized salaries payable in the entire remaining service (up to 60th birthday of employee). The bank on behalf of the employees free of cost also insures this loan with out charging of premium from employees. Computer loan of PKR 70,000 (maximum) payable in the entire remaining service Group Term Assurance (GTA) Group term assurance covers the employee as under: Salary Ranges (PKR) Sum Assured (PKR) Life Insurance Premium (PKR) 55,001 and Above 1,500,000 312.50 37,501 to 55,000 1,000,000 208.33 18,001 to 37,500 800,000 166.67 Up to 18,000 600,000 125.00 Deputation Allowance Employees are entitled to additional 20% of their monetized salary as a Deputation Allowance along with comprehensive medical facilities for self and dependent family members. Annual Merit Increases Annual Merit Increase (AMI) for the year 2005 is paid as per following schedule: For Employees in Grade OG-1 and Below: AMI for employees in grades OG-1 and below has been determined on the basis of their average marks awarded by the reporting and finalizing officers as per following grid: Range of Marks AMI 49 50 4.5% 47 48 4% 41 46 3% 11 40 2% 0 10 Nil For Employees in Grades OG-2 to OG-5: AMI for employees in grades OG 2 to OG 5 has been determined on the basis of placing the absolute performance ratings of employees as reported by their respective appraisers in appropriate clusters and thereafter categorizing these ratings in accordance with Bell Curve principles into four appraisal categories as follows: Appraisal Category AMI % A = Outstanding Performers 9 % B+ = Above Average 7 % B = Fully Satisfactory 5 % C = Below Average 1.5% For OG 7 employees: AMI for OG- 7 employees at a uniform rate of 6 %. For employees in Separate Salary Structure for Specialized Professionals: AMI for employees in cluster of Separate Salary Structure for Specialized Professionals has been determined at a uniform rate of 5%. Performance Bonus Top 10% of performers in the Bank are paid a one time Performance Bonus @ 3% of annualized monetized pay Bank Provided Car Entitlement (Pakistan assembled) OG-5 800 cc car (AC) without petrol ceiling and driver salary OG-6 1000 cc car (AC) without petrol ceiling and driver salary OG-6 (HOD) 1000 cc car (AC) with petrol ceiling (200 Liters) and driver salary OG-7 1300 cc car (AC) of their choice with petrol ceiling (340 Liters) on optional Banks driver or driver salary Transfer of Ownership Cars are provided to the employees on the basis of a loan depreciation scheme. On completion of 5 years deprecation life of the cars the assignee becomes the owner of vehicles. 10. Telephone Facility .OG.7 (900 calls) OG.6 (600 calls) OG.54 (400 calls) OG 32. (200 calls) 11. Post Retirement Benefits Officers Grade 4 and above on their retirement or their family members in the events of employees death are entitled for the following additional benefits for a period of six months: a) 40% Monetised pay in lieu of House Rent Ceiling b) Electricity, Gas and water charges as per entitlement at the time of Retirement/Death c) 50% of telephone charges as per entitlement at the time of Retirement/Death d) Cost of 50% Petrol Ceiling as per entitlement at the time of Retirement/Death Pension Policy Prior to 1997 Federal Government rules as contained in Compendium of Pension Rules and Order were applicable in State Bank of Pakistan. After monetisation, the concept of pay has been abolished and 50% of monetised salary is taken into account for the purpose of calculation of retirement benefits. 13. Education Allowance Rs.500/- per month is allowed to Clerical/Non-Clerical employees. 14. Traveling Transportation Charges a. Officers on their retirement are entitled to reimbursement of economy class airfare for self and eligible family members from the airports nearest to their place of posting and their hometown as per bank record or they can claim payment of ACC sleeper train fare. b. All officers and staff of the bank either on transfer or retirement are entitled to actual cost of transportation of household effects to their place of new posting/domicile outside Karachi against production of proper receipts subject to a maximum amount of one months monetised salary. Travel Daily Allowance (a) The rates of gross Daily Allowance for different categories of employees are as under: Category of Employees Positions Gross DA (Rs) S-1 to S-3 Non-clerical Staff 800 S-4 to S-7 Clerical Staff<

An Introduction To Multiculturalism The Concept Sociology Essay

An Introduction To Multiculturalism The Concept Sociology Essay The definition of multiculturalism depends a great deal upon the context in which it is discussed. Concept of multiculturalism is constantly varying as more people make their voices heard to a recurrently increasing audience. Multiculturalism implies the diverse perspectives people develop and maintain through varieties of experience and background stemming from racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation and/or class differences in our society. Multiculturalism is the acceptance or promotion of various ethnic cultures. It is diversity valid to the demographic make-up of a specific place, often at the organizational level, e.g. schools, businesses, neighborhoods, cities or nations. In this context, multiculturalists advocate extending equitable status to distinct ethnic and religious groups without promoting any specific ethnic, religious, and/or cultural community values as central. Multiculturalism should preserve the ideals of equality, equity, freedom and respect for individuals and groups as a principle fundamental to the success of a nation. Background of British Public Life Style that embraces Multiculturalism the Evolution Britian is one of Europes most multi-cultural nations. There are a number of policy drivers and historical happening that have led Britian to evolve into multicultural society that it is today. There is no infliction of immigration in the 1914 and 1948 Nationality Acts. Immigration remained low, however until after 1948. In 1953 the total number of immigrants to Britain was 2000 and by the end of the first half of 1962 the number had risen to 94,500. The 1948 British Nationality Act established positive immigration rights to Citizens of Commonwealth countries. Britain experienced an increase in immigration rate in post war era due to deficiency of labor. Initially men alone came to Britain for jobs but in late 1960s and early seventies their families joined them. These included mostly Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and Buddhists as well as Christians and they settled in London, in the Midlands and the North and in the seaport towns of Liverpool and Cardiff. The immigration load of 1960s and early seventies made UK an ethnically and religiously diverse community. The idea that the immigrant would ultimately merge and become part of the host culture which was given in mid-50s was rejected. These communities develop their own cultural values. Racial tension increased and by the end of 1950s immigrants were subjected to unprovoked racist attacks. This resulted in the notion that immigration and race relations were politically controversial issues and there was a growing campaign to introduce immigration controls. Between 1950 and 1955 certain control measures were adopted to reduce the influx to Uk as the number of West Indian, Indian and Pakistani immigrants increased. But in spite of the strict immigration policy the population of immigrants is still growing Over the last decade most of the immigrants came from the Indian subcontinent or the Caribbean, i.e. from former British colonies. In 2004 the number of people who became British citizens rose to a record 140,795 a rise of 12% on the previous year. This number had risen dramatically since 2000. The huge majority of new citizens come from Africa (32%) and Asia (40%), the largest three groups being people from Pakistan, India and Somalia. This resulted in changes to the British way of life and the UK became known as a multicultural community. However, more recently the term multiculturalism is becoming a contested concept both in sociological discourse and in recent policy making. The term multiculturalism is generally thought to have arisen in Britain in a speech by the then Home Secretary, Roy Jenkins in 1966. While this term is current in the UK there are often instances where local politics can serve to exclude minority cultures while promoting the values of the dominant white culture. Multiculturalism is also a term which describes aspects of social policy. Multiculturalism is used in a number of ways which can serve either to celebrate difference or to act as a cover for what, in any real terms, is another form of enforced assimilation. It also needs to be recognized that diverse ethnic groups now consist of large numbers of people who have been born in Britain. Causes for Reduction in Peoples Moral Value and Multi-cultural Understandings of Harmony in UK 1. Materialistic Lifestyles and Lack of Religious Influences Nowdays people are inclined towards economic advancement rather than social advancement on basis of sticking to the moral values. Simplicity has been taken over by extravagent life styles and extra needs. This brings human cirlce of behavior and brings about significant impact on the entire social fabric. There is lack of religious and spiritual influences on people, and they do not tend to believe in virtues and moralities. In the The Twilight of a Great Civilization, with reference to lack of religious influences on nations and consequent emergence of immoralities, Theologian Carl Henry stated that there is no fixed truth, no final good, no ultimate meaning or purpose, and that the living God is a primitive illusionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ it champions mysticism, occult forces and powers, communion with nature and exotic religions. This concept of illusional God is taking up roots in various sections of British society. 2. Fragmented Family Structure A dysfunctional family is detrimental to the development of an individual and usually results in low self-morale. Among the numerous factors for the deterioration of morals among the youth, such as lack of religious education and appreciation and peer pressure, a dysfunctional family were stated as the leading causes. The family is the basic building blocks of society. Abuse whether sexual, physical, emotional, or mental is a very real and crippling problem in families today. Young adults, couples and elderly struggle with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, sex addiction, abuse, incest, sleep disorders, divorce, mid-life illness, death and many more problems. The family has dramatically changed over the last 30 years. This results in the deterioration of morals, values, beliefs, priorities, and life styles. Such disjointed social systems where an individual is so aloof from family would definitely show rejection and lack of trust to other members of the society especially those from alien cultures. Lack of harmony in family structures ultimately lead to lack of harmony in multi-cultural society. 3. Disillusioned Youth Young people are taught in our schools and colleges that ethics, morals, right and wrong depend upon the situation. Some teachers and professors use the concept of Values Clarification to inculcate students that their desires represent valid moral and ethical values. Many of these people have come of age and are among our highest leaders today. Morality is vital in all areas of society. It is the critical education young people obtain that imparts ethical values that endow with lasting benefits. Todays teachings produce mixed results. Name calling and bulling due to racism is prevalent in British schools and educational systems. This causes discomfort to students from other cultures and creates sense of disharmony. 4. Negative Messages by Media Billboards, magazines, TV commercials, music videos all portray messages of sex, violence and extravagant lifestyles. Blood gore horror flicks or action packed ones are all full of images of violence. Even video games have element of adventure by infusing streaks of violence by use of guns, explosives, daggers. These channels of exposure to voilence makes us prone to being emotionally insensitive, and enhance trends of agression, anger and violence in the society. Violent and aggressive trends call up for dis-harmony amongst various segments of multi-cultural society. 5. Racist Behavior Racists do not like foreign people who live in the UK, either as immigrants or as visitors. Racist behavior is more widespread in areas where there are many immigrants or in towns where there are many international students. Racist behavior implies the use of slang expressions. The British Crime Survey reveals that in 2004, 87,000 people from black or minority ethnic communities said they had been a victim of a racially motivated crime. They had suffered 49,000 violent attacks, with 4,000 being wounded. At the same time 92,000 white people said they had also fallen victim of a racially motivated crime. The number of violent attacks against whites reached 77,000, while the number of white people who reported being wounded was five times the number of black and minority ethnic victims at 20,000. Most of the offenders (57%) in the racially motivated crimes identified in the British Crime Survey are not white. White victims said 82% of offenders were not white. 6. Hatered Flared due to Terrorist Attacks According to a report by BBC race-hate crimes increased by almost 600 per cent in London in the month after the July 7 bomb attacks, with 269 more offenses allegedly motivated by religious hatred reported to the Metropolitan Police, compared to the same period last year.  [1]  Muslim community living in Britian becomes subjected to harsh attitudes because they are all believed to be from terrorist groups. Religious leaders of Muslim groups hold the view that government and race bodies for pursuing a policy which, he claims, has alienated Muslims. These views were stated to be absurd by the Commission for Racial Equality. This rift between those representing Muslim community and the Commission for Racial Equality reflect a deep set sense of opposing views. Suggestions to Enhance Understanding and Harmony amongst Various Sections of British Society Media Propagation Media can play a vital role in promoting peace and harmony oriented messages. Role of Educational Systems Children and students should be taught respect and tolerance for other cultural and religious trends prevalent. They must be taught to tolerate and accept rather than to retaliate and reject. Students from different ethnic backgrounds should be encouraged to share knowledge about their cultural heritage, and the teacher can add the element of fun and interactive learning in the whole process, so that the students affiliate positivity with this exercise. At higher educational level, knowledge can be shared on wider platforms through tutorial, or intellectual discussions. Role of Government and Legal Bodies Fair and transparent government mechanisms, policy making, and legal framework. Human rights should be followed rigidly and justice should be available to all regardless of color, race or religion. Role of Peace Organizations Various organizations can come into play to drive peace and harmony campaigns. For example, Peace Boat has been active in the field of education for peace and sustainability through the organization of educational voyages, based o ­n lectures, workshops and study-exchange programmes both o ­nboard the ship and in ports of call. Their Global University and International Student (IS) programmes provide innovative approaches to peace and sustainability-related studies through intensive learning onboard and direct exposure to issues in various countries. Equal Opportunities and Freedom to Express Cultural Values Government should ensure equal opportunities regarding availability of basic necessities, housing, education, health care, employment should be available to all the communities and social stratas of UK. People should not feel awkward to expressing their cultural norms in anyway. Law should be made flexible to allow people to wear hijabs and veils (Muslim women), turbans (Sikhs) etc at work and educational places. Government should ensure that the performance of various religious cultural activities and festivals are not hindered in any way. Changes at Individual Level At the end of the day all these suggestions can add up to be nil if each one of us individually fails to take others as they are. Each one of us must work and evaluate our holistic approach of going about things. No one can compel us to exhibit tolerance or respect towards other communities unless we feel the need to do so within ourselves. The question might be: Why the need to change anyway? The answer: Change for a secure, peaceful and brighter tomorrow! Policy Areas to be covered by Government to Promote a Multi-cultural Society In UK 50 years ago, when for the first time the effect of mass immigration was experienced, the need for policy, political and legal changes was felt. With this the concern of the Government was to integrate and assimilate the incoming groups into host communities. Policy making is very crucial as it can help in formulating policies which helps in determining the representation which various ethnicities receives in television or press. It helps in determining the code of conduct for these communities, the dress code, and content of education, the freedom for observing religious holidays and to celebrate festivals. With the years Multiculturalism has initiated many disputes but the The UK Government has focused less on establishment of multicultural policy and more on issues of inclusion and cohesion. While it was principally ignored under Margaret Thatchers Government the success of New Labor has meant that the term has grow to be a common currency in political debate and in policy making. In 1997 the ODPM was given task for a social exclusion unit which aims to embark on research into a number of different areas. Social inclusion and cohesion are not just used in relation to diverse ethnic groups but are the basis for policy making in a number of other areas such as mental health, early years education and homelessness. Issues of inclusion cover a host of areas and can range from the numbers of ethnic minorities using childcare facilities, to those undertaking further education of some kind to increase their employment prospects. Policy making aimed at reducing inequalities in both the labor and the housing market. In order to be successful anti-racist strategies need to be multi-faceted and aimed at subjective, institutional, and structural racism. Past policies have been deficiently focused because there is no clear consensus in Britain what equal opportunity and multiculturalism mean either in ideological or practical terms. According to a Policy Studies Institute (1982) report found that in the majority of diverse ethnic communities rates of unemployment were twice as elevated among these groups as they were in the governing host group. There is a continuing disparity in terms of wages, exclusionary modes of hiring and higher unemployment rates, certain ethnic groups experience greater success in the labor market than do others. Housing policies also tend to discriminate against asylum seekers/refugees and other diverse ethnic groups. Clearly there are problems in the categorization of diverse ethnic grou ps and in present policy making, which, instead of greater inclusion sometimes tends to further leave out such groups. In the light of above mentioned scenario of policy decisions and proceedings, it is suggested that to sustain and promote a healthy Multi-cultural Society the Government should address the following policy areas: 1. Economic Policy Areas Economic policies should attract intellectual capital, trade, skilled migration, education, tourism, and science/technology. Establish partnerships between government agencies and business, industry, tourism, and education sectors to promote and maximize the economic advantages of cultural diversity and promote the State as a destination to work and live together. Develop supporting strategies for multiculturalism in international relations, tourism, trade and export areas. Develop educational and promotional activities to increase awareness of the economic benefits of multiculturalism. Develop strategies in the public sector to better capture the benefits of a diverse workforce. 2. Policies to Support Communities Policies should be developed for funding and investing in communities to further multiculturalism through research, policy development, advocacy, community awareness, festivals, services, projects and networks. Policies should be formulated in consultation with agencies and stakeholders in the community and across government on multicultural affairs. 3. Policies to Strengthen Multiculturalism in the Public Sector Government agencies should ensure that regardless of cultural and linguistic backgrounds, all communities have equal access to services. 4. Policies to Strengthen Community relations and anti-racism Policies should be designed for strengthening the sense of belonging in their local environment and in the global community. Policies should be taken up to promote positive and cohesive community relations across the whole community through a renewed community relations plan. 5. Policies to Develop Multicultural Education in British Schools Educational systems should be developed keeping in view the requirements and cultural backgrounds of students coming from various backgrounds. Methods of teaching and interaction should promote multi-cultural harmony amongst the students. 6. Policies for Equal Opportunities Policies should be developed to eunsure that people from all communities have equal access to basic necessities, housing, education, health care, and employment Transparency in Government Operations Transparency in government operations will definitely bring in good understanding between different sections of society. In principle, a basic requirement for transparency in the overall structure and functions of government is a clear demarcation of the boundaries between the public and private sectors and, within the former, between different levels of government with respect to the state enterprise sector.  [2]  Transparent government operations would mean sound government policies, administrative frameworks, finances, good governance, and overall fiscal integrity. Transparent government operations would be accountable to all the communities dwelling in the UK. It would clearly distinguish provision of rights, protection by law and facilities by the government to the people. This would cumulate a sense of justice and equality in the society and hence promote greater level of social security and harmony. Role of Public in Promoting Harmony and Understanding Public can play a major role in promoting harmony by abiding by the law and respecting multicultural policies. As discussed earlier each one of use must develop a sense of tolerance and respect for other members of the society. Public can actively participate in other communities cultural activities and not only promote a sense of harmony but also learn about other cultures. At homes parents must teach their children how to respect and deal politely with foreign children at schools. At work place, shopping malls, community centers we must learn to respect and treat all members of the community equally. *********************** REFRENCES: Giddens, A., Sociology, 2001, 4th Edition, Cambridge, Polity Press. Skellington R. and Morris, P., Race in Britain Today, 1992, London, Sage. Braham, P. Rattansi, A. and Skellington, R., Racism and Antiracism, 1982, London, Sage. The Roots of Multiculturalism, Retrieved on 21st March 2010, from : http://www.law-essays-uk.com/free-essays/multi-culturalism-in-social-policy.php Winnail, Douglas S., Moral Decline Ahead, 2002, Volume 4, Issue 4, Retrieved on 19th March 2010 from : http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/cgi-bin/tw/tw-mag.cgi?category=Magazine19item=1104106519 Daniel, Finaz and Begawan, Bandar SeriConcern over decline in moral values, February 21, 2008, The Brunei Times, Retrieved on 20th March 2010, from : http://www.bt.com.bn/en/home_news/2008/02/21/concern_over_decline_in_moral_values Racism, UK Student Life 2002-2009, Retrieved 19th March 2010 from : http://www.ukstudentlife.com/Personal/Safety.htm#Racism Racism in the United Kingdom , Retrieved 19th March 2010 from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism_in_the_United_Kingdom#cite_note-3#cite_note-3 Freeman, Simon, Britain urged to wake up to race crisis, The Times, September 22, 2005, Retrieved on 20th March 2010, from: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article569491.ece Muslims alienated by UK policy, October, 2001, Retrieved on 20th March 2010 from : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/1630513.stm Tatsuya, Yoshioka and Mari, Kushibuchi, Education for Peace Sustainability, Peace Boat, Retrieved on 19th March 2010 from: http://www.peacefromharmony.org/?cat=en_ckey=240 Braham, P. Rattansi, A. and Skellington, Racism and Antiracism, 1992, London, Sage. Solomos, J and Back, L., Racism and Society, 1996, London, Macmillan Press. Modood, T. and Berthood R., Ethnic Minorities in Britain Diversities and Disadvantage, 1997, London, PSI. Multicultural Queensland making a world of difference, 2004, Queensland Government Multicultural Policy, Retrieved on 21st March 2010 from http://www.multicultural.qld.gov.au/media/maq_making_world_difference_policy.pdf Transparency in government operations, Retrieved on 20th March 2010, from: http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=LyCV9MlnLPYpsTFdkCRBW0jF039GFrJhRMnS6WNP54VSvCvQ9M1G!144947719!-2000885492?docId=5001407337

The Relationship between Rhetoric and Social Conflict :: essays research papers

The Relationship between Rhetoric and Social Conflict In society there are daily occurrences that happen as a result of rhetoric, which then question and mold our individuality. How we react to these responses define us as a society and can then cause us to have a conflict socially. These occurrences challenge our perceptions allowing us to think independently about each issue. Without the linkage of rhetoric and conflict, we would have a difficult time justifying our understanding of these issues. A reaction to rhetoric can also characterize us from each other in a way that creates a singular identity. This individuality combined with the identities of others, make up our community and allow rhetoric and conflict to occur almost naturally. To further explain why rhetoric and conflict are so important we must understand the importance of this issue, in trying to relate everyday activities as examples of rhetoric and conflict. Our Society creates certain rhetorical ideologies, which are contained in social institutions, such as churches, communities, or clubs, in which conformity is a must. These ideologies bring people together to stand behind a common interest and fight for their own beliefs, morals, and values. It is when these social institutions collide with each other that social conflict is formed and problems arise. In order to understand the relationship between rhetoric and social conflict one must be able to define these terms adequately. Rhetoric is the ability to use words effectively in order to receive a response that is either positive or negative. To create a positive response, a person might appeal to the emotions of another who is sympathetic to the situation or who is currently involved with the same experience. They may use familiar experiences and memories to help the response take its shape. An example of this would be in the article ' The Cigarette as Representational Ideograph in the Debate over Environmental Tobacco Smoke'; by Mark Moore. Moore describes both sides of this controversy of smoker and antismoker rights, but when reading this article both sides are conformed to their own beliefs and support them quite well. 'Smokers discuss their rights as an American and their right to liberty, while anti-smoking activists talk about the hazards of second hand smoke discovered by scientific knowledge'; (Moore 48). The ideas of both sides make up an ideology, which is expressed over and over again through their justifications. Only a smoker can sympathize with a fellow smoker when explaining the right to be able to smoke in public.

Anna Kingsley Essay -- essays research papers fc

Anna Kingsley, a woman of strength and determination overcame many odds not expected of an African American slave. She married a slave owner, owned land, and was once a slave herself. She was well known in a free black community she helped establish. Anna Madgigine Jai Kingsley was the wife of plantation owner Zephaniah Kingsley. She was the daughter of a man of high status. Her father’s sides were descendants of the well know Njaajan Njaay, the creators of the Jolof Empire. Her father was killed in April 1806, the day she was captured. The tyeddo warriors invaded her village and collected all the villagers to be sold as slaves. That day she not only lost her freedom and her home, but also her dignity and her youth (Harvey, 41). Anna and the others were lead to a ship and they sailed from Senegal to Havana, Cuba to be sold as slaves. The Havana Market was the center of commerce of Spain’s colonies in America (Schafer, 23). Anna arrived in Florida in 1806. She was thirteen years old. Zephaniah Kinglsey Jr was a citizen of Spanish East Florida. He was born in England, but raised in Charleston, South Carolina. His father, a merchant, moved his family to Nova Scotia because he was banished from South Carolina for giving support to King George III at time of the American Revolution. In 1808, Kinglsey moved to Florida, where he pledged his fidelity to Spain and imported slaves on his plantation (Schafer, 21). Once purchased, Kingsley boarded Anna on the ship Esther and they sailed to Laurel Grove Plantation north and on the west of the St. Johns River. This would be her new home. She did not stay in the slave quarters, but she did stay in his two-story home. He thought of her as his wife and she was carrying his child. A few months before Anna gave birth; she became manager of Kingsley’s household located at Laurel Grove. Most of the slave’s came from East and West Africa. The plantation consisted of corn, cotton, mandarin oranges, sugarcane, potatoes and beans. According to Kinglsey â€Å"color ought not be the badge of degrading,† only the distinction should be between slaves and free, not between white and colored (Schafer, 32). Anna and Zephaniah were open about their relationship. She was the head wife or woman in a polygamous household. One March 4, 1811 after five years of enslavement, Anna was emancipated by her husband. She was now a free woman again. In 181... ...she once again had to leave the home she created because Florida seceded the union. The Civil War soon followed. After the Civil War, Anna never had the wealth and power that she once had. Her personal wealth was acquired through ownership of her slaves. There is no true documentation as to when Anna died, but it is thought to be between 1860 and 1870. Anna Madgigine Jai Kingsley was buried in a peaceful grove off the St. Johns River in Florida. She is surrounded by many family members including her daughters. She rests peacefully in an unmarked grave sheltered from the violence that followed her through a life marked by danger, courage, tenacious defense of family, flight, and triumphant return (Schafer, 121). She was a remarkable and determined black woman who achieved many accomplishments that are extraordinary. She became a well known figure in a free black community. Works Cited Harvey, Karen. Daring daughters: St. Augustine’s feisty females. Virginia Beach, VA, 2002 Schafer, Daniel. Anna Madgigine Jai Kingsley. Florida, 2003 Tilford, Kathy, Anna Kingsley: A free woman.† OAH Magazine of history 12, 1997 http://www.oah.org/pubs/magazone/women/tilford.htm

Matching Dell

The Matching Dell Business case by (Rivkin. J & Porter, M) defines the personal computer industry and outlines its history and development, with focus on Dell Computers. This paper will analyze the case study by means of the Strategic Situation Analysis and Planning Method (SSAP), by portraying and comparing Dell with its main competitors, namely: IBM, Compaq, Hewllet-Packard and Gateway. Approaching the strategic situation from SSAP method’s step number one, Financial Analysis, step number two, External Business Environment Analysis and step number three, Business and Corporate Strategy Analysis, an external analyst perspective will be drawn based on past , present and future trends that will be used to give recommendations of investments to potential investors. The Personal Computer Industry From its inception the computer industry was mainly composed of large corporations such as IBM and DEC and unaffordable, heavy hardware such as mainframe computers. Having a personal computer at home was a mere aspiration those days. Between 1975 and 1981 many discoveries occurred that gained popularity with electronic hobbyists, when pre-assembled personal computers entered the market. These computers were pioneered by firms such as Apple Computers, MITS and smaller ones such as Tandy/RadioShack and Commodore. Almost immediately, other major electronic firms entered the market of personal computers. These companies focused their business on other electronic industries before this. The pioneer of the first personal computer was IBM in 1981 and its success translated to a market share of 42% of the market two years later. Although, IBM produced most of the components for its mainframes computers, for PCs it purchased from others the required parts and then assembled the machines. The operating software for IBM’s first PC was custom-made by Microsoft, which was then just a start-up software firm. The microprocessor for the operating system (OS) was designed by Intel, another corporation that benefited from the partnership with IBM. Microsoft’s first operating system to IBM is the backbone structure for all the current versions of operating systems (OS) implemented by Microsoft. A proprietary system developed by Apple, held 20% of the market by 1983. In 1982, another firm named Compaq entered the market with a low-priced portable clone and had $100 million in revenues during its first year, which turned out to be the fastest growing company in American history. By 1984, Dell Computer Corporation entered the market and transformed the way PCs were assembled and distributed. Historically, what has really revolutionized the PC industry was the establishment by IBM of an open architecture for their first PC, making its operating system and other proprietary information available to encourage software developers to write programs for the IBM PC and to motivate other firms to make compatible peripherals. Moreover, the unforeseen business strategy at IBM caused the company to become vulnerable to other market entrants and lost their sustainable competitive advantage, since many other IBM clones were manufactured. This cased the company to lose market share to competitors. Step One – Financial Analysis Financial Position Dell's financial history, like most company's, changes over different periods. These changes can be attributed to changes in the demand of the product, technological advancements, manufacturing costs, competition, and economic conditions. In 1999, the approximate cost of manufacturing a basic personal computer was between $800 and $900 (Kwak & Yoffie 1999). Dell sold computers directly, and through retail distributors. In 1994, Dell actually lost money on retail sales. When comparing Dell's direct sales to the retail channel it shows that there was a 5. % operating income through the direct sales, and a -3. 0% operating income in retail sales. Dell's market share increases from 1. 0 in 1990 to 13. 2 in 1998. Direct sales of Dell' personal computers through telephone, mail, and internet helped increase their market share. The total market size for the personal computer industry is $74. 6 million. Exhibit 4: Portion of Sales Through Each Channel by Region from the Matching Dell Case shows the highest channels in which personal computers are distributed in different geographic areas. In the Americas, the most popular channel is distributor/reseller which accounts for 41. 2% of sales, second is the direct channel which accounts for 29. 7% of sales, and third is the retail channel which accounts for 21. 7% of the sales. These three channels are the top channels world wide, and distributor/reseller is the channel with the highest percentage of sales across the board. Income Statements Dell and its competitors Compaq, Gateway, and HP all have had their revenues increase over the period between 1991 and 1998. The companies differ when the net income is compared from the same time period. In the Appendix, Table 4: Profit as a Percentage of Sales shows a comparison between 1991 and 1998. Profit as a percentage of sales is a note worthy calculation because it shows a ratio of profits to sales. If a company has high sales it does not necessarily mean that it will have high profits. In Table 4, you see that in 1998 Dell has the highest profit as a percentage of sales. Since Compaq has a negative net income in this year, its data is skewed. Dell percentage of sale has grown by 2. % in this seven year period. Using the calculation (This Year)/Base Year x 100 and data from 1991, to 1998 Dell sales increased 20. 5% and net income increased 28. 63%. This shows that profits increased more than sales in the same time period. This means that Dell became more efficient in production which yielded greater profits. Net income increasing more than sales shows Dell's efficiency in production and distribution. It cut costs of making and selling its computers to have a greater profit. In the appendix, Table 1 shows the year on year percent changes for Dell's sales. This table shows that Dell's sales continue to grow each year. Price Comparison Exhibit 9 in the Matching Dell Case shows Ratings of High-end Desktop PCs by Consumer Reports(1998). It is shown on the table that Dell's product sells for $2400, HP's product sells for $2200, Gateway's product sells for $2647, and Compaq's product sells for $2950. Data on the same table rates these computers on price, speed, quality, and other things customers value in computers with a scale of 1 being excellent and 5 being poor. When the customer ratings are averaged Gateway has a rating of 1. , Dell and HP have a rating of 2. 4, and Compaq has a rating of 2. 7. Dell is the lowest in price and second highest in rating. This shows that customers are satisfied with the dell computer, more so than some of the more expensive brands. Company Profitability Exhibit 11 from the case compares Major PC Manufactures and their financial data. Return on Equity(ROE) is calculated in this table and the major players can be compared. The ROE shows the profitability of a corporation because it shows how much profit is generated from the money the shareholders have invested. Dell has a ROE of 62. %, Gateway has a ROE of 25. 7%, HP has a ROE of 17. 4%, and Compaq has a ROE of -24. 2%. HP and Compaq have substantially more revenue than Dell. Compaq does not have a higher net income, but HP does. At first glance you would think that HP is a better company in regards to personal computers but when you look at the ROE you notice a difference. Out of all the major competitors in the personal computer industry Dell has the highest ROE. Therefore it is the most successful company in this market. It would be recommended that investors invest in Dell to achieve the most out of their investment. Revenues Dell's company became more successful when it withdrew from retail in 1994. It was losing money by distributing its computers in this channel and learned from its mistakes. In 1996 it started its website which provided another opportunity for customers to order from them directly. Exhibit 11 also shows that Dell keeps its cost structure lower than its competitors. When something is not benefiting the company, Dell does not wait, it acts on it and tries to continue to make Dell a successful corporation. Compaq has very, very high revenues but there are obviously major problems with the company. Its net income and ROE are negative numbers, which shows that the company is not profitable in 1998. Compaq only has 4. 4% of sales from direct sales, where Dell has 86. 6%. This is a major advantage to Dell because there is no middle man and Dell can obtain all profits. In ratings of PC Vendors by Corporate Managers with PC buying Responsibility (Exhibit 8), Dell Ranks high in user satisfaction, extremely high in raw technology, second highest in pricing, and moderately high in service and support. Compaq ranks high in pricing but low in user satisfaction, raw technology, and all customer relations. Having quality customer services gives Dell an advantage over Compaq. Financial Conclusion The financial performance of Dell, Compaq, HP, Gateway and other companies in the PC industry we see that high revenues do not always translate into a profitable company. Shareholders and investors are looking for high returns on the amount they invest in their respected companies. Dell is the most profitable company as of 1998 with the highest return on investment. The most valued aspect of Dell's company at this time is the use of the direct sales channel. Also, Dell sells its computers at a cheaper price than its competitors but still ranks high in customer satisfaction surveys. Dell can offer a lower price by keeping its manufacturing and selling costs down. This way it can still make a profit and keep and attract customers. Dell started out as a small operation in a college dorm room and it continues to grow significantly on a yearly basis. Step Two – External Business Environment Analysis The market for computer systems and services is subject to intense price competition. In addition to several large branded companies, there are other branded and generic competitors. Dell competes primarily based on its technology, direct customer relationships, value, performance, customer service, quality, and reliability. Its main competitors are Compaq, and Gateway, both business are 90% PC dependent. However, due to Compaq’s low financial performance, HP was Dell’s primary competitor followed by Gateway in 1998. The main stakeholders group are: customers, competitors, suppliers, shareholders, employees and the government. In Table 6 in the Appendix theTarget [Customer-or-Client] – [Product-or-Service Connections] is shown. The PC competitive environment can be distinguished between its geographic and its customer categories. The geographic market for the PC industry is segmented by worldwide and U. S basis market share, while the customer category is segmented into: Large business, small & midsize business, home and small office, government and educational institutions. Based on the information from Exhibit 11 in the Matching Dell case, Compaq leads the U.  S and the worldwide market with 16. 4% and 16. 6% of PC shares respectively. Dell comes in second place with 10. 4% in the worldwide market share and 15. 1% in the U. S. PC market share. Gateway follows in behind both companies with a 4. 2% worldwide share and 8. 1% in the U. S. By comparing the major players we can see that Compaq is a leader in the market, however these market leadership if compared with the company’s financial information is not translated into profits, since it has a negative profit marking and a negative return on equity (ROE). ROE is one of the best measures of a corporation’s profitability, since it shows investors and stakeholders how much profit the company generates with the money shareholders have invested and for Compaq a negative ROE could be an indication that even if it has the greater market share amongst the PC industry there are problems with the bottom line net income and management issues. The customer group of Large Business is dominated by Dell Computers with 33. 6% market share followed by Compaq with 27. 5%. In the case of Small & Midsize business, Dell has a 37% against a 32. % market share held by Compaq. Moreover, in the Home & Small office PC sales customer category, Gateway has the leadership by large from its closest competitor HP with a 58. 2% share against a 33. 3% held by HP and Compaq comes next with a 28. 5% stake of the market. In addition, Gateway also has a leadership in the Education segment of the market, with a 8. 2% market share trailed by Compaq with 5. 3%. The government sectors is mostly equally divided amongst the PC industry competitors, with shares ranging from 5. 1% to 6. %, leveraging a very close competition. Growth rates and the percentage changes help to analyze and understand the companies being assessed. The overall performance of the PC industry has been assessed from 1989 to 1998 and the results are as follows: (Conclusions from Exhibit 2) Dell’s growth rate on average was 50. 5% for the period 1989 to 1998, while Compaq grew an average of 17. 9%. If this percentage change had not being analyzed in depth, one could think that Gateway had a greater growth than Dell Computers; from its inception it had an 87. % growth rate. However, if the first two years of operation were removed from the calculations, we can see that the actual growth rate for Gateway’s would only be 19. 5%, which would place it behind Dell. Compaq had and average growth of 17. 9% in the same period. Five forces competitive analysis and industry value chain (Diagram 1). Dell manufactures most of the products it sells and has manufacturing locations worldwide to service its global customer base. Dell believes that its manufacturing processes and supply-chain management techniques provide it a distinct competitive advantage. Its build-to-order manufacturing process is designed to allow Dell to significantly reduce cost while simultaneously providing customers the ability to customize their product purchases. In addition, Dell purchases some of its products from third-party original equipment manufacturers and resells them under the Dell name. Dell’s manufacturing process consists of assembly, software installation, functional testing, and quality control. Testing and quality control processes are also applied to components, parts, and subassemblies obtained from third-party suppliers. Quality control is maintained through the testing of components, subassemblies, and systems at various stages in the manufacturing process. Quality control also includes a burn-in period for completed units after assembly, on-going production reliability audits, failure tracking for early identification of production and component problems, and information from Dell’s customers obtained through services and support programs.

Case Synopsis: A Steely Resolve Essay

Nucor is a steel manufacturing company that makes steel by recycling used metals and reforming them into new beams and sheets. Nucor has long had a reputation as a good place to work, although its human resource management policies have generated some controversy. Employees are paid by how much they produce, the more they produce the more they make. Yearly bonuses are based on overall company performance. Employees can choose how hard they work and have a good deal of decision making authority. The company gives employees final say on issues such as halting the process when an error is detected or a possible equipment failure may occur. Further, employees have a significant voice in matters of company policy that affect them. The company has a no-layoff policy, but employees feel the effects of a recession in their paychecks. The current recession has reduced orders at Nucor by 50%, which means employees are seeing up to a 46% reduction in their take-home pay, a bite that most of them cannot afford. Nucor is using this slow period to catch up on and get ahead of maintenance, to write and revise safety manuals and to replace contract companies who did work such as landscape care and janitorial service with regular Nucor employees. By doing these things they help sustain their employees through this difficult time and they prepare their manufacturing plants to gear up quickly to meet increasing demand as the recession ends. Nucor has traditionally enjoyed extremely loyal employees, and they hope that loyalty will sustain the company through this downturn and will celebrate with the company as the economy recovers. Questions: 1. What factors likely contribute to employees’ job satisfaction and organizational commitment at Nucor? 2.How would you describe Nucor’s organizational culture? 3. What terminal and instrumental values do you think are important in Nucor’s culture? 4. How might managers’ levels of emotional intelligence influence how they treat employees at Nucor?