Globalization and the decline of Italian textile manufacturing

¶ … People by Edoardo Nesi

"the Story of My People" by Eduardo Nesi

"the Story of My People" by Eduardo Nesi

"THE STORY OF MY PEOPLE" BY EDOARDO NESI

Learning One: Business Trade

Learning Two: Financial Analysis

Learning Three: Denouncement of Big Business

Learning Four: Corrupt Politicians

Lesson Five: Haughtiness of Economists

How does the book apply to International Business?

"The Story of My People" by Eduardo Nesi

In the Italian city of Prato, Eduardo Nesi's family owned a textile factory that was really small and it was located in Tuscany. However, some time I September 2004 Nesi had to sell it for the reason that there was no way to keep it in tip top condition so that it could compete against its rivals. Apparently, it was just too much trouble. In a world of international and free trade the house was not making any kind of profit and in fact he was not able to afford with keeping it running, regardless of how much it meant to him wanted. This was not the easiest moment for him and in fact it was a rally sad moment for the entire Nesi family and one of several of the symbols of change that have come to the post war explosion in Italy. After World War II be able to support the country no longer would Italy's industrial renaissance. Nothing was really the same anymore because the world had changed to the point where nothing was recognized and that ended the dreams of the post war generation. With that said, this book report discusses the devastating effect of globalization on the Italian textile industry that makes that connection concrete.

Learning One: Business Trade

The first learned from the book was in regards to trade. It is obvious that what Nesi talks about in the book is a palace in Italy that is composed of many small manufacturers, and of course most of them are rum by Italian families. These mom and pop type of business actually started popping up all over the place especially after World War II and the author finds a way to really stress that point. Just like his family, those who are owners of the textile mills in Prato were as already mentioned, small businesses that sold to nations like Germany and whose businesses basically depended on personal relations among the seller and the buyer. All of this was secured by the trade difficulties and supports that supported not just Italian, but European industrialists. Then came rivalry from China, but worse, as Nesi refers to it, the Italian government brought down trade blockades and this was all done without even getting an understanding the vital nature of the Italian economy, leaving the companies without any defense against international competition. What was even more frustrating to Nesi, self- proclaimed financial experts in leading papers spout pat phrases in regards to learning to compete or the need to invest all the while having no idea how the industries of Prato are supposed to being doing it. As he points out with Germany, was much more cautious about its entry into world. However, when it comes down to Italy? It was obvious according to the book that they just threw away what they had because they were not prospering and the small businesses had no time to change its course. It is clear that it was even harder for Nesi for the reason that from what he says, he leans conservative. In one of many of his attacks he mentions the following:

"A world that has been governed by the rules and the intellectual haughtiness of economists, who on an everyday foundation set out to forecast the future like so numerous shamans, or prophets or gurus, (and still, extremely, continue to do so). Like prophets, card readers, individuals possessed. Like wizards and sorcerers and haruspicies, these gentleman were forecasting the future" (Nesi, 2011)

Learning Two: Financial Analysis

Another thing I learned was story of his people. The Story of Nesi People is not just a financial analysis of Italy. From reading the book, it was learned that it is an analysis of all the assumptions that inspire the post war success, both cultural and economic. In one mainly captivating section he queries, what is it about Italy that is captivating and at the same time, is it able to survive on its reputation by itself: a standing for the things that are looked at the things that are supposed to be the finer ones, as if everyone could be an Armani, and a standing for culture. The impression of Italy the whisperer of style is considered to be silly. Not enough can live on that. Nesi explains to live on culture is not enough because everything is run on money.

Learning Three: Denouncement of Big Business

Nesi describes the beauty of his culture but that its beauty alone could not guarantee its survival. He goes on to make the point that he did not want to use the word beauty because it does not define the economics. He describes in the book "Not is front of my daughter, not even when drinking the martini is over. I ought to put it all in a book, this whole thing about a world that runs on culture.

From this critique of culture as its own invention, the author was able to moves towards the impressions on the workers. In the chapter that is called Nightmare, he was able to define the imaginary confrontation that was among a laid off middle aged worker that went by the name of Fabio, and also a Chinese emigrant that was rich. By means of a sequences of accidents and disturbances the Italian fights and wounds the Chinese man. It is basically a boost of unfocused anger. When it comes to a right wing party, the Italian worker did not belong, he was just the person that snaps at a gas station, his feelings of hopelessness (this is when the British term joblessness is the most suggestive) getting the best of him. He was able to arrest marvelously the marvel that is going on all over America and the Europe.

He goes on to further mention culture when in one of the most moving pieces when he goes back to the old workshops that was sold years before. Now, the place was converted into a sweat shop where people that were Chinese emigrants worked in some of the most dangerous circumstances, both in terms of sanitation and fire. His account of it displays his talent as a writer. In the visit he was able to discover all the inconsistencies of the new worldwide economy: Chinese were involved with importation just so that when they sew the clothes together they are able to say they were created in Italy. This was really an ugly scene, and in this scene, all of the details were captured at once.

In the end, it is clear that Nesi does not have any particular solution. Basically, he hoped for, maybe the most realistic, is that the citizens of Italy start to comprehend what is taking place. How the politicians were out there selling them out and changed the rules without pondering about the employees of Italy. To represent the need for a more common action, one that avoids the self-centeredness of the post explosion of wealth he describes a rally the workers of Prato has. Here is a scene of a political movement but it is not too political for him because he is reluctant to even join. Nevertheless he is able to recognize that prosperous times have actually come to an end. As he mentions, the "Fitzgeraldian splendor" has come to an end. From that point on, he makes the decision that he is just going to be a witness at the meeting, however at the last moment he grabs a big flag, the lengthiest one that has ever been made, one made in Prato with arrogance, and starts the journey in the direction of a different future, one that will not be at all passive.

Learning Four: Corrupt Politicians

Another lesson learned from the book was the fact of their being corrupt politicians. Nesi reserves the lion's share of the responsibility for Italy's politicians, technocrats, and economists, who were able to spun tall tales of the infinite bounty of globalization and then was able to sign away the keys to the country. As it came to pass, their rational way of thinking that China's marketplaces would drive Italy's economic growth was flawed fatally: The growing Chinese middle class does not display any sign of coming up with a taste for style "Completed in Italy." As alternative, Chinese apparel makers have gotten rid of the designs, copied the cloths, and manufactured them in China for a portion of the price. Niche businesses with worldwide brands, for instance Armani and Ferrari can still prosper, nonetheless their achievement can provide accommodations for only a few people, not a nation the scope of Italy.

Lesson Five: Haughtiness of Economists

It was clear that the economists being in a state of arrogance brought it to a place of destruction. It was clear that in the book that Prato's textile industry was going to the Chinese, but at the same time not actually always leaving the city. Because the Italians thought that their businesses would always be what they were and never ever come to an end, Nesi points out that could be far from the truth. A new culture came in and changed the dynamics of everything. Prato now has the second-biggest Chinese people in Italy, just after the city of Milan. In a city of 300,000 people, approximately 12,000 Chinese live lawfully and another 40,000 unlawfully. These people work and sometimes live in approximately 3,600 businesses, frequently in uncleanliness. It is clear from the book that even the most influential words, the most important ideas appears to be deflated of meaning in the face of this dreadful story of insignificance and abuse among losers, where everyone of the characters are the victims of a chain of deceit that spreads out from an intensely bad awareness of work.

Recommendation

This book is a must read especially for those that are interested in businesses. Story of My People is story that is well told but at the same time is an expressive and disappointed wail about the loss of business and how it can all be gone in the blink of an eye. This book is highly recommended because it talks about Globalization and how it has swallowed up the artistes, the families and the lovely fabrics at the heart of Prato's interlacing industry, and a world has fell apart like a ball of yarn. Even though Nesi clearly comprehends the economics and even the predictability of this transition for Italy's family industrialists, he will not let this world just walk away that easy without giving a description for the rest of the world to see. This book is a must read because it makes the point of how a business and family can do everything right and still in the end have everything go totally wrong. This is a poetic, important, and personal work of manufacturing history.

We all recognize that globalization has disturbed industries around the world, but most people always attach disruption to the annihilation of ways of life -- the social material that globalization can tear and split. "Story of My People," by Edoardo Nesi, a polemic powered by rage and grief and at the overwhelming effect of globalization on the Italian textile business, makes that connection palpable. This book is a must read because history repeats itself and those in business can get a better understanding of what not to do for their businesses. If initial responses are any kind of sign, the United States public would probably be very interested in this kind of story. It should not be forgotten that U.S. used to have their own industrial business and that the "Made in United States" product has been affected by the disaster as much as the "Made in Italy" brand, if not severer.