Impressionism in Conrad and Joyce Free Essays

Above all else, a quick meaning of Impressionism In writing would be given. Numerous pundits have contended that both In Joyce ;s and Conrad ;s works we could discover impressionistic thoughts, another strategy of recognizing the human experience. Impressionism have is inceptions in a display in 1984 of a gathering of painters in which Monet stuck out. We will compose a custom article test on Impressionism in Conrad and Joyce or on the other hand any comparative subject just for you Request Now In spite of the fact that the gathering was not particularly homogeneous, they portrayed by speak to the manner by which one individual sees something at one second in time, impressions of a specific and solitary second. They centered in the censorial part of how people experience the world competing incredible worry to subjectivity. So as to do this, they utilize light and shading which produce a censorial effect on the spectator. In this preferring way, writing attempts to adjust the new procedures of painting to composing. They likewise stress subjectivity dismissing the old customary accentuation upon request, thought and clearness. They give us another point of view of the connection of individual with regular world transferring on the censorial parts of the experience. Aside from that, we locate another specific qualities In Impressionistic composition: They dismissed customary accentuation on hand and clearness, normally related with the shows of Realism. Vagueness wins through the portrayal being the peruser who needs to shape his own decision about the story The second and the fleeting is likewise Important. Depiction for the most part are told in a sort of unintentional report, when the occasion are happening. The subtleties of the activity are depicted through the eyes of the character when despite everything occurring and not when he/she has just handled the activity (postponed deciphering). This strategy gives additionally a feeling of uncertainty. The scene is typically attributed with remarkable descriptors that are more worried about human feelings than with delineation of the view. This and the over and over use of pictures of mist, murkiness, fog or light and shadows creates a sort of marvelous and baffling climate where things appear to be obscured. Presently, we come to investigate the accompanying section of Concord’s Heart of Darkness based on Impressionism. L saw a face among the leaves fair and square with my own, taking a gander at me savage and consistent; at that point out of nowhere, as if a cloak had been expelled from my eyes, I made out somewhere down in calculated agony, stripped bosom, arms, legs, glaring eyes †the shrubbery was amassing with human appendages in development, shimmering bronze shading. The twigs shook, influenced, and stirred, the bolts flew out of them, and afterward the shade came to. † Here, Conrad s impressionist style allows the peruser to encounter the occasions simultaneously 1 OFF us the subtleties of the activity before the hero has prepared the activity itself. This give us impression of disarray, as we need to re-read the section to truly observe what's going on. As a matter of fact, this is very like the painting procedures of Impressionism by which the most clear picture of the image can be just observed from certain separation of the canvas. In the accompanying section, additionally taken from Heart of Darkness, we can see the unique qualities of impressionistic depictions. â€Å"The sun set; the nightfall fell on the stream, and lights started to show up along the shore. The Chapman beacon, a three-legged thing erect on a mud-level, shone firmly. Lights of boats moved in the fairway an incredible mix of lights going up and going down. What's more, farther west on the upper arrives at the spot of the huge town was as yet checked inauspiciously on the sky, an agonizing despair in daylight, an offensive glare under the stars. † Here we have a portrayal of the setting where wins the utilization of light. In each line seem a reference to explicit light (sun, nightfall, beacon, stars, glare†¦ ). The depiction of the environment of the setting is exceptionally definite which delivers the impact of certain state of mind, a sort of strange picture. In addition, we find many reference o water (stream, shore, mud-level, fairway) that makes the picture obscured before our eyes. In t he assortment of short stories Edibleness, uniquely in â€Å"Arab† and â€Å"Beeline,† sense recognition, similar to locate, sound, contact, smell, are significant. The depictions cause the peruser to feel the sensations portrayed, the scents, the sounds†¦ This may be the one most remarkable element of Joyce ‘s portrayals in Edibleness. In the accompanying section of Arab, we can discover this references to gatherings: â€Å"It was a dim blustery night and there was no stable in the house. Through one of the messed up ones I heard the downpour encroach upon the earth, the fine unremitting needles of water playing in the drenched beds. Some removed light or lit window glimmered beneath me. I was appreciative that I could see close to nothing. Every one of my faculties appeared to want to cloak themselves and, feeling that I was going to slip from them, I squeezed the palms of my hands together until they trembled, mumbling (†¦ )† So albeit both Joyce and Conrad share a similar enthusiasm on the subjectivity, on how their characters experience reality, we can express that they contrast somewhat in the method of accomplishing this AOL. The most effective method to refer to Impressionism in Conrad and Joyce, Papers Impressionism in Conrad and Joyce Free Essays Impressionism in Literature: Joseph Conrad James Joyce. This paper endeavors to give a short examination between two of the significant agents of the English Modernism, James Joyce and Joseph Conrad. In spite of the fact that these two essayists originate from totally different foundations, they share the dismissal of customary authenticity and the quest for better approach to move toward the real world. We will compose a custom paper test on Impressionism in Conrad and Joyce or then again any comparable theme just for you Request Now In doing this, I will concentrate on the nearness on Impressionistic thoughts and in the new strategies they will utilize to portray reality. Above all else, a quick meaning of Impressionism in writing snared be given. Numerous pundits have contended that both in Jockey’s and Concord’s works we could discover impressionistic thoughts, another strategy of recognizing the human experience. Impressionism have is starting points in a presentation in 1984 of a gathering of painters in which Monet stuck out. In spite of the fact that the gathering was not particularly homogeneous, they portrayed by speak to the manner by which one individual sees something at one second in time, impressions of a specific and solitary second. They centered in the censorial part of how individuals experience the world competing extraordinary worry to subjectivity. So as to do this, they utilize light and shading which produce a censorial effect on the passerby. In this enjoying way, writing attempts to adjust the new strategies of painting to composing. They additionally stress subjectivity dismissing the old customary accentuation upon request, thought and clearness. They give us another point of view of the connection of individual with regular world handing-off on the censorial parts of the experience. Aside from that, we locate another specific qualities in impressionistic composition: They dismissed customary accentuation on hand and clearness, normally related with the shows of Realism. Vagueness wins through the portrayal being the peruser who needs to shape his own decision about the story The second and the fleeting is likewise significant. Depiction for the most part are told in a sort of inadvertent report, when the occasion are happening. The subtleties of the activity are depicted through the eyes of the character when despite everything occurring and not when he/she has just prepared the activity (deferred interpreting). This method gives likewise a feeling of equivocalness. The scene is generally scribed with phenomenal descriptive words that are more worried about human feelings than with delineation of the landscape. This and the over and over use of pictures of haze, dimness, fog or light and shadows creates a sort of fantastic and strange climate where things appear to be obscured. Presently, we come to examine the accompanying section of Concord’s Heart of Darkness based on Impressionism. â€Å"l saw a face among the leaves fair and square with my own, taking a gander at me wild and consistent; at that point out of nowhere, as if a cover had been expelled from my eyes, I made out somewhere down in calculated misery, exposed bosom, arms, legs, glaring eyes †the bramble was amassing with human appendages in development, shimmering bronze shading. The twigs shook, influenced, and stirred, the bolts flew out of them, and afterward the screen came to. † Here, Concord’s impressionist style allows the peruser to encounter the occasions while Marrow does. The strategy, usually named as deferred disentangling, reveal to us the subtleties of the activity before the hero has prepared the activity itself. This give us impression of disarray, as we need to re-read the entry to truly observe cap is going on. In reality, this is very like the painting strategies of Impressionism by which the most clear picture of the image can be just observed from certain separation of the canvas. In the accompanying entry, likewise taken from Heart of Darkness, we can see the exceptional qualities of impressionistic portrayals. â€Å"The sun set; the nightfall fell on the stream, and lights started to show up along the shore. The Chapman beacon, a three-legged thing erect on a mud-level, shone unequivocally. Lights of boats moved in the fairway an incredible mix of lights going up and going down. What's more, farther west on the upper arrives at the spot of the massive town was as yet checked forebodingly on the sky, an agonizing misery in daylight, a startling glare under the stars. † Here we have a depiction of the setting where wins the utilization of light. In each line seem a reference to explicit light (sun, sunset, beacon, stars, glare†¦ ). The de

Compare of the Poets Present Emotions in the Poems In Paris With You and Ghazal

In these sonnets, the writers utilize a scope of strategies to introduce sentiments and feeling from the purpose of the speaker. Ghazal is in the style of a customary Persian love sonnet, which advances amazing symbolism and representations, trying to sum up the feeling of affection, while In Paris With You is an energetic endeavor to charm a past sweetheart in a progressively casual, informal way. Ghazal, as referenced previously, is composed like an affection sonnet. Be that as it may, one may think of it for instance of job inversion bizarrely; it is composed from the perspective of a lady, not a man.Although it's anything but a piece, the type of sonnet is a Ghazal-this is a kind of tune, of otherworldly love verse: we would thus be able to contrast it with a poem in the manner that adoration is investigated as a topic. It is organized in rhyming couplets-these can be portrayed like sonnets themselves, as they catch the speaker’s solid sentiment of connection. These likewi se contain hold back words, which help to drive in the focuses being made, for example, â€Å"me†, which structures some portion of the frail rhyme scheme.The love in the sonnet can be found in the primary verse â€Å"If I am the grass and you the breeze, blow through me/If I am the rose and you the winged animal, at that point charm me†. These instances of normal symbolism mean we can perceive how the possibility of the speaker and the individual they address being together is gainful truth be told, drawing from the symbolism, we could go further and state that the thought is a characteristic (beneficial) thing. Another feeling present is yearning. This is the inclination of urgency to be with the other individual talked to.Focusing on the language utilized, Ghazal utilizes analogies to investigate the connection between the speaker and the individual they feel love for. Huge numbers of the illustrations are as sets of things or items that supplement one another, mirr oring the manner by which the speaker sees the relationship. For instance, â€Å"what shape would it be a good idea for me to take to wed your own, have you-bird of prey to my shadow, moth to my fire †seek after me? † features that the speaker is eager to change to suit the other, in â€Å"†¦what shape†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . This could likewise be a sign to the peruser that the author is maybe ailing in some confidence..Another model is â€Å"If you are the rhyme and I the hold back don’t hang/all the rage, come and I’ll come too when you prompt me†: utilizing enjambment to keep the sonnet streaming like a tune. Likewise, the different sides of a relationship are compared to resembling the â€Å"rhyme† and â€Å"refrain†, which proposes a feeling of the two individuals being one unit together. This hold back could be the word â€Å"me†: in light of the fact that it shows up so as often as possible in examination, it could be a port rayal of the darling demonstrating mediocrity to the one she adores, and distress. In Paris with You is a sonnet with a subject of yearning also.The speaker is this time a man describing a relationship he had proceeded onward from. Maybe this could have been somewhat because of a specific prejudice to drinking liquor, which we are told about in â€Å"And I get mournful/when I’ve had a beverage or two†. â€Å"I'm on the rebound† shows that it more likely than not been somewhat long haul, on the off chance that he is depicting a recuperation from it. Not at all like Ghazal, which is less clear about the result, In Paris with You recommends that the relationship is a reality. The sonnet, dissimilar to Ghazal, is comprised of two verses of around 5 lines, which manage the approach the circumstance, and afterward a more drawn out one in the middle,.It could be contended this speaks to a delay for thought, as then the mind-set, or tone, of the sonnet changes, as in th e following two refrains, the speaker centers around getting a charge out of the present, for example, â€Å"that break over the roof/and the lodging dividers are stripping/and I’m in Paris with you†, which shows that the speaker couldn't care less for the environmental factors when he is with the lady he cherishes. To be sure, this could be portrayed as the synopsis of the sonnet, or significance us being together is unmistakably more significant than being in conventional sentimental and excellent areas, for example, the Notre Dame (more wonderful than sentimental), which he instantly advises to â€Å"sod off†.In terms of language, the opening isn't care for Ghazal’s in the regard that it begins with the adverse â€Å"but†, to debilitate the individual he is conversing with from â€Å"talk(ing) to me of love†. This is a chance to perceive the conversational idea of the sonnet, for example, the utilization of the expressions â€Å"an earfu l†, and â€Å"sod off to sodding Notre-Dame†. This stands out vigorously from the more formal, overwritten tone present in Ghazal. We can likewise consider this to be the speaker makes words to carry on his rhyme conspire, for example, â€Å"wounded/marooned†, which brings a lively nature.Similarly, the last verse draws vigorously on the expression â€Å"in Paris with you†, to show the significance of being with the individual he needs to be with, and afterward â€Å"am I humiliating you? † is utilized to add to the prodding idea of the tone. Looking to the tone, which we have recently seen, I accept that another feeling presented is fun loving nature, in the way that progressively universal strategies for enticing individuals are turned down for simply being with one another, yet such that utilizations references to â€Å"embarrassing† thoughts regarding sentiment, and love poems.In end, the two sonnets Ghazal and In Paris with You manage si milar subjects of adoration and yearning, utilizing methods, for example, symbolism, complexity, and analogy accomplish these photos, yet the last feels increasingly like a pastiche to the first in the manner that its everyday and unexpected entertaining tone is a juxtaposition to the relatively formal of the first.

Analysis of the Theoretical Concepts of Scientific Management Assignment

Examination of the Theoretical Concepts of Scientific Management - Assignment Example Logical Management came to be known after crafted by Frederick Winslow Taylor (1911), a designer by calling. In his book The Principles of Scientific Management, he proposed the central model along which mechanical production systems of enormous scope fabricating processing plants ought to be made. His model spotlights on the normalization of work through an accentuation on division of work, time, movement contemplates, work estimation and piece-rate compensation (Drury, 1915). Logical administration, or Taylorism, is an administration hypothesis intended to smooth out work process. The essential targets of this hypothesis were to outfit the genuine capability of financial proficiency and work profitability. Since mid 1700s individuals have been taking a shot at formal administration standards, yet the most noteworthy advancement in this undertaking accompanied crafted by Frederick Winslow Taylor (1856 †1915). He alongside his partners consolidated the fields of science and business (work). They set out with watching laborers profitability in a work setting. Taylor had confidence in the enhancement of work as opposed to compelling individuals to work more earnestly or extra. In his book, he proposed the disentanglement of work so as to upgrade or improve workers’ profitability. He proposed a closer relationship among administrators and workers while prior this was least of anyone’s concerns. Administrators used to keep a wide separation between their laborers and themselves. Because of the absence of normalized work, laborers found no genuine inspiration towards their work (Head, 2005). Most importantly, professional stability in all cases likewise added to the laborer 's separation from work. Thusly, so as to increase current standards of inspiration Taylor proposed the connecting of pay with execution.

Good Topics For a Cause and Effect Essay

Good Topics For a Cause and Effect EssayYou have probably seen these types of essays before. Good topics for a cause and effect essay will help make a stronger argument and give you a specific goal you want to reach. Here are some of the main points you should look at when you are writing a topic for a cause and effect essay.'Cause' is often used in an essay when discussing the effect of a cause on an effect. That's not to say that 'cause' can be used in reference to a person or thing, rather, it is when we talk about a cause in reference to an effect.So, 'The cause of the snowstorm' would be a good article topic. But what does that mean? It means that snowfall is a cause of the storm, which is a cause of an effect. That is a specific way of defining cause.You also need to think about the goal you want to achieve with your topic. That means you need to determine what you want to achieve with the topic and then consider the effects you want to have. For example, if you want to write a n essay to increase awareness about important environmental issues, you might want to consider creating a chapter on the effects of that cause.One of the best ways to determine what effect you want to have is to write a thought experiment. What you want to do is write about something that would make an important statement about what you want to have. For example, you might write about how the government spends millions of dollars on infrastructure projects that were planned years ago but never finished.Another good idea is to have a cause and effect sequence. The effect is something that has been done, and the cause is something that need to be done. For example, writing about how reducing pollution is good for our health is a good start, but then you could use a sequence that starts with how the pollution affects our environment, through the effects on our health, and finishes with the need to improve air quality. That gives you a reason for doing something.Good topics for a cause and effect essay can help you focus your argument on a specific cause and effect. They can also help you achieve a specific goal.

The Common Long Term Complications Of Diabetes Mellitus

One of the most common long-term complications of diabetes mellitus is painful neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is estimated to affect about 60-70% of all diabetes patients and can lead to foot ulcers, amputations, and decreased quality of life. The most common form is chronic peripheral neuropathy which results in pain and numbness in the extremities, usually described as a burning, tingling, or steady aching pain.1 Patients may also feel increased sensitivity to pain or experience paresthesia, a sensation of tingling, tickling, or prickling of the skin.1 According to current guidelines, intensive glycemic control is very important for the prevention and reduction of peripheral neuropathy and other microvascular complications.1,2 Medications used to help relieve nerve pain include duloxetine and pregabalin (Lyrica ®), which are both approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in diabetic neuropathy. Other drug classes commonly used are antidepressants, anticonvulsants , and opioids.3 Although there are many medications used for this condition, pain relief is often insufficient for patients. Treatment is difficult due to the complicated pathophysiology of pain transmission and the wide range of mechanisms of action of drugs used to treat pain. Therefore, there is a continued need for additional medication options for this chronic painful condition. Lacosamide is an anticonvulsant approved for use as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures.Show MoreRelatedDiabetes Mellitus As A Disability1555 Words   |  7 PagesThe amount of patients being diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus has sky-rocketed these past few years. ‘†In 2010 the figures were 25.8 million and 8.3%†Ã¢â‚¬  and has increased in ‘†2012 to 29.1 million Americans, or 9.3%.†(American Diabetes Association, 2014); it is seen nationwide, and has now even begun to affect our youth. In South Texas Diabetes Mellitus seems to be the number o ne thriving disease affecting its general population. Diabetes Mellitus is now one of the most widely known diseases thatRead MoreEssay on Diabetes Mellitus1381 Words   |  6 Pages1. Discuss the pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic condition in which the body has the inability to produce insulin or react normally to insulin. The pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus is extremely complex, as diabetes mellitus is characterized by different types but share common symptoms and complications. Diabetes mellitus is classified in two types: Type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Although the disease is characterized by different etiologiesRead MoreA Short Note On Diabetes Mellitus And Diabetes1738 Words   |  7 PagesDIABETES MELLITUS 1 Emily Marroquin MED 2056 Diabetes Mellitus Instructor Michela Leytham 12/3/14 DIABETES MELLITUS 2 In 2012 29.1 million Americans had diabetes of those 29.1 million, 21.0 million were diagnosed and 8.1 million were undiagnosed. What isRead MoreWhat is Diabetes Mellitus? Essay655 Words   |  3 PagesWhat is Diabetes Mellitus? Diabetes is a very common disorder. It is the 8th leading cause of death worldwide. It is projected that the number of individuals with diabetes will almost double by 2030. Diabetes mellitus is a disorder characterized by abnormalities in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. The most common feature seen in diabetes is increased blood glucose levels. The main reason for this is either a decreased/ absent insulin production or resistance of the body to the action ofRead MoreDiabetes Mellitus And The Long Term Complications1385 Words   |  6 Pagespaper is to give a general idea of diabetes mellitus, epidemiology, role factors and complications that arise from it, comparing and exhibiting the distinctions between type I type II diabetes, the people who are in jeopardy of developing diabetic renal diseases and hypertension due to the complications identifying the general pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus the long term complications that may transpire. Epidemiology of Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes Mellitus is one of the very prevalent metabolicRead More Diabetes Mellitus Essay examples1745 Words   |  7 PagesDiabetes mellitus (DM) or simply diabetes, is a chronic health condition in which the body either fails to produce the amount of insulin needed or it responds inadequately to the insulin secreted by the pancreas. The three primary types of diabetes are: Diabetes Type 1 and 2, and during some pregnancies, Gestational diabetes. The clichà © for all three types of diabetes is high glucose blood levels or hyperglycemia. The pathophysiology of all types of diabetes mellitus is related to the hormone insulinRead MoreInvestigating The Serum Glucose Tests Used For Diabetes Mellitus : Fasting, Postprandial, And Oral Glucose Tolerance Test1450 Words   |  6 Pagesthe following serum glucose tests used to help diagnose diabetes mellitus: fasting, postprandial, and oral glucose tolerance test. Diabetes Mellitus is an endocrine disorder characterised by the body’s inability to produce insulin or the ineffective use of insulin present in the body. The major classifications include type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (Day, Paul, Williams, 2016). While early signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus may be present in individuals, the healthcare provider mustRead MoreDiabetes : A Common Chronic Disease878 Words   |  4 PagesDiabetes is a common chronic disease that causes problems in the way the blood uses food. The inability of the body to transform the sugar into energy is called diabetes. Glucose is the primary source of fuel for our body. When foods were digested, some of those foods were converted into glucose. Glucose then is transferred into the bloodstream and is used by cells for energy. However, for the glucose to be transferred from the blood into the cells; insulin, which was produced by the beta cellsRead MoreDiabetes Mellitus ( Dm ) Or Type 2 Di abetes1398 Words   |  6 PagesDiabetes Mellitus (DM) or Type 2 Diabetes is seen as a metabolic disease that is categorized by abnormally high blood glucose or hyperglycemia. Diabetes Mellitus is also formerly known as noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and is the most common form of diabetes that is seen. Insulin is a hormone that is supplied to the body that allows us to efficiently use glucose as fuel. When carbohydrates are broken down into sugars in the stomach glucose enters the blood circulation simulating the pancreasRead MoreDiabetes : A Common Chronic Disease1230 Words   |  5 PagesDiabetes is a common chronic disease that causes problems in the way the blood uses food. The inability of the body to transform the sugar into energy is called diabetes. Glucose, a simple sugar, is the primary source of fuel for our bodies. When food is digested, some of the food will be converted into glucose which is then transferred from the blood into the cells however, insulin, which is produced by beta cells in the pancreas is needed. In individuals with diabetes, this process is impaired

The Life and Works of Langston Hughes Essay - 1971 Words

The Life and Works of Langston Hughes nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;â€Å" In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone, I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan – Ain’t got nobody all in this world, Ain’t got nobody but ma self. I’s gwine to quit ma frownin’ and put ma troubles on the shelf.† The above excerpt is from Langston Hughes prize winning poem, â€Å"The Weary Blues.† Hughes, considered to be one of the world’s outstanding authors of the twentieth century (Ruley 148), is a prolific poet, novelist, essayist, playwright, autobiographer, and a writer a of children’s books (Andrews, Foster, Harris 368). David Nicholson says of Hughes, â€Å"He strove to reflect an American reality ignored or distorted by other American writers (504).† The†¦show more content†¦nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The â€Å"rhapsodist† was a exceedingly well educated man. While in high school, he read the poetry of Carl Sandburg and Walt Whitman (Bloom, Bloomâ₠¬â„¢s 12). Sandburg was decisive in leading him toward free verse and a radically democratic, modernist aesthetic (Andrews, Foster, Harris 368). Andrews states, â€Å"Hughes called Sandburg, his guiding star (368).† After graduating high school, eager to experience New York and especially Harlem, Hughes entered Colombia University in the fall of 1921 (Bloom, Bloom’s 12). However, his first encounter with college was unpleasant (Bloom, Bloom’s 12). Subsequently, he left his freshman year and became a merchant seamen in Europe and Africa (Rampersad 8). Plagued with money problems, Hughes came back to the United States in 1924 and began to take his writhing seriously (Rampersad 8). In 1926, at the age of twenty-four, Hughes entered himself into Lincoln University in Pennsylvania (Rampersad 8). It was during that time he published his first book of poetry, The Weary Blues, which was grouped according to seven romantic ideas, and sixty-eight poems under seven heading s (Bloom, Bloom’s 15). The volume earned him aShow MoreRelated Life and Work of Langston Hughes Essay1980 Words   |  8 PagesLife and Work of Langston Hughes Early Years James Mercer Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri, on February 1, 1902, to James Nathaniel Hughes, a lawyer and businessman, and Carrie Mercer (Langston) Hughes, a teacher. The couple separated shortly thereafter. James Hughes was, by his son’s account, a cold man who hated blacks (and hated himself for being one), feeling that most of them deserved their ill fortune because of what he considered their ignorance and laziness. Langston’sRead MoreLiterary Analysis Of Langston Hughes s The Road 1402 Words   |  6 Pagesin the literature work On the Road by Langston Hughes. Langston Hughes offers a gift in this work which is to open the heart and life will provide unlimited abundance. During this literary analysis Langston Hughes uses nature to demonstrate his main character s unwillingness to participate in life. Another point that Hughes demonstrates is the use of anger and survival and how it can be used as a powerful force in breaking down racial barriers. On e more impact Langston Hughes uses is Jesus ChristRead MoreReoccurring Themes in the Work of Langston Hughes Essay1649 Words   |  7 PagesLangston Hughes is an extremely successful and well known black writer who emerged from the Harlem Renaissance (â€Å"Langston Hughes† 792). He is recognized for his poetry and like many other writers from the Harlem Renaissance, lived most of his life outside of Harlem (â€Å"Langston Hughes† 792). His personal experiences and opinions inspire his writing intricately. Unlike other writers of his time, Hughes expresses his discontent with black oppression and focuses on the hardships of his people. Hughes’Read MoreA Prize For Poetry, International Ibsen Award You Named. Langston Hughes1058 Words   |  5 Pagesyou named. Langston Hughes is a great poet, his poems are truly inspirational, persuasive. It s almost like he was talking directly to the reader. To begin with, have you ever wondered what impact Langston Hughes poe ms had on people lives. Well if so then you on the right place. James Mercer Langston Hughes was born February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri. His parents were Caroline Mercer Langston and James Nathaniel Hughes. Langston parents divorced when he was a kid, Langston was raisedRead MoreRacial Prejudice By Langston Hughes990 Words   |  4 PagesRacial tensions were even more prevalent in the twentieth century. Langston Hughes was a poet who really tried to bring attention to the growing racial tensions until his death in the late 60s. Throughout his life, Hughes was influenced by the time he grew up in and by his own family; he wrote to free the black culture and literature from racial pride. Hughes was born February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri to Carrie and James Nathaniel Hughes. His father wanted to become a lawyer, but the Oklahoma bar examinationRead MoreEssay on Langston Hughes a Harlem Renaissance Man1463 Words   |  6 Pagesartists such as Langston Hughes. James Mercer Langston Hughes was an African American poet, journalist, playwright, and novelist whose works were incredibly well known. It was during the peak of the Harlem Renaissance in which Langston Hughes produced poetry which was not just musically and artistically sound, but also captured the essence of the blues. Thus giving life to a new version of poetry that illustrated the African American struggle between society and oneself. Langston Hughes was one of theRead MoreEssay on The Poetry of Langston Hughes During the Harlem Renaissance1694 Words   |  7 Pagesrented to African Americans. A migration from the South and West Indies had allowed Harlem to become the cultural center of urban black Amer ica. People migrated in record numbers, but just as the cultural aspects of Harlem prospered other walks of life in Harlem suffered dramatically due to the ever increasing population. Having developed a distinctive culture, Harlem was the epicenter for black writers, artists and intellectuals during the 1920s. The Harlem Renaissance was centered on activitiesRead MoreAnalysis of on the Road by Langston Hughes Essay1401 Words   |  6 Pagesfound in the literature work On the Road by Langston Hughes. Langston Hughes offers a gift in this work which is to open the heart and life will provide unlimited abundance. During this literary analysis Langston Hughes uses nature to demonstrate his main characters unwillingness to participate in life. Another point that Hughes demonstrates is the use of anger and survival and how it can be used as a powerful force in breaking down racial barriers. One more impact Langston Hughes uses is Jesus ChristRead MoreLangston Hughes, An American Poet E ssay1583 Words   |  7 PagesJames Mercer Langston Hughes was one of the most influential African-American writers during the Harlem Renaissance. He was born on February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri to James and Carrie Mercer Hughes. Hughes parents divorced shortly after his birth and his father moved to Mexico. Hughes went to live with his grandmother, Mary Patterson Langston in Kansas while his mother travelled back and forth with jobs. After his grandmother died he went to live with friends of the family, James and Mary ReedRead MoreRacism and Langston Hughes658 Words   |  3 PagesLangston Hughes was a great African American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist (â€Å"The Biography of Langston Hughes†). As a child, he grew up in the times of racial inequality. As a result, his poems often shared the recurring theme of hope, breaking free from racial inequality, and to strive for a better future. This theme was very evident in the poems â€Å"Drea ms† and â€Å"I Dream a World†, by Langston Hughes. This common theme is a result of the era Hughes grew up in. James Langston

Purchase Management

Question: Write an essay on Purchase management. Answer: Introduction Purchase management is one of the most important activities for an organization, and it falls under the domain of material management. Purchase management is crucial for the business as it directly affects the continuity of business operation and profitability. The purpose of this report is to discuss and analyze the effectiveness of purchase management strategies adopted by G-Star Raw, which is apparel brand that caters to urban youths. The report discusses in detail about the supplier selection criteria, purchasing costs and the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) for purchasing and operations and management (Kumar et al., 2014). Company background G-Star raw is a Dutch designer clothing company that founded in the year 1989 by Jos van Tilburg. The company manufactures urban clothing. The company specializes in making raw denim (i.e. untreated and unwashed denim cloths). Military clothing styles from around the world inspires the designs produced by the company. The designs of the cloths manufactured by G-Star Raw have been drawn on the inspirations of vintage military appeals from around the world. The company markets its products by collaborating with major retailers (supermarkets, hypermarkets, etc.) to display and sell its products. The company has more than 6500 selling points across the world. The company has also flagship stores in some of the major cities around the continent. In addition, the company also markets its products to customers through online mediums (G-Star, 2016). The philosophy that the company follows is Just the Product. It puts more emphasis on the development of high quality denims and apparels at an affordable price. The company targets urban youths and provides high level of craftsmanship with street level edge to create unique denim sector for itself; by positioning raw denims as a wearable and desirable material. Further, to attract urban youth towards the brand, the company has collaborate with many well renowned celebrities from different fields. Some of them include Afrojack, Ellen Von Unwerth, Lily Cole, Phil Hale and many others. This association of the brand with different artists has help in enhancing the brand image as a modern and contemporary brand (G-Star, 2016). G-Star Raw operates in apparel segment that is characterized by high inter industry competition. The major competitors of G-Star include Diesel, Levis, Wrangler, Lee, Gas, Calvin Klein, Acupuncture, Flying Machine. In addition, many new denim brands that cater to youths through their customized denim products present significant competition to the brand. These brands include Blue Cult, True Religion, Rock and Republic, Citizen of Humanity. Apart for denim specific brands, G-Star also faces competition from other apparel brands (G-Star, 2016). Supplier selection criteria and related issues Purchasing goals and needs of organization: G-Star Raw is known for its unique denim products and designs. The company is known to constantly experiment with its products in order to meet the expectations of its customers. The company is committed to create a style that is unique and identifiable for their G-Star look (Rajesh Malliga, 2013). The company boasts of strong supply chain partners that have helped the company in achieving its goals of producing strong products in a sustainable manner. The company has focused on maintaining long-term relationships with its suppliers in order to ensure continuity of operations in a cost effective way. G-Star Raw manufactures its products in 25 factories located in 5 different countries with an approximate 40,000 workers (Baily, 2013).However, these factories are of G-Star suppliers and the company monitors and regulates the terms under which its suppliers have to work to ensure compliance with local and international laws, and ethical and sustainable business practices. At present 50% of the products are being manufactured by the suppliers who are working for more than a decade for the company (Fernie Sparks, 2014). Since the company does not manufacture its products and is dependent on suppliers for its products, it is important to analyze underlying principles concerning purchasing goals and needs of the organization. The purchasing goals of the company are in line with its overall organizational objectives (Johnson, 2014). Most of the suppliers are located in developing countries such as China, India, Vietnam, Morocco, and Bangladesh. These countries have cheap labor facilities and low investment costs. This helps in reducing product cost. Therefore, the company maintains strong relations with its suppliers so that the products are available as per the market demand and trends. Further, the company takes great care of the purchasing policies of its suppliers so that the quality and legal compliances are fulfilled (Kaur Deb, 2015). Appropriate criteria for supplier selection: While selecting the supplier, it is important to determine supplier capabilities and policies. The suppliers ideology must be in line with the organization in order to avoid future conflicts. G-Star Raw maintains selects its suppliers on the basis of its ability to meets the demands of the business, associated cost of doing business, capability of delivering products on time, legal compliance and business ethics of suppliers and agility of suppliers to meet unexpected demands. Further, to maintain steady business operations, G-Star Raw maintains long-term relationship with its suppliers (Chai et al., 2013). The company has structured a compliance process integrating some tools to ensure that the suppliers comply with the code of conduct. Therefore, suppliers are checked on a regular basis by reputed and independent auditing firms. The company aims to improve the supply chain and to try their best to include the indirect suppliers in the compliance process to make the entire system more efficient to ensure continuity of the product. The company focuses on the building two-way relationship with the suppliers to reduce the production cost that will influence the prices of the end-product (Verma, 2014). Information communication technologies (ICT) for purchasing operation ICT helps the organization to develop effective and efficient communication within the organization and with its partners. With the help of ICT, the company has been greatly benefited as relevant information is easily communicated between the company and its suppliers. G-Stars ICT department has around 70 employees. It has the broad range of customized and standard applications. It has introduced standard software packages to incorporate IT in the business to make it more efficient to serve the customers (Bloom et al., 2014). The skilled infrastructure team of G-Star provides relevant information to all G-star offices, showrooms, and franchise stores. For the ICT business system, the company has appointed junior e-commerce system administrator; it has brought the new application to initiate changes in retail and e-commerce operations. The role of a system administrator is to grab the cutting edge technology in order to provide support to handle the e-commerce, retail and logistics system. Keeping this in mind the company is hiring ICT graduate who will be given the training to acquire knowledge about the latest technologies. The company has set criteria for the selection of ICT candidates. Further, the ICT aspirant should be result oriented, flexible, having excellent communication skill and soft skills and ability to work independently (Fitzsimmons Fitzsimmons, 2013). The ICT department of the company comprises of 60 talented employees, located in Amsterdam. The department plays the major role in controlling the global ICT operations that include providing support to 400 stores, sales offices, and warehouses in around 50 countries. ICT to be applied for improving purchasing operations In order to improve purchasing operations information communication technologies can play a vital role in the manufacturing organizations. The optimum ICT should comprise of dedicated infrastructure and employees that actively maintains and monitors organizational needs. The organization needs to develop strategies to gather relevant data about market conditions and trends, competitors strategy and organizational internal communication needs. The data gathered from different sources should be quickly processed to develop contingency plans and it must be immediately communicated to the relevant departments or suppliers (Ward Peppard, 2016). The role of an ICT executive is to keep the latest knowledge of the business. The operating process, should be well versed with the ERP systems to create the user profiles and the authorization, able to provide proper support while implementing the administration procedures and the ICT is efficient enough to address all the issues related to internal helpdesk logging system (Amin Zhang, 2012). Training will be given to the relevant areas and the departments where it is required. Software development skill is needed from the ICT to launch the new application to enhance the prospects of the business. The ICT is responsible for software testing and implementation of new functionalities in the system. The ICT team should be able to achieved integration between the offline and online stores and increase the brand experience and the brand value of the enterprise (Bloom et al., 2014). Purchasing cost analysis The prices indicated on the website is the product price inclusive of all value added taxes, that is excluded shipping costs. The shipping cost would be charged separately for each agreement. The total purchase price will be summed up when the order is placed, and the process is confirmed (Standiford et al., 2012) The seller tends to change the price and adds discounts and offer in it without giving any prior intimation. The price that is indicated when the order is placed is the final purchasing costs that form the agreement. Therefore, the payment must be cleared using the method on the website within 14 days from the date of delivering a product. The buyer is compelled to inform the seller any details regarding any errors in payment. Moreover, if the customer fails to comply with the payment terms and conditions, the seller has the right to charge the buyer the interest on the due amount (Grant, 2016). In addition to that, the buyer is entitled to return the product without claiming any charge within 14 days after receiving the product without stating any valid reason for doing so, so far as the packaging is undamaged and in a right condition. Therefore, the buyer is not able to replace the product with a new product. If the purchaser wants to buy the new product, then the person must place a fresh order on the website (Zhang et al., 2013). The seller will refund the purchase price within 30 days after cancelling the agreement. If the customers are not happy with the type of the product, one can return to John Lewis shops, Royal Mail, Collect+ in UK. If the customers need to get heavy items then they can contact on 03456049049 for international returns can contact on +44 1698545454. The agreement would be conducted between the buyer and the seller when the seller accepts the order from the buyer that is placed via website in the following way The buyer has selected the desired product The buyer has completed the steps while purchasing the product (that is filling up the address and delivery address details in case both the addresses are not same, the buyer has gone through the payment method to make partial or full payment in advance) The order is placed and the buyer will get a confirmation of the order when placed via the website (Stadtler, 2015). The seller can reject the order placed by the buyer by following terms and conditions When the total value of the order exceeds the value described in the payment segment in FAQ The information filled by the buyer is incorrect When the buyer does not comply with the payment terms and conditions If the buyer has violated some payment norms in the past If the buyer fails to accept or collect the payment order in the past If there is a mistake in the prices indicated on the website If the delivery address does not belong to USA, the seller will inform the buyer about it, and the order is not accepted. The buyer may also request a copy of the agreement from the seller by contacting the seller by clicking on the About G-Star Raw' button on the website (Christopher, 2016). By improving the product quality and by adding the new features in the product can bring new customers whereas able to retain the existing customers at the same time. A recent survey has revealed that 56% of women and 52% of men prefer to buy a product of a reputed brand of their choice. So the brand name is a major factor that influences the purchasing decision of a buyer (Fernie Sparks, 2014). Tools for analyzing purchasing cost In order to analyze purchasing cost, an organization can implement various tools such as Cost analysis: it involve determining actual cost of products that is to be purchased. The cost of a product is dependent on many factors such as delivery, handling and storage. Therefore, a full procurement analysis helps in determining total costs associated with purchasing from a particular supplier (Monczka et al., 2015). Inventory analysis: it involves analyzing cost of storing and handling materials once purchased from the suppliers (Amindoust et al., 2012). Best use of supplier analysis: in case the company has more than one supplier, it is important to identify which supplier is providing value for money, delivery time, and past experience of doing business with the suppliers (Heizer et al., 2016). Conclusion From the above discussion it can be concluded that the companys dedication to artistry and continuous effort towards developing the product has given it a competitive advantage and growth to operate the business in a long run. The supply chain and logistic operations has helped helps the company to achieve benchmark in the industry. In this context, G-Star Raw has implemented optimum purchase management strategies. The companys suppliers have same vision as of the company, this has resulted in developing long term relations with them. Furthermore, the company have employed technologically advanced ICT mechanism that provides the company competitive edge over its competitors. References Amin, S. H., Zhang, G. (2012). An integrated model for closed-loop supply chain configuration and supplier selection: Multi-objective approach.Expert Systems with Applications,39(8), 6782-6791. Amindoust, A., Ahmed, S., Saghafinia, A., Bahreininejad, A. (2012). Sustainable supplier selection: A ranking model based on fuzzy inference system.Applied Soft Computing,12(6), 1668-1677. Baily, P. J. (2013).Purchasing and supply management. Springer. Bloom, N., Garicano, L., Sadun, R., Van Reenen, J. (2014). The distinct effects of information technology and communication technology on firm organization. Management Science, 60(12), 2859-2885. Bloom, N., Garicano, L., Sadun, R., Van Reenen, J. (2014). The distinct effects of information technology and communication technology on firm organization.Management Science,60(12), 2859-2885. Chai, J., Liu, J. N., Ngai, E. W. (2013). Application of decision-making techniques in supplier selection: A systematic review of the literature. Expert Systems with Applications, 40(10), 3872-3885. Christopher, M. (2016).Logistics supply chain management. Pearson Higher Ed. Fernie, J., Sparks, L. (2014). Logistics and retail management: emerging issues and new challenges in the retail supply chain. Kogan Page Publishers. Fitzsimmons, J., Fitzsimmons, M. (2013).Service management: Operations, strategy, information technology. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Grant, R. M. (2016).Contemporary strategy analysis: Text and cases edition. John Wiley Sons. Heizer, J., Render, B., Munson, C. (2016).Principles of operations management: sustainability and supply chain management. Pearson Higher Ed. Johnson, P. F. (2014).Purchasing and supply management. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Kaur, H., Deb, M. (2015). Establishment of effective purchase management system: a study of leading manufacturer of wire and strands in eastern india. Management insight, 11(1). Kumar, A., Jain, V., Kumar, S. (2014). A comprehensive environment friendly approach for supplier selection.Omega,42(1), 109-123. Monczka, R. M., Handfield, R. B., Giunipero, L. C., Patterson, J. L. (2015).Purchasing and supply chain management. Cengage Learning. Rajesh, G., Malliga, P. (2013). Supplier selection based on AHP QFD methodology.Procedia Engineering,64, 1283-1292. RAW, G. (2016). G-Star RAW | Official Online Store. G-star.com. Retrieved 21 June 2016, from https://www.g-star.com/en_nl Stadtler, H. (2015). Supply chain management: An overview. InSupply chain management and advanced planning(pp. 3-28). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Verma, R. K. (2014). Implementation of interpretive structural model and topsis in manufacturing industries for supplier selection. Ind Eng Lett, 4(5), 1-8. Ward, J., Peppard, J. (2016).The Strategic Management of Information Systems: Building a Digital Strategy. John Wiley Sons.

Is HRM a worthwhile investment for an SME

Introduction Organizations’ management teams are increasingly appreciating the importance of human capital in an effort to improve their organizations’ competitive advantage (Kok 2003). This has led to an increment in the number of studies being conducted with regard to best practices of managing human resources.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Is HRM a worthwhile investment for an SME specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More There has also been increased recognition of the purpose of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the modern economies. This realization illustrates that, there is a point of convergence between human resource management and small medium enterprises. Human resource management [HRM] deals with management of a firm’s workforce (Kok 2003). It is composed of a set of different but interrelated processes, activities, and functions that are aimed at attracting, developing, and retain ing an organization’s workforce. Some of the activities undertaken in HRM include employee recruitment, selection and formulation of effective appraisal and compensation scheme. Through HRM, organizations can develop and retain talented and energetic workforces that can contribute towards attainment of the formulated organizational strategies, missions, goals and objectives (Transky Heneman 2006). Additionally, integration of HRM practices and policies can significantly contribute towards a firm improving its performance. However, integration of HRM in SMEs is relatively low (Cooper Burke 2011). Previous studies reveal that, most SMEs do not make optimal use of HRM practices in their operations (Bacon, Hoque 2005). Some of these studies assert that, most SMEs tend to operate in a more flexible and informal manner compared to large enterprises. For example, Kok (2003) is of the opinion that, a firm’s size is directly related with its incidence towards HRM practices s uch as training and planning. However, small firms are less likely to invest in training for their employees, performance appraisal, and recruitment practices probably due to limited capital and revenues. HRM in SMEs is mostly characterized by administrative tasks whereas the more strategic matters are not perceived with the weight that they deserve. A study conducted by Hendry and others in 1991 reveals that, SMEs perceive investing in HRM as an additional undertaking beyond the level that is necessary to sustain their operations; a luxury that can only be afforded if the firm makes substantial profits (Kok 2003). However, considering the environmental uncertainty facing firms today, it is paramount for SMEs to evaluate their operational practices in order to remain competitive and HRM optimization is slowly becoming indispensable.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In additio n to being characterized as being informal, management teams of SMEs are also considered to be less specialized compared to large enterprises. Employees of SMEs tend to perform different tasks compared to large enterprises, which means that the level of specialization is relatively low. This aspect is well illustrated by a qualitative study conducted by Berkley and Heneman in 1999. The study took into account a random test on 117 SMEs whose human resource base was less than 100 employees. Findings of the study showed that, 15 of the SMEs considered had a human resource management department (Kok 2003). There is growing evidence that HRM practices tend to be sophisticated especially for SMEs. On the basis of the above analysis, it is evident that there is a significant level of deficiency with regard to HRM in SMEs. This paper is aimed at critically evaluating whether it is worthwhile for SMEs invest in HRM. Analysis of the trend of HRM Previous studies conducted have shown that, dev elopment of an effective workforce and organizational culture is one of the ways through which organizations can develop their competitive advantage. Firm and employee culture are considered to be some of the most fundamental aspects in the success of SMES. An example of such culture includes operating in a social responsible manner (Mankelow 2008). As a result, it is quite unprofessional for SMEs to continue underutilizing their human capital (Cooper Burke 2011). HRM has over the past decade become one of the most crucial aspects that both small and large organizations have to consider. There are a number of reasons that have contributed to this shift. Some of these reasons are explained in the paper. Currently, the business environment is increasingly becoming knowledge based. This means that firms are considering knowledge as an important source of competitive advantage. This has arisen from the high rate of globalization that is being experienced today (Knowles, Diamantis El-M ourhabi 2004). As a result of globalization, most economies are eliminating trade barriers thus presenting a challenge to firms through increased competition (Tsui Lai 2009). Therefore, it is paramount for organizational management teams to consider ways of enhancing their organization’s performances (Cooper Burke 2011).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Is HRM a worthwhile investment for an SME specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More With the development of the education sector in different economies, the workforce is becoming more and more educated. There has also been considerable growth with regard to employees’ expectations on working environment and quality work. Additionally, staff shortages have made firms experience intense competition for human capital. As a result, SMEs are reconsidering on the best practices that they can retain their talented workforce (Cooper Burke 2011). The importance of HRM in both large and SMEs is also being enhanced by the demographic changes occurring within the labour market. One of the demographic changes being witnessed arises from the fact that the workforce is becoming aged. As a result, it has become essential for SMEs to consider incorporating performance incentives and training and development initiatives in order to maximize on their employees’ working capacity. Organizations are also experiencing a significant transformation with regard to clients and customer expectations. As a result of customers and clients becoming more knowledgeable, they are demanding effective, efficient and high quality services and products (Cooper Burke 2011). Analysis of the changes occurring within the business environment reveals that, it is critical for businesses to consider ways of improving their competitive advantage through integration of HRM practices in their management practices. Theoretical frameworks formulated to explain the importance of HRM in SMEs A number of theories have been advanced to explicate the relevance of SMEs investing in HRM. One of the theoretical explanations is universalistic in nature. The theory is based on HRM best practices (Cooper Burke 2011). Through integration of HRM best practices, SMEs can attain considerable improvement in their performance. One of the ways through which this can be attained is by incorporating the concept of employee training and development (Jolly 2003). Findings of a study conducted in 2002 on the perspective of employee development in SMEs revealed that, training and development is an indispensable component in a firm’s effort to attain the desired growth. This arises from the fact that training and development contributes towards increased productivity within an organization’s workforce. Increase in productivity arises from the fact that employees perceive a higher opportunity for growth within such an organization. Training and development also e nhances the employees’ level of motivation. Despite the benefits associated with training and development, some parties are of the view that training and development can result into increased employee turnover as a result of poaching (Jolly 2003). However, for training to be successful in SMEs, management teams should ensure that it is well imbedded within the firm’s workplace, informal and flexible. The theory also asserts that incorporation of HRM by SMEs would result in adoption of performance based pay. According to Longenecker (2006), it is paramount for SMEs to acknowledge the importance of formulating a compensation plan that will contribute towards attraction and retention of well-qualified personnel.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More One of the ways through which SMEs can achieve this goal is through incorporation of HRM best practices. Some of the elements that they should consider when formulating the compensation plan include competitive salary and wage levels, and financial incentives that will improve employee productivity. One of the financial incentives that are most effective in SMEs includes sharing profits. This arises from the fact that it is possible for SMEs to assess individual performance (Longenecker 2006). The second theoretical framework is behavioural in nature. The theory asserts that human resource management practices and policies have a significant influence on employees’ behaviour, for example, through organizational commitment, employee creativity and work engagement. These aspects consequently affect productivity, profitability and performance (Cooper Burke 2011). The third theoretical framework is economic in nature. This arises from the fact that significant cost is incurred i n the process of adopting formal HR practices. According to Phillips (2005), acquisition and maintenance of a strong workforce is quite expensive. There are numerous cost categories that are involved in the development of a strong workforce. Some of these are related to recruitment, selection, indoctrination, initial training, formulation of competitive compensation and reward systems, socialization and exit costs. This can be a challenge especially to SMEs compared to large enterprises. How HRM is worthwhile investing by SMEs There are a number of reasons that illustrate why it is worthwhile for SMEs to invest in HRM. For example, through incorporation of effective training programs, SMES can be able to derive more value from their workforces. This arises from the fact that the business will be able to effectively address the most pertinent issues facing its operation. Investing in HRM can also improve the employees’ attitude towards work. One of the ways through which this change of attitude is attained is by integrating effective leadership measures (Cooper Burke 2011). Findings of a study conducted in the US on leadership training revealed that revenues of firms that incorporate leadership training grow with a margin of more than 25% compared to their training cost (Cooper Burke 2011). This well illustrates the fact that training can result in improvement of SMEs financial performance. Additionally, investing in HRM can significantly improve the performance of SMEs through improved employee engagement. There are a number of ways through which organizations can achieve this; some of these include ensuring that the employees have a comprehensive understanding of their performance expectations. Additionally, SMEs should ensure that employees have sufficient resources to support successful completion of tasks. By investing in HRM, SMEs can be able to contribute towards staff development, improve on employee input, in addition to compelling the employe es to be focused towards attainment of organizational goals and mission. Integration of HRM in SMEs can also contribute towards development of a strong workplace culture. Work within the modern economy is becoming more and more demanding (Ulrich 1997). For example, organizations are demanding more from their employees with few resources. There has also been a decline in employment security, which is making the employees to reconsider their commitment and contribution to their employers (Ulrich 1997). However, incorporation of HRM by SMEs can significantly improve their performance in a number of ways. For example, HRM contributes towards development of an enabling environment for employees to work in. One of the reasons why organizations are experiencing a challenge with regard to employee turnover relates to the current global economic changes. Employees are constantly faced with the challenge of ensuring that they provide for their families. To achieve this, employees are consider ing improving their competitive edge within the labour market. To achieve this, employees are considering going back to school. The employees work demands coupled with their desire to enhance their competitiveness in the labour market are leading to increased stress levels amongst the employees. This arises from the fact that the employees are not able to balance between work and life. Occurrence of such a phenomenon would have adverse effects on the employees productivity and hence the organization’s performance and competitive advantage (Williamson, Lewis Massey 2011). Some of the HR practices that organization management teams should consider in order to deal with this challenge include incorporation of work-life balance and stress management policies (Williamson, Lewis Massey 2011). Effective formulation and implementation of work-life balance can be beneficial to SMEs through achievement of a healthier and happier life for the employees. One of the ways through which m anagement teams of SMEs can achieve this formulation is by integrating effective HR policies; for example, flexible career options and working hours (Cooper Burke 2011). Integration of such strategies can significantly improve the employees level of satisfaction and hence their productivity. Considering the competitive nature of the labour market, it is paramount for SMEs to ensure that they acquire a strong workforce (Michalski 2011). This can only be attained by ensuring an effective employee recruitment process. However, most SMEs do not consider investing their time and money towards developing their human capital. As a result, they do not have a formal employee recruitment process. Recruitment of a strong workforce in SMEs is also hindered by the fact that they are not well connected in the labour market (Cooper Burke 2011). Additionally, most SMEs tend to suffer image problem amongst job seekers. To improve on their ability of recruiting a strong work workforce, it is paramo unt for SMEs to be concerned on becoming more legitimate. To deal with this challenge, it is crucial for SMEs to consider investing in a comprehensive recruitment process. Through recruitment, an organization can attract a wide range of workforce to select from. SMEs should consider several issues in order to attract high-quality job applicants. For example, they should invest in initiatives aimed at making their organizations recognizable amongst job applicants (Hartman Spiro 2005). SMEs should also invest in developing human resource policies such as those used by large enterprises. This can be attained by outsourcing HR consultants to aid in the formulation and implementation of the policies. Such investment in HRM would have significant influence in SMEs’ operational efficiency. The recruitment process is followed by selection of the most qualified staff which is a relatively complex process (Harney Dundon 2006). Due to time and financial constraints, most SMEs conduct reactive selection and recruitment process. Additionally, a substantial proportion of SMEs do not have sufficient understanding on the requirements of a position intended to be filled. However, to ensure that they develop a strong workforce, it is critical for SMEs to invest in HRM practices such as employee selection and recruitment. Upon acquiring a strong workforce, it is paramount for management teams of SMEs to consider on the most effective ways of motivating and retaining employees. This arises from the fact that underperforming employees can be a threat to the success of SMEs. HRM provides a solution on the best practices of employee motivation. These strategies range from monetary to non-monetary benefits. Some of the non-monetary benefits include recognition of employee performance and promotions. To deal with underperforming employees, SME managers should ensure that they maintain constant communication with such employees in order to indicate what the firm expects of the m. Currently, SMEs can achieve this more effectively and efficiently considering the growth in information communication technology; for example, by using emerging social communication networks such as Twitter and video conferencing. This means that SMEs should invest in the current technology. Maintaining communication within an organization can significantly contribute towards development of a strong bond between employees and the management team (Cooper Burke 2011). SMEs, which have incorporated HRM in their operation, are able to deal with changes occurring in the business environment. This capacity to handle change easily is made possible by the fact that HRM enables organizations to undertake comprehensive human resource planning. As a result, they are able to evaluate and anticipate their current and future human resource needs. Therefore, investing in HRM can enable SMEs to be proactive in dealing with environment changes rather than being reactive. Conclusion The above ana lysis makes it evident that, SMEs do not pay much emphasis on HRM compared to large organizations. For example, studies conducted reveal that only a few SMEs have a functional human resource department. This means that, human resource activities are conducted more informally. There are a number of reasons that explain this trend. Some of the reasons range from lack of knowledge on HRM by management teams of SMEs to the high cost involved in implementing HRM. However, changes occurring within the business environment such as globalization have increasingly made SMEs to reconsider the role of HRM in an effort to survive in the challenging business environment. Despite this, the above analysis underscores the importance of HRM in SMEs. For example, despite investing in HRM policies and practices being costly to SMEs with regard to financial and time requirements compared to large organizations, there are numerous benefits that SMEs can achieve. Incorporation of HRM practices can contri bute towards improvement of SMEs’ competitive advantage in a number of ways. For example, by investing in training and development, SMEs can improve the employees working efficiency and effectiveness. Additionally, organizations that invest in training and development are more efficient with improving employee satisfaction. This arises from the fact that the employees develop a perception that the organization has an interest in their heart. This will consequently culminate in improvement of their productivity and hence their performance. Considering the dynamic nature of the business environment, it has become necessary for SMEs to shift their operations towards becoming knowledge-based to be competitive. This can only be achieved if SMEs undertake sufficient training and development. By investing in employee recruitment and selection, there is a high probability of SMEs developing a strong human resource base. The resultant effect is that the firm’s competitiveness w ill be enhanced. Additionally, if effectively formulated and implemented, investing in HRM practices and policies can result in the creation of an enabling working environment. This argument holds because HRM advocates for firms to incorporate strategies, which will contribute towards a high level of employee satisfaction. Some of these strategies relate to ensuring that the employees are well remunerated and their performance recognized by conducting sufficient performance appraisals. Investing in HRM increases the probability of SMEs to achieve their goals and objectives. One of the ways through which this scenario is made possible arises from the fact that HRM advocates for effective management of employees; for example, by integrating the concept of teamwork. Effective organizational leadership also plays a critical role with regard to enhancing cohesiveness in an organization. Considering the contribution of HRM towards organizational success, it is vital for SMEs to incorporat e the best HRM policies and practices, because as explicated in this paper, HRM is a worthwhile investment for SMEs. Reference List Bacon, N Hoque, K 2005, ‘HRM in the SME sector: valuable employees and coercive networks’, International Journal of Human Resource Management, vol. 16 no. 11, pp. 1976-1999. Cooper, C Burke, R 2011, Human resource management in small business: Achieving peak performance, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham. Harney, B Dundon, T 2006, ‘Capturing complexity: Developing an integrated approach to analyzing HRM in SMEs’, Human Resource Management Journal, vol. 16 no.1, pp. 48 – 73. Hartman, K Spiro, R 2005, Recapturing store image in customer-based store equity: A construct conceptualization, Indiana University, Indiana. Jolly, A 2003, Skills and Training Directory: A Complete Sourcebook of Best Practice and Training Providers, Kogan Page, London. Knowles, T, Diamantis, D El-Mourhabi, J 2004, The globalization of tourism and hospita lity, Thomson, London. Kok, J 2003, Human resource management within small and medium-sized enterprises, Rozenberg Publishers, Amsterdam. Longenecker, J 2006, Small business management: An entrepreneurial emphasis, Thomson, Ohio. Mankelow, G 2008, ‘Social responsibility paradox of small business human resource management,’ International Journal of Human Resource Management, vol. 19 no. 12, pp. 2171-2181. Michalski, A 2011, Human resource controlling in small and medium enterprises: Components and possible approaches, Berlin, GRIN Verlag. Phillips, J 2005, Investing in your company’s human capital: Strategies to avoid spending too little or too much, AMACOM, New York. Transky, J Heneman, R 2006, Human resource strategies for the high growth entrepreneurial firm, Information Age Publishing, Greenwich. Tsui, A Lai, K 2009, Professional practices of human resource management in Hong Kong: Linking HRM to organizational success, Hong Kong University, Hong Kong. Ulri ch, D 1997, Human resource champions: The next agenda for adding value and delivering results, Harvard Business School, Boston. Williamson, A, Lewis, K Massey, C 2011, Work-life balance in small business: The impact of firm and family milestone, Wellington, New Zealand Centre for SME Research. This essay on Is HRM a worthwhile investment for an SME was written and submitted by user Vivienne Hull to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The Different Fields of Engineering

The Different Fields of Engineering Free Online Research Papers Through different interviews I have conducted, the conclusion that I have came up with is; the average person thinks that an engineer just designs buildings. There are many more things that engineers design. There are nine different disciplines within the engineering realm that work on other forms of engineering aside from designing buildings. The engineering field has many jobs within it that create and produce products that we see and use from day to day. Engineers of today are moving our society into the future and make our lives easier by creating useful products that help improve our way of life. The first field of engineering is Aerospace Engineering, which covers the â€Å"design, development, and testing of aircrafts, spacecrafts, missiles and the supervision of the manufacturing of these products.† (Engineering Majors, para.1.) The research in this field has created; the airplanes that we fly from state to state on, the space shuttle that put the first man on the moon, and missiles that we can fire from naval vessels that are located miles from the target that they are set to destroy. Where would we be if we did not have airplanes to travel from state to state or overseas? Our travel time would more than double or triple to get from one point to another. These engineers are hired in at a salary of $58, 130 per year. (Occupational, section 17-2011.) The next field of engineering is Chemical Engineering which deals with production and creation of â€Å"pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, food processing, polymers, and environmental health.† (Engineering Majors, para. 4.) It is our Chemical Engineers that come up with inventions like; new cures for allergies, vaccines for the latest virus strands. They have also found ways to recycle our paper and plastic products so they will not clutter our streets with trash, new ways to re-create food so that we can coax our kids into eating healthy food, like string cheese, V-8 fruit drinks, and chewable, good tasting vitamins. These engineers are hired in at $53,730 per year. (Occupational, section 17-2041.) â€Å"Civil Engineers design our buildings, bridges, power plants, roads, railroads, airports, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, water and sewage, waste disposal units, and dams.† (Occupational, section 17-2051.) Civil Engineers have designed magnificent structures like the Empire State building , the Golden Gate Bridge, and power plants that provide the electricity to our houses so that we can watch our favorite television shows, cook food on our electric stoves, and take showers from our electric water heaters. They have also designed the river ways, and culverts that carry the rain water away from our homes and businesses during heavy rainfall. These engineers are hired in at a salary of $48, 140 per year. (Occupational, section 17-2051.) How do we get electricity from the power plants to our houses? That’s the jobs that our Electrical Engineers do. They design lines that move the electricity from one point to another without damaging anything. They also â€Å"helped invent the computer, DSL, cellular phones, microchips and solar panel.† (Engineering Majors, para. 8.) Where would we be if we did not have computers? There would not be any online classes, or online universities. We would still be writing letters by hand probably delivering them by hand also. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) improved the internet by transferring information digitally, which is fifty times faster than the old analog system everyone used to have when the internet first came out. Almost every household in America has at least one or two cell phones. I depend on my phone so much that I can not leave home without it, and when I do, I feel like I am missing some clothing. These engineers are hired in at a salary of $52,990 per ye ar. (Occupational, section 17-2071.) Environmental Engineering helps keep our environment safe by studying â€Å"water and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal, and public health issues.† (Engineering Majors, para. 9.) If it were not for Environmental Engineers, we would not have policies in place to protect our ozone layer, our water supply, and the amount of land we use for land fills. This policy protects our planet from manufactures producing too much air pollution from factories, by creating automobile engines that expel less pollutants in the air that break down the Earth’s ozone layer, creating new methods of keeping our water safe to drink, and producing ways to recycle plastic, water, and other goods that could clutter our land fills with more garbage. These engineers are hired in at a salary of $45,310 per year. (Occupational, section 17-2081.) Mechanical Engineers help our society by producing â€Å"machines and devices of all types.† (Engineering Majors, para. 13.) Mechanical Engineers design engines for our automobiles, planes, and ships. They design vehicles for our nation’s military that protect our borders from terrorists, farm equipment for the farmers that grow our fruits and vegetables, defense equipment for our emergency agencies, as well as security forces. They design tools for our mechanics, carpenters, masons, and wood workers so they can repair and build our houses, vehicles, and brick structures. These engineers are hired in at a salary of $47,900 per year. (Occupational, section 17-2141.) Industrial Engineering involves the process of â€Å"determining the most effective ways to use the basic factors of production.† (Engineering Majors, para. 10.) Industrial Engineers help streamline the process in which products are manufactured, and assembled. They study the process used to produce products from humans, or machines, and finds ways to improve them, and speed them up so that the process is operating as efficient as possible. If one vehicle took a month to produce, then we would probably be put on a waiting list for a year, just to get the vehicle we want. These engineers are hired in at a salary of $47,720 per year. (Occupational, section 17-2112.) Software Engineering involves â€Å"evaluation of the software and systems that enable computers to perform their many applications.† (Engineering Majors, para. 16.) They keep our networks running so that we can communicate through e-mail, and transfer files to each other. They also create programs that give us short cuts to help us get our jobs done a little faster. They write software that runs formulas to calculate formulas for us, programs that check the spelling and grammar in our writing assignments, programs that protect our homes and vehicles through security systems, and programs that update themselves at designated times of the day. These engineers are hired in at a salary of $59,170 per year. (Occupational, section 17-2061.) Biomedical Engineers â€Å"develop devices and procedures that solve medical and health-related problems by combining their knowledge of biology and medicine with engineering principles and practices.† (Occupational, section Nature of Work.) These engineers develop artificial body parts to replace missing or damaged body parts. People that have pace makers in their body, and those that have prosthetic arms, legs, or other body parts can live a more normal life because of these engineers. They also create medical equipment /devices used in medical treatment and operations. These engineers are hired in at a salary of $47,640 per year. (Occupational, section 17-2031.) Engineers have pushed our society into the future through the products that they have designed to improve our way of life. These people not only design structures, equipment, power, tools, programs, and processes, but they also design ways to save our natural resources. References Dhulipala, S. (2007, February 12.) Engineering Classified. Various Fields of Engineering. Retrieved October 12, 2009, from http://engineering.suite101.com/article.cfm/engineering_defined Engineering Majors. Retrieved October 5, 2009, from tryengineering.org/become.php?page=majors_eng Occupational Employment and Wages (May 2008.) Retrieved October 26, 2009, from bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm What is Engineering? Retrieved October 9, 2009, from engineeringk12.org/students/What_Is_Engineering/Engineering_Alph abet/default.php Research Papers on The Different Fields of EngineeringGenetic EngineeringRiordan Manufacturing Production PlanOpen Architechture a white paperPETSTEL analysis of IndiaBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductTwilight of the UAWMind TravelThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationRelationship between Media Coverage and Social and

Poem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Poem - Essay Example It is a plausible assertion to make that the â€Å"voice† in the poem is that of William Stafford who is presenting a realistic account to the reader. Of much significance is the tone of the poem and how Stafford chooses to address his audience. What may appear as the poet’s indifference towards the dead deer is soon transformed into sympathy as he touches the animal’s belly and feels the warmth of the life that is growing inside of her. The seemingly compassionate nature of this action, however, is short lived as the progress towards the fourth stanza of the poem brings into light the inner conflicts of the speaker. "It is usually best to roll them into the canyon: that road is narrow; to swerve might make more dead† (Stafford 11): the speaker had initially thought upon encountering the deer that her carcass must be removed from the path of traffic, but he soon drifted into his thoughts before the action could materialize. In this moment in the poem the to ne shifts to a display of sympathy, however, the poet’s removal of the deer as he had aimed to do is a representation of the ironic tone of the poem which reappears in the forefront towards the departure of the blank verse. The symbolism of the word â€Å"Dark† is a notion which is central to the literary work. Even though, the literal meaning of the term is obvious from the title itself the figurative meaning of the word holds the immense significance due to its multidimensional interpretations. Stafford’s use of the word â€Å"Dark† represents shock, confusion, destruction, threat, struggle, death, destiny, and even failure; humanity’s failure to synchronize and harmonize what it invented and what God created. Like the dead deer lying on the edge of Wilson River road, death is the fate of every living creature, and this is a fact that cannot be denied. Therefore, the darkness in the literary work is also the darkness of death. The beauty of the i magery used by Stafford in the poem is that the poet allows it to be open for interpretation rather than being unequivocally clear about its purpose and intention in the context of the literary work. An intriguing line with respect to this observation says, â€Å"I stood in the glare of the warm exhaust turning red† (Stafford 11), where the reader is provided with the liberty to imagine the poet standing against his car with red light on his face. Certainly, this image can be interpreted in numerous ways, primarily because the connotations associated with this depiction can be comprehended as a plethora of emotions. If the red light is believed to be indicating danger then what or who is in danger? Is it the incoming cars that might meet with an accident if the poet decides that the animal carcass should not be removed? Or is it humanity itself which is in jeopardy as it refuses to mend its ways and revere nature as it is meant to be revered? Furthermore, the imagery of the à ¢â‚¬Å"warm exhaust turning red† can also be associated with the emotions being felt by the speaker himself; these emotions that range from confusion, aggression to even embarrassment represent the challenges and complexity of the situation. Furthermore, Stafford’s use of imagery in the literary w

Is Microsoft really a Monopoly Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Is Microsoft really a Monopoly - Term Paper Example Monopoly refers to a market where a particular individual or enterprise has sufficient control over a product or service and has the controlling power where it can decide the others who can have access to the product. In short, it is a market where one firm makes up for the entire market and it is the price setter for the price in that particular market. In these types of markets, the competition for the goods and services is normally less and the numbers of competitors within these markets are less. Substitute good and services are generally not available in these markets. These markets generally are comprised of a firm which takes up a greater share of the market when compared to others like in the case of perfect competition. A Monopoly is different from a monopsony where there is normally just one buyer of the products and services. This normally categorizes as an imperfect market. Also, the monopoly should be differentiated from a cartel, where a number of providers act together to coordinate the services and prices of the goods. Â  The word monopoly was firstly used in Aristotle’s politics (Baker, 2001). After understanding what a monopoly refers to it is also essential to understand a monopolistic market. This is different from monopoly and is useful to understand to check if the company falls into this category (Baker, 2001). Monopolistic markets are very common and can be considered in various aspects. There are a number of different sectors that fall into these markets. These markets are typically where there are a number of producers and many consumers in a given market, and the consumers feel that there are no price differences among the prices of the various competitors. Also, the barrier to entry and exit is very less within these markets and the producers have control over the prices. These markets in certain aspects are similar to perfect competition markets with the difference of not having heterogeneous products. Also in these types of competition, the product differentiation is very low. Here firms making profits in the short run normally break even in the long run as the demand will decrease and average cost normally increases (Baker, 2001). Â  

Genetically Foods Essay Example for Free

Genetically Foods Essay Genetically-modified foods (GM foods) have made a big splash in the news lately. European environmental organizations and public interest groups have been actively protesting against GM foods for months, and recent controversial studies about the effects of genetically-modified corn pollen on monarch butterfly caterpillars1, 2 have brought the issue of genetic engineering to the forefront of the public consciousness in the U. S. In response to the upswelling of public concern, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) held three open meetings in Chicago, Washington, D. C., and Oakland, California to solicit public opinions and begin the process of establishing a new regulatory procedure for government approval of GM foods3. I attended the FDA meeting held in November 1999 in Washington, D. C. , and here I will attempt to summarize the issues involved and explain the U. S. governments present role in regulating GM food. What are genetically-modified foods? The term GM foods or GMOs (genetically-modified organisms) is most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. These plants have been modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content. The enhancement of desired traits has traditionally been undertaken through breeding, but conventional plant breeding methods can be very time consuming and are often not very accurate. Genetic engineering, on the other hand, can create plants with the exact desired trait very rapidly and with great accuracy. For example, plant geneticists can isolate a gene responsible for drought tolerance and insert that gene into a different plant. The new genetically-modified plant will gain drought tolerance as well. Not only can genes be transferred from one plant to another, but genes from non-plant organisms also can be used. The best known example of this is the use of B. t. genes in corn and other crops. B. t. , or Bacillus thuringiensis, is a naturally occurring bacterium that produces crystal proteins that are lethal to insect larvae. B. t. crystal protein genes have been transferred into corn, enabling the corn to produce its own pesticides against insects such as the European corn borer. For two informative overviews of some of the techniques involved in creating GM foods, visit Biotech Basics (sponsored by Monsanto) http://www. biotechknowledge. monsanto. com/biotech/bbasics. nsf/index or Techniques of Plant Biotechnology from the National Center for Biotechnology Education http://www. ncbe. reading. ac. uk/NCBE/GMFOOD/techniques. What are some of the advantages of GM foods? The world population has topped 6 billion people and is predicted to double in the next 50 years. Ensuring an adequate food supply for this booming population is going to be a major challenge in the years to come. GM foods promise to meet this need in a number of ways: Pest resistance Crop losses from insect pests can be staggering, resulting in devastating financial loss for farmers and starvation in developing countries. Farmers typically use many tons of chemical pesticides annually. Consumers do not wish to eat food that has been treated with pesticides because of potential health hazards, and run-off of agricultural wastes from excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers can poison the water supply and cause harm to the environment. Growing GM foods such as B. t.corn can help eliminate the application of chemical pesticides and reduce the cost of bringing a crop to market4, 5. Herbicide tolerance For some crops, it is not cost-effective to remove weeds by physical means such as tilling, so farmers will often spray large quantities of different herbicides (weed-killer) to destroy weeds, a time-consuming and expensive process, that requires care so that the herbicide doesnt harm the crop plant or the environment. Crop plants genetically-engineered to be resistant to one very powerful herbicide could help prevent environmental damage by reducing the amount of herbicides needed. For example, Monsanto has created a strain of soybeans genetically modified to be not affected by their herbicide product Roundup  ®6. A farmer grows these soybeans which then only require one application of weed-killer instead of multiple applications, reducing production cost and limiting the dangers of agricultural waste run-off7. Disease resistance There are many viruses, fungi and bacteria that cause plant diseases. Plant biologists are working to create plants with genetically-engineered resistance to these diseases8, 9. Cold tolerance Unexpected frost can destroy sensitive seedlings. An antifreeze gene from cold water fish has been introduced into plants such as tobacco and potato. With this antifreeze gene, these plants are able to tolerate cold temperatures that normally would kill unmodified seedlings10. (Note: I have not been able to find any journal articles or patents that involve fish antifreeze proteins in strawberries, although I have seen such reports in newspapers. I can only conclude that nothing on this application has yet been published or patented.) Drought tolerance/salinity tolerance As the world population grows and more land is utilized for housing instead of food production, farmers will need to grow crops in locations previously unsuited for plant cultivation. Creating plants that can withstand long periods of drought or high salt content in soil and groundwater will help people to grow crops in formerly inhospitable places11, 12. Nutrition Malnutrition is common in third world countries where impoverished peoples rely on a single crop such as rice for the main staple of their diet. However, rice does not contain adequate amounts of all necessary nutrients to prevent malnutrition. If rice could be genetically engineered to contain additional vitamins and minerals, nutrient deficiencies could be alleviated. For example, blindness due to vitamin A deficiency is a common problem in third world countries. Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Institute for Plant Sciences have created a strain of golden rice containing an unusually high content of beta-carotene (vitamin A)13. Since this rice was funded by the Rockefeller Foundation14, a non-profit organization, the Institute hopes to offer the golden rice seed free to any third world country that requests it. Plans were underway to develop a golden rice that also has increased iron content. However, the grant that funded the creation of these two rice strains was not renewed, perhaps because of the vigorous anti-GM food protesting in Europe, and so this nutritionally-enhanced rice may not come to market at all15. Pharmaceuticals Medicines and vaccines often are costly to produce and sometimes require special storage conditions not readily available in third world countries. Researchers are working to develop edible vaccines in tomatoes and potatoes16, 17. These vaccines will be much easier to ship, store and administer than traditional injectable vaccines. Phytoremediation Not all GM plants are grown as crops. Soil and groundwater pollution continues to be a problem in all parts of the world. Plants such as poplar trees have been genetically engineered to clean up heavy metal pollution from contaminated soil18. How prevalent are GM crops? What plants are involved? According to the FDA and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), there are over 40 plant varieties that have completed all of the federal requirements for commercialization (http://vm. cfsan. fda. gov/%7Elrd/biocon). Some examples of these plants include tomatoes and cantalopes that have modified ripening characteristics, soybeans and sugarbeets that are resistant to herbicides, and corn and cotton plants with increased resistance to insect pests. Not all these products are available in supermarkets yet; however, the prevalence of GM foods in U. S. grocery stores is more widespread than is commonly thought. While there are very, very few genetically-modified whole fruits and vegetables available on produce stands, highly processed foods, such as vegetable oils or breakfast cereals, most likely contain some tiny percentage of genetically-modified ingredients because the raw ingredients have been pooled into one processing stream from many different sources. Also, the ubiquity of soybean derivatives as food additives in the modern American diet virtually ensures that all U. S. consumers have been exposed to GM food products. The U. S. statistics that follow are derived from data presented on the USDA web site at http://www. ers. usda. gov/briefing/biotechnology/. The global statistics are derived from a brief published by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) at http://www. isaaa. org/publications/briefs/Brief_21. htm and from the Biotechnology Industry Organization at http://www. bio.org/foodag/1999Acreage. Thirteen countries grew genetically-engineered crops commercially in 2000, and of these, the U. S. produced the majority. In 2000, 68% of all GM crops were grown by U. S. farmers. In comparison, Argentina, Canada and China produced only 23%, 7% and 1%, respectively. Other countries that grew commercial GM crops in 2000 are Australia, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Mexico, Romania, South Africa, Spain, and Uruguay. Soybeans and corn are the top two most widely grown crops (82% of all GM crops harvested in 2000), with cotton, rapeseed (or canola) and potatoes trailing behind. 74% of these GM crops were modified for herbicide tolerance, 19% were modified for insect pest resistance, and 7% were modified for both herbicide tolerance and pest tolerance. Globally, acreage of GM crops has increased 25-fold in just 5 years, from approximately 4. 3 million acres in 1996 to 109 million acres in 2000 almost twice the area of the United Kingdom. Approximately 99 million acres were devoted to GM crops in the U. S. and Argentina alone. In the U. S. , approximately 54% of all soybeans cultivated in 2000 were genetically-modified, up from 42% in 1998 and only 7% in 1996. In 2000, genetically-modified cotton varieties accounted for 61% of the total cotton crop, up from 42% in 1998, and 15% in 1996. GM corn and also experienced a similar but less dramatic increase. Corn production increased to 25% of all corn grown in 2000, about the same as 1998 (26%), but up from 1. 5% in 1996. As anticipated, pesticide and herbicide use on these GM varieties was slashed and, for the most part, yields were increased (for details, see the UDSA publication at http://www. ers. usda. gov/publications/aer786/). What are some of the criticisms against GM foods? Environmental activists, religious organizations, public interest groups, professional associations and other scientists and government officials have all raised concerns about GM foods, and criticized agribusiness for pursuing profit without concern for potential hazards, and the government for failing to exercise adequate regulatory oversight. It seems that everyone has a strong opinion about GM foods. Even the Vatican19 and the Prince of Wales20 have expressed their opinions. Most concerns about GM foods fall into three categories: environmental hazards, human health risks, and economic concerns. Environmental hazards Unintended harm to other organisms Last year a laboratory study was published in Nature21 showing that pollen from B. t. corn caused high mortality rates in monarch butterfly caterpillars. Monarch caterpillars consume milkweed plants, not corn, but the fear is that if pollen from B. t. corn is blown by the wind onto milkweed plants in neighboring fields, the caterpillars could eat the pollen and perish. Although the Nature study was not conducted under natural field conditions, the results seemed to support this viewpoint. Unfortunately, B. t. toxins kill many species of insect larvae indiscriminately; it is not possible to design a B. t. toxin that would only kill crop-damaging pests and remain harmless to all other insects. This study is being reexamined by the USDA, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other non-government research groups, and preliminary data from new studies suggests that the original study may have been flawed22, 23. This topic is the subject of acrimonious debate, and both sides of the argument are defending their data vigorously. Currently, there is no agreement about the results of these studies, and the potential risk of harm to non-target organisms will need to be evaluated further. Reduced effectiveness of pesticides Just as some populations of mosquitoes developed resistance to the now-banned pesticide DDT, many people are concerned that insects will become resistant to B. t. or other crops that have been genetically-modified to produce their own pesticides. Gene transfer to non-target species Another concern is that crop plants engineered for herbicide tolerance and weeds will cross-breed, resulting in the transfer of the herbicide resistance genes from the crops into the weeds. These superweeds would then be herbicide tolerant as well. Other introduced genes may cross over into non-modified crops planted next to GM crops. The possibility of interbreeding is shown by the defense of farmers against lawsuits filed by Monsanto. The company has filed patent infringement lawsuits against farmers who may have harvested GM crops. Monsanto claims that the farmers obtained Monsanto-licensed GM seeds from an unknown source and did not pay royalties to Monsanto. The farmers claim that their unmodified crops were cross-pollinated from someone elses GM crops planted a field or two away. More investigation is needed to resolve this issue. There are several possible solutions to the three problems mentioned above. Genes are exchanged between plants via pollen. Two ways to ensure that non-target species will not receive introduced genes from GM plants are to create GM plants that are male sterile (do not produce pollen) or to modify the GM plant so that the pollen does not contain the introduced gene24, 25, 26. Cross-pollination would not occur, and if harmless insects such as monarch caterpillars were to eat pollen from GM plants, the caterpillars would survive. Another possible solution is to create buffer zones around fields of GM crops27, 28, 29. For example, non-GM corn would be planted to surround a field of B. t. GM corn, and the non-GM corn would not be harvested. Beneficial or harmless insects would have a refuge in the non-GM corn, and insect pests could be allowed to destroy the non-GM corn and would not develop resistance to B. t. pesticides. Gene transfer to weeds and other crops would not occur because the wind-blown pollen would not travel beyond the buffer zone. Estimates of the necessary width of buffer zones range from 6 meters to 30 meters or more30. This planting method may not be feasible if too much acreage is required for the buffer zones. Human health risks Allergenicity Many children in the US and Europe have developed life-threatening allergies to peanuts and other foods. There is a possibility that introducing a gene into a plant may create a new allergen or cause an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals. A proposal to incorporate a gene from Brazil nuts into soybeans was abandoned because of the fear of causing unexpected allergic reactions31. Extensive testing of GM foods may be required to avoid the possibility of harm to consumers with food allergies. Labeling of GM foods and food products will acquire new importance, which I shall discuss later. Unknown effects on human health There is a growing concern that introducing foreign genes into food plants may have an unexpected and negative impact on human health. A recent article published in Lancet examined the effects of GM potatoes on the digestive tract in rats32, 33. This study claimed that there were appreciable differences in the intestines of rats fed GM potatoes and rats fed unmodified potatoes. Yet critics say that this paper, like the monarch butterfly data, is flawed and does not hold up to scientific scrutiny34. Moreover, the gene introduced into the potatoes was a snowdrop flower lectin, a substance known to be toxic to mammals. The scientists who created this variety of potato chose to use the lectin gene simply to test the methodology, and these potatoes were never intended for human or animal consumption. On the whole, with the exception of possible allergenicity, scientists believe that GM foods do not present a risk to human health. Economic concerns Bringing a GM food to market is a lengthy and costly process, and of course agri-biotech companies wish to ensure a profitable return on their investment. Many new plant genetic engineering technologies and GM plants have been patented, and patent infringement is a big concern of agribusiness. Yet consumer advocates are worried that patenting these new plant varieties will raise the price of seeds so high that small farmers and third world countries will not be able to afford seeds for GM crops, thus widening the gap between the wealthy and the poor. It is hoped that in a humanitarian gesture, more companies and non-profits will follow the lead of the Rockefeller Foundation and offer their products at reduced cost to impoverished nations. Patent enforcement may also be difficult, as the contention of the farmers that they involuntarily grew Monsanto-engineered strains when their crops were cross-pollinated shows. One way to combat possible patent infringement is to introduce a suicide gene into GM plants. These plants would be viable for only one growing season and would produce sterile seeds that do not germinate. Farmers would need to buy a fresh supply of seeds each year. However, this would be financially disastrous for farmers in third world countries who cannot afford to buy seed each year and traditionally set aside a portion of their harvest to plant in the next growing season. In an open letter to the public, Monsanto has pledged to abandon all research using this suicide gene technology35. How are GM foods regulated and what is the governments role in this process? Governments around the world are hard at work to establish a regulatory process to monitor the effects of and approve new varieties of GM plants. Yet depending on the political, social and economic climate within a region or country, different governments are responding in different ways. In Japan, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has announced that health testing of GM foods will be mandatory as of April 200136, 37. Currently, testing of GM foods is voluntary. Japanese supermarkets are offering both GM foods and unmodified foods, and customers are beginning to show a strong preference for unmodified fruits and vegetables. Indias government has not yet announced a policy on GM foods because no GM crops are grown in India and no products are commercially available in supermarkets yet38. India is, however, very supportive of transgenic plant research. It is highly likely that India will decide that the benefits of GM foods outweigh the risks because Indian agriculture will need to adopt drastic new measures to counteract the countrys endemic poverty and feed its exploding population. Some states in Brazil have banned GM crops entirely, and the Brazilian Institute for the Defense of Consumers, in collaboration with Greenpeace, has filed suit to prevent the importation of GM crops39,. Brazilian farmers, however, have resorted to smuggling GM soybean seeds into the country because they fear economic harm if they are unable to compete in the global marketplace with other grain-exporting countries. In Europe, anti-GM food protestors have been especially active. In the last few years Europe has experienced two major foods scares: bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) in Great Britain and dioxin-tainted foods originating from Belgium. These food scares have undermined consumer confidence about the European food supply, and citizens are disinclined to trust government information about GM foods. In response to the public outcry, Europe now requires mandatory food labeling of GM foods in stores, and the European Commission (EC) has established a 1% threshold for contamination of unmodified foods with GM food products40. In the United States, the regulatory process is confused because there are three different government agencies that have jurisdiction over GM foods. To put it very simply, the EPA evaluates GM plants for environmental safety, the USDA evaluates whether the plant is safe to grow, and the FDA evaluates whether the plant is safe to eat. The EPA is responsible for regulating substances such as pesticides or toxins that may cause harm to the environment. GM crops such as B. t. pesticide-laced corn or herbicide-tolerant crops but not foods modified for their nutritional value fall under the purview of the EPA. The USDA is responsible for GM crops that do not fall under the umbrella of the EPA such as drought-tolerant or disease-tolerant crops, crops grown for animal feeds, or whole fruits, vegetables and grains for human consumption. The FDA historically has been concerned with pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food products and additives, not whole foods. Under current guidelines, a genetically-modified ear of corn sold at a produce stand is not regulated by the FDA because it is a whole food, but a box of cornflakes is regulated because it is a food product. The FDAs stance is that GM foods are substantially equivalent to unmodified, natural foods, and therefore not subject to FDA regulation. The EPA conducts risk assessment studies on pesticides that could potentially cause harm to human health and the environment, and establishes tolerance and residue levels for pesticides. There are strict limits on the amount of pesticides that may be applied to crops during growth and production, as well as the amount that remains in the food after processing. Growers using pesticides must have a license for each pesticide and must follow the directions on the label to accord with the EPAs safety standards. Government inspectors may periodically visit farms and conduct investigations to ensure compliance. Violation of government regulations may result in steep fines, loss of license and even jail sentences. As an example the EPA regulatory approach, consider B.t. corn. The EPA has not established limits on residue levels in B. t corn because the B. t. in the corn is not sprayed as a chemical pesticide but is a gene that is integrated into the genetic material of the corn itself. Growers must have a license from the EPA for B. t corn, and the EPA has issued a letter for the 2000 growing season requiring farmers to plant 20% unmodified corn, and up to 50% unmodified corn in regions where cotton is also cultivated41. This planting strategy may help prevent insects from developing resistance to the B.t. pesticides as well as provide a refuge for non-target insects such as Monarch butterflies. The USDA has many internal divisions that share responsibility for assessing GM foods. Among these divisions are APHIS, the Animal Health and Plant Inspection Service, which conducts field tests and issues permits to grow GM crops, the Agricultural Research Service which performs in-house GM food research, and the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service which oversees the USDA risk assessment program. The USDA is concerned with potential hazards of the plant itself. Does it harbor insect pests? Is it a noxious weed? Will it cause harm to indigenous species if it escapes from farmers fields? The USDA has the power to impose quarantines on problem regions to prevent movement of suspected plants, restrict import or export of suspected plants, and can even destroy plants cultivated in violation of USDA regulations. Many GM plants do not require USDA permits from APHIS. A GM plant does not require a permit if it meets these 6 criteria: 1) the plant is not a noxious weed; 2) the genetic material introduced into the GM plant is stably integrated into the plants own genome; 3) the function of the introduced gene is known and does not cause plant disease; 4) the GM plant is not toxic to non-target organisms; 5) the introduced gene will not cause the creation of new plant viruses; and 6) the GM plant cannot contain genetic material from animal or human pathogens (see http://www. aphis. usda.gov:80/bbep/bp/7cfr340 ). The current FDA policy was developed in 1992 (Federal Register Docket No. 92N-0139) and states that agri-biotech companies may voluntarily ask the FDA for a consultation. Companies working to create new GM foods are not required to consult the FDA, nor are they required to follow the FDAs recommendations after the consultation. Consumer interest groups wish this process to be mandatory, so that all GM food products, whole foods or otherwise, must be approved by the FDA before being released for commercialization. The FDA counters that the agency currently does not have the time, money, or resources to carry out exhaustive health and safety studies of every proposed GM food product. Moreover, the FDA policy as it exists today does not allow for this type of intervention. How are GM foods labeled? Labeling of GM foods and food products is also a contentious issue. On the whole, agribusiness industries believe that labeling should be voluntary and influenced by the demands of the free market. If consumers show preference for labeled foods over non-labeled foods, then industry will have the incentive to regulate itself or risk alienating the customer. Consumer interest groups, on the other hand, are demanding mandatory labeling. People have the right to know what they are eating, argue the interest groups, and historically industry has proven itself to be unreliable at self-compliance with existing safety regulations. The FDAs current position on food labeling is governed by the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act which is only concerned with food additives, not whole foods or food products that are considered GRAS generally recognized as safe. The FDA contends that GM foods are substantially equivalent to non-GM foods, and therefore not subject to more stringent labeling. If all GM foods and food products are to be labeled, Congress must enact sweeping changes in the existing food labeling policy. There are many questions that must be answered if labeling of GM foods becomes mandatory. First, are consumers willing to absorb the cost of such an initiative? If the food production industry is required to label GM foods, factories will need to construct two separate processing streams and monitor the production lines accordingly. Farmers must be able to keep GM crops and non-GM crops from mixing during planting, harvesting and shipping. It is almost assured that industry will pass along these additional costs to consumers in the form of higher prices. Secondly, what are the acceptable limits of GM contamination in non-GM products? The EC has determined that 1% is an acceptable limit of cross-contamination, yet many consumer interest groups argue that only 0% is acceptable. Some companies such as Gerber baby foods42 and Frito-Lay43 have pledged to avoid use of GM foods in any of their products. But who is going to monitor these companies for compliance and what is the penalty if they fail? Once again, the FDA does not have the resources to carry out testing to ensure compliance. What is the level of detectability of GM food cross-contamination? Scientists agree that current technology is unable to detect minute quantities of contamination, so ensuring 0% contamination using existing methodologies is not guaranteed. Yet researchers disagree on what level of contamination really is detectable, especially in highly processed food products such as vegetable oils or breakfast cereals where the vegetables used to make these products have been pooled from many different sources. A 1% threshold may already be below current levels of detectability. Finally, who is to be responsible for educating the public about GM food labels and how costly will that education be? Food labels must be designed to clearly convey accurate information about the product in simple language that everyone can understand. This may be the greatest challenge faced be a new food labeling policy: how to educate and inform the public without damaging the public trust and causing alarm or fear of GM food products. In January 2000, an international trade agreement for labeling GM foods was established44, 45. More than 130 countries, including the US, the worlds largest producer of GM foods, signed the agreement. The policy states that exporters must be required to label all GM foods and that importing countries have the right to judge for themselves the potential risks and reject GM foods, if they so choose. This new agreement may spur the U. S. government to resolve the domestic food labeling dilemma more rapidly. Conclusion Genetically-modified foods have the potential to solve many of the worlds hunger and malnutrition problems, and to help protect and preserve the environment by increasing yield and reducing reliance upon chemical pesticides and herbicides. Yet there are many challenges ahead for governments, especially in the areas of safety testing, regulation, international policy and food labeling. Many people feel that genetic engineering is the inevitable wave of the future and that we cannot afford to ignore a technology that has such enormous potential benefits. However, we must proceed with caution to avoid causing unintended harm to human health and the environment as a result of our enthusiasm for this powerful technology.