Peranakan Dishes From the Malay influence a unique Nyonya free essay sample

From the Malay influence a unique Nyonya cuisine has developed using typical Malay spices. Examples are Chicken Kapitan, a dry chicken curry, and Inchi Kabin, a Nyonya version of fried chicken. Pindang bandeng is a common fish soup served in Indonesia during the Chinese New Year and so is a white round mooncake from Tangerang which is normally used during the Autumn Festival. Swikee Purwodadi is a Peranakan dish from Purwodadi, it is a frog soup dish.Nyonya Laksa is a very popular dish in Malacca, Malaysia while another variant called Asam Laksa is famous in Penang, Malaysia. Pongteh is also another popular and savoury dish of the Malaccan Peranakan community. The main ingredient is onion, black mushroom (optional), chicken (at times pork is used instead of chicken, hence its called Babi Pongteh) and fermented bean sauce. The Malaccan Nyonyas are well known for this dish.Other dishes from the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia Peranakans in Kelantan includes Telur Kesum, Ayam Kerabu and Khau Jam are influenced by Chinese, Malay and Thai cuisine. We will write a custom essay sample on Peranakan Dishes From the Malay influence a unique Nyonya or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page While in Terengganu, popular Peranakan foods are such as the local version of crab cake, Ayam Pachok which resembles satay with a stronger flavour, fish in spicy tamarind sauce and slow-cooked chicken with palm sugar.[16]Besides that, Peranakans of Malacca are also well known for a wide variety of traditional cakes (kueh or kue) such as Lepak Kacang, Ang Ku Kue (a black variant is called Kueh Ku Hitam), Kueh Tae / Nastar, Nyonya Bak Chang, Apom Balik (Peranakans version closely resembles Indonesians Serabi), Kueh Bakol, Tapae, Kueh Kochi, Kueh Bongkong, Rempah Udang, Pulot Enti, Kueh Gulong/Semprong (another variant is Kueh Kapit), Kueh Bolu, Galeng Galoh (also known as Seri Muka), Kueh Bangket and many more. Traditional kueh (or kue) are sometimes made in conjunction with festivals that the Peranakans celebrate. For example, Kueh Genggang (also commonly known as Kueh Lapis), is a type of multi layered cake, most often eaten during Chinese New Year to symbolise a ladder of continued prosperity.A small number of restaurants serving Nyonya food can be found in Penang and Malacca in Malaysia; and Jakarta, Semarang, Surabaya in Indonesia.

Human Development Theories

Human Development Theories Introduction Cherry (2010) asserts that a child development which arises from the time of birth to adulthood was greatly overlooked throughout a great deal of the history of mankind. Essentially, children were appreciated as mare small version of adults and minimal concern was focused on the many improvements in their cognitive abilities, physical growth and language mastery.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Human Development Theories specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Moreover, interest in child development started to crop up the early 20th century, and was aimed at elucidating abnormal behaviors. The proceeding paragraphs, describes just two of the theories on child development. Stages of cognitive growth based on Piaget’s theory of development. (Atherton, 2010) 1. The sensory-motor stage (birth – 2 yrs): According to Piaget, a normal newly born baby will reach a point where it will start to distinguish self from objects. This implies that the infant will begin to appreciate self as the mediator of an action, and start acting deliberately. For instance, shaking a rattle to produce a noise or pulling a cord to set an itinerant in motion. At some level, it attains object permanence whereby it starts realizing that things persist even when they are no more conscious of them. 2. The pre-operational stage (2 7 yrs): At the pre-operational stage, the child learns to exercise language and to characterize things by words and images. At this phase, thinking is still egocentric in the sense that he/she has problems with accommodating others’ views. Also, classification of things is by one feature; for instance, grouping all rectangle blocks in spite of color or all blue blocks in spite of their shapes. 3. The concrete operational stage ( 7 – 11 yrs):Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More By this period, the child is able to think rationally concerning events and objects. He/she attains conservation of number, mass, and weight; at age 6, 7 and 9, respectively. Also, he/she classifies objects based on several features and can sequence them depending on a single characteristics such as size. 4. The formal operational stage (11 yrs and above): In this period, the child can think logically concerning abstract intentions, and examine hypothesis methodically. Also, she/he becomes apprehensive of ideological, hypothetical, and the future problems. Stages of cognitive growth based on Freud’s theory of psychosexual development Freud held the opinion that the development process of individuals constitutes five stages. However, Freud claims that many people fail to complete these stages because they tied up their libido at one stage, thereby hindering them from utilizing the energy at a later stage. Libido, in this context was used by Freud to signify sexua l and spiritual energy. These stages include; a. Oral phase stage (from birth up to 1 year): At this stage, the mouth acts as the center of attraction of a child’s libido. This stage is characterized by frustration for dependence on someone for something (Crain, 2005). Obsession at this phase may present as an abuse of oral stimulations such as eating, drinking or smoking. b. The anal phase of development (2-3 yrs):Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Human Development Theories specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The individual are introduced to rules and regulations for the first time since they were familiarized with toilet instruction (Crain, 2005). This familiarity period helps determine the person’s future responses to rules and regulations. At this stage of development, the anus acts as the centre of attraction of the libido. In addition, the child is in the process of discovering novel complex motor. F urthermore, frustrations could result; from cognitive responses. Obsession during this stage translates to orderliness, stinginess, messiness, or stubbornness. Fundamental behaviors characterized by preservation and expulsion may be connected to the experiences during this stage. c. The phallic phase of development (4-5 yrs): Several developmentally crucial events, unique to boys and girls, happen during this phase. Below is a description of the aforementioned events: The Oedipus conflict: the occurrence of this conflict begins at a time when the boy child starts to feel sexually attracted to his mother. As a result, he views his father as an enemy, because he is also competing for the attention of the mother. He starts to dread the father’s suspicion about his lust for the mother and the imminent penalty by him for the lust. Spontaneously, the dreaded penalty is that of castration. The castration anxiety: this anxiety drives the boy child to the conclusion that the father h ates him, and may ultimately become excruciating leading to his renouncing of the feelings, and decision to compromise to his father hoping that one day he will develop affection with a different woman just like between his parents. Despite the similarity in the oral and anal phases of growth for both boy and girl (center of attention and affection being the mother), deviation in the focus occurs when the baby girl realizes her lack of penis, a phenomenon referred to as penis envy.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This causes her to despise her mother on realizing the lack of penis on her mother, while she becomes attracted to her father on the ground of his possession of the penis. Similarly, girls start to be suspicious of her mother’s (same sexuality) knowledge of her attraction towards her father and that the mother hates her for that. These feelings persist for sometimes until it reaches a point where she resents her feeling and chooses to side with the mother. d. The latency phase (7 yrs puberty): This period encroaches following the resolution of the Oedipus conflict and suppression of the feeling that developed during that episode. This phase is characterized by rest devoid of any developmental incidences. e. The genital phase: This phase of development starts from puberty and is characterized by development of the genitals and adaptation of libido to its true sexual purpose. Nevertheless, the feelings for the inverse sex cause anxiety since they remind them of the undesirable feelings they possessed towards their parents and the distress associated with them. Contrast and comparison between Piaget’s and Freud’s developmental theories Piaget’s theory describes a child development from the cognitive view point. He proposes that children patterns of thought differ from those of an adult. This he described in his stage theory on cognitive development. On the other hand Freud’s theory explains the child developmental stages from a psychosexual analytic perspective. Based on this theory a child development is explained as sequence of psychosexual phases; oral, anal, phallic, latency and genital. Every stage concerns the satisfaction of a libido and later determines the adult’s individuality (Cherry, 2010). A Piagetian –based education syllabus emphasizes a learner centered educational philosophy, which does not fit with the contemporary American school educational system including programmed instruction, teaching mach ines, tutor lectures, audio visual presentation, and demonstration. On the contrary Piaget advocates dynamic discovery learning atmosphere in education system. According to the theorist, children should be allowed to search out answers for themselves through questions, experiments, manipulation, and exploration (Wanda, 1988). Nevertheless, children should not be left to do as they please, instead teachers should be in position to evaluate the child’s current cognitive progress, including their strength and weakness. This theory commends for the personalization of the instructions for each student and the opportunity to debate and argue problems. He perceived tutors as the facilitators of knowledge by guiding and motivating the learners. The tutor should provide the students with resources, situations and occasion which help them to discern novel knowledge. Eventually, the teacher should express confidence in the child’s capability to learn by self (1988). According to Cherry (2010), Sigmund Freud’s theory produced shocking reactions following its introduction, and it continues to create debate and controversy particularly on the discipline of art, literature, psychology, anthropology and sociology. The terminology psychoanalysis refers to various aspects of Freud’s research and work including the Freudian therapy, and the methods he employed in his studies. Conclusion These theories sometimes are not a perfect match of the real life experiences a child passes. Besides, they do not sometimes accurately describe the exact events which happen in children lives. For instance according to a2zpsychology.com (2006), some limitations to Freud’s psychosexual development theory exist. The theory cannot be tested with ease, and the evidence collected to proof it is invalid. Additionally, the crucial events such as how the libido is applied lack makers and are not measurable. Again, a long period between the onset of the underlying stimu lus and the supposed consequence; weakness and inconsistency between early events and the future traits undermines the theory. Finally, the theory was developed from the studies of psychotic persons while not from studying children. Similarly, gathered evidence on Piaget’s theory depicts it as overly rigid, since many children have been proven to attain actual operations earlier than theorized, and some individuals completely may fail to attain recognized operations. However, Piaget’s theory forms the foundation for the school of cognitive constructivism where it seem more relevant (Atherton, 2010). Reference List Atherton, J. S (2010). Learning and Teaching; Piagets developmental theory Piagets Developmental Theory. Cherry, K. (2010). Child development theories: major theories of child development. Crain, W. (2005). Theories of development: Concepts and application (5th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Freud’s theory of psychosexual development, (2010). Stevens on, D. B. (2001). Freud’s psychosexual stages of Development. October 19, 2010, from The Victorian web; literature, history, culture in the age of  Victoria Wanda, G .Y. (1988). Jean Piaget’s –Intellectual development.

How to Grow Ammonium Phosphate Crystals

How to Grow Ammonium Phosphate Crystals Monoammonium phosphate is one of the chemicals included in commercial crystal growing kits because it is safe and practically foolproof for producing a mass of crystals quickly. The pure chemical yields clear crystals, but you can add food coloring to get any color you desire. The crystal shape is perfect for green emerald crystals. Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1 day What You Need Monoammonium phosphateHot waterClear container Growing Monoammonium Phosphate Crystals Stir six tablespoons of monoammonium phosphate into 1/2 cup of very hot water in a clear container. I use water heated from an electric drip coffee maker and a drinking glass (which I wash before using it again for beverages).Add food coloring, if desired.Stir until the powder is completely dissolved. Set the container in a location where it wont be disturbed.Within a day, youll have a bed of long, thin crystals blanketing the bottom of the glass, or perhaps a few large, single crystals. Which type of crystals you get depend on the rate at which the solution cools. For large, single crystals, try to cool the solution slowly from very hot down to room temperature.If you get a mass of crystals and wanted one big crystal, you can take a small single crystal and place it in the growing solution (either new solution or the old solution that has been cleared of crystals) and use this seed crystal to grow a large, single crystal. Tips If your powder doesnt completely dissolve, it means your water probably should have been hotter. Its not the end of the world to have undissolved material with these crystals, but if it concerns you, heat the solution in a microwave or on the stove, stirring occasionally, until its clear. Monoammonium phosphate, NH4H2PO4, crystallizes in quadratic prisms. The chemical is used in animal feed, plant fertilizers, and is found in some dry chemical fire extinguishers. This chemical may cause irritation and itching. If you spill it on your skin, wash it off with water. Inhaling the powder may lead to coughing and a sore throat. Monoammomium phosphate is not toxic, but its not exactly edible.

Explain why information systems project management requires careful Essay

Explain why information systems project management requires careful attention to quality management - Essay Example Second reason is that lack of focus on quality management within information systems project management can result in rework and high number of project changes. Such issues can cause delay in the completion of business processes which can consequently decrease the level of organizational efficiency. This is the reason why experts suggest adhering to the standards of quality while managing any information system project. â€Å"It certainly is a better and safer practice to plan quality in advance than hope that no quality gaps occur† (Mladinov 2012, p. 1). Therefore, we can say that quality management and IT systems project management go side by side in order to reap desired benefits from the projects. Quality planning process refers to the set of tasks that ensure quality of the project during all phases of the project. Some of those tasks include designing and checking the quality standards, using most appropriate resources for the project, and continuously monitoring the efficiency and quality of each of the completed tasks. Quality planning is a systematic process that interprets the policy regarding project quality into a set of measurable targets. The planning includes identification of all objectives and laying down a sequence of steps to meet those objectives. The techniques of quality planning include use of control charts, statistical sampling, flowcharting, designing of experiments, cost benefit analysis, benchmarking, cost benefit analysis, and use of quality management methodologies. The outputs of the quality assurance process include updated project management plan, updated organizational process assets, updated project document, and change requests in accordance with the results of analysis of processes. Mladinov, L 2012, Importance of Quality Management on IT Projects Within the Pharmaceutical Industry, viewed 16 December 2013,

Is Google Making Us Stupid Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Is Google Making Us Stupid - Essay Example I tend to differ with the notion of stupidity arising from Google. Although Google and the internet as a whole are changing us, we are headed for good things. Carr claimed the emergence of the search engine Google carries blame for his acquired inability to pay attention to whatever material he reads. Google provides information within a span of 0.003 seconds and internet users find no use in reading large volumes of books to get information that is already summarized elsewhere (Carr 56). The summaries and appealing presentation of information over the internet are Carrs argument on his reduced attention and inability to read long texts and passages. It is, therefore, apparent that for people who use the internet and its search engines such as Google, they cannot read articles and books with competency. They also cannot take much of their time trying to comprehend what they read (Carr 56-63). Contrary to that, optimistic people will always quote how Google has shaped and reshaped their minds and brains. Google has provided people with means, new tools and ways of accessing information and sharing it with the rest of the world. It, therefo re, sounds absurd to think of Google as having a stupid nature rather than enlightening tool. It is unacceptable to take Google as a tool for stupidity. People’s failure to pay attention for long texts has been depleting over time because of the corrupt cultures present in the world (Gitlin 5-7). James Bowman in his article "is stupid making us Google" expounds on the concept that Google takes no fault on the new state of poor attention people are paying to read hard copy materials. Instead, he shifts the blame to the junk culture blending all over the world. Education instructors and mentors, for example, have reduced their attention and value for their respective studies (Bowman 75-78). Bowman goes ahead to elaborate his claims by

Recommendations Report for the Monsanto Company Analysis of Social responsibility

Recommendations Report for the Monsanto Company Analysis of Social responsibility The increases of food production in a growing globalize demand with limitations of natural resources and global climate change has become a huge problem in every part of the world. Monsanto believes they have an answer to this problem: Grow more food with fewer seeds. This provides the necessary balance to double the worlds food production by 2050, which is what the United Nations predicts, will be necessary. This could be the solution to resolving the worlds food needs in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner. Biotechnology could be used to support an agricultural system based on the principles of ecology, stability, and sustainability. It appears to offer the necessary means to diminish the environmental pressure of industrial agriculture. Monsantos involvement in Keystone Alliance Project for sustainable agriculture is a step ahead to achieve long term, permanent improvement in sustainable agriculture production. Monsanto and other companies joined together to bring a solution for improving the ability to feed future generations. Despite Monsantos advances in biotechnology, corporate social programs and alliances the company has done little to change consumer opinions of the company and the acceptance of the GMOs. Examples of this are a marketing strategy that ties Roundup to Monsantos genetically engineered products. Monsantos opposition to seed saving by farmers, followed by a heavy enforcement of intellectual property rights and an opposition to the labeling regulations of genetically engineered crops. Monsanto thinks it will stigmatize the product and possibly raise more consumer concerns. Yet Monsantos objection to food labeling raises a conflict with the very notion that GMOs would eventually be more desirable than traditional crops. As a result, not only did Monsantos actions hold back its growth potential, they also hurt present day markets by eventually undermining public confidence. Monsanto has not demonstrated a willingness to listen to these concerns. From a sustainability perspective, its biotech based strategy does not address poverty and food access issues. It fails to differentiate between the developed and developing worlds. This calls into question the sincerity of its feed the world mission. Genetically engineered western commodity crops were Monsantos first products, which were completely inappropriate for developing countries. Introduction Today consumers are very aware with what companies are selling, promoting and marketing. Whats more, in todays information rich society most consumers are aware of how corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs can  impact the bottom line.   As a result of this social awareness and a down economy, companies are starting to prove the value of their products and services to consumers. One of the main reasons of CSR awareness was the  proliferation of social media tools that result in an increased consumer activism. Consumers are now rapidly sharing online to both praise and attack companies. As a result, firms started a new trend where they are looking to effectively communicate and rally stakeholders around their shared values. Monsanto, the world leader on sustainable agriculture has been working and implementing a development on corporate social responsibility. Implementing biotechnology to aid hunger and malnutrition world problems, as well as programs like Baechell-Borlaug International Program, the Keystone Alliance for sustainable agriculture, the Mississippi River Basin, and voluntarism on the communities where business operates.  [1]   But despite all of its technological advances, programs and implementations Monsanto is under the gun on a number of different issues. The public has not responded positively to Monsantos efforts; fail to provide reliable information and proof safety for consumer acceptance to support GM food. Many activists questioned the firms use of science saying it creates foods that threaten the health of both people and the planet, and the use of intellectual property laws to squeeze every last penny out of the worlds poor. Also Monsanto has not show willingness to listen to this environmental and health concerns. To gain publics trust Monsanto has to improve their business integrity, ethics, and be more transparent and truthful about the scientific information on the biotechnological products to give the consumer confidence of GM foods. Also the company needs to change position from being opposed to labeling foods that are GMOs. Strengths Overview Biotechnology Monsantos biotechnology appears to offer the necessary means to diminish the environmental pressure of industrial agriculture. The use of herbicides, pesticides, and other agricultural inputs can be significantly decreased, and the ability to grow crops in poor-quality soils and drought areas could prevent deforestation and the alteration of sensitive lands to agriculture. Monsantos biotechnological sustainability, offers a way to improve the ecological efficiency of agriculture by reducing inputs (herbicides, pesticides) and increasing resource efficiency.  [2]  Yet, the environment is but one consideration in the transition to sustainable agriculture. And although biotechnology may indeed prove to be a necessary tool for achieving agricultural sustainability, by no means is it sufficient. Robert Shapiros (Ex-Monsantos CEO) strategy was based on the belief that biotechnology and the life sciences were the solution to resolving the worlds food needs in an environmentally and soci ally sustainable manner.  [3]   Commitment to Sustainable Yield The increase of food production in a growing globalized demand with limitations of natural resources and global climate change is the companys commitment to sustainability. The companys three strategies to meet these challenges are: 1) By the year 2050 the need for more food production will have to double to meet the demands of a growing population. The Companys commitment is to produce more yields by helping farmers to double their crops by 2030.  [4]   2) Reduction of agricultural resource by one third per unit of output by 2030.The Companys seeds products are design to require less water, land and energy resources to conserve more resources by minimizing soil loss and greenhouse emissions. 3) Improve farmers lives and income growth through modern biotechnological agricultural technology. Beachell-Bourlaug International Scholars Program The objective of this program is to educate rice and wheat plant breeders who can serve as future agricultural leaders. The yields of wheat and rice have grown at a compound rate of about 0.8 percent over the past decade and the population has grown about 1.25 during the same period. Monsanto has come up with this program to overcome these challenges and to meet the growing demand of food. The Company pledged 10 million dollars to improve yields in these crops as part of the Companys commitment to sustainability agriculture. The program provides full support to students seeking a PhD in rice or wheat plant breeding. The program includes tuition, insurance, research fees and travel.  [5]   The Mississippi River Basin This initiative is focused on reducing nutrient and sediment movement into the United States largest river system, the Mississippi River. For this project, Monsanto is partnering with The Nature Conservancy, the Iowa Soybean Association, Delta Wildlife and National Audubon Society. The company has committed more than $ 5 million to this conservation project for the Mississippi River and agricultural landscapes, in which farmers can produce higher yield crops, fiber and fuel in ways that further preserve water quality as well as support diverse and abundant wildlife populations.  [6]   In the future, crop producers are expected to have additional on farm tools that can enhance their environmental stewardship efforts. And this project is one of many contributing to this end. Field to Market: The Keystone Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture With experts saying that we have to double food production by 2050 to meet the needs of a population projected to grow to 9 billion, the world has two choices: we need to either make each acre of farmland twice as productive, or use twice as many acres. Option two inevitably requires deforestation which can lead to habitat loss and many other environmental problems. Monsanto got involved in Keystone Alliance Project for sustainable agriculture, a nonprofit organization along with 30 other organizations, including food companies and Environmental Non-government, Private and International Organizations committed to achieve long term, permanent improvement in sustainable agriculture production. Monsanto and these other companies joined together to bring a solution for improving the ability to feed future generations. This is to be done by increasing agricultural production while decreasing environmental impact.  [7]   Investing in Communities Monsanto established the Monsanto Fund in 1964 as the charitable division of the company. It states that our philanthropic goal has been to bridge the gap between peoples needs and their available resources. We want to help people realize their dreams, and hopefully inspire them to enroll others in their vision.  [8]   Monsantos commitment to give back to communities where business is operated has been done through the creation of the Monsanto Fund which has awarded $13.9 million in grants for nutrition, education, environmental and community programs. Monsanto has awarded United Way with $ 1.1 million. Monsanto has also Monsanto Fund Matching Gifts Program. This program gives permanent Monsanto employees and active members of the Monsanto Board of Directors an opportunity to join Monsanto Funds support of not-for-profit institutions.  [9]   Monsantos philanthropic activities are meant to not only improve its image, but also provide key relationships. It understands better than anyone that relationships, partnerships and network are the key for success of the company. Weaknesses Overview Consumer Acceptance Many factors point to believe that Monsantos head position in the biotechnological industry race is going to collapse along with the publics support for GMOs. Financially, Monsanto has depleted a considerable amount of resources during its acquisition phase and has accumulated significant debt. Its designation as a biotech firm and the increased dependency on Roundup is forcing the company to rapid sales growth of its biotech products, perhaps too rapid for the publics comfort. With the growing disapproval, started in part by the mad cow disease alert and the subsequent doubts of regulatory bodies, raised doubt about the possibility of continued consumer acceptance. Monsantos choice of electing to pursue biotech products first, has contributed little to consumer acceptance of the GMOs; there is no perceptible benefit for the consumer. Also its marketing strategy at best, are only tolerated by the farmers. In addition, the environmental and human health concerns seemed suitable, and M onsanto has not demonstrated a willingness to listen to these concerns. From a sustainability perspective, its biotech based strategy do not address poverty and food access issues and fails to differentiate between the developed and developing worlds, therefore calling into question the sincerity of its feed the world mission.  [10]  Genetically engineered western commodity crops were Monsantos first products, crops wholly inappropriate for developing countries. Food Labeling Monsanto fears that GMO labeling would stigmatize the product and possibly raise additional consumer concerns, consequently preventing or slowing acceptance of GMOs technologies. Yet Monsantos objection to labeling is in conflict with the very notion that GMOs would eventually be more desirable than traditional crops. Once GMOs products entered the market, farmers would attract additional value only if an infrastructure existed for segregating GMOs crops and preserving their identity throughout the supply chain. From a midterm perspective (3-5 years), it would have been advantageous for Monsanto to support labeling requirements and to facilitate creation of an identity preserving infrastructure. As a result, not only did Monsantos actions hold back its growth potential, they also injured present day markets by ultimately undermining public confidence.  [11]   One- Size-Fits-All Strategy Although Monsanto declared an intention to meet the worlds food and fiber needs, its initial GMOs technologies is directed to western markets and commodity crops. There are many inconsistencies with Monsantos planning as a one-size-fits-all strategy with respect to developed and the developing countries. For example rice, sweet potatoes, cassava, and yams were the principal crops of developing countries, not corn, cotton, and soybeans.  [12]  In addition, Monsantos patenting of life forms and intellectual property right protection policy is seen by some as indignation to the thousand year old cultural and seed saving traditions of many of the developing countries. Developing countries, a majority of whose populations participated in the agricultural sector, often at a minimal level, more and more are looking upon Monsanto and other multinational agricultural firms as profit motivated corporate entities whose products would displace the small holder farmer  [13]  . The rapid consolidation of the seed sector, the integration of the agricultural supply chain, and the patenting of genetic inventions by Monsanto reinforced the notion of corporate domination. Consequently, by failing to differentiate between the needs of the minimal level economies to those already mature. Monsanto is hurting its global sustainability campaign and is alienating many in the developing countries. In the end, Monsanto overpromised and under delivered on its global sustainability vision, a fact that is not going unnoticed by NGOs and consumers worldwide. Recommendations Consumer Strategy When people are not treated with fairness and honesty and respect for their right to make their own decisions, there is little risk communication can do to keep them (the public) from raising hell regardless of the extent of the hazard.  [14]   Talking to the public is not the problem; listening to the public is. Monsanto essentially views the opposition as arising from consumer ignorance and, consequently, the attempt to diminish it with a supposedly effective advertising campaign, is failing miserably. Monsanto is doing little to understand the concerns of consumers upset by GMOs concerns and skeptical of science-based declarations of safety. The company does not address cultural sensitivities toward food and farmland. In the end, Monsantos relentless persistence on scientific data and ignore public perceptions is provoking even further outrage. An approach that Monsanto should follow is a process called Six Sigma which begins with listening to public to determine the strongest quality issues on Monsantos products and how that can be changed to benefit the consumer and the company yielding more profit. Following this approach, everyone wins. Consumers will benefit from safe and better products while feeling that their needs are being taken seriously and their business is valued. Monsanto would be happy because their products will gain from new innovation and improved value. Also, the company will gain loyalty and credibility through this social responsibility. The object of this system is to gain a deep understanding of consumers, in order to give them what they want. All the advertising and marketing in the world wont make up for failures on these key strategic elements. This can also be applied on the human resources policies that must support this customer focus: if the company wants happy customers, first get a content staff. Transparency Replacing secrecy and protection of proprietary information, for transparency and stakeholder commitment will likely hold the keys to success in the future. Transparency basically means taking the firewall down and reveal everything about the products from research, biological and chemical technological process and tests so that consumers can be better informed and make decisions about the products they consume. It will also lead to integrity of the company. Basically sharing information openly will welcome ideas and innovations from every angle. By analytically measuring and reporting the sustainability, Monsanto will engage everyone from employees to consumers to critics in the process of building a truthfully sustainable company. But unfortunately Monsantos checkered history as a chemical manufacturer offers the public little assurance about the accuracy and validity of the company pronouncements. The company manufactured virtually all the PCBs in the United States until they were finally banned in 1976, and taxpayers are still shelling out to clean up PCB-riddled waste sites. Monsanto also manufactured Agent Orange, which is linked to cancer and reproductive problems in Vietnam War vets. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Monsanto is a potentially responsible party.  [15]   Better Strategies Model Monsanto needs to create a balance multi modal strategy to succeed in the development of sustainability. The four strategy process is: rational, symbolic, transactive, and generative. The symbolic mode involves managements creation of a convincing vision and clear corporate responsibilities mission. The rational mode relies heavily on strategic planning and reporting systems: For example corporate responsibilities and accountability based on performance. The transactive mode is based on interaction and learning; its center is communication across organizational boundaries. And the generative mode depends on organizational members is the entrepreneurial behavior. Sustainable development became a core aspect of Shapiros vision, and the strategy making process came to be dominated by the symbolic mode. Monsanto needs to build up and set up a balanced multimodal strategy-making process. The symbolic mode dominates all others. A better balance of strategic processes may help the company avoid the problems it has encountered in the past. Open connection between the rational mode and the symbolic vision of sustainability might have overcome some of Monsantos problems of inconsistency. Conclusions: Monsantos biotechnology may be the solution for the necessary means to diminish the environmental pressure of industrial agriculture. But even that biotechnology may indeed prove to be a necessary tool for achieving agricultural sustainability by no means is sufficient. Even Monsanto has taken the rights steps to be socially responsible. By increasing sustainability yield, developing ecological and educational programs, aid and tools for farmers and the participation in communities. Regardless of these efforts the company still has a lot to work on, like being more conscious about the consumers, transparency and business strategies.

Ethical Dilemma Essay

The situation at hand involves an ethical decision between two possible courses of action relating to the promotion of tobacco as a product in the market. R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. is a corporation that earns huge amounts of money in selling tobacco and is concerned about keeping its profits despite the negative image now associated with tobacco. Therefore, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. hired Acme Global Advertising to again promote the product in the market. Being recommended by the company’s Director for Global Accounts as the new head of the R.  J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. account, I am constrained to decide whether to accept the position or not. There is no doubt that this is a once in a lifetime career opportunity, as the last manager to handle the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. account had already retired after receiving a huge sum of money after his successful campaign. Indeed, a successful promotional campaign would result in huge profit for both R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and Acme Global Advertising, which would translate into big earnings for me. On the other hand, a simple refusal on my part would mean another eager person would immediately be taking my place and my big opportunity. The problem is not as simple as it looks, however. This is because the World Health Organization already declared tobacco as the second major cause of death in the world. Therefore, any effort on my side in promoting the consumption of tobacco would mean that I am personally exerting effort in favor of a product that causes death to millions of people arounf the world. It is clear, therefore, that the present situation presents an ethical dilemma that needs serious consideration. I have to make a decision between personal success and the health of innumerable people. In order to solve this dilemma, I turn to the philosophical writings of Aristotle in his work entitled Nicomachean Ethics, as well as utilitarian ethical philosophy as explained by well-known ethical philosophers John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham. Based on these ethical principles, I shall explain why it would be ethical for me to accept the challenge and exert my best effort in promoting the sales of tobacco products of R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. this paper shall discuss the relevant principles characteristic of each theory, and then apply such principles to the facts of this particular scenario. In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, he expounded on the notion called virtue, which to him is that which determines the character or nature of anything, be it a person or a specific thing (Ross). Virtue is that thing which makes a knife a good knife, and it is also that which makes a man a good person (Ross). Aristotle makes a distinction between two kinds of virtue, namely natural virtue and moral virtue (Kilcullen). For him, the former relates to characteristics that humans possess from birth, such as a particular temperament (Kilcullen). On the other hand, the latter kind of virtue refers to the act of submitting one’s acts to reason (Kilcullen). It is in the latter kind of virtue that habit, an essential part of Aristotle’s ethical philosophy, enters the scene (Kilcullen). Aristotle posits that moral virtue is developed through habituation, whereby the exercise of reason results in a specific course of action (Kilcullen). Applying Aristotle’s ethical philosophy based on virtue and habit, I conclude that accepting the challenge would determine my character as a person in general, and as a leader in an advertising firm in particular. Accepting a project such as the one in the case would help me develop habits that would hone my leadership and creative skills, which would increase my competence as a leader. The other ethical philosophy that supports my decision is utilitarianism, which is a notion that belongs to the normative ethics tradition. Since the late 18th- and 19th-century, utilitarianism had been in existence to attempt to answer the question, â€Å"What ought a man to do? (West). † Utilitarian philosophers Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill were the foremost believers in the school of thought, and their main thesis was that an action would only be considered morally right if it tends to promote happiness for the greatest number of people. This has been popularly known as the â€Å"Greatest Happiness Principle. † John Stuart Mill explained said ethical principle in 1863, when his published work entitled Utilitarianism came out. He explained, thus: The creed which accepts as the foundation of morals, Utility, or the Greatest Happiness Principle, holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasure (Mill). It appears therefore, that utilitarianism attaches moral value, not on the motive behind man’s actions, but on the effect that such action makes on people. Bentham and Mill assumed that pleasure and pain are the basic motivations of man, such that he avoids pain and seeks pleasure (West). Applying this principle to my ethical dilemma, I deduce that accepting the project would promote the happiness of many people, namely, myself and the executives of the two corporations that would derive monetary benefits from the success of the project. The people who could be consuming tobacco would likewise find happiness in the availability of a product that they enjoy having, albeit this happiness comes with the danger of disease or even death. Nevertheless, I leave such choice to the holders of the lives concerned, namely, the consumers. It is, after all, ultimately their choice whether to remain healthy or otherwise. In sum, two ethical principles, namely Aristotelian and utilitarian ethics, support the decision to accept the position as head of the project and promote tobacco products.