My Aim in Life

There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want, and after that to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan P. Smith People have set their own aim depending upon their abilities. Some people are doctors, engineers, Charter Accountants, pilots, teachers and many more. Our life is too short so we have to strive to attain our aim with all our hard work. The main objective for achieving the aim is to get material pleasures, mental happiness as well as satisfaction. Once a person chives his aim he can live a prosperous life.The mere act of aiming at something big, makes you big. Charcoal Nehru My aim in life is neither to collect money nor for fame. It is my desire to become a well-qualified doctor. I do not just wish to be an ordinary doctor. The world remembers with thankfulness the name of the man who gave to the world vaccination. The world will remember forever the man who gave us penicillin. As a doctor I want to serve the humanity. Don't ai m for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.David Frost have an ambition to do something in this world so, great as the doctors and the courageous founders did in the past. I would like to give the world some new drugs and injections that will cure some of the diseases that people are still suffering from. An aim in life is the only fortune worth finding. Robert Louis Stevenson know, my profession is very dignified and it will help me to get peace and satisfaction in life. It provides us best chances of service. Sympathy to human being is the sympathy to one own self. Quotations About this essay. Future favors the bold.An early death is better than an aimless life. A noble aim is simply a noble deed. My goal in life is to survive. Everything else is just a bonus. The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark. Michelangelo The aim of ar t is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. Aristotle. Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something. My Aim in Life There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want, and after that to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan P. Smith People have set their own aim depending upon their abilities. Some people are doctors, engineers, Charter Accountants, pilots, teachers and many more. Our life is too short so we have to strive to attain our aim with all our hard work. The main objective for achieving the aim is to get material pleasures, mental happiness as well as satisfaction. Once a person chives his aim he can live a prosperous life.The mere act of aiming at something big, makes you big. Charcoal Nehru My aim in life is neither to collect money nor for fame. It is my desire to become a well-qualified doctor. I do not just wish to be an ordinary doctor. The world remembers with thankfulness the name of the man who gave to the world vaccination. The world will remember forever the man who gave us penicillin. As a doctor I want to serve the humanity. Don't ai m for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.David Frost have an ambition to do something in this world so, great as the doctors and the courageous founders did in the past. I would like to give the world some new drugs and injections that will cure some of the diseases that people are still suffering from. An aim in life is the only fortune worth finding. Robert Louis Stevenson know, my profession is very dignified and it will help me to get peace and satisfaction in life. It provides us best chances of service. Sympathy to human being is the sympathy to one own self. Quotations About this essay. Future favors the bold.An early death is better than an aimless life. A noble aim is simply a noble deed. My goal in life is to survive. Everything else is just a bonus. The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark. Michelangelo The aim of ar t is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. Aristotle. Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something. My Aim in Life ARTICLE IN PRESS Microbiological Research 161 (2006) 93—101 www. elsevier. de/micres Changes in microbial and soil properties following amendment with treated and untreated olive mill wastewater Ali Mekki, Abdelha? dh Dhouib, Sami SayadiA Laboratoire des Bioprocedes,Centre de Biotechnologie de Sfax, BP: ‘‘K’’ 3038 Sfax, Tunisie ? ? Received 8 June 2005; accepted 15 June 2005 KEYWORDS Microbial community; Olive mill wastewater; Polyphenols; Soil respiration Summary We investigated the effect of untreated and biologically treated olive mill wastewater (OMW) spreading on the soil characteristics and the microbial communities.The water holding capacity, the salinity and the content of total organic carbon, humus, total nitrogen, phosphate and potassium increased when the spread amounts of the treated or untreated OMW increased. The OMW treated soil exhibited signi? cantly higher respiration compared to the control soil. However, the C-CO2/Ctot ratio decre ased from 1. 7 in the control soil to 0. 5 in the soil amended with 100 m3 haA1 of untreated OMW. However, it slightly decreased to 1. 15 in the soil amended with 400 m3 haA1 of treated OMW.The treated OMW increased the total mesophylic number while the number of fungi and nitri? ers decreased. Actinomycetes and spore-forming bacteria were neither sensitive to treated nor to untreated OMW. The total coliforms increased with higher doses of treated and untreated OMW. A toxic effect of the untreated OMW appeared from 100 m3 haA1. This toxicity was more signi? cant with 200 m3 haA1, where micro? ora of total mesophilic, yeasts and moulds, actinomycetes, and nitri? ers were seriously inhibited except for total coliforms and spore-forming bacteria. & 2005 Elsevier GmbH.All rights reserved. Introduction The olive mill wastewater (OMW) is a critical problem, especially in the Mediterranean area, where the olive cultivation is widespread and huge amounts of this ef? uent 30 millions m3 yA1 worldACorresponding author. Tel. /fax: +216 74 440 452. wide and 500 000 m3 yA1 in Tunisia alone, are annually produced (Sayadi and Ellouz, 1995; Casa et al. , 2003). This waste contains an enormous supply of organic matter, COD between 40 and 210 g dmA3 and BOD5 between 10 and 150 g dmA3 (Feria, 2000). Some characteristics of this materialE-mail address: sami. [email  protected] rnrt. tn (S. Sayadi). 0944-5013/$ – see front matter & 2005 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. doi:10. 1016/j. micres. 2005. 06. 001 ARTICLE IN PRESS 94 are favourable for agriculture since this ef? uent is rich in organic matter, nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg). The organic fraction of this wastewater includes sugars, tannins, poly phenols, poly alcohols, pectins, lipids, and proteins (Mulinacci et al. , 2001; LesageMeessen et al. , 2001). For these reasons, increasing attention has been given to ? d the best methods to spread OMW on agricultural lands and to recyc le both the organic matter and the nutritive elements in the soil crop system. Moreover, agricultural irrigation with wastewater ef? uents became a common practice in arid and semiarid regions, where it was used as a readily available and inexpensive option to fresh water (Angelakis et al. , 1999; Oved et al. , 2001). Fresh OMW was used as a fertilizer in the horticulture and in the olive cultivation (Cox et al. , 1997; Ben Rouina et al. , 1999; Ammar and Ben Rouina, 1999; Cereti et al. , 2004).However, biodegradation of this waste in the nature is dif? cult because it contains a strong antibacterial effect exerted, by various phenolic compounds (Yesilada et al. , 1999; Sayadi et al. , 2000; Rinaldi et al. , 2003). Before its utilization in the irrigation, OMW was treated by several processes such as aerobic treatment, anaerobic digestion and composting process (Sayadi and Ellouz, 1992, 1995; Ehaliotis et al. , 1999; Paredes et al. , 2000; Kissi et al. , 2001; Marques, 2001; Casa et al. , 2003; D’Annibale et al. , 2004). Some Mediterranean countries established laws about soil capability to endure theOMW application, particularly in Italy (Law N1 574, 1996). The maximum amount of OMW tolerated in the ? elds is 80 and 50 m3 haA1 for OMW obtained by centrifuge and pressure extraction techniques, respectively (Law N1 574, 1996). The addition of such compounds may cause signi? cant shifts in the structure and the function of the microbial community, which in turn may in? uence the viability of the soil for agriculture. The effect of the OMW on the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil are well documented (Cabrera et al. , 1996; Cox et al. 1997; Sierra et al. , 2001; Zenjari and Nejmeddine, 2001; Rinaldi et al. , 2003). However, these studies did not deal with the effect of this waste on the microbial community of the soil (Moreno et al. , 1987; Paredes et al. , 1987; Kotsou et al. , 2004). An integrated approach using a pre-treatment of the OMW with the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium followed by an anaerobic digestion was developed in our laboratory in order to reuse the ef? uent in agriculture (Sayadi and Ellouz, 1995). Thus, the aim of our work was to investigate A. Mekki et al. he effect of untreated and biologically treated OMW on the soil characteristics and on the microbial communities. Materials and methods OMW origin The fresh OMW was taken from a three-phase discontinuous extraction factory located in Sfax, Tunisia. Biological treatment of OMW The treated OMW was obtained with an integrated process based on aerobic fungal pre-treatment using P. chrysosporium DSMZ 6909 followed by a decantation step then anaerobic digestion (Sayadi and Ellouz, 1995). The characteristics of the treated and untreated OMW are given in Table 1. Table 1.Chemical and physical properties of untreated and biological treated OMW Parameter pH (25 1C) Electric conductivity (25 1C) (dS mA1) Salinity (g lA1) Colour (absorbance 395 nm) UV absorbance 280 nm BOD5 (g lA1) COD (g lA1) Glucose (g lA1) Residual solids (g lA1) Total solids (%) Total volatiles (%) Total suspended solids (g lA1) Volatiles suspended solids (g lA1) Nitrogen (g lA1) Phosphorous (g lA1) Potassium (g lA1) o-di-phenols (g lA1) Total poly phenols (g lA1) Residual oils (g lA1) Toxicity by LUMIStox (% inhibition) Untreated OMW 5. 46 8. 7 5. 9 82 368 34. 117 12 26 11. 4 9. 3 8. 9 6. 5 1. 58 0. 84 5. 2 8. 395 9. 200 9. 2 100 Treated OMW 7. 6 11. 3 9. 7 44 38 4. 5 21. 9 ND ND 2. 5 1. 42 3. 5 2. 7 1. 72 1. 12 4. 4 1. 265 1. 578 Not detected 38 ARTICLE IN PRESS Changes in microbial and soil properties following amendment 95 Study sites and sampling The study area consisted in a ? eld of olive trees located in Chaal at 60 Km to the South-West of ? Sfax, Tunisia, North latitude 341 30 , East longitude 101 200 . The mean annual rainfall is 200 mm (Ben Rouina et al. , 2001). The ? eld was divided in ? ve plots.Three experimental plots P1, P2, and P3 we re annually amended in February with 50, 100, and 200 m3 haA1 of untreated OMW respectively (Ben Rouina, 1994). The plot P4, was annually amended with 400 m3 haA1 of the treated OMW. The ? fth plot, plot C, was not amended and served as control. Soil samples were collected from different parts of each plot from 0 to 10 cm deep, using a soil auger. All soil samples, taken from each plot were then mixed, air-dried, sieved with a mesh size of 450 mm and stored at 4 1C prior to use. Water content was immediately determined before airdrying the sample. xtracted with 1 M solution of ammonium acetate (pH 7) using a soil/solution ratio of 1/10 (w/ v). The suspension was analysed with an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES, ARL 3580). Microtoxicity determination The microtoxicity test consisted in the inhibition of the bioluminescence of Vibrio ? scheri LCK480 using the LUMIStox system (Dr. Lange GmbH, Duesseldorf, Germany) and according to ISO 11348-2 (1998). Pe rcentage inhibition of the bioluminescence was achieved by mixing 0. 5 ml of OMW and 0. 5 ml luminescent bacterial suspension.After 15 min exposure at 15 1C, the decrease in light emission was measured. The toxicity of the OMW was expressed as the percent of the inhibition of bioluminescence (%IB) relative to a non-contaminated reference. A positive control (7. 5% NaCl) was included for each test. Physicochemical analyses Analysis of ortho-diphenols: The ortho-diphenols concentration in the OMW was quanti? ed by means of Folin-Ciocalteau colorimetric method (Box, 1983) using caffeic acid as standard. The absorbance was determined at l ? 765 nm. Analysis of total polyphenols: OMW was centrifuged at 7000 rpm for 20 min.The supernatant was extracted three times with ethyl acetate. The collected organic fraction was dried and evaporated under vacuum. The residue was extracted two times with dichloromethane in order to remove the non-phenolic fraction (lipids, aliphatic, sugars). The liq uid phase was discarded while the washed residue was weighed and analysed by gas chromatography coupled with the mass spectroscopy technique to con? rm the phenolic structure of the extracted compounds. COD was determined according to Knechtel (1978) standard method. BOD5 was determined by the manometric method with a respirometer (BSB-Controller Model 620 T (WTW)).Dry weight and moisture content were determined by weighing samples before and after drying overnight at 105 1C. Organic matter was determined after furnacing samples at 550 1C for 4 h. Total carbon and nitrogen were determined by dry combustion (TOC Analyser multi-N/C 1000). Ca, K, Na, and Mg analyses, the air-dried soil was Respirometric test Biological activity in the soil was achieved by measuring CO2 evolution in the aerobic condition ? (Ohlinger, 1995). The soil sample was humidi? ed to 50% of its water holding capacity and incubated at 30 1C in the dark. The CO2 evolved was trapped in an NaOH solution and titrated with HCl.Microbial estimation Ten grams of the soil sample was suspended in an erlenmeyer ? ask containing 90 ml of a sterile solution (0. 2% of sodium polyphosphate (NaPO3)n in distilled water, pH 7. 0) and 10 g of sterile glass beads (1. 5 mm diameter). The ? ask was shaken at 200 rpm for 2 h. Serial 10-fold dilutions of the samples in a 0. 85% NaCl solution were plated in triplicate on PCA at 30 1C for total bacterial counts, on Sabouraud containing chloramphenicol at 25 1C for yeasts and moulds, on DCL at 37 1C for total coliforms, and on soil extract agar at 30 1C for actinomycetes.Soil extract agar was prepared as follows: 1 kg of soil was added to 1 l of distilled water and agitated energetically. Supernatant was ? ltered. Its pH was adjusted to 7 and sterilized at 121 1C for 20 min twice. A 200 ml of this extract and 20 g of Agar-agar were added to 800 ml of distilled water and sterilized at 121 1C for 20 min. Penicillin G, Cycloheximide, Ampicillin and Nistatin were dissolv ed in water and sterilized by ? ltration (0. 22 mm) and ARTICLE IN PRESS 96 were added at ? nal concentration of 1, 50, 10 and 50 mg lA1, respectively.For spore-forming bacteria counts, aliquots were heated for 10 min at 80 1C before spreading on PCA and incubation at 37 1C. Ammonia and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria were enumerated by the most probable number (MPN) procedure (Trolldenier, 1995). Culture tubes supplemented either with ammonium or nitrite were inoculated with serially diluted soil suspension. After an extended incubation of 4 weeks at 28 1C, acidi? cation of the medium was recorded by taking colour change as an indication for growth of ammonium oxidizers and the absence of nitrite as an indication for growth of nitrite oxidizers.Subsequently, the MPN was calculated in accordance with the table of MPN values. The total nitri? ers count was the sum of the oxidizers of ammonium and of nitrite. Each soil sample was analysed in duplicate and the dilution series were plated in triplicate for each medium. All these counts were expressed as colony forming units (CFU) per gram of dried soil (24 h at 105 1C). The total nitri? ers count was expressed as MPN per gram of dried soil. A. Mekki et al. high content of phenolics (9. 2 g lA1). This toxicity was reduced to 38%IB in treated OMW which contained only 1. 8 g lA1 of phenolics. The COD (21. 9 g lA1) of treated OMW remained high and far exceeded the standard for direct discharge to a natural water body. Several costly steps are necessary if we want to reach the Tunisian standard (0. 09 g lA1). The treated OMW contained appreciable concentrations of N, P, and K. This ef? uent was free of pathogens, relatively not toxic and contained low concentrations of heavy metals. Apart from COD, BOD5 and black colour, the quality of treated OMW was high and could be used for irrigation after ? eld tests.Analytical results of soils pro? les A darker soil colour was observed in the plots amended with OMW. After drying, the amended soils showed higher compactness and hardness. Soils were sampled and analysed in a particularly dry year in Tunisia. Only weak precipitations were recorded in February, May and November. The soil water content was very weak and it varied between 0. 8% and 1. 15% in the samples collected in September (Table 2). The pH increased to 9. 2 when P4 soil was amended with treated OMW and slightly decreased to 7. 4 when P3 soil was amended with raw OMW.Table 2 shows also that salinity of the amended soil increased proportionally with quantity of treated or untreated OMW. The content of the nutrients as total carbon (Ctot), total nitrogen (Ntot), P, K, Mg and humus increased after spreading Results Characterisation of the ef? uents Untreated OMW totally inhibited V. ?scheri (Table 1). This toxicity was essentially due to its Table 2. Results of the air-dried soils characterization C 89. 82 7. 44 2. 74 1. 14 7. 9 69 0. 02 0. 001 0. 14 0. 25 0. 02 14. 70 0. 23 0. 0312 2. 001 4 8. 7 P1 ND ND ND Characteristics 9 8 Particle size > > Sand = < distribution ? ? clay > > ; : in control soil Silt Moisture content (%) pH (KCl) Salinity (mg kgA1) P (mg gA1) P (water soluble) (mg gA1) K (mg gA1) Mg (mg gA1) Na (mg gA1) Ca (mg gA1) Ntot (mg gA1) N-NH4 (mg gA1) Ctot (mg gA1) Humus (mg gA1) C/N P2 ND ND ND 1. 15 7. 6 336. 5 0. 08 0. 016 1. 60 0. 40 0. 03 16. 20 0. 95 0. 055 15. 504 31 16. 32 P3 ND ND ND 1. 07 7. 4 447. 5 0. 08 0. 12 1. 80 0. 37 0. 04 15. 80 0. 91 0. 089 16. 999 34 18. 68 P4 ND ND ND 0. 82 9. 2 473 0. 05 0. 027 2. 42 0. 33 0. 31 14. 70 0. 45 0. 088 4. 001 8 8. 89 1. 13 7. 9 240 0. 03 0. 003 1. 05 0. 35 0. 17 19. 80 0. 56 0. 044 8. 002 16 14. 29P1, P2, and P3: Soils amended with 50, 100, and 200 m3 haA1 of untreated OMW respectively; P4: Soil amended with 400 m3 haA1 of the treated OMW. The plot C was not amended and served as control. ND: not done. ARTICLE IN PRESS Changes in microbial and soil properties following amendment the treated or untreated OMW. The C /N ratio remained constant in the soil amended with treated OMW while it increased proportionally in the soils amended with untreated OMW. Phenolic compounds migrated in soil according to their molecular mass. Polyphenols were adsorbed in the soil upper layers while monomers migrated in depth.Indeed phenolic monomers were detected at 1. 2 m depth 1 year after irrigation with untreated OMW (data not shown). C-CO2 18 16 C-CO2 and Ctot (mg g-1) 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 Ctot C-CO2/Ctot 1. 8 1. 6 1. 4 C-CO2/Ctot 1. 2 1 0. 8 0. 6 0. 4 0. 2 0 C P1 P2 Soil P3 P4 97 Soil respiration A respirometric test was achieved on soils sampled in September. CO2 production increased with OMW amendment (Fig. 1). For the treated OMW, a more pronounced CO2 production rate was shown since the ? rst week of incubation. However, for the untreated OMW, the start-up of the CO2 production was delayed to the 3rd week of respiration.The speci? c respiration rate expressed as the ratio of C-CO2/Ctot for the different soil samples is shown in Fig. 2. The amendment of the soil with 200 m3 haA1 increased the carbon content to 17 mg gA1 while the speci? c respiration remained very low. However, the amendment with 400 m3 haA1 of treated OMW did not much affect the speci? c respiration of the soil. 0 Figure 2. Speci? c respiration C-CO2/Ctot, cumulative CCO2, and total carbon Ctot of the soil samples studied. shown). An increase in the total micro? ora count was observed in P1, P2 and P4 in all dates of sampling (Table 3).However, at 200 m3 haA1 of untreated OMW, the total bacterial counts remained much higher compared to the control soil, but lower compared to the other doses of OMW. Effect on soil microbiology Viable mesophilic micro? ora Generally, the total micro? ora increased with the soil humidity. OMW enhanced the water holding capacity of the soil. The soil water content increased when the OMW dose increased (data not 12 Viable yeasts and moulds micro? ora In comparison with the control soil, an o verall high CFU of fungi in the soil amended with untreated OMW was found (Table 4).In all dates of sampling, the fungal CFU number decreased when OMW increased but remained much higher than the control soil except for biologically treated OMW which had a lower CFU than the control. We noted that the pH of OMW leaving the anaerobic reactor ranged between 7. 6 and 8. This pH increased to 8. 7 during its storage at ambient temperature. After amendment with treated OMW, the pH of the soil increased to 9. 2. Such pH value is considered as detrimental for the fungal growth. C P1 P2 P3 P4 mg C-CO 2 g -1 (dry soil) 10 8 6 4 2 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Viable total nitri? rs Soils C, P1 and P2 showed broadly comparable nitri? er MPN numbers. However, a decrease in viable nitri? ers count was observed in P3. This decrease was more signi? cant in P4 (Table 5). Time (d) Figure 1. Cumulative respiratory activity as mg CO2 gA1 dry soil of different samples incubated over 28 days at 28 1C in the dark. Viable actinomycetes The actinomycetes CFU number increased when OMW doses increased up to the dose of 100 m3 haA1. At 200 m3 haA1 of untreated OMW, the CFU number remained higher than C and P1 (50 m3 haA1). However, it was lower than P2 (100 m3 haA1) (Table 6).ARTICLE IN PRESS 98 Table 3. Aerobic heterotrophic bacteria counts CFU ( A 104) gA1 in the different plots Feb C P1 P2 P3 P4 3472 8574. 95 12177. 11 6673. 9 9075. 3 May 6974. 05 7774. 52 8975. 32 7274. 23 10175. 93 Jun 24. 571. 44 45. 572. 67 57. 573. 38 5773. 35 7974. 64 Sep 1570. 88 48. 572. 85 65. 573. 85 43. 572. 55 6073. 52 Nov 21. 571. 26 8374. 88 16179. 46 9275. 4 15879. 29 A. Mekki et al. Data expressed as mean value (three replicates) and standard deviation for colony forming units per gram of dried soil. Table 4. Fungi counts in the different plots CFU ( A 104) gA1 Feb May 370. 5 11. 573. 64 571. 58 4. 671. 45 1. 8570. 58 Jun 370. 95 1775. 38 1574. 75 1173. 48 2. 8570. 9 Sep 1. 370. 41 15. 574. 9 1073. 17 4. 171. 2 9 1. 7470. 55 Nov 2. 770. 85 14. 774. 65 13. 574. 27 11. 273. 55 1. 3570. 42 C P1 P2 P3 P4 3. 571. 11 1073. 17 5. 571. 74 7. 572. 37 1. 8270. 57 Table 5. Nitri? ers counts MPN (x104) gA1 in the different plots Feb May 4. 770. 62 4. 570. 59 4. 270. 55 2. 870. 37 0. 4870. 063 Jun 3. 270. 42 3. 470. 45 2. 670. 34 1. 770. 22 0. 5170. 07 Sep 2. 870. 37 2. 470. 31 2. 470. 31 1. 170. 14 0. 0770. 009 Nov 3. 870. 5 3. 170. 41 2. 870. 37 1. 170. 14 0. 70. 11 C P1 P2 P3 P4 3. 670. 47 2. 670. 34 270. 26 1. 970. 25 0. 4670. 06 Table 6. Actinomycetes counts CFU ( A 104) gA1 in the different plots Feb May 2. 170. 28 14. 571. 93 18. 572. 46 1872. 39 17. 572. 33 Jun 270. 26 871. 06 15. 572. 06 1271. 59 15. 672. 07 Sep 270. 26 1071. 33 10. 571. 39 5. 570. 73 12. 2971. 63 Nov 3. 570. 46 12. 871. 7 17. 272. 29 14. 771. 95 15. 772. 09 C P1 P2 P3 P4 0. 670. 08 770. 93 1171. 46 570. 66 13. 2971. 77 Viable spore-forming bacteria and total coliforms The spore-forming bacteria increased with the increase of OMW doses (data not shown).For P4 soil, it shifted from the CFU gA1 number ranging from 0. 28 to 1. 12 A 104 in the control soil to CFU gA1 number ranging from 1. 1 to 2. 12 A 104 in P4 amended with 400 m3 haA1 of treated OMW. Total coliforms are well known as contaminant indicator bacteria in wastewater and soil. The number of the total coliforms was very low in the control soil. It increased when the treated or untreated OMW quantity increased (data not shown). Discussion This study attempted to demonstrate that soil amended with different concentrations of OMW showed modi? ation of its structure and its texture. The acidity of the untreated OMW was compensated by the soil carbonate alkalinity. The carbonates at the same time became bicarbonates, moved and accumulated in deeper horizons as was shown by Sierra et al. (2001). The increase of the salinity in the soil could result from the main ionic species, sodium chloride and sulphate, coming from the treated or untreated OMW. This is in line with previous ? nding ARTICLE IN PRESS Changes in microbial and soil properties following amendment (Paredes et al. , 1987; Sierra et al. 2001). Hence, in long-term applications, replacement of the soil calcium by the cations of Na, K and Mg could lead to the degradation of the soil structure and the formation of saline soils as was suggested earlier by Zenjari and Nejmeddine (2001). Biologically treated OMW had a pH48, and the alkalinity of this waste was not regulated (buffered) by the soil components. Soil porosity was reduced by the combined effect of the suspended solids and the COD formed by highly polymerised polyphenolic compounds such as humic acid-like substances (Cox et al. 1997). Consequently, soil plugged and became impermeable which led to a reduction of the soil aerobic community such as fungi and actinomycetes. This ? nding con? rms the reported correlation between the soil pH and the ( change in community composition (Frostegard et al. , 1993; Perkiomaki and Fritze, 2002). ? ? The increase of nutrient contents, Ctot, Ntot, P Mg , and K at all OMW treated plots, may have a bene? cial effect on the soil fertility. The OMW treated soil exhibited a higher respiration rate compared to the control soil.Nevertheless, when taking into account the added organic carbon, this activity was not in proportional ratio. Speci? c respiration expressed as C-CO2/Ctot decreased from 1. 7 in the control soil to 0. 5 in the soil amended with 100 m3 haA1 of untreated OMW. Yet, it slightly decreased to 1. 15 in the soil amended with 400 m3 haA1 of treated OMW. This can be explained by the fact that the phenolic compounds may inhibit the soil respiration, especially in the high OMW doses, and thus neutralize the favourable in? uence of its higher nutrient contents as was demonstrated by Sierra et al. 2001), Cox et al. (1997), Cabrera et al. (1996), and Paredes et al. (1987). In simple terms, the inhibition of soil respiration could be caused by the fact th at the big amount of carbon added to the soil was unavailable to the micro? ora under the effect of its strong adsorption or its reaction with the components of the soil. This disproportion could not be due to the added salt because despite the high content of salt in P4 (473 mg kgA1) compared to that in P3 (447. 5 mg kgA1), the former had a nearer speci? c respiration rate to the control plot C which contained only (69 mg kgA1).Addition of the untreated or the biologically treated OMW to the soil created some modi? cations in the average values for total number of microorganisms and their repartition. Results showed an initial increase in the numbers of CFU in most micro? ora groups after the OMW amendment, excepted for nitri? ers which decreased. In line with this ? nding, Paredes et al. (1987) reported also an increase in the total viable counts in the soil polluted with OMW. The overall low CFU number 99 observed in the P3 soil could be explained by the OMW dose becoming high an d toxic (Capasso et al. 1995). The chemolithotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) are responsible for the ? rst ratelimiting step in nitri? cation in which ammonia (NH3) is transformed to nitrate (NOA) via nitrite 3 (NOA). The AOB play a critical role in the natural 2 nitrogen cycle (Oved et al. , 2001; Mendum and Hirsch, 2002). This micro? ora could be affected by a variety of chemical conditions including aromatic compounds and salts. Indeed, the number of nitri? ers shifted from the CFU gA1 number ranging from 2. 8 to 4. 7 A 104 in the control soil to CFU gA1 number ranging from 0. 46 to 0. A 104 in P4 amended with 400 m3 haA1 of treated OMW. Some authors reported that higher pH is not favourable for some phylogenetic groups of nitrifying bacteria (Kowalchuk et al. , 2000). Moreover, some residual polyphenolic compounds present in treated OMW may be toxic for this sensitive category of microorganisms (Peredes et al. , 1987). Actinomycetes and spore-forming bacteria play a sig ni? cant role in the organic matter cycle in nature, by virtue of their considerable powers and ability to break down complex organic molecules. Actinomycetes counts were strongly enhanced by treated and untreated OMW amendment.The introduction of organic pollutants, which can potentially act as toxic substances and nutrient sources, was shown to preferentially stimulate speci? c populations (Atlas et al. , 1991). The increase of the CFU count of spore-forming bacteria were in accordance with the earlier investigations of Paredes et al. (1987) who reported an increase in spore-forming bacteria counts but a decrease in the proportion of this population in the community from 10% to 12% in the control soil to 0. 02% in the polluted soil with OMW. Fungi populations are known by their considerable depolymerising enzymes and their resistance to recalcitrant substances.The OMW enhanced fungi, the most important organisms decomposing lignin and polyphenols (Scheu and Parkinson, 1994; Borken et al. , 2002). Consequently, this population was favoured in plots P1, P2 and P3 where pH and C/N ratio were also more favourable compared to the control. This observation con? rms previous ? ndings by Perkiomaki and Fritze (2002) and Joergensen et al. (1995). ? Conclusion Based on previous studies and our results, we suggest that the effect of the long-term use of OMW in the ferti-irrigation on the soil microbial commu- ARTICLE IN PRESS 00 nity, the soil fertility and the soil physico-chemical properties remain unclear. Yet, speci? c attention must be devoted to the irrigation potential of treated OMW with explicit reference to the major crops of agricultural interest. The following guidelines should be adhered to the OMW spreading on soil A. Mekki et al. Box, J. D. , 1983. Investigation of the Folin-Ciocalteau phenol reagent for the determination of polyphenolic substances in natural waters. Water Res. 17, 511–522. Cabrera, F. , Lopez, R. , Martinez-Bordiu, A. , Dupuy de Lome, E. , Murillo, J. M. , 1996.Land treatment of olive oil mill wastewater. Int. Biodeterior. Biodegrad. 38 (3-4), 215–225. Capasso, R. , Evidenti, A. , Schivo, L. , Orru, G. , Marcialis, M. A. , Cristinzio, G. , 1995. Antibacterial polyphenols from olive oil mill waste waters. J. Appl. Bacteriol. 79, 393–398. Casa, R. , D’Annibale, A. , Pieruccetti, F. , Stazi, S. R. , Giovannozzi Sermanni, G. G. , Lo Cascio, B. , 2003. Reduction of the phenolic components in olive-mill wastewater by enzymatic treatment and its impact on durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf. ) germinability. Chemosphere 50, 959–966. Cereti, C. F. , Rossini, F. Federici, F. , Quaratino, D. , Vassilev, N. , Fenice, M. , 2004. Reuse of microbially treated olive mill wastewater as fertiliser for wheat (Triticum durum Desf. ). Bioresource Technol. 91, 135–140. Cox, L. , Celis, R. , Hermosin, M. C. , Beker, A. , Cornejo, J. , 1997. Porosity and herbicide leaching in soils amended with oli ve-mill wastewater. Agri. Ecosyst. Environ. 65 (2), 151–161. D’Annibale, A. , Casa, R. , Pieruccetti, F. , Ricci, M. , Marabottini, R. , 2004. Lentinula edodes removes phenols from olive-mill wastewater: impact on durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf. ) germinability.Chemosphere 54, 887–894. Ehaliotis, C. , Papadopoulou, K. , Kotsou, M. , Mari, I. , Balis, C. , 1999. Adaptation and population dynamics of Azotobacter vinelandii during aerobic biological treatment of olive-mill wastewater. FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 30, 301–311. Feria, A. L. , 2000. The generated situation by the O. M. W. in Andalusia. Actas/Proceedings-Workshop Improlive2000-Annex A1. ( ( (( Frostegard, A. , Baath, E. , Tunlid, A. , 1993. Shifts in the structure of soil microbial communities in limed forests as revealed by phospholipid fatty acid analysis. Soil Biol. Biochem. 25, 723–730. ISO 11348-2, 1998.Water quality – Determination of the inhibitory effect of water samples on the light emission of Vibrio ? scheri (Luminescent bacteria test) – Part 2: Method using liquid-dried bacteria Joergensen, R. G. , Anderson, T. H. , Wolters, V. , 1995. Carbon and nitrogen relationship in the microbial biomass of soils in beech Fagus sylvatica L. forest. Biol. Fert. Soils 19, 141–147. Kissi, M. , Mountadar, M. , Assobhei, O. , Gargiulo, E. , 2001. Roles of two white-rot basidiomycete fungi in decolorisation and detoxi? cation of olive mill waste water. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 57, 221–226. Knechtel, R. J. 1978. A more economical method for the determination of chemical oxygen demand. Water Pollut. Control (May/June), 25–29. Kotsou, M. , Mari, I. , Lasaridi, K. , Chatzipavlidis, I. , Balis, C. , Kyriacou, A. , 2004. The effect of olive oil mill    do not exceed 50 m3 haA1 yA1 of untreated OMW and to decrease the dose of treated OMW up to 100 m3 haA1 yA1 to avoid the increase of the soil salinity. integrate a polishing tertiary treatment of OMW for reducing the residual coloration and toxicity of the ef? uent. frequently till and avoid dry soil conditions to maintain a maximal activity of the soil micro? ra. Acknowledgments This work was supported by Inco-med project ‘‘Mediterranean usage of biotechnological treated ef? uent water’’ ICA3-CT-1999-00010. The authors would like to thank: ‘‘Institut de l’Olivier de Sfax’’ and Dr Bechir Ben Rouina for their permission to use the experimental plant of OMW amendment at Chaal farm. ? References Ammar, E. , Ben Rouina, B. , 1999. Potential horticultural utilization of olive oil processing waste water. Acta Horticult. 474 (2), 741–744. Angelakis, A. N. , Marecos Do Monte, M. H. F. , Bontoux, L. , Asano, T. , 1999.The status of wastewater reuse practice in the Mediterranean basin: need for guidelines. Water Res. 33 (10), 2201–2217. Atlas, R. M. , Horowitz, A. , Krichevsky, M. , Bej, A. K. , 1991. Respons e of microbial populations to environmental disturbances. Microb. Ecol. 22, 249–256. Ben Rouina, B. , 1994. Repercussions agronomiques de ? l’epandage des margines comme fertilisant. Interna? tional conference on Land and Water Resources Management in the Mediterranean Region II, 583–594. Ben Rouina, B. , Taamallah, H. , Ammar, E. , 1999. Vegetation water used as a fertilizer on young olive plants. Acta Horticult. 74 (1), 353–355. Ben Rouina, B. , Gargouri, K. , Taamallah, H. , 2001. L’utilisation des margines comme fertilisant en agriculture. Journees Mediterraneennes de l’oliviers. ? ? ? Nimes, France 6–7 & 8 Avril. Borken, W. , Muhs, A. , Beese, F. , 2002. Changes in microbial and soil properties following compost treatment of degraded temperate forest soils. Soil Biol. Biochem. 34, 403–412. ARTICLE IN PRESS Changes in microbial and soil properties following amendment wastewater (OMW) on soil microbial communities and suppre ssiveness against Rhizoctonia solani. Appl. Soil Ecol. 26, 113–121. Kowalchuk, G. A. Stienstra, A. W. , Heilig, G. H. , Stephen, J. R. , Woldendorp, J. W. , 2000. Molecular analysis of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in soil of successional grasslands of the Drentsche A (The Netherlands). FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 31, 207–215. Law N1 574, 1996 (Legge 574, 11/11/1996). Norme sull’utilizzazione agronomica dei re? ui oleari. Gazzetta Uf? ciale N. 265 del 12 novembre, 1996. Lesage-Meessen, L. , Navarro, D. , Maunier, S. , Sigoillot, JC. , Lorquin, J. , Delattre, M. , Simon, J. -L. , Asther, M. , Labat, M. , 2001. Simple phenolic content in olive oil residues as a function of extraction systems.Food Chem. 75 (4), 501–507. Marques, I. P. , 2001. Anaerobic digestion treatment of olive mill wastewater for ef? uent re-use in irrigation. Desalination 137, 233–239. Mendum, T. A. , Hirsch, P. R. , 2002. Changes in the population structure of b-group autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria in arable soils in response to agricultural practice. Soil Biol. Biochem. 34, 1479–1485. Moreno, E. , Perez, J. , Ramos-Cormenzana, A. , Martinez, J. , 1987. Antimicrobial effect of waste water from olive oil extraction plants selecting soil bacteria after incubation with diluted waste.Microbios 51, 169–174. Mulinacci, N. , Romani, A. , Galardi, C. , Pinelli, P. , Giaccherini, C. , Vincieri, F. F. , 2001. Polyphenolic content in olive oil waste waters and related olive samples. J. Agri. Food Chem. 49, 358–3514. ? Ohlinger, R. , 1995. Soil respiration by titration. In: ? Schinner, F. , Ohlinger, R. , Kandeler, E. , Margesin, R. (Eds. ), Methods in Soil Biology. Springer, Berlin, pp. 95–98. Oved, T. , Shaviv, A. , Goldrath, T. , Mandelbaun, R. T. , Minz, D. , 2001. In? uence of ef? uent irrigation on community composition and function of ammoniaoxidizing bacteria in soil.Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 67, 3426–3433. Paredes, M. J. , Mo reno, E. , Ramos-Cormenzana, A. , Martinez, J. , 1987. Characteristics of soil after 101 pollution with waste waters from oil extraction plants. Chemosphere 16, 1557–1564. Paredes, C. , Roig, A. , Bernal, M. P. , Sanchez-Monedero, M. A. , Cegarra, J. , 2000. Evolution of organic matter and nitrogen during co-composting of olive mill wastewater with solid organic wastes. Biol. Fert. Soils 32 (3), 222–227. Perkiomaki, J. , Fritze, H. , 2002. Short and long-term ? ? effects of wood ash on boreal forest humus microbial community.Soil Biol. Biochem. 34, 1343–1353. Rinaldi, M. , Rana, G. , Introna, M. , 2003. Olive-mill wastewater spreading in southern Italy: effects on a durum wheat crop. Field Crops Res. 84, 319–326. Sayadi, S. , Ellouz, R. , 1992. Decolourization of olive mill waste-waters by the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium : involvement of the lignin-degrading system. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 37, 813–817. Sayadi, S. , Ellouz, R. , 1995. Roles of lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium in the decolorization of olive mill wastewaters.Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 61, 1098–1103. Sayadi, S. , Allouche, N. , Jaoua, M. , Aloui, F. , 2000. Detrimental effects of high molecular-mass polyphenols on olive mill wastewater biotreatment. Process Biochem. 35, 725–735. Scheu, S. , Parkinson, D. , 1994. Changes in the bacterial and fungal biomass C, bacterial and fungal biovolume and ergosterol contents after drying, remoistening and incubation of different layers of cool temperature forest soils. Soil Biol. Biochem. 26, 1515–1525. Sierra, J. , Marti, E. , Montserrat, G. , Cruanas, R. , Garau, M. A. , 2001.Characterization and evolution of a soil affected by olive oil mill wastewater disposal. Sci. Total Environ. 279, 207–214. Trolldenier, G. , 1995. Nitri? ers by MPN method. In: ? Schinner, F. , Ohlinger, R. , Kandeler, E. , Margesin, R. (Eds. ), Methods in Soil Biology. Springer, Berlin, pp. 32–36. ? ? Yesilada, E. , Ozmen, M. , Yeslada, O. , 1999. Studies on the toxic and genotoxic effect of olive oil mill wastewater. Fresenius Envir. Bull. 8, 732–739. Zenjari, A. , Nejmeddine, A. , 2001. Impact of spreading olive mill wastewater on soil characteristics: laboratory experiments. Agronomie 21, 749–755. My Aim in Life There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want, and after that to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan P. Smith People have set their own aim depending upon their abilities. Some people are doctors, engineers, Charter Accountants, pilots, teachers and many more. Our life is too short so we have to strive to attain our aim with all our hard work. The main objective for achieving the aim is to get material pleasures, mental happiness as well as satisfaction. Once a person chives his aim he can live a prosperous life.The mere act of aiming at something big, makes you big. Charcoal Nehru My aim in life is neither to collect money nor for fame. It is my desire to become a well-qualified doctor. I do not just wish to be an ordinary doctor. The world remembers with thankfulness the name of the man who gave to the world vaccination. The world will remember forever the man who gave us penicillin. As a doctor I want to serve the humanity. Don't ai m for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.David Frost have an ambition to do something in this world so, great as the doctors and the courageous founders did in the past. I would like to give the world some new drugs and injections that will cure some of the diseases that people are still suffering from. An aim in life is the only fortune worth finding. Robert Louis Stevenson know, my profession is very dignified and it will help me to get peace and satisfaction in life. It provides us best chances of service. Sympathy to human being is the sympathy to one own self. Quotations About this essay. Future favors the bold.An early death is better than an aimless life. A noble aim is simply a noble deed. My goal in life is to survive. Everything else is just a bonus. The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark. Michelangelo The aim of ar t is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. Aristotle. Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something.

People, Organizations and Society Essay

Most people are individually different from one another it varies from behavior, character, attitude, lifestyles and importantly the social status. We sometimes ask ourselves why are there many people who have bad traits and good traits and sometimes having diverse mood swings and frame of mind. Different theories coming from different psychiatrist and psychologist are the concrete foundation of behavioral factors. In order for us to understand the behavior of every human being, it is better to describe the two types of conditioning which involves learning process and behavior, the classical conditioning and operant conditioning. We will discuss the similarities and dissimilarities of these two types of conditioning and further relates these two to many dimensional examples of an individual’s behavior and also that of an animal pattern of behavior. Defining Classical and Operant Conditioning In order to explore the clarity of classical and operant conditioning, it is healthier to examine and define the subject from which they are strongly associated and originated which is learning. Classical and operant conditioning has several similarities on learning such as the process of extinction, unprompted recovery, stimulus conclusion, biasness and superior directive condition or secondary reinforcement. Also, it is similar because they both generate basic occurrence and phenomena which is acquisition which result in the inheritance of a behavior (SocialPC). Classical and operant conditioning are similar in some ways but they do varies in a few ways and are equally dependable method to explain and educate a person or an animal in a specific situation. Learning is any comparatively lasting transformation in behavior and manners generated by an experience (MegaEssays, 2007). These two conditioning are the two types of several theories on learning. Classical conditioning is an important type of learning which was uncovered by Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist who emphasized this observable fact through his experiments on the digestive patterns in dogs (Heffner, 2004). It is a connection of one occurrence or happening with another that results in a pattern of behavior (MegaEssays, 2007). A classic example of this phenomenon is the research done by Pavlov on his dog in which he discovered a dog’s drive to produce saliva while responding to a certain stimuli, in which a reaction or spontaneous effect that was unconscious and unintentional. When he rang a bell and was offered a food to the dog, the dog recognized it and associated the food with the bell. In this case, the bell is the conditioned stimulus while food was an unconditioned stimulus. In addition, classical conditioning often linked with muscles and reflexes and instincts. It is a very important component of a training program in which we can comprehend and figure out conditioned and unconditioned stimulus or reinforcement, species exact behaviors, inducing dislike stimuli, and feelings (2007). It is significant in understanding in dealing with problems relating to fear. Another finding confirmed the thought that we build up reactions to certain stimuli that are not naturally occurring, for example when we touch a hot stove, our response is to remove our hands back from the hot stove but now some people who already experienced after getting burned tend to pull their hands back even when the stove is turned off. This lead to Pavlov’s conclusion that people tend to relate or connect one particular experience which caused a person to simplify their reaction to one stimuli into an impartial stimuli in which it is matched with. In short, a stove burner is often associated with an expression in pain like ouch and then stove is equal to burner hence, a stove is also equal to an expression like ouch (Heffner, 2004). A lot of people’s behavior these days is formed by the combination of stimuli according to Heffner. Some observations and experience like the smell of a perfume or a particular scent, a certain song and things has been paired with a specific person or group like families, friends, ex-lover, loved ones, or a particular event or happening. These connections controls and influence us to a certain extent and in fact we have been conditioned classically (Heffner, 2004). On the other hand, operant conditioning is a type of learning experience which involves on how an organism functions or operates in a particular environment, learning here takes place as a consequence of behavior. This was termed used by Skinner in explaining the results of the consequences of a particular behavior on the future incidents or happenings of that behavior (MaricopaCenter, 1999). There are four types of operant conditioning: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment, and extinction. In order to explain it further, an example could better explore its meaning; a cat was placed inside a box which has a single exit and entrance. The box has only one button to be pressed to open the door, the cat strived to get out from the box since freedom here is reinforced. In its effort to escape, the area of the box was set off and the door opens which leads the cat to be released from the enclosed box. But this does not end the story, the experience of the cat once placed again in the box, the cat will immediately escape since the cat will immediately recall the experience last time and will once locate again the button to push. Learning from experience is the concept from the example, the cat learned from the experience through natural results and how to achieve or acquire the reinforcing freedom (Heffner, 2004). Let’s pick a broader and relevant experience in the past, several times the Philippines were colonized by different conquerors and explorers and this colonization was strongly connected with harassment, violence, sexual abuse of women, forced labor, poverty and many more. The initial reaction is to obey and follow because freedom here is not welcome. Food and water is scarce and people would rely on the given ration, in order to get that food, one must steal more food to accumulate one’s hunger. Once again, freedom is reinforced here. The people of this nation once weakened but tried to learn from their experience not to be placed in a box where freedom is impartial. They have to press a button like the cat to open the door for freedom and find the answer from that experience. It’s like every individual who naturally encountered past mistakes presumably that individual will recall that mistake when things similar to that situation happens again. Same situation for positive outcome is true where effects from that outcome you did last time will likely do that same again. Four types of operant conditioning (Heffner, 2004): Positive reinforcement: this happening is often associated to anything stimulus which strengthens the probability of a specific response which are expressed in praise or rewards. A good example is when a parent appreciated a child’s good work after they have done something positive like cleaning their own room. This will increase the possibility that the same reaction will be repeated. Negative reinforcement: this constitute on the elimination of a particular negative stimulus which is reinforcing in order to increase a response. An example of this is a nagging mother who always scolded her daughter or son to clean their house every week. After telling and complaining to their friends about the distressing words it counters and lastly performs the chore and eventually stopped the nagging. Punishment: this refers to adding together something induced dislike in order to lessen a behavior. Disciplining by way of spanking is the most common example of a specific misconduct. Punishment is disliked and will surely avoid it by behaving in a good manner. Extinction: When something is removed so as to lessen a behavior is called extinction. Example is when a child owns and addicted to a teddy bear which irritates a child’s asthma will likely to react initially but for the parents it is positive that the teddy bear be removed to decrease levels of negative outcome like grasping for air when sniffed a fabric or cotton from the teddy bear. Relevance and application to business sector: In the business sector these two types of learning method has a significant advantage and guarantee positive outcome in the future. Less emphasis on classical conditioning, the operant conditioning is more likely to apply in designing a training course or let’s say changing an employee from a specific behavior in the workplace. Since operant conditioning involves on how it operates in a certain environment and learning takes place as a result of the behavior, we will be more focused on the positive reinforcement which is a very good tool for improving an employee on its negative behavior in the workplace. However, there are times that positive reinforcement would not work so other method can be used such as negative reinforcement, punishment and extinction. Let’s take a common example of a negative manner seen in an employee like tardiness, sleeping, delayed reports, absenteeism, abuse of policies and many other unnecessary manners. In order to alleviate and ease the tension in the way it is practiced, the management can formulate a positive reinforcement like giving importance to the people who always come on time and are constantly prompt in coming to the office. This can be done through rewards and additional compensation and acknowledgement. While those employees who are intensively late all the time despite of warnings from the management should be more reprimanded and disciplined by giving them penalty. The concept of punishment is generated here to reduce tardiness and eventually employees will dislike the penalty or punishment and surely avoid the misconduct by coming on time and perform their duties in a timely manner. Negative reinforcement may or may not work as a method to prevent misconduct in a workplace since it dismays or disappoints an employee because it’s sometimes involves verbal reinforcement to decrease negative stimulus, this is more applicable to a parent-child relationship but for employees, it’s not lasting and holistic and possibly produce a unprincipled outcome.

Brand Strategy for Supermarket Industry in Hong Kong

Brand Strategy for Supermarket Industry in Hong Kong The advent of computers and technological innovation that has faced mankind in the recent past coupled with varied customers need and aspiration has left the business world to be highly competitive. For this reason, there are a number of strategies that organizations have used to cut for themselves a market edge in this competitive business world. The main strategy is branding usually followed by advertisement and publicity. The concept of branding has come out to be deemed by management of any organization as a top priority (Chaudhuri 2001). Additionally, it has been categorized together with human workforce to be the most valuable assets within an organization. It has been argued that brand building is a long process that utilizes a lot of resources and cannot be separated from advertisement and strong marketing strategies. Organizations have resorted to branding with the belief that it will save them from failing as it will enhance the value of the product/organization. However, many of these organizations fail to have prior knowledge that adequate planning is key to successful branding (Kotler 1997). For this reason, long-term promotion prop up for a brand, on the basis of definitions of the distinctiveness of the target consumers is necessary. Additionally, understanding of customers preferences, aspirations and expectations from the brand need to be considered. History and transition of branding Historically, ‘brand’ was though to mean a hot or burning thing and thus associated with marking of animals with unique symbols so that owners can easily identify them (Gregory, 2003). The process involved burning an iron that has been fashioned into a distinct symbol then pressed on the animal skin leaving a permanent mark. Over the years the term has been used in a wider context especially in the field of business to refer to â€Å"name, term, sign, symbol or design, or a combination of them intended to identify the goods and services of one selle r or group of sellers and to differentiate them from those of other sellers (Chaudhuri 2002). One notable example of earlier use of branding in China, where merchants used branding names â€Å"Misty Mountain Tea†, or â€Å"Garden in the Sky Tea† to sell poor quality garden tea to buyers Oscar Wilde wrote that pessimist is an individual that who is a ware of all things but do not know the price of anything. It is only in the recent past that top management have deem brand to be an important asset to their organization. (Davidson 1998; Ward and Perrier 1998) In simple terms, brand is entity that provides end-users with an added value on the basis based functional performance. All these help distinguish the product or service being offered by a business entity. The four Ps of marketing has been used for a very long time to bring about values associated with a brand (Lancaster 1995; Kotler 1997) As time passed, knowledge possessed by the community that engage in marketing has led to managers being brand leaders. There is recognition of branding strategy as source of competitive advantage in domestic markets (Chaudhuri 2001; De Chernatony 2001; Moore et al 2000).

Department of Homeland Security - Immigration enforcement Case Study

Department of Homeland Security - Immigration enforcement - Case Study Example However, the involvement of the state and local agencies might imply the difference achievement and malfunction in the enforcement of immigration laws. Nonetheless, the assistance provided by state and local police in enforcing immigration laws is deemed totally voluntary. This is so because there is neither a provision in the United States code nor the code of federal regulations that require the local law enforcing agencies to assign any resources towards enforcing federal immigration laws. Local enforcement of immigration laws has proved to be important as it has helped in capturing suspected terrorists during arresting of alien people. Thus, the role played by state and local authorities in enforcing immigration can never be overstated as they are the eyes and ears of law enforcement which keep the country secure. This can be attributed to the fact that there is a considerable number of officers who first come into contact with aliens in traffic stops, as well as in other law enforcement conditions. The state and local authorities assist in migration law enforcement mostly within the following scenarios: Arrests of Absconders: in the US there are now over 400,000 absconders who are aliens who have gone through court and disobeyed the last order of removal. The absconder issues have gone against the rule of law in as far as immigration is concerned. Several absconders have engaged in criminal activities apart from their initial immigration violation. Hence, it is the work of the state and local authorities to arrest these absconders. Enforcement in remote as well as underserved areas: due to bureau of immigration customs enforcement agents, who are usually thinly spread all over the country, some states experience substantial unlawful immigration without adequate enforcement attention from the particular BICE officials. Such areas may be not

The Main Monetary and Fiscal Policy Instruments Available to the Essay

The Main Monetary and Fiscal Policy Instruments Available to the British Government - Essay Example rend of contracting and competitive tendering so that services improve through competition between the private and public sector in such areas as NHS catering, laundry and cleaning services along with infrastructure development and correction services. The government has initiated such schemes as value for money for its departments by setting performance parameters in increased numbers (Riley, â€Å"Fiscal Policy,† par. 7). Demand and Supply-side Policy Demand and supply side policies are government tools that help it to achieve policy aims. The demand side policies of the UK government are: 1. Fiscal policy—it is related to levying of taxes and government outlays. 2. Monetary policy—it governs issues like rate of interest and flow of money. 3. Exchange rate policy—it involves shuffling in the rate of Sterling Pound. Supply-side Policies 1. Help the government in boosting competition and performance in product markets. 2. Help in increasing of competition and production in factor markets, particularly labour markets. 3. Help in boosting the domestic savings by offering incentives. 4. Offer attractive schemes to firms for increased production and investment (Economics Online, â€Å"Fiscal Policy,† par. 6). Fiscal Policy It is the planned attempts to change the government outlay or taxation to gain desired macroeconomic results by manipulation in aggregate demand. There are two classes of fiscal policies, discretionary and automatic. 1. Discretionary policy. It is related to such policies that are formulated and enforced by one-off policy changes. 2. Automatic policy helps in stabilizing the economy by fiscal drag and fiscal boost (Economics Online par. 1). Fiscal Drag It diminishes the effect of increased income for goods as taxes are levied in increased ratios....An active fiscal policy increases the chances of deficit budgeting which is central to Keynesianism; it is still a trend of the British government to boost the morale of the money markets by not indulging in grand scale fiscal surpluses. Under the New Labour government, the fiscal policy plays a passive role in changing the budget deficit position over a business cycle but it should not mean that the New Labour government has terminated the active fiscal policy in principle; it has been ‘coarse-tuning’ the fiscal policy to get positive vibes. The New Labour does not deny a desired rate of unemployment, delinking any correlation between inflation and unemployment, which shows that in macroeconomic policy no setting in aggregate and effective demand is possible. The concept of interplay between supply and demand sides and their relation with unemployment can be clearly seen in the New Labour government. The need for interaction between both microeconomic and macroeconomic policies is needed for growth, stability and employment. Supply-side issues are important but demand jerks are risky. The New Labour government is nearer to Keynesia n in identifying that demand alone cannot ensure stability in employment, a crucial feature of New Labour’s political economy. One thing is clear that policies of the New Labour government have not promoted competitiveness. It is significant to note that the New Labour government has not faced a test of its macroeconomic policies in recession time although Britain’s macroeconomic policies have reduced the tremors felt by France and Germany in 2002-03.

Presidential Elections From George Washington to Rutherford Hayes Essay

Presidential Elections From George Washington to Rutherford Hayes - Essay Example John Adams (1797 – 1801) acted as the 2nd president. Adams was one of the two presidents who signed the Declaration of Independence. Adams accomplishment during his presidency was when he preserved peace between America and France from war. During Adams presidency the French were raiding American ships causing conflict between the U.S. and France. Adams sent out ministers to France to resolve the problem but the first attempt failed; this was known as the XYZ Affair. And when Adams sent out another group of ministers for the second time they were able to have an agreement and peace was preserved. He belonged to the Federalist Party. Thomas Jefferson (1801 – 1809) was the 3rd president of the U.S. One of Jefferson’s major accomplishments is that he is the author of the Declaration of Independence which symbolized the American ideal of freedom and democracy. Jefferson was also responsible for the passing of the statute of Religious Freedom in Virginia which is a landmark piece of legislation. He belonged to the Democratic – Republican Party. James Madison (1809 – 1813) was the 4th president of the U.S. Madison was the president during the War of 1812 which successfully ended and concluded by the signing of treaty in favor of the U.S. and ending any future threat from the British. He belonged to the Democratic – Republican Party. James Monroe (1817 – 1821) was the 5th president of the U.S. Monroe’s accomplishments during his presidency was the Missouri Compromise in 1820. Missouri Compromise in 1820 was an agreement that prohibits slavery in Louisiana Territory. He belonged to the Democratic – Republican Party. John Quincy Adams (1825 – 1829) was the 6th president of the U.S. His accomplishment during his presidency was that he contributed to the expansion of the Cumberland Road. It was also during his presidency that the â€Å"tariff of

Leadership Issues in Ethical Perspective Assignment

Leadership Issues in Ethical Perspective - Assignment Example Different cultures around the world instill various adaptations of those values to the youth as they mature. Some societies place a higher emphasis on certain values than other cultures do (Barnes, 2007). The process of learning wrong from right remains the same through the application of rewards and consequences being associated to the choice. Advancements in travel have allowed people from different cultures around the world to converge and share ideas and values. Many businesses have entered the global market and experienced a plethora of value variations that international competition brings to the organizations. The contrast of prioritized values differs with each culture’s traditions. Exposure to another culture’s values may influence an individual’s beliefs and values and create the need for change or evolution of current opinions and ideals (Barnes, 2007). Learning in Action The idea of learning in action allow for the opportunity to take a look at person al values and decide how those values might fit into different scenarios. The first thing was to find out how personal values were perceived and the quality of each value. This was accomplished by taking a Pre-Self-Evaluation survey to determine strengths and weaknesses. A Post-Self-Evaluation allowed for comparisons between the perception at the beginning of the project and then again at the end. It was noted that some of the value areas had changed. Interviews were the next step in learning about ethical values and social responsibility. The themes that emerged once the analysis was complete allowed for different variations of attitudes and opinions to surface. A priority list of personal values was created with the pre and post evaluations. This list allowed for the comparison between the beginning of the project and the end results. The collection of articles dealing with ethical behavior in business allowed for even more analysis and comparisons to be accomplished. Pre and Post Self-Evaluation Survey When the learning in action assignment was given, the recorded answers for a Pre-Self-Evaluation Survey were carefully considered. Recording the answers for the magnitude of understanding and application of each ethical value would be important later on as the comparisons with a Post-Self-Evaluation could be implemented. The comparison of the two evaluations showed considerable differences as knowledge and practice was incorporated into the project. Some values remained the same and those were ones that could be continually worked on to show improvement in the future. Interviews When setting up the interviews, asking permission to record a person’s answers seem socially responsible. All participants agreed that as long as the answers remained anonymous, each person approved the inclusion of their answers in the final report. Three questions were asked, so during the analysis of the responses, all the answers for question one were combined and the same patter was maintained for questions two and three (see Appendix 5). Twenty individuals were asked to participate in the interview process. Five of them were close friends, five were classmates, five were professors, and five were co-workers. The themes, which emerged from question one were to watch others, follow one’

Emerging market not mergers and acquisition Essay

Emerging market not mergers and acquisition - Essay Example It occurs when government decide to open up its market for global trade by way of minimising tax rate and other trade restrictions2. On the other hand, globalisation is described as growing financial integration of economies around the world. Globalisation is much comprehensive idea than trade liberalisation. It denotes increased global movement of products, services, money, information and human resources. This increased movement is made possible by increased trade liberalisation3. One key aspect of this trade liberalisation is regional integration. It is a manifestation of individuality and determination, combined with establishment of global institutions, which express a precise identity and determine shared international business activity within a specific geographic region. However, economists often argue that in the context of globalisation and international trade, if regional integration can hinder or facilitate trade liberalisation, moving onto the development of a new econom ic model of international growth4. Trade liberalisation is described as any activity that makes the business administration more unbiased and nearer to a trade system, which is unrestricted from government intervention5. During the past decades, trade liberalisation has been the hallmark of economic policy in the entire world. Practically, government in various nations have taken significant steps in order to broaden the role of multinational organisations when conducting their multifaceted economic activities6. The main objective of trade liberalisation is therefore to enhance the economic effectiveness of the entire nation by creating a transparent and unbiased system of inducements that shall remove export partiality, direct inhibitions to business and economic falsifications caused by trade administration. In general, trade labialisation comprise elimination of export barriers and quantitative restrictions (QRs) along with

Business straegies,development and management of Glaxo-Smithcline Essay

Business straegies,development and management of Glaxo-Smithcline - Essay Example Glaxo started as a small firm in 1970s with dried milk business and added antibiotics, nutritional supplements and respiratory drugs. Glaxo Inc was born as a result of acquisition of Meyer Laboratories in the US (Heller, 2006). It started investing in R&D during the 1980s which gave the company a phenomenal growth. By 1994 Glaxo had 3.6 percent share of the world market and had a strong presence in Europe and US (BÃ ¡tiz-Lazo, 2003). Its position as the leader was established in 1994 when the industry as a whole faced increased drug discovery costs. Wellcome Foundation (WF), the largest non-profit drug medical institution in the UK, had an ‘academic’ approach to pharmaceuticals – with strong science but weak in marketing. WF had a 40% stake in Galxo’s Zantac which contributed to 43 percent of Glaxo’s revenues. To a large extent the growth of Glaxo was based on the success of Zantac. Glaxo strategically engineered a takeover of Wellcome as Zantac’s patent was due to expire in 1997 and Wellcome had the capability to dissipate risk and ensure that resources would be able for research. The merger further consolidated Glaxo’s position as the third largest company by market capitalization in London and the world’s largest research firm with 54,000 employees. Organizational culture differences erupted trouble in the merger. While WF had a laid back management style and focused on science, Glaxo had a commercial and control-driven culture. The drugs pipeline was unimpressive and ne w products failed to live up to expectations. This paved the way for the merger of Glaxo Wellcome with SmithKline Beecham at the turn of the century. Glaxo SmithKline (GSK) was formed in December 2000 by the merger of Glaxo Wellcome plc and SmithKline Beecham plc. In 2005, it became the world’s second largest research-based pharmaceutical company in the industry (RedOrbit, 2006). The demand of the market was very high and integration of new people

Reflective Diray Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Reflective Diray - Essay Example I believe that in order for me to triumphantly finish this academic year, I need to improve on learning, and this I can to by working harder. During the ICT lecture that I have attended last Tuesday, I encountered problems regarding the database table. Apparently, this was the major conflict I’ve had so far. I was able to overcome it however I am still a bit unsure of how to use it. This week was a little intense for me. This week, I finally became conscious of the difficulty of jumping from one approach to another in order to keep up with the courses. First, I went to the library to research on for the Educational Development module. There I found books which will enlighten me better with our topic. Our lecture was about â€Å"how to take notes†, incorporating active learning in the lesson. During the lecture, we were given tasks and they were to be done as a group however at first I was not that engaged in the group work. It was then I realized that this was what the lecture was teaching me – to become more active and to be more engaged in tasks as much as possible. This is what I have to try, and I know that in so doing I will be able to understand the lecture better. Group tasks can help me explore more things, I learn from my group mates and in return, I contribute some knowledge. Perhaps, this is another aspect of active learning. I do not only learn from reading, but I learn fro m experience, not just of my own but of others as well. Mates are like authors, with the authors, you read carefully their ideas, with mates, you have to listen to them carefully and observe them. Through listening and observing, you learn new ideas (Voeks 1979). I also realized that I need to do some more reading during my spare time as this will help me as well.   Through active reading, we begin to search new ideas and in vigorously

Gate of Ishtar Essay Example for Free

Gate of Ishtar Essay Throughout history, art has always been the highlight of mankind. Art has been writing history before language has been created. Our art has written history, or even protected us, the Gate of Ishtar did its purpose by doing so. A wonderful, and very artistic wall built through art, this gate was dedicated to the Babylonian goddess, Ishtar The Gate of Ishtar was one of the greatest, and monumental architectural treasure ever constructed during the Neo-Babylonian and Persian period. It was even considered one of the seven wonders in the world. The history behind this gate is very rich and popular. It was built during the time of Nebuchadnezzar II, who ordered the building of this gate. The time of this finished its construction was around 575 BCE. According to where the gate was located, it guarded the northern part of Babylon, running through the Processional Way. During the time, the gate was an absolute phenomenon. It ran approximately 40 feet high and 30 feet width, it also had a double arch gate. The reason behind the double arch gate was for it to be spaced by an interior passage. The masonry during the time of construction of the gate was very advanced, but not long lasting. The gate consisted of mud bricks, since the whole city of Babylon used mud bricks. Covering the mud bricks were blue glazed led, or copper, that gave the bricks an illuminating dark blue color. During that time, they used this process for all the important monuments in Babylon. On the gate there is a description, ordered by Nebuchadnezzar himself, which stated his feelings toward the gate, and the description of what the gate was made of. He also built his palace a few meters away from the gate itself. Throughout the gate, every brick was sought out and hand crafted one by one. Doing so, anyone who experiences the gate first hand can tell the marksmanship of each brick. The brickwork is decorated and inlayed by yellow colors creating lions, which run throughout the entire gate. The lion represented fearlessness and war. Dragons, palm trees and geometric designs were also on the gate. Although they use fearless animals, its also used to show order, and organized manner. The purpose the Gate of Ishtar was supposed to represent the power and determination of Babylon. On top of the gate there are dragon decoration, which was a sacred beast or sign of the gods, Marduk and Nabu. While the  lions and bulls, which are also on the gate, also are sacred in the Babylonian culture and the god Marduk. Going on later in the future, the year 1902 ac, a German archeologist by the name of Robert Koldeway took credit of the unearthing of the Gate in the ruins of Babylon. Actually, unearthing this global phenomenon took a while, from the date 1902 to 1914. Approximately 12 years to unearth almost all the remains of the gate. During the time of the excavation, the gate was so large, that it could not be set in just one museum, but many throughout the world. Sadly, only three museums throughout the world has acquired the dragon souvenir from the gate, while many other museums have the lion. After many years the gate of Ishtar has tried to make a comeback. In 1983 Saddam Hussein tried to reconstruct this magnificent wonder, but due to the war in Iraq, things were on hold. Iraq hopes to reconstruct the gate after things settle down. This gate is also popular throughout the world. For it is mentioned in the bible. It is one of the most documented events of early civilizations. All these factors create what was known as the gate of Ishtar. It will always be known as one of the wonders of the world. As time goes on, people will forget was known as The Gate of Ishtar.

Foundation Of America Essay Example for Free

Foundation Of America Essay Christians in the united states of America would fully back up this argument in any given circumstance and they are neither right or wrong this is because they have everyone is entitled to his opinion. There are those who are for the view that Americas foundation is based on secular ideals of enlightenment. Christianity is linked to the formation of America because of the values in the declaration of independence document. This document i s not constitution in a America and has got no any legal bindings be more precise its as document that was drafted by the Americans fore fathers to the Britons on their grievances that they were subjected to during imperialisms this document cannot even be used as a source of evidence in any court of law. (Baldwin 34) In the early century Christianity was the predominant religion in America and still is because of its strong roots. With Christianity in full frontal position it permitted other things to accompany it like ecumenism is the act of many denominations coming together and pluralism hence unity of many churches. During this early century pilgrims flee away from Europe in order to escape religious persecution of them settled in America and hence the growth and expansion of Christianity. Christians believe that Americans was founded by Christian forefather who had a view of a government that would help it to rise to greater level. The founding fathers who worked on the Americas constitution were members of the orthodox church and further search shows that even the first continental congress was to open in Christian prayers. They believed that religion and government should actually go hand in hand hence they highly encouraged it. This view has been held in America for approximately 150 years (Dowel 42). In the 1980s during the civil war,protestants joined together for a reform with a purpose of constitution amendments was solely to declare America as a Christ nation. In a bid to spread Christianity to all,One particular Rev. M. Watson even went ahead to suggest that some coins should recognize Gods presence (Jean 56). This according to them America was meant to be officially a Christian state. Colonies had come up with churches and taxed all citizens to their support regardless of being a church m ember or not. unfortunately to those who evaded tax were imprisoned,tortured or even ended up in death. This brings us to the other persons that support the view that America is founded on secular ideals and enlightenment. The constitution is purely secular and apparently no Christ has been mentioned in it . The core founders rulers like Thomas Jefferson,Madison and their allies believed in themselves and were never Christians. With the persecution of those who evaded tax,these rulers helped pass law allowing religious freedom to all. These rulers were deists and never even concurred with the bible or anything in it. Thomass Jefferson one of Americas founding presidents rejected Christianity to a point that he actually thought that it produced fools and hypocrites belief was that religions are founded on myths. America is one of those countries that have actually set a pace when it come to democracy. Revealingly, democracy was first began in pagan Greece. This actually shows there could be a link between Americas and democracy and paganism. This is according to those who hold the view that it was never founded on Christianity. Religion is also another factor that holds on principals that make a country. Thomass Jefferson had earlier passed law allowing religious freedom to all. Religion clearly indicates that its not in their interest to simply it to join it. In the declaration of independence it talks of men being created equal. This is a value that the Christians uphold in their teachings but in the 1970s blacks and native Americans were not equal with whites,neither were men equal with women nor men with land equal to men who dint own land. probably this is a an argument point to those who do not concur with the fact that America was based on a Christian foundation. A constitution a legally binding document when it was enacted to become law it freed many on religion basis but since it did not render special treatment to Christians they argued that America would be unsuccessful on the contrary it emerged a super power. democracy is fully enjoyed by all in America regardless of their religion unlike in other countries where religion is a force to reckon with people are suppressed and oppressed if they don not abide by the founding religion. Christianity early roots do not ascertain it to be Americas foundation was not in the interest of Thomas Jefferson and his cronies to make it a Christian nation but they strived to separate the government and church. Works cited Dowel , Clem. Christian foundation in America. California:provident publishers limited, 2005. Jean, Mary L. America Christian History. Wyoming:secondary press, 2002. Baldwin,Michael. Declaration of independence . Boston:Point books,2001.

Strategic Thinking And Swot Analysis Commerce Essay

Strategic Thinking And Swot Analysis Commerce Essay In this study, SWOT analysis is presented with elaborating the steps. Defining and articulating it roles in strategic planning and development steps are also covered. Besides, it exemplified in the case of organizational performance for small and medium enterprises in Egypt. SWOT which stands for an abbreviation of (strength, weakness, opportunity and threat); is an analysis that defined as method to examine organizations internal factors dealing with strengths and weaknesses, and its environmental opportunities and also the threats. SOWT analysis usually use in the preliminary phase of decision making as a general tool which it designed for being antecedent to strategic planning in different case and applications. (Johnson et al., 1989; Bartol et al., 1991). Based on some other definitions like Formisano (2003), SWOT Analysis can be used as a model, process, technique or framework to generate information about those factors in organization by having many applications with possibility of being used in all the levels of the organization. So, SWOT can be defined as internal analysis of organizational Strengths (what an operation does well) and Weaknesses (what an operation does not do well) and as well as the external analysis of environmental Opportunitie s (potential favorable conditions for an operation) and Threats (potential unfavorable conditions for an operation); and it is a general tool at the initial stages of policy making and strategic planning and as well, it is a part of the latter stages of analyzing the performance and planning for further development of the organization on. SWOT analysis is used as a technique in order to develop a planning process and solutions for the problems that are related with different internal and external factors and maximize the potential of strengths and opportunities as well as minimizing the negations of weakness and threats (Sharma Singh, 2010; Schermerhorn, 2006; Bennett, et al., 2003). The first step of SWOT analysis is a systematic evaluation of the organizations resources and capabilities. Strength in SWOT analysis is connected to competitive advantages and distinguishing competencies of the company in its market environment. But weaknesses can be considered as limitations that can affect the progress of the company in a negative way. This evaluation includes identifying core competencies by considering special strengths which are superior to the competitors. The core competency is a special strength which gives an organization a competitive advantage and it may be found in special knowledge or expertise, superior technologies, efficient manufacturing technologies, or unique product distribution systems, among many other possibilities. Strategy formulation has an aim which is to form strategies that leverage core competencies for competitive advantage by constructing organizational strengths and minimizing the impact of weaknesses (Houben et al., 1999; Schermerho rn, 2006). Figure 1. SWOT Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (Schermerhorn, 2006, p.88) Strengths: Strength of an operation is the first internal element of the SWOT analysis. The strengths cover what an operation does well. The strengths may be being low-cost producer or high quality product producer. It depends on the perspective (Bennett, et al., 2003, p.2). Weaknesses: The weakness of an operation is another internal element of the SWOT analysis. Examining weaknesses cover identifying what an operation does not do well. They must be examined from the internal and external perspective of the operation. Usually all operations, regardless of size or profitability have weaknesses (Bennett, et al., 2003, p.2). Opportunities: Opportunity is the first external element of the SWOT analysis. The opportunities cover any convenient situation in the businesss environment that the operation may gain an advantage form. The range can be from diversification and the use of new technologies to market trends and relationship developments. And usually all operations have some opportunities. It is important to analyze them well (Bennett, et al., 2003, p.2). Threats: Another element of the SWOT analysis is the external threats. All operations can face threats and the threats can range from lower international prices to key relationships that have some problems. The operation of the organization must take some actions to prevent the external threats (Bennett, et al., 2003, p.2). SWOT analysis is used as inputs to generate possible strategies. And next step is to decide these strategies after the identification and analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (Houben et al., 1999). 2.1 SWOT Analysis Steps Based on Houben et al. (1999) as a first step in the development of a strategic planning system, business managers therefore commence with the identification and evaluation of these strategic factors which assist or hinder the company in reaching its full potential. Normally every company is confronted with a dynamic environment; the relative importance of a strategic factor will change constantly, so the SWOT analysis is correspondingly to be of a permanent nature. The list of strategic factors can be used as a point of departure for the actual strategic plan within a small or medium sized enterprise. It is a flexible instrument. The greatest advantage is that it helps managers of small and medium sized enterprises survey the different management areas, gain insight into the significance within the framework of the company, and accordingly initiate suitable actions. Bartol et al. (1991) mentioned that responding to internal strengths and weaknesses is therefore an essential componen t of the strategic management process. But success can only be achieved in this respect to the extent that one is familiar with the opportunities and threats resulting from the external environment. The recognition of the internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats, takes place on the basis of a study, which called SWOT analysis. Generally no standard list of crucial factors which apply for all companies exists because of the specificity of this set. Within the framework of this study, however, we chose to concentrate solely on the internal business environment. This therefore only concerns the identification of strengths and weaknesses. Strengths thereby relate to the competitive advantages and other distinguishing competencies which can be exploited by the company on the market. A distinguishing competence is something which can be done very capably by a company. Weaknesses, on the other hand, are limitations which hinder the progress of a company in a certain direction. Weaknesses are those attributes of the organization that impede achieving the objective and limitations or deficiency in one or more resources or competencies relative to competitors that impedes a firms effective performance. Opportunities are outside conditions that help to achieve the objective major situation in a firms environment. Key trends are one source of opportunities and identification of a previously overlooked market segment, changes in competitive or regulatory circumstances, technological changes, and improved buyer or supplier relationships could represent opportunities for the firm. Threats are also outside conditions that impede achieving the objective and impediments to the firms current or desired position. The entrance of new competitors, slow market growth, increased bargaining power of key buyers or suppliers, technological changes, and new or revised regulations could represent threats to a firms success (Mintzberg and Quinn, 1991). According Johnson et al. (1989) ; Bartol et al. (1991) taking strategic actions is advised for the organizations to preserve or sustain strengths, offset weaknesses, avert or mitigate threats, and capitalize on opportunities. Strategies can consider as the balancing act between the external environment like opportunities and threats and the internal capabilities of the firm such as strengths and weaknesses. Basically SWOT analysis is an extremely useful tool for understanding and decision-making for all sorts of situations in business and organizations. As a first step in the development of a strategic planning system, business managers should therefore commence with the identification and evaluation of these strategic factors which assist or hinder the company in reaching its full potential. Because every company is confronted with a dynamic environment, the relative importance of a strategic factor will change constantly, so this analysis is accordingly to be of a permanent nature. In identifying SWOT a particular factor is relevant only with reference to a specific objective. For example, a large cash balance is strength if the objective is expansion. If the objective is to discourage a hostile take-over, a large cash balance is a weakness. The SWOT analysis headings provide a good framework for reviewing strategy, position and direction of a company or business proposition, or any other idea. Completing a SWOT analysis is sometimes simple and useful which can be used for business planning, strategic planning, competitor evaluati on, marketing, business and product development and research reports (Houben et al.1999). The strengths and weaknesses can be found in the functional company fields, or they may be a consequence of abnormal interaction between different fields. Furthermore, the strengths and the weaknesses of an aspect must be measured at different levels of the organization; this can be at group level, at individual company level or at product or market level. The evaluation of the performances of the past may not be neglected with the measuring of strengths and weaknesses because it provides historic insight into the strategy of the company previously implemented as well as the successes accordingly achieved (Glass, 1991). Historic investigations may not only be limited to the pure analysis of the paths followed by the company in the past and the results achieved, they must also devote attention to the reasons for this success. With the lists compiled, sort and group facts and ideas in relation to the objectives. It may be necessary for the SWOT participants to select their five most im portant items from the list in order to gain a wider view. Clarity of objectives is a key to this process, as evaluation and elimination will be necessary to cull the wheat from the chaff. Although some aspects may require further information or research, a clear picture should, at this stage, start to emerge in response to the objectives (Johnson et al., 1989; Bartol et al., 1991). 3. SWOT Analysis and Strategic Planning SWOT analysis is mainly part of the strategic planning process buy studying on internal and external forces in the business environment of a company of organization. As a first step of a strategic planning system, the strategic factors that are related with the potential of the company, should be identified and evaluated. The identification and evaluation of the strategic factors helps to reach an actual strategic plan and as a result the managers are able to gain insight of internal and external nature of the company and establish suitable actions in order to reach good performance (Houben et al., 1999, p.2) In order to have good performance in strategic planning, the future objectives on the companys strength and the weaknesses of the company must be considered by the company. Internal strengths and weaknesses are the main components of the strategic management process but it must be reinforced with considering opportunities and threats from the external environment. According to Hill and Roy (1997, p.46), SWOT analysis is one of the most straightforward approaches for analyzing the strategy of an organization. SWOT as it explained before, is the acronym for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats which according to Zack (1999, p.126) SWOT framework is one of the well-known approaches to define a strategy. Considering Zack, Hill and Roy statements about SWOT, it can conclude that this approach can be used in order to define and analyze organizations strategy. This analysis consists of two parts. First, we have to analyze the internal characteristics and capabilities of the organization, which analysis helps us to identify the strengths and the weaknesses that the organization has. In the second part, we have to analyze the external situations in the competitive environment, which this analysis helps us to identify the opportunities and the threats that the company may faces. After identification of these four factors, a strategy for the company can be presented. Based on Zack statement (1999, p. 127) strategy is the act of balancing between internal and external situations of a given organization. And a good strategy is the one which ensure a fit between external situations of the company with its own internal capabilities (Hill and Westbrook, 1997, p.47). This analysis was in power for at least 30 years. Zack (1999, p.128) believes that companies who have superior knowledge, can sustain their competitive advantage by the use of those knowledge in order to combine, coordinate, develop and exploit their resources and capabilities in a new way and better than their competitors. Buckman Labs competed in certain markets based on its superior knowledge of how to apply its chemicals to solve the process treatment problems of its customers. After explaining SWOT framework in previous section, and talking about knowledge as a strategic asset and the sustainable competitive advantage which could be achieved through the application of the knowledge that exists in an organization, the author (Zack, 1999, p. 130) proposes that: Firms need to perform a knowledge-based SWOT analysis, mapping their knowledge resources and capabilities against their strategic opportunities and threats to better understand their points of advantage and weakness. The outcome of this analysis could be a map that can help the organization to strengthen its knowledge advantages and reduce its knowledge weaknesses. This map reveals the knowledgebase resources and capabilities of one organization and the knowledge that this organization needs in order to be competitive in the market by providing the products and services. As we mentioned earlier, we can thought of this as a knowledge strategy. Zack (1999, p.131) mentions three steps that should be taken in order to describe the link between strategy and knowledge: 1. Organization needs to identify its strategic goals. 2. Organization must evaluate the knowledge that it needs in order to achieve its strategic goals. 3. Comparison between the knowledge that one organization has and the knowledge that one organization needs reveals the strategic knowledge gaps of that organization. A firm, according with its current knowledge, must identify the best product and market opportunities for exploiting that knowledge. For example, Most importantly, it recognized the difference and managed and developed its strategic knowledge accordingly (Zack, 1999, p.131). Therefore, we can consider the knowledge as an important strategic resource for sustaining the competitive advantage. There are 3 reasons why knowledge makes the advantage sustainable, as first that knowledge which is gained from organizational procedures through experience is unique and cannot easily be reproduced. Because acquiring this knowledge require competitors to engage in similar experiences which need time and money. Second is that, those firms which know more can learn more in comparison to their competitors who have just started to gather knowledge. Third reason is that, the integration between newly gained knowledge and the knowledge that the firm already has can create unique insights and more valuable knowledge that is difficult for the competitors to gain. These reasons all lead to a sustainable competitive advantage. Strategic management is a collection of decisions and actions that are taken by the business management to determine the long-term activities of the company. Basically strategic management has three elements (Houben et al., 1999, p.126), the formulation of a strategy; the implementation of a strategy; the control and evaluation of the strategy. Internal and external environment analysis must be done before applying these stages. While analyzing of the internal and external environment will result in an overview of all opportunities and threats and also weaknesses and strengths will be reviewed and these are SWOT analysis results. If we want to define the internal and external environments, the external environment include the variables existing outside the company, they are in the short-term and not under the control of the company and they are from the context in which company exists and functions. The external variables are divided as; direct and indirect environment. The elements or groups are directly influenced by the actions of the company are considered as the direct environment (industry environment), such as; the shareholders, the government, the suppliers, the local authorities, the competitors, the clients, the creditors and the employees organizations. The general forces that have an impact on the long term decisions of the company are considered as indirect environment (macroenvironment) such as; economic, socio-cultural, technological, political and juridical influences (Houben et al., 1999, p.126; Schermerhorn, 2006, pp.87-88). The variables of the internal environment within the company belong to the business management of the company that does not have an influence in the short-term. These variables include the company structure, the company culture and the resources of the company. One of the three elements of strategic management was the formulation of a strategy and it is a process for the development of long-term plans, to respond to environmental opportunities and threats effectively by considering the strengths and weaknesses of the company (Houben et al., 1999, p.126). Figure.3.1.1 illustrates the SWOT analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Companies need to take some specific actions to identify and understand their competitive strengths and weaknesses; and the development of the competitive strategy depends on building a global overview that considers the strengths and weaknesses. The strengths and weaknesses can place in the functional company fields, or can be a consequence of unusual interaction between different fields. In addition, the strengths and the weaknesses must be analyzed at the different levels of the company such as; organization, group, individual, company, product or market level (Houben et al., 1999). The current strategic position forms a very important point of departure for the development of a future strategy. It is very difficult to understand the current strategy if a formal planning system was previously absent. The studying of the competition, the current strategic prospects, performances from the past, the market possibilities and the market environment provide us with insight concerning information required for the indication of strengths and weaknesses. Where possible these strengths and weaknesses are to be represented in objective terms. It must be commented that most strengths concern the capabilities of certain personnel members or the resources at hand. A distinction can accordingly be made according to the present product/market combinations. It is therefore sensible to make a distinction according to the extent to which these strengths and weaknesses are of a critical nature. As regards the critical factors, an attempt must be made to sort them on the basis of st rengths (Johnson et al., 1989; Bartol et al., 1991). Good performances within a company are the results of correct interaction of the business management with its internal and/or external environment. To operate successfully in this respect, the company must concentrate its future objectives on its strengths, while averting tendencies related to the companies weaknesses. Responding to internal strengths and weaknesses is therefore an essential component of the strategic management process. But success can only be achieved in this respect to the extent that one is familiar with the opportunities and threats resulting from the external environment. Mintzberg and Quinn (1991) explained the recognition of the internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats, takes place on the basis of a SWOT-analysis. Within the framework of this study, however, we chose to concentrate solely on the internal business environment. This therefore only concerns the identification of strengths and weaknesses. Companies must und ertake specific actions in order to distinguish their competitive strengths and weaknesses. The strengths and weaknesses are found in the functional company fields, or they may be a consequence of abnormal interaction between different fields. Furthermore, the strengths and the weaknesses of an aspect are measured at different levels of the organization; this can be at group level, at individual enterprise level or at product or market level. 4. SWOT Analysis in Practice In this section we can overview the SWOT analysis of organizational performance of small and medium enterprises in Egypt through promoting the human factors in quality management systems. This analysis has been done by the survey results (the answers in the studied questionnaire) were analyzed by the SWOT method in order to identify the Egyptian manufacturing SMEs Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, in order to generate information about their effects on organizational performance and to determine if there is a need to support systems for the organizations development or a need for system improvement (Shobery et al. 2010). This analysis the research team used as a guideline for developing the QMS model with focus on human factors. Egyptian manufacturing SMEs (Small-Medium Enterprises) have much strength and weaknesses, and many opportunities and threats which are generated from the business environment and have effects on the whole organization. Strengths of SMEs were confirmed by the results of the questionnaire and have supported, developed and promoted as a part of the basic infrastructure needed to achieve the criteria of the business excellence practices. Weaknesses indicated the problems and ineffective work systems which need to be solved and improved gradually to get a new and better infrastructure (Shobery et al. 2010). In their research they figured it out that opportunities mainly increase the number of international markets open to Egyptian manufacturing SMEs. Threats are mainly generated through competitive situations from the international trading competitors and free trade areas (FTAs). There is an increase in the number of overseas competitors most of which have a higher potential for international trade than Egyptian firms. Generally, strengths and opportunities influence the organizations performance in positive ways and also support the development of a QMS. In contrast, the weaknesses and threats have negative effects on the organizational performance, which hamper a successful implementation of a QMS. Effects of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats on the organizational performance in Egyptian manufacturing SMEs are presented in Table 1 and Figure 2. Based on their findings, a systematic schedule for the analysis of strengths and weaknesses is something constantly gaining popularity. Companies must undertake specific actions in order to distinguish their competitive strengths and weaknesses. History has shown this to be not particularly simple. Many companies only have vague ideas of the source of certain competencies and the extent to which they possess them. The absence of a global company overview prevents a clear picture being obtained. Despite these problems the development of a competitive strategy depends on having a global overview as regards strengths and weaknesses. 5. Conclusion By doing the SWOT analysis usually there are some ready expected advantages such as, an impetus to analyze a situation and develop suitable strategies and tactics, a basis for assessing core capabilities and competences, the evidence for, and cultural key to, change, a stimulus to participation in a group experience.