Monday, December 30, 2019
How to Get a Job in College
Knowing how to get a job in college can be challenging, especially if youre new on campus or youve never applied for an on-campus job before. And while each and every student worker plays an important role in helping make a college run better, there are definitely some jobs that are better than others. So how can you make sure that the job you get in college is a good one? Start Early There are undoubtedly other students, just like you, who want or need to get a job in college. Which means that there are lots of other people eager to apply for the job(s) you want to get, too. As soon as you know that you need or want to work during your time in school, start figuring out how and where to make the process happen. If at all possible, try to do some emailing -- or even applying -- before you officially arrive on campus for a new semester. Figure Out How Much Money You Want or Need to Make Before you start looking at listings, take a moment to sit down, make a budget, and figure out how much money you need or want to make from your on-campus job. Knowing the amount youll need to bring in each week will help you figure out what to look for. You may, for example, think the gig working at the theater is totally perfect, but if it only offers a few hours each weekend and you know youll need to work 10 hours a week, its no longer the perfect gig. Look at the Official Listings If youre applying for an on-campus job, chances are that all of the student jobs are posted in one central place, like the student employment or financial aid office. Head there first to avoid having to spend a ton of time trying to see if individual departments or offices are hiring. Dont Be Afraid to Ask Around and Network When people hear networking, they often think of schmoozing with people they dont really know at a cocktail party. But even on a college campus, its important to talk to people about what youd like in an on-campus job. Talk to your friends to see if they know of great places that are hiring or if theyve worked somewhere they particularly liked. If, for example, someone down the hall works at the mailroom, thinks its a great gig and is willing to put in a good word for you, voila! Thats networking in action. Apply Applying for on-campus jobs is usually a much lower-key process than applying for jobs at, say, a major department store or corporate office in town. That being said, its still important to appear professional when you apply for an on-campus job. No matter where you work on campus, youll undoubtedly be interacting with people off-campus, professors, upper-level administrators, and other important folks. Whoever hires you will want to make sure that when the community interacts with you, as a member and representative of their office, the interaction is positive and professional. So make sure you return phone calls or emails on time, show up for your interview on time, and dress in a way that makes sense for the position. Ask What the Time Line Is You may apply for a super-casual gig where they hire you on the spot. Or you may apply for something with a little more prestige where you need to wait a week or two (or more) before you hear if youve got the job or not. Its okay to ask during your interview when theyll be letting people know if they are being hired; that way, you can still apply for other jobs and be making progress while you wait. The last thing you want to do is shoot yourself in the foot by letting all the other good jobs slip by as you wait to hear from one specific place that ends up not hiring you. Although the first few weeks of any semester is a flurry of activity as students apply for on-campus jobs, everyone usually ends up landing something that they like. Being smart about the process can help increase the chances that youll end up with a job that not only provides a little cash but also lets you enjoy your time working in school.
Sunday, December 22, 2019
A Short History of MRI - 2254 Words
What is MRI? Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a sophisticated computerized imaging technique, which has been a clinical diagnostic tool since 1980. MRI is used to create images with extraordinary detail of the body or brain by applying nuclear magnetic resonance phenomena. The distribution of hydrogen nuclei (protons), found in cellular water, depends on the tissue type and whether or not the tissue is healthy or diseased. MRI measures and records changes in the magnetic properties of these protons. The MRI technique uses a strong magnetic field, pulsed electromagnetic fields known as gradients, and radio waves to excite the protons and produce the image in the region of interest. The image is produced then displayed on a gray scaleâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦MRI is superior to CAT scan because CAT scan is using ionizing radiation, MRI uses harmless radio waves. The only unusual preparation is that all removable metallic objects must be left outside the scanning room, including removable h earing aids, dentures and other prosthetic devices. Credit cards can be damaged by the MRI because magnetic codes can be affected by the MRI magnet. Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a powerful diagnostic tool in the medical imaging market place as the procedure of choice for the visualization of soft tissue. The MRI industry is producing over 2,000 units per year. The United States is represented with 40% of the world marketing and production of MRI. There is an emerging consensus that the MRI has a broad application in smaller hospital and clinics. Neurologists are one of medical specialty that depend a great deal on MRI for accurate diagnostic of the central nerve system. Other medical specialty that rely upon the MRI technology include neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons and chiropractors. MRI is useful in diagnosis of pinched nerves in the spinal column, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and other diseases of the central nerve system. The use of MRI technology will increase in the United States and the world because of the tremendous significance in modern medical diagnosis. The Tesla Unit is a label on every MRI machine signifying the strength of the MRI Magnetic Field. The stronger the magnetic field, theShow MoreRelatedThe Physics Of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy1005 Words à |à 5 Pagesimaging, or MRI, is an applied form of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Utilizing the naturally occurring magnetic properties of water and hydrogen nuclei, composing between seventy to ninety percent of human tissue, to create detailed images of the human body. 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The only risk with MRI is that people with pacemakers, metal implants, artificial heart valves, and other surgically implanted structures cannot be scanned with an MRI because of the risk that the magnet may move the metal parts of these structures. PositronRead MoreSymptoms And Diagnosis Of Ms983 Words à |à 4 Pagesdiagnosis of MS continues to be predicated on the clinical history and neurological examination; that is, finding multiple lesions in time and space in the CNS. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains the most important diagnostic tool for allowing the early and more precise diagnosis of the disease. Revised diagnostic criteria classify individuals in the categories of MS into either not multiple sclerosis or possible MS based on evidence from MRI (McDonald, 2001). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examinationRead MoreLaser And The Head Region Of A Patient1299 Words à |à 6 PagesAbstract Today, Three-dimensional (ââ¬Å"3Dâ⬠) images are available for their use. 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Saturday, December 14, 2019
Prelude to Foundation Chapter 12 Aerie Free Essays
string(32) " Not many and nowhere together\." ROBOT-â⬠¦ A term used in the ancient legends of several worlds for what are more usually called ââ¬Å"automata.â⬠Robots are described as generally human in shape and made of metal, although some are supposed to have been pseudo-organic in nature. Hari Seldon, in the course of The Flight, is popularly supposed to have seen an actual robot, but that story is of dubious origin. We will write a custom essay sample on Prelude to Foundation Chapter 12 Aerie or any similar topic only for you Order Now Nowhere in Seldonââ¬â¢s voluminous writings does he mention robots at all, althoughâ⬠¦ Encyclopedia Galactica 56. They were not noticed. Hari Seldon and Dors Venabili repeated the trip of the day before and this time no one gave them a second look. Hardly anyone even gave them a first look. On several occasions, they had to tuck their knees to one side to allow someone sitting on an inner seat to get past them and out. When someone got in, they quickly realized they had to move over if there was an inner empty seat. This time they quickly grew tired of the smell of kirtles that were not freshly laundered because they were not so easily diverted by what went on outside. But eventually they were there. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s the library,â⬠said Seldon in a low voice. ââ¬Å"I suppose so,â⬠said Dors. ââ¬Å"At least thatââ¬â¢s the building that Mycelium Seventy-Two pointed out yesterday.â⬠They sauntered toward it leisurely. ââ¬Å"Take a deep breath,â⬠said Seldon. ââ¬Å"This is the first hurdle.â⬠The door ahead was open, the light within subdued. There were five broad stone steps leading upward. They stepped onto the lowermost one and waited several moments before they realized that their weight did not cause the steps to move upward. Dors grimaced very slightly and gestured Seldon upward. Together they walked up the stairs, feeling embarrassed on behalf of Mycogen for its backwardness. Then, through a door, where, at a desk immediately inside was a man bent over the simplest and clumsiest computer Seldon had ever seen. The man did not look up at them. No need, Seldon supposed. White kirtle, bald head-all Mycogenians looked so nearly the same that oneââ¬â¢s eyes slid off them and that was to the tribespeopleââ¬â¢s advantage at the moment. The man, who still seemed to be studying something on the desk, said, ââ¬Å"Scholars?â⬠ââ¬Å"Scholars,â⬠said Seldon. The man jerked his head toward a door. ââ¬Å"Go in. Enjoy.â⬠They moved inward and, as nearly as they could see, they were the only ones in this section of the library. Either the library was not a popular resort or the scholars were few or-most likely-both. Seldon whispered, ââ¬Å"I thought surely we would have to present some sort of license or permission form and I would have to plead having forgotten it.â⬠ââ¬Å"He probably welcomes our presence under any terms. Did you ever see a place like this? If a place, like a person, could be dead, we would be inside a corpse.â⬠Most of the books in this section were print-books like the Book in Seldonââ¬â¢s inner pocket. Dors drifted along the shelves, studying them. She said, ââ¬Å"Old books, for the most part. Part classic. Part worthless.â⬠ââ¬Å"Outside books? Non-Mycogen, I mean?â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh yes. If they have their own books, they must be kept in another section. This one is for outside research for poor little self-styled scholars like yesterdayââ¬â¢s.-This is the reference department and hereââ¬â¢s an Imperial Encyclopediaâ⬠¦ must be fifty years old if a dayâ⬠¦ and a computer.â⬠She reached for the keys and Seldon stopped her. ââ¬Å"Wait. Something could go wrong and weââ¬â¢ll be delayed.â⬠He pointed to a discreet sign above a free-standing set of shelves that glowed with the letters TO THE SACR TORIUM. The second A in SACRATORIUM was dead, possibly recently or possibly because no one cared. (The Empire, thought Seldon, was in decay. All parts of it. Mycogen too.) He looked about. The poor library, so necessary to Mycogenian pride, perhaps so useful to the Elders who could use it to find crumbs to shore up their own beliefs and present them as being those of sophisticated tribespeople, seemed to be completely empty. No one had entered after them. Seldon said, ââ¬Å"Letââ¬â¢s step in here, out of eyeshot of the man at the door, and put on our sashes.â⬠And then, at the door, aware suddenly there would be no turning back if they passed this second hurdle, he said, ââ¬Å"Dors, donââ¬â¢t come in with me.â⬠She frowned. ââ¬Å"Why not?â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s not safe and I donââ¬â¢t want you to be at risk.â⬠ââ¬Å"I am here to protect you,â⬠she said with soft firmness. ââ¬Å"What kind of protection can you be? I can protect myself, though you may not think it. And Iââ¬â¢d be handicapped by having to protect you. Donââ¬â¢t you see that?â⬠ââ¬Å"You mustnââ¬â¢t be concerned about me, Hari,â⬠said Dors. ââ¬Å"Concern is my part.â⬠She tapped her sash where it crossed in the space between her obscured breasts. ââ¬Å"Because Hummin asked you to?â⬠ââ¬Å"Because those are my orders.â⬠She seized Seldonââ¬â¢s arms just above his elbow and, as always, he was surprised by her firm grip. She said, ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m against this, Hari, but if you feel you must go in, then I must go in too.â⬠ââ¬Å"All right, then. But if anything happens and you can wriggle out of it, run. Donââ¬â¢t worry about me.â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re wasting your breath, Hari. And youââ¬â¢re insulting me.â⬠Seldon touched the entrance panel and the portal slid open. Together, almost in unison, they walked through. 57. A large room, all the larger because it was empty of anything resembling furniture. No chairs, no benches, no seats of any kind. No stage, no drapery, no decorations. No lights, merely a uniform illumination of mild, unfocused light. The walls were not entirely blank. Periodically, arranged in spaced fashion at various heights and in no easy repetitive order, there were small, primitive, two-dimensional television screens, all of which were operating. From where Dors and Seldon stood, there was not even the illusion of a third dimension, not a breath of true holovision. There were people present. Not many and nowhere together. You read "Prelude to Foundation Chapter 12 Aerie" in category "Essay examples" They stood singly and, like the television monitors, in no easy repetitive order. All were white-kirtled, all sashed. For the most part, there was silence. No one talked in the usual sense. Some moved their lips, murmuring softly. Those who walked did so stealthily, eyes downcast. The atmosphere was absolutely funereal. Seldon leaned toward Dors, who instantly put a finger to her lips, then pointed to one of the television monitors. The screen showed an idyllic garden bursting with blooms, the camera panning over it slowly. They walked toward the monitor in a fashion that imitated the others-slow steps, putting each foot down softly. When they were within half a meter of the screen, a soft insinuating voice made itself heard: ââ¬Å"The garden of Antennin, as reproduced from ancient guidebooks and photographs, located in the outskirts of Eos. Note the-ââ¬Å" Dors said in a whisper Seldon had trouble catching over the sound of the set, ââ¬Å"It turns on when someone is close and it will turn off if we step away. If weââ¬â¢re close enough, we can talk under cover, but donââ¬â¢t look at me and stop speaking if anyone approaches.â⬠Seldon, his head bent, his hands clasped before him (he had noted that this was a preferred posture), said, ââ¬Å"Any moment I expect someone to start wailing.â⬠ââ¬Å"Someone might. Theyââ¬â¢re mourning their Lost World,â⬠said Dors. ââ¬Å"I hope they change the films every once in a while. It would be deadly to always see the same ones.â⬠ââ¬Å"Theyââ¬â¢re all different,â⬠said Dors, her eyes sliding this way and that. ââ¬Å"They may change periodically. I donââ¬â¢t know.â⬠ââ¬Å"Wait!â⬠said Seldon just a hairââ¬â¢s breadth too loud. He lowered his voice and said, ââ¬Å"Come this way.â⬠Dors frowned, failing to make out the words, but Seldon gestured slightly with his head. Again the stealthy walk, but Seldonââ¬â¢s footsteps increased in length as he felt the need for greater speed and Dors, catching up, pulled sharply-if very briefly-at his kirtle. He slowed. ââ¬Å"Robots here,â⬠he said under the cover of the sound as it came on. The picture showed the corner of a dwelling place with a rolling lawn and a line of hedges in the foreground and three of what could only be described as robots. They were metallic, apparently, and vaguely human in shape. The recording said, ââ¬Å"This is a view, recently constructed, of the establishment of the famous Wendome estate of the third century. The robot you see near the center was, according to tradition, named Bendar and served twenty-two years, according to the ancient records, before being replaced.â⬠Dors said, â⬠ââ¬ËRecently constructed,ââ¬â¢ so they must change views.â⬠ââ¬Å"Unless theyââ¬â¢ve been saying ââ¬Ërecently constructedââ¬â¢ for the last thousand years.â⬠Another Mycogenian stepped into the sound pattern of the scene and said in a low voice, though not as low as the whisperings of Seldon and Dors, ââ¬Å"Greetings, Brothers.â⬠He did not look at Seldon and Dors as he spoke and after one involuntary and startled glance, Seldon kept his head averted. Dors had ignored it all. Seldon hesitated. Mycelium Seventy-Two had said that there was no talking in the Sacratorium. Perhaps he had exaggerated. Then too he had not been in the Sacratorium since he was a child. Desperately, Seldon decided he must speak. He said in a whisper, ââ¬Å"And to you, Brother, greetings.â⬠He had no idea whether that was the correct formula of reply or if there was a formula, but the Mycogenian seemed to find nothing amiss in it. ââ¬Å"To you in Aurora,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"And to you,â⬠said Seldon and because it seemed to him that the other expected more, he added, ââ¬Å"in Aurora,â⬠and there was an impalpable release of tension. Seldon felt his forehead growing moist. The Mycogenian said, ââ¬Å"Beautiful! I havenââ¬â¢t seen this before.â⬠ââ¬Å"Skillfully done,â⬠said Seldon. Then, in a burst of daring, he added, ââ¬Å"A loss never to be forgotten.â⬠The other seemed startled, then said, ââ¬Å"Indeed, indeed,â⬠and moved away. Dors hissed, ââ¬Å"Take no chances. Donââ¬â¢t say what you donââ¬â¢t have to.â⬠ââ¬Å"It seemed natural. Anyway, this it recent. But those are disappointing robots. They are what I would expect automata to be. I want to see the organic ones-the humanoids.â⬠ââ¬Å"If they existed,â⬠said Dors with some hesitation, ââ¬Å"it seems to me they wouldnââ¬â¢t be used for gardening jobs.â⬠ââ¬Å"True,â⬠said Seldon. ââ¬Å"We must find the Eldersââ¬â¢ aerie.â⬠ââ¬Å"If that exists. It seems to me there is nothing in this hollow cave but a hollow cave.â⬠ââ¬Å"Letââ¬â¢s look.â⬠They paced along the wall, passing from screen to screen, trying to wait at each for irregular intervals until Dors clutched Seldonââ¬â¢s arms. Between two screens were lines marking out a faint rectangle. ââ¬Å"A door,â⬠Dors said. Then she weakened the assertion by adding, ââ¬Å"Do you think?â⬠Seldon looked about surreptitiously. It was in the highest degree convenient that, in keeping with the mourning atmosphere, every face, when not fixed on a television monitor, was bent in sad concentration on the floor. Seldon said, ââ¬Å"How do you suppose it would open?â⬠ââ¬Å"An entrance patch.â⬠ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t make out any.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s just not marked out, but thereââ¬â¢s a slight discoloration there. Do you see it? How many palms? How many times?â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll try. Keep an eye out and kick me if anyone looks in this direction.â⬠He held his breath casually, touched the discolored spot to no avail, and then placed his palm full upon it and pressed. The door opened silently-not a creak, not a scrape. Seldon stepped through as rapidly as he could and Dors followed him. The door closed behind them. ââ¬Å"The question is,â⬠said Dors, ââ¬Å"did anyone see us?â⬠Seldon said, ââ¬Å"Elders must go through this door frequently.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes, but will anyone think we are Elders?â⬠Seldon waited, then said, ââ¬Å"If we were observed and if anyone thought something was wrong, this door would have been flung open again within fifteen seconds of our entering.â⬠ââ¬Å"Possibly,â⬠said Dors dryly, ââ¬Å"or possibly there is nothing to be seen or done on this side of the door and no one cares if we enter.â⬠ââ¬Å"That remains to be seen,â⬠muttered Seldon. The rather narrow room they had entered was somewhat dark, but as they stepped farther into it, the light brightened. There were chairs, wide and comfortable, small tables, several davenports, a deep and tall refrigerator, cupboards. ââ¬Å"If this is the Eldersââ¬â¢ aerie,â⬠said Seldon, ââ¬Å"the Elders seem to do themselves comfortably, despite the austerity of the Sacratorium itself.â⬠ââ¬Å"As would be expected,â⬠said Dors. ââ¬Å"Asceticism among a ruling class-except for public show-is very rare. Put that down in your notebook for psychohistorical aphorisms.â⬠She looked about. ââ¬Å"And there is no robot.â⬠Seldon said, ââ¬Å"An aerie is a high position, remember, and this ceiling is not. There must be upper storeys and that must be the way.â⬠He pointed to a well-carpeted stairway. He did not advance toward it, however, but looked about vaguely. Dors guessed what he was seeking. She said, ââ¬Å"Forget about elevators. Thereââ¬â¢s a cult of primitivism in Mycogen. Surely, you havenââ¬â¢t forgotten that, have you? There would be no elevators and, whatââ¬â¢s more, if we place our weight at the foot of the stairs, I am quite certain it will not begin moving upward. Weââ¬â¢re going to have to climb it. Several flights, perhaps.â⬠ââ¬Å"Climb it?â⬠ââ¬Å"It must, in the nature of things, lead to the aerie-if it leads anywhere. Do you want to see the aerie or donââ¬â¢t you?â⬠Together they stepped toward the staircase and began the climb. They went up three flights and, as they did, the light level decreased perceptibly and in steady increments. Seldon took a deep breath and whispered, ââ¬Å"I consider myself to be in pretty good shape, but I hate this.â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re not used to this precise type of physical exertion.â⬠She showed no signs of physical distress whatever. At the top of the third flight the stairs ended and before them was another door. ââ¬Å"And if itââ¬â¢s locked?â⬠said Seldon, more to himself than to Dors. ââ¬Å"Do we try to break it down?â⬠But Dors said, ââ¬Å"Why should it be locked when the lower door was not? If this is the Eldersââ¬â¢ aerie, I imagine thereââ¬â¢s a taboo on anyone but Elders coming here and a taboo is much stronger than any lock.â⬠ââ¬Å"As far as those who accept the taboo are concerned,â⬠said Seldon, but he made no move toward the door. ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s still time to turn back, since you hesitate,â⬠said Dors. ââ¬Å"In fact, I would advise you to rum back.â⬠ââ¬Å"I only hesitate because I donââ¬â¢t know what weââ¬â¢ll find inside. If itââ¬â¢s empty-â⬠And then he added in a rather louder voice, ââ¬Å"Then itââ¬â¢s empty,â⬠and he strode forward and pushed against the entry panel. The door retracted with silent speed and Seldon took a step back at the surprising flood of light from within. And there, facing him, eyes alive with light, arms half-upraised, one foot slightly advanced before the other, gleaming with a faintly yellow metallic shine, was a human figure. For a few moments, it seemed to be wearing a tight-fitting tunic, but on closer inspection it became apparent that the tunic was part of the structure of the object. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s the robot,â⬠said Seldon in awe, ââ¬Å"but itââ¬â¢s metallic.â⬠ââ¬Å"Worse than that,â⬠said Dors, who had stepped quickly to one side and then to the other. ââ¬Å"Its eyes donââ¬â¢t follow me. Its arms donââ¬â¢t as much as tremble. Itââ¬â¢s not alive-if one can speak of robots as being alive.â⬠And a man-unmistakably a man-stepped out from behind the robot and said, ââ¬Å"Perhaps not. But I am alive.â⬠And almost automatically, Dors stepped forward and took her place between Seldon and the man who had suddenly appeared. 58. Seldon pushed Dors to one side, perhaps a shade more roughly than he intended. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t need protection. This is our old friend Sunmaster Fourteen.â⬠The man who faced them, wearing a double sash that was perhaps his right as High Elder, said, ââ¬Å"And you are Tribesman Seldon.â⬠ââ¬Å"Of course,â⬠said Seldon. ââ¬Å"And this, despite her masculine dress, is Tribeswoman Venabili.â⬠Dors said nothing. Sunmaster Fourteen said, ââ¬Å"You are right, of course, tribesman. You are in no danger of physical harm from me. Please sit down. Both of you. Since you are not a Sister, tribeswoman, you need not retire. There is a seat for you which, if you value such a distinction, you will be the first woman ever to have used.â⬠ââ¬Å"I do not value such a distinction,â⬠said Dors, spacing her words for emphasis. Sunmaster Fourteen nodded. ââ¬Å"That is as you wish. I too will sit down, for I must ask you questions and I do not care to do it standing.â⬠They were sitting now in a corner of the room. Seldonââ¬â¢s eyes wandered to the metal robot. Sunmaster Fourteen said, ââ¬Å"It is a robot.â⬠ââ¬Å"I know,â⬠said Seldon briefly. ââ¬Å"I know you do,â⬠said Sunmaster Fourteen with similar curtness. ââ¬Å"But now that we have settled that matter, why are you here?â⬠Seldon gazed steadily at Sunmaster Fourteen and said, ââ¬Å"To see the robot.â⬠ââ¬Å"Do you know that no one but an Elder is allowed in the aerie?â⬠ââ¬Å"I did not know that, but I suspected it.â⬠ââ¬Å"Do you know that no tribesperson is allowed in the Sacratorium?â⬠ââ¬Å"I was told that.â⬠ââ¬Å"And you ignored the fact, is that it?â⬠ââ¬Å"As I said, we wanted to see the robot.â⬠ââ¬Å"Do you know that no woman, even a Sister, is allowed in the Sacratorium except at certain stated-and rare-occasions?â⬠ââ¬Å"I was told that.â⬠ââ¬Å"And do you know that no woman is at any time-or for any reason-allowed to dress in masculine garb? That holds, within the borders of Mycogen, for tribeswomen as well as for Sisters.â⬠ââ¬Å"I was not told that, but I am not surprised.â⬠ââ¬Å"Good. I want you to understand all this. Now, why did you want to see the robot?â⬠Seldon said with a shrug, ââ¬Å"Curiosity. I had never seen a robot or even known that such a thing existed.â⬠ââ¬Å"And how did you come to know that it did exist and, specifically, that it existed here?â⬠Seldon was silent, then said, ââ¬Å"I do not wish to answer that question.â⬠ââ¬Å"Is that why you were brought to Mycogen by Tribesman Hummin? To investigate robots?â⬠ââ¬Å"No. Tribesman Hummin brought us here that we might be secure. However, we are scholars, Dr. Venabili and I. Knowledge is our province and to gain knowledge is our purpose. Mycogen is little understood outside its borders and we wish to know more about your ways and your methods of thought. It is a natural desire and, it seems to us, a harmless-even praiseworthy-one.â⬠ââ¬Å"Ah, but we do not wish the outer tribes and worlds to know about us. That is our natural desire and we are the judge of what is harmless to us and what harmful. So I ask you again, tribesman: How did you know that a robot existed in Mycogen and that it existed in this room?â⬠ââ¬Å"General rumor,â⬠said Seldon at length. ââ¬Å"Do you insist on that?â⬠ââ¬Å"General rumor. I insist on it.â⬠Sunmaster Fourteenââ¬â¢s keen blue eyes seemed to sharpen and he said without raising his voice, ââ¬Å"Tribesman Seldon, we have long cooperated with Tribesman Hummin. For a tribesman, he has seemed a decent and trustworthy individual. For a tribesman! When he brought you two to us and commended you to our protection, we granted it. But Tribesman Hummin, whatever his virtues, is still a tribesman and we had misgivings. We were not at all sure what your-or his-real purpose might be.â⬠ââ¬Å"Our purpose was knowledge,â⬠said Seldon. ââ¬Å"Academic knowledge. Tribeswoman Venabili is a historian and I too have an interest in history. Why should we not be interested in Mycogenian history?â⬠ââ¬Å"For one thing, because we do not wish you to be.-In any case, two of our trusted Sisters were sent to you. They were to cooperate with you, try to find out what it was you wanted, and-what is the expression you tribesmen use?-play along with you. Yet not in such a way that you would be too aware as to what was happening.â⬠Sunmaster Fourteen smiled, but it was a grim smile. ââ¬Å"Raindrop Forty-Five,â⬠Sunmaster Fourteen went on, ââ¬Å"went shopping with Tribeswoman Venabili, but there seemed nothing out of the way in what happened on those trips. Naturally, we had a full report. Raindrop Forty-Three showed you, Tribesman Seldon, our microfarms. You might have been suspicious of her willingness to accompany you alone, something that is utterly out of the question for us, but you reasoned that what applied to Brothers did not apply to tribesmen and you flattered yourself that that flimsy bit of reasoning won her over. She complied with your desire, though at considerable cost to her peace of mind. And, eventually, you asked for the Book. To have handed it over too easily might have roused your suspicion, so she pretended to a perverse desire only you could satisfy. Her self-sacrifice will not be forgotten.-I take it, tribesman, you still have the Book and I suspect you have it with you now. May I have it?â⬠Seldon sat in bitter silence. Sunmaster Fourteenââ¬â¢s wrinkled hand remained obtrusively outstretched and he said, ââ¬Å"How much better it would be than to wrest it from you by force.â⬠And Seldon handed it over. Sunmaster Fourteen leafed through its pages briefly, as though to reassure himself it was unharmed. He said with a small sigh, ââ¬Å"It will have to be carefully destroyed in the approved manner. Sad.-But once you had this Book, we were, of course, not surprised when you made your way out to the Sacratorium. You were watched at all times, for you cannot think that any Brother or Sister, not totally absorbed, would not recognize you for tribespeople at a glance. We know a skincap when we see one and there are less than seventy of them in Mycogenâ⬠¦ almost all belonging to tribesmen on official business who remain entirely in secular governmental buildings during the time they are here. So you were not only seen but unmistakably identified, over and over. ââ¬Å"The elderly Brother who met you was careful to tell you about the library as well as about the Sacratorium, but he was also careful to tell you what you were forbidden to do, for we did not wish to entrap you. Skystrip Two also warned youâ⬠¦ and quite forcibly. Nevertheless, you did not turn away. ââ¬Å"The shop at which you bought the white kirtle and the two sashes informed us at once and from that we knew well what you intended. The library was kept empty, the librarian was warned to keep his eyes to himself, the Sacratorium was kept under-utilized. The one Brother who inadvertently spoke to you almost gave it away, but hastened off when he realized with whom he was dealing. And then you came up here. ââ¬Å"You see, then, that it was your intention to come up here and that we in no way lured you here. You came as a result of your own action, your own desire, and what I want to ask you-yet once again-is: Why?â⬠It was Dors who answered this time, her voice firm, her eyes hard. ââ¬Å"We will tell you yet once again, Mycogenian. We are scholars, who consider knowledge sacred and it is only knowledge that we seek. You did not lure us here, but you did not stop us either, as you might have done before ever we approached this building. You smoothed our way and made it easy for us and even that might be considered a lure. And what harm have we done? We have in no way disturbed the building, or this room, or you, or that.â⬠She pointed to the robot. ââ¬Å"It is a dead lump of metal that you hide here and we now know that it is dead and that is all the knowledge we sought. We thought it would be more significant and we are disappointed, but now that we know it is merely what it is, we will leave-and, if you wish, we will leave Mycogen as well.â⬠Sunmaster Fourteen listened with no trace of expression on his face, but when she was done, he addressed Seldon, saying, ââ¬Å"This robot, as you see it, is a symbol, a symbol of all we have lost and of all we no longer have, of all that, through thousands of years, we have not forgotten and what we intend someday to return to. Because it is all that remains to us that is both material and authentic, it is dear to us-yet to your woman it is only ââ¬Ëa dead lump of metal.ââ¬â¢ Do you associate yourself with that judgment, Tribesman Seldon?â⬠Seldon said, ââ¬Å"We are members of societies that do not tie ourselves to a past that is thousands of years old, making no contact at all with what has existed between that past and ourselves. We live in the present, which we recognize as the product of all the past and not of one long-gone moment of time that we hug to our chests. We realize, intellectually, what the robot may mean to you and we are willing to let it continue to mean that to you. But we can only see it with our own eyes, as you can only see it with yours. To us, it is a dead lump of metal.â⬠ââ¬Å"And now,â⬠said Dors, ââ¬Å"we will leave.â⬠ââ¬Å"You will not,â⬠said Sunmaster Fourteen. ââ¬Å"By coming here, you have committed a crime. It is a crime only in our eyes, as you will hasten to point outâ⬠-his lips curved in a wintry smile-ââ¬Å"but this is our territory and, within it, we make the definitions. And this crime, as we define it, is punishable by death.â⬠ââ¬Å"And you are going to shoot us down?â⬠said Dors haughtily. Sunmaster Fourteenââ¬â¢s expression was one of contempt and he continued to speak only to Seldon. ââ¬Å"What do you think we are, Tribesman Seldon? Our culture is as old as yours, as complex, as civilized, as humane. I am not armed. You will be tried and, since you are manifestly guilty, executed according to law, quickly and painlessly. ââ¬Å"If you were to try to leave now, I would not stop you, but there are many Brothers below, many more than there appeared to be when you entered the Sacratorium and, in their rage at your action, they may lay rough and forceful hands on you. It has happened in our history that tribespeople have even died so and it is not a pleasant death-certainly not a painless one.â⬠ââ¬Å"We were warned of this,â⬠said Dors, ââ¬Å"by Skystrip Two. So much for your complex, civilized, and humane culture.â⬠ââ¬Å"People can be moved to violence at moments of emotion, Tribesman Seldon,â⬠said Sunmaster Fourteen calmly, ââ¬Å"whatever their humanity in moments of calm. This is true in every culture, as your woman, who is said to be a historian, must surely know.â⬠Seldon said, ââ¬Å"Let us remain reasonable, Sunmaster Fourteen. You may be the law in Mycogen over local affairs, but you are not the law over us and you know it. We are both non-Mycogenian citizens of the Empire and it is the Emperor and his designated legal officers who must remain in charge of any capital offense.â⬠Sunmaster Fourteen said, ââ¬Å"That may be so in statutes and on papers and on holovision screens, but we are not talking theory now. The High Elder has long had the power to punish crimes of sacrilege without interference from the Imperial throne.â⬠ââ¬Å"If the criminals are your own people,â⬠said Seldon. ââ¬Å"It would be quite different if they were outsiders.â⬠ââ¬Å"I doubt it in this case. Tribesman Hummin brought you here as fugitives and we are not so yeast-headed in Mycogen that we donââ¬â¢t strongly suspect that you are fugitives from the Emperorââ¬â¢s laws. Why should he object if we do his work for him?â⬠ââ¬Å"Because,â⬠said Seldon, ââ¬Å"he would. Even if we were fugitives from the Imperial authorities and even if he wanted us only to punish us, he would still want us. To allow you to kill, by whatever means and for whatever reason, non-Mycogenians without due Imperial process would be to defy his authority and no Emperor could allow such a precedent. No matter how eager he might be to see that the microfood trade not be interrupted, he would still feel it necessary to re-establish the Imperial prerogative. Do you wish, in your eagerness to kill us, to have a division of Imperial soldiery loot your farms and your dwellings, desecrate your Sacratorium, and take liberties with the Sisters: Consider.â⬠Sunmaster Fourteen smiled once again, but displayed no softness. ââ¬Å"Actually, I have considered and there is an alternative. After we condemn you, we could delay your execution to allow you to appeal to the Emperor for a review of your case. The Emperor might be grateful at this evidence of our ready submission to his authority and grateful too to lay his hands on you two-for some reason of his own-and Mycogen might profit. Is that what you want, then? To appeal to the Emperor in due course and to be delivered to him?â⬠Seldon and Dors looked at each other briefly and were silent. Sunmaster Fourteen said, ââ¬Å"I feel you would rather be delivered to the Emperor than die, but why do I get the impression that the preference is only by a slight margin?â⬠ââ¬Å"Actually,â⬠said a new voice, ââ¬Å"I think neither alternative is acceptable and that we must search for a third.â⬠59. It was Dors who identified the newcomer first, perhaps because it was she who expected him. ââ¬Å"Hummin,â⬠she said, ââ¬Å"thank goodness you found us. I got in touch with you the moment I realized I was not going to deflect Hari fromâ⬠-she held up her hands in a wide gesture ââ¬Å"this.â⬠Humminââ¬â¢s smile was a small one that did not alter the natural gravity of his face. There was a subtle weariness about him. ââ¬Å"My dear,â⬠he said, ââ¬Å"I was engaged in other things. I cannot always pull away at a momentââ¬â¢s notice. And when I got here, I had, like you two, to supply myself with a kirtle and sash, to say nothing of a skincap, and make my way out here. Had I been here earlier, I might have stopped this, but I believe Iââ¬â¢m not too late.â⬠Sunmaster Fourteen had recovered from what had seemed to be a painful shock. He said in a voice that lacked its customary severe depth, ââ¬Å"How did you get in here, Tribesman Hummin?â⬠ââ¬Å"It was not easy, High Elder, but as Tribeswoman Venabili likes to say, I am a very persuasive person. Some of the citizens here remember who I was and what I have done for Mycogen in the past, that I am even an honorary Brother. Have you forgotten, Sunmaster Fourteen?â⬠The Elder replied, ââ¬Å"I have not forgotten, but even the most favorable memory can not survive certain actions. A tribesman here and a tribeswoman. There is no greater crime. All you have done is not great enough to balance that. My people are not unmindful. We will make it up to you some other way. But these two must die or be handed over to the Emperor.â⬠ââ¬Å"I am also here,â⬠said Hummin calmly. ââ¬Å"Is that not a crime as well?â⬠ââ¬Å"For you,â⬠said Sunmaster Fourteen, ââ¬Å"for you personally, as a kind of honorary Brother, I canâ⬠¦ overlook itâ⬠¦ once. Not these two.â⬠ââ¬Å"Because you expect a reward from the Emperor? Some favor? Some concession? Have you already been in touch with him or with his Chief of Staff, Eto Demerzel, more likely?â⬠ââ¬Å"That is not a subject for discussion.â⬠ââ¬Å"Which is itself an admission. Come on, I donââ¬â¢t ask what the Emperor promised, but it cannot be much. He does not have much to give in these degenerate days. Let me make you an offer. Have these two told you they are scholars?â⬠ââ¬Å"They have.â⬠ââ¬Å"And they are. They are not lying. The tribeswoman is a historian and the tribesman is a mathematician. The two together are trying to combine their talents to make a mathematics of history and they call the combined subject ââ¬Ëpsychohistory.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å" Sunmaster Fourteen said, ââ¬Å"I know nothing about this psychohistory, nor do I care to know. Neither it nor any other facet of your tribal learning interests me.â⬠ââ¬Å"Nevertheless,â⬠said Hummin, ââ¬Å"I suggest that you listen to me.â⬠It took Hummin some fifteen minutes, speaking concisely, to describe the possibility of organizing the natural laws of society (something he always mentioned with audible quotation marks in the tone of his voice) in such a way as to make it possible to anticipate the future with a substantial degree of probability. And when he was done, Sunmaster Fourteen, who had listened expressionlessly, said, ââ¬Å"A highly unlikely piece of speculation, I should say.â⬠Seldon, with a rueful expression, seemed about to speak, undoubtedly to agree, but Humminââ¬â¢s hand, resting lightly on the otherââ¬â¢s knee, tightened unmistakably. Hummin said, ââ¬Å"Possibly, High Elder, but the Emperor doesnââ¬â¢t think so. And by the Emperor, who is himself an amiable enough personage, I really mean Demerzel, concerning whose ambitions you need no instruction. They would like very much to have these two scholars, which is why Iââ¬â¢ve brought them here for safekeeping. I had little expectation that you would do Demerzelââ¬â¢s work for him by delivering the scholars to him.â⬠ââ¬Å"They have committed a crime that-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Yes, we know, High Elder, but it is only a crime because you choose to call it so. No real harm has been done.â⬠ââ¬Å"It has been done to our belief, to our deepest felt-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"But imagine what harm will be done if psychohistory falls into the hands of Demerzel. Yes, I grant that nothing may come of it, but suppose for a moment that something does and that the Imperial government has the use of it-can foretell what is to come-can take measures with that foreknowledge which no one else would have-can take measures, in fact, designed to bring about an alternate future more to the Imperial liking.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well?â⬠ââ¬Å"Is there any doubt, High Elder, that the alternate future more to the Imperial liking would be one of tightened centralization? For centuries now, as you very well know, the Empire has been undergoing a steady decentralization. Many worlds now acknowledge only lip service to the Emperor and virtually rule themselves. Even here on Trantor, there is decentralization. Mycogen, as only one example, is free of Imperial interference for the most part. You rule its High Elder and there is no Imperial officer at your side overseeing your actions and decisions. How long do you think that will last with men like Demerzel adjusting the future to their liking?â⬠ââ¬Å"Still the flimsiest of speculation,â⬠said Sunmaster Fourteen, ââ¬Å"but a disturbing one, I admit.â⬠ââ¬Å"On the other hand, if these scholars can complete their task, an unlikely if, you might say, but an if-then they are sure to remember that you spared them when you might have chosen not to. And it would then be conceivable that they would learn to arrange a future, for instance, that would allow Mycogen to be given a world of its own, a world that could be terraformed into a close replica of the Lost World. And even if these two forget your kindness, I will be here to remind them.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well-â⬠said Sunmaster Fourteen. ââ¬Å"Come on,â⬠said Hummin, ââ¬Å"it is not hard to decide what must be going through your mind. Of all tribespeople, you must trust Demerzel the least. And though the chance of psychohistory might be small (if I was not being honest with you, I would not admit that) it is not zero; and if it will bring about a restoration of the Lost World, what can you want more than that? What would you not risk for even a tiny chance of that? Come now-I promise you and my promises are not lightly given. Release these two and choose a tiny chance of your heartââ¬â¢s desire over no chance at all.â⬠There was silence and then Sunmaster Fourteen sighed. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know how it is, Tribesman Hummin, but on every occasion that we meet, you persuade me into something I do not really want to do.â⬠ââ¬Å"Have I ever misled you, High Elder?â⬠ââ¬Å"You have never offered me so small a chance?â⬠ââ¬Å"And so high a possible reward. The one balances the other.â⬠And Sunmaster Fourteen nodded his head. ââ¬Å"You are right. Take these two and take them out of Mycogen and never let me see them again unless there comes a time when-But surely it will not be in my lifetime.â⬠ââ¬Å"Perhaps not, High Elder. But your people have been waiting patiently for nearly twenty thousand years. Would you then object to waiting another-perhaps-two hundred?â⬠ââ¬Å"I would not willingly wait one moment, but my people will wait as long as they must.â⬠And standing up, he said, ââ¬Å"I will clear the path. Take them and go.â⬠60. They were finally back in a tunnel. Hummin and Seldon had traveled through one when they went from the Imperial Sector to Streeling University in the air-taxi. Now they were in another tunnel, going from Mycogen toâ⬠¦ Seldon did not know where. He hesitated to ask. Humminââ¬â¢s face seemed as if it was carved out of granite and it didnââ¬â¢t welcome conversation. Hummin sat in the front of the four-seater, with no one to his right. Seldon and Dors shared the backseat. Seldon chanced a smile at Dors, who looked glum. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s nice to be in real clothes again, isnââ¬â¢t it?â⬠ââ¬Å"I will never,â⬠said Dors with enormous sincerity, ââ¬Å"wear or look at anything that resembles a kirtle. And I will never, under any circumstances, wear a skincap. In fact, Iââ¬â¢m going to feel odd if I ever see a normally bald man.â⬠And it was Dors who finally asked the question that Seldon had been reluctant to advance. ââ¬Å"Chetter,â⬠she said rather petulantly, ââ¬Å"why wonââ¬â¢t you tell us where weââ¬â¢re going?â⬠Hummin hitched himself into a sideways position and he looked back at Dors and Seldon gravely. ââ¬Å"Somewhere,â⬠he said, ââ¬Å"where it may be difficult for you to get into trouble-although Iââ¬â¢m not sure such a place exists.â⬠Dors was at once crestfallen. ââ¬Å"Actually, Chetter, itââ¬â¢s my fault. At Streeling, I let Hari go Upperside without accompanying him. In Mycogen, I at least accompanied him, but I suppose I ought not to have let him enter the Sacratorium at all.â⬠ââ¬Å"I was determined,â⬠said Seldon warmly. ââ¬Å"It was in no way Dorsââ¬â¢s fault.â⬠Hummin made no effort to apportion blame. He simply said, ââ¬Å"I gather you wanted to see the robot. Was there a reason for that? Can you tell me?â⬠Seldon could feel himself redden. ââ¬Å"I was wrong in that respect, Hummin. I did not see what I expected to see or what I hoped to see. If I had known the content of the aerie, I would never have bothered going there. Call it a complete fiasco.â⬠ââ¬Å"But then, Seldon, what was it you hoped to see? Please tell me. Take your time if you wish. This is a long trip and I am willing to listen.â⬠ââ¬Å"The thing is, Hummin, that I had the idea that there were humaniform robots, that they were long-lived, that at least one might still be alive, and that it might be in the aerie. There was a robot there, but it was metallic, it was dead, and it was merely a symbol. Had I but known-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Yes. Did we all but know, there would be no need for questions or for research of any kind. Where did you get your information about humaniform robots? Since no Mycogenian would have discussed that with you, I can think of only one source. The Mycogenian Book-a powered print-book in ancient Auroran and modern Galactic. Am I right?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes.â⬠ââ¬Å"And how did you get a copy?â⬠Seldon paused, then muttered, ââ¬Å"Its somewhat embarrassing.â⬠ââ¬Å"I am not easily embarrassed, Seldon.â⬠Seldon told him and Hummin allowed a very small smile to twitch across his face. Hummin said, ââ¬Å"Didnââ¬â¢t it occur to you that what occurred had to be a charade? No Sister would do a thing like that-except under instruction and with a great deal of persuading.â⬠Seldon frowned and said with asperity, ââ¬Å"That was not at all obvious. People are perverted now and then. And its easy for you to grin. I didnââ¬â¢t have the information you had and neither did Dors. If you did not wish me to fall into traps, you might have warned me of those that existed.â⬠ââ¬Å"I agree. I withdraw my remark. In any case, you donââ¬â¢t have the Book any longer, Iââ¬â¢m sure.â⬠ââ¬Å"No. Sunmaster Fourteen took it from me.â⬠ââ¬Å"How much of it did you read?â⬠ââ¬Å"Only a small fraction. I didnââ¬â¢t have time. Itââ¬â¢s a huge book and I must tell you, Hummin, it is dreadfully dull.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes, I know that, for I think I have read more of it than you have. It is not only dull, it is totally unreliable. It is a one-sided, official Mycogenian view of history that is more intent on presenting that view than a reasoned objectivity. It is even deliberately unclear in spots so that outsiders-even if they were to read the Book-would never know entirely what they read. What was it, for instance, that you thought you read about robots that interested you?â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve already told you. They speak of humaniform robots, robots that could not be distinguished from human beings in outward appearance.â⬠ââ¬Å"How many of these would exist?â⬠asked Hummin. ââ¬Å"They donââ¬â¢t say.-At least, I didnââ¬â¢t come across a passage in which they gave numbers. There may have been only a handful, but one of them, the Book refers to as ââ¬ËRenegade.ââ¬â¢ It seems to have an unpleasant significance, but I couldnââ¬â¢t make out what.â⬠ââ¬Å"You didnââ¬â¢t tell me anything about that,â⬠interposed Dors. ââ¬Å"If you had, I would have told you that itââ¬â¢s not a proper name. Itââ¬â¢s another archaic word and it means, roughly, what ââ¬Ëtraitorââ¬â¢ would mean in Galactic. The older word has a greater aura of fear about it. A traitor, somehow, sneaks to his treason, but a renegade flaunts it.â⬠Hummin said, ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll leave the fine points of archaic language to you, Dors, but, in any case, if the Renegade actually existed and if it was a humaniform robot, then, clearly, as a traitor and enemy, it would not be preserved and venerated in the Eldersââ¬â¢ aerie.â⬠Seldon said, ââ¬Å"I didnââ¬â¢t know the meaning of ââ¬ËRenegade,ââ¬â¢ but, as I said, I did get the impression that it was an enemy. I thought it might have been defeated and preserved as a reminder of the Mycogenian triumph.â⬠ââ¬Å"Was there any indication in the Book that the Renegade was defeated?â⬠ââ¬Å"No, but I might have missed that portion-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Not likely. Any Mycogenian victory would be announced in the Book unmistakably and referred to over and over again.â⬠ââ¬Å"There was another point the Book made about the Renegade,â⬠said Seldon, hesitating, ââ¬Å"but I canââ¬â¢t be at all sure I understood it.â⬠Hummin said, ââ¬Å"As I told youâ⬠¦ They are deliberately obscure at times.â⬠ââ¬Å"Nevertheless, they seemed to say that the Renegade could somehow tap human emotionsâ⬠¦ influence them-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Any politician can,â⬠said Hummin with a shrug. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s called charisma-when it works.â⬠Seldon sighed. ââ¬Å"Well, I wanted to believe. That was it. I would have given a great deal to find an ancient humaniform robot that was still alive and that I could question.â⬠ââ¬Å"For what purpose?â⬠asked Hummin. ââ¬Å"To learn the details of the primordial Galactic society when it still consisted of only a handful of worlds. From so small a Galaxy psychohistory could be deduced more easily.â⬠Hummin said, ââ¬Å"Are you sure you could trust what you heard? After many thousands of years, would you be willing to rely on the robotââ¬â¢s early memories? How much distortion would have entered into them?â⬠ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s right,â⬠said Dors suddenly. ââ¬Å"It would be like the computerized records I told you of, Hari. Slowly, those robot memories would be discarded, lost, erased, distorted. You can only go back so far and the farther you go back, the less reliable the information becomes-no matter what you do.â⬠Hummin nodded. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve heard it referred to as a kind of uncertainty principle in information.â⬠ââ¬Å"But wouldnââ¬â¢t it be possible,â⬠said Seldon thoughtfully, ââ¬Å"that some information, for special reasons, would be preserved? Parts of the Mycogenian Book may well refer to events of twenty thousand years ago and yet be very largely as it had been originally. The more valued and the more carefully preserved particular information is, the more long-lasting and accurate it may be.â⬠ââ¬Å"The key word is ââ¬Ëparticular.ââ¬â¢ What the Book may care to preserve may not be what you wish to have preserved and what a robot may remember best may be what you wish him to remember least.â⬠Seldon said in despair, ââ¬Å"In whatever direction I turn to seek a way of working out psychohistory, matters so arrange themselves as to make it impossible. Why bother trying?â⬠ââ¬Å"It might seem hopeless now,â⬠said Hummin unemotionally, ââ¬Å"but given the necessary genius, a route to psychohistory may be found that none of us would at this moment expect. Give yourself more time.-But weââ¬â¢re coming to a rest area. Let us pull off and have dinner.â⬠Over the lamb patties on rather tasteless bread (most unpalatable after the fare at Mycogen), Seldon said, ââ¬Å"You seem to assume, Hummin, that I am the possessor of ââ¬Ëthe necessary genius.ââ¬â¢ I may not be, you know.â⬠Hummin said, ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s true. You may not be. However, I know of no alternate candidate for the post, so I must cling to you.â⬠And Seldon sighed and said, ââ¬Å"Well, Iââ¬â¢ll try, but Iââ¬â¢m out of any spark of hope. Possible but not practical, I said to begin with, and Iââ¬â¢m more convinced of that now than I ever was before.â⬠How to cite Prelude to Foundation Chapter 12 Aerie, Essay examples
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Manpower is one the major resources of organization that plays an important role in its earnings and return. Reducing costs, employees training, associating with modern environmental and technological changes are several considerable advantages of human resource planning. Nowadays, organizations have arrived at this conclusion that to being successful in the world, there should be worldwide human resource managers and manpower planning. Close and mutual relationship between planning and information has resulted in developing and implementing the necessary information systems in organizations. This paper has tried to investigate the human resource information system. These information systems, by using data bases about organizationsââ¬â¢ human resources are providing necessary data and information to managers decision making, at different levels of organization. Here, in addition to express the necessity of using this type of system, nature, structure and its application, it has been tried to introduce the most important applicable considerations in its preparing, hardware and software characteristics and also some of the most important advantages of using this type of system. Keywords: Human Resources Information Systems; Human Resource Planning; Employees; Communications Technology 1- Introduction: Nowadays,the most part of daily activities of managers (approximately80 percent) are spendingto receive information, communicate and using information in different affairs of organization. Since the information is the base of all activities in an organization, there should be systems to produce and manage the data. The purpose of such type of systems isensuring providing proper and reliable information and ina usable format, when it is needed. Such systems have been called information systems. Manpower as a major asset of organization plays an important and key role in achieving the organizations objectives; therefore, one of the most important tasks of human resources managers is proper planning and managingthese resources. Human resource management, through efficient and effective planning, can provide the necessary amount and combination of the future human resources and/or promote the capabilities of current labor force. Construction of effective and efficient plans, as well as decision making in the domain of human resources requires information, especially processed information (Eric Bohlen, 2008). Expanding managers activities and functions in domain of Human Resource Management, andcontinuous interaction between these activitiesand the necessity of coordinate planning in attracting, improving, maintaining and effective application of human resourcesas the most important strategic resource of each organization,creating a human resource information system,keeping up to date the COPY RIGHT à © 2013 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1004 ijcrb. webs. com FEBRUARY 2013 VOL 4, NO 10 INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN BUSINESS information, all has made this system, necessary in large organizations (Adreitta Throshani, KateJerome and Sally Rio; 2010). Human Resources Information Systems, HRIS, by producing, organizing, storing and distributing manpower information help the organization managersat various levels,inorder to make proper decisions. Nowadays the majority of successful companies are using human resource information systems to support daily operations of human resources. 2- Human Resources Planning Process Human resource planning is rooted in the context of manpower planning that in 1970s, personnel and operations management specialist have used them in order to apply quantitative models and evaluate the function of recruiting. This development,by presentingComputerized Personnel Information Systems, CPIS, and re-emergence of skills has promoted in the 1980s. Manpower planningpartly was based on this assumption that thestable social and economic environment and the structure of organization are based on bureaucratic principles. This assumption did not last for a long time;because the rate of changes in the past decade became faster and tendency toward flexible and flat structures was more than before. 1) Human Resources planning is called the process of creating and determining the goals, policies and programs that paying attention to development, usage and distribution of human resources to meet the economic, services and argets (Saebi, 1999); There are some definitions toward human resource planning process, HRP, which are as follows: 2) Human resource planning is a process,in which an organization determine thathow many employees and in what expertise and skills and to what occupations are needed in order to achieve its goals, (Saadat, 2012); 3) Human resource planning determine the number of people, whoshould be selected to meet the objectives of organization, should be trained, should be promoted, retired or be fired, and so onin future years, which are estimatingbased on necessary facilities and equipment (Rezaeiyan, 2011). The term of manpower was no longer acceptable, and the term of human resource planning became its alternative. According to the theory of Geisler, human resource planning is a process that includes forecasts, developments and controls, and a company through them will be sure that theproper number of individuals have been employed in an appropriate place, right and proper time to do particular thing,and in order to obtain highest economic achievement. Human resource planning is a process by whichan organization determinesthat, how many employees, and in what expertise and skills, and to what jobs are needed in order to achieve its goals. COPY RIGHT à © 2013 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1005 ijcrb. webs. com FEBRUARY 2013 VOL 4, NO 10 INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN BUSINESS Human resource planning isdetermining the number of people who must be selected, trained, promoted, retired or be fired, and so on, in the future years to meet the goals of organization that is estimated based on necessary facilities and equipment. Vetterâ⬠definesthe human resource planning through another phrase. He insures that how an organization should transfer its existing human resources from a particular situation to optimal and ideal situation. A planning,in whichmanagement leads the organization toward a direction thataproper number of specific individuals, in the correct time, and in the right place implementactivities that their results, both for the organization and for its individuals bring about long-term interests and maximum advantages. ââ¬Å"Kalmonâ⬠defines human resources planning in other word. According to his idea,this concept is a process,in which conditions, requirements and the instruments of human resource are determiningtoperform the programs of organization. There are similar definitions that have been expressed in the field of planning human resource,but we just rely to theabove mentioned items. (Asghar, JabbarZade; Fahimeh, Kokabi; 2009) It should be noted that some of the management scholars believes human resources planning, originally is a strategic planning that move toward general goals of organization and necessary procedures,in order to achieve general objectives. Resources, such as financial, physical, informational, human resources, and labor market circumstances, development of services and many other intra and extra organizational factors in human resource planning should be addressed that all of them should be considers as strategic factors (Abtahi;2012). 3- Steps Human resource planning can be implemented in four stages (El Dolan, 2011): 1) Collecting, analyzing and predicting ata in order to forecast the supply of human resources, (and constructing a human resource information system) and predicting the demand of human resources (in addition to human resources information system); Determining the general goals and policies of human resources and capturing the support of top managers toward them; 3) Designing and accomplishing projects and practical programs in areas such as recruitment, training and promoting that will enable organization to achieve its objectives of human resources; 4) Monitoring the plans and programs related to affairs of employees and their evaluation in order to facilitate the progress towards objectives of human resource planning. Void posts, often can be identified withouteffective human resources planning, in order to declarethat it is void. Consequently, recruitment, selection and employment may be carry out without knowledge about jobs that are void occupations,or these steps are taken so quicklythat applying full process of recruitment and selection is not feasible (El Dolan, 2012). COPY RIGHT à © 2013 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1006 ijcrb. webs. com FEBRUARY 2013 VOL 4, NO 10 INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN BUSINESS 4- The Role of Management Information Systems in Organization â⬠¢ Management information system through having strategic role in the organizationcan directly affect the following items: ? The way of decision making by managers ? The method of planning by top managers ? Controlling and validating the offered products and services â⬠¢ The role that this system plays in organization can be regarded as the activity of heart in the human body â⬠¢ Data is blood and information system is heart â⬠¢ Management nformation systems ensure that proper data are collected and processed from different sources and are sending to all targetsthatrequire them. â⬠¢ Management information system helps top managers and middle managers,in long-term and short-term, respectively. And will answer their questions about data related to practices, and the position ofregistered specific information and referring by several documents. â⬠¢ As well as,it will help the low-level managers,by presentingoperational data and planning, scheduling and controlling data. And it is helpful whiledecision making in the operational level, and improving an out of control situation (Mahdi, Mahmoudi; 2008). Definitions of Human Resources Information Systems There are some definitions in information systems that some of them are as follows: following definitions are in Beyon (2012): ? Sherman Bohlander Snell (2011) define human resources information systems as a system that develops current and accurate information for decision-making and monitoring. As they report, according to a recent survey, most of applied information technology has been to maintenance staffââ¬â¢s information, monitoring salary operations, keeping information about absences and doing administrative affa irs and employment and training programs. Computerized system is just for collecting, storing, maintaining, retrieving organizationââ¬â¢s required data about its employees. In addition to above usages they are developed to help planning, administrative functions, decision making and controlling human resource management activities. A human resource information system should define an integrated approach to collect, store, analyze, and control the flow of human resources information within an organization (Majid, Omidvar; 2007). ? This system is a software system based on database that facilitates processing human resources information process (Mojtaba Andalib Azar 2010). ? Human resources information system is an organized method of collecting, storing and presenting information to managers, in order to decision making in four function of human resources management. Such a system should have the following characteristics: COPY RIGHT à © 2013 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1007 ijcrb. webs. com FEBRUARY 2013 VOL 4, NO 10 INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN BUSINESS Information should be updated, and also should be available on time. Information should be right and accurate, as well as, necessary and related to managers. All necessary information, in order to all type of decision making, must be provided quickly. Human Resource Information system is a kind of functional database that has been designed to data storage, in relation to staffs and supporting the activities of human resource scope, including recruitment, selection, training, etc. Data that are kept in the human resources information system are important, because individuals and staffs of an organization are its greatest asset, and the ability to apply these assets flexibly is important to organization in achieving competitive advantage. Nowadays, short -term human resource management to meet the immediate needs has been alternative of long term planning, human resource. According to these facts that individuals move widely between different organizations and labor agreements have been short-term, there are some concerns in the field of human resources. These concerns will be removed just due to applying a human resource information system that has the potential of immediate availability to current information about individuals and their skills (Asghar, Jabbar Zade; Fahimeh, Kokabi 2009). Reasonsof Using Management Information System Currently, large companies and organizations are looking for providing specialized human resource systems, such as human resource information system (HRIS). Human resource information system has been developed in order to collect, process, human reserve, information disseminate and support of decision making, coordinate, control and analyze the human resource management activities in organization. In short, human resource information system has been designed so that its input is data that are related to human resources and its output is effective data on decisions making about human resources. There are so many reasons to use such type of system: 1. Competitiveness 2. Facilitating information processing in a large-scale structure 3. Continuous processing 4. Improving the ability of reporting 5. Integration of human resources system: due to the characteristics of software in human resource information systems, this system enables managers re-engineer all human resource functions by using information systems and integrating the functions that will be formally established by human resources personnel (Mahdi Mahmoudi, 2008). 7- Applications of Management Information System in Strategic Human Resource Management The function of these systems, acquiring, storing, improving, analyzing, retrieving and distributing the information about human resource of organization, in order to support COPY RIGHT à © 2013 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1008 ijcrb. webs. com FEBRUARY 2013 VOL 4, NO 10 INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN BUSINESS decisions of managersis to avoidance of difficulties and evaluating plans and policies along with supporting daily operations. (Mojtaba, Andalib Azar; 2010) Some of the important applications of human resource information system, in human resource planning are as follows: â⬠¢ Automatic action (auto) to time saving â⬠¢ The possibility of storing data information about job applicants that will facilitate the search process and selecting to employment. The context of educational needs evaluation through improving education â⬠¢ Providing the context of promoting specialization and skills. The possibility of planning and simulating economic effects and changes related to recommended strategy. â⬠¢ Providing the possibility of analyzing factors on leaving job or displacement. â⬠¢ The possibility of a flexible management on advantages that protect the asset of organization â⬠¢ Analyzing the reports of functions (presence of staff at the job place) and pursuing it â⬠¢ Supporting designs and planning related to human resources â⬠¢ The possibility of analyzing reports related to the incidents and preventing their reoccurrence â⬠¢ The supplier of all calculations and regular statistics reports, which help managers to perform their work â⬠¢ The strategic, tactical and operational support in using human resources (Mahdi Mahmoudi, 2008) Demography, planning and organizational analysis: human resource information system will makes possible the ability of organization to collect and track the fundamental characteristics such as age, gender, level of education, duration of employment, race. This information facilitate decision making in areas such as planning to replacement personnel, analyzing utilization in comparison with productivity and analyzing wages in comparison with productivity. â⬠¢ Developing equal opportunities to recruitment and its following-up: human resource information system can help providing equal opportunity in recruiting and hiring applicants and as a result enables organizations to comply with legal necessity in this area. â⬠¢ Preparing guide schemes and prediction: the outputs of human resource information system can be infrastructure to predict the effects of various plans and schemes. This will help determining and recognizing the future shortage or skills, directing the path of approaches, evaluating of past or anticipated recruitment, preference and alternative patterns to personnel who have high or low professional background and works like that. COPY RIGHT à © 2013 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1009 ijcrb. webs. com FEBRUARY 2013 VOL 4, NO 10 INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN BUSINESS â⬠¢ Analyzing productivity and evaluating program: human resource information systems can be applied in tracking the consequences of educational programs and other programs about improving productivity on the basis of various performance measurements (Asghar,Jabbar Zade; Fahimeh,Kokabi 2009). 8- Dimensions of Human Resource Information System Information systems in the process of evolution have passed a progressive process. This progressive process has been indicated briefly, and includes some applications of human resource information: Data Processing:this system records the changes, and updates the original file of changes. Such as: the changes about presence and absence of personnel or the latest recruiting personnel membership in organization. Management Information System: this system manages and controls information and changes. Such as: identifying personnel who eligible for retirement in the coming year or providing a list of employees for appointment in a particular post equal to necessary criteria. Decision Support Systems: this system supports managers in determining the policy of information. Such as: the number of required manpower based on project or choosing the type and amount of welfare services and facilities to personnel on the basis of budget. Strategic Information Systems: this system uses to provide new information services and applying opportunities to earn money, which will cause involved unit in information systems, convert from cost centers to profit centers. Such as: new licensing or participating in projects outside the organization based on engineering and scientific ability of personnel in the organization or forecasting the required skills and abilities and empowerment and training employee in projects that will be exploited in future years. The amount and level of using information and reports of above information systems are different in hierarchy of organization. Information and its applications in data processing system and management information system frequently are using by operational and middle managers and employees, and the information of decision support system and strategic information systems often are used by top managers of organization. 9- The Main Stages of Providing Human Resources Information System Successful developing and implementing a comprehensive and integrated human resource information system is depend on various factors that lack of each of them can result in unwanted output. Factors those are sometimes obvious and sometimes unknown, but are not unimportant at all; and its reason is that implementing a comprehensive systemprojectneeds many facilities and activities, in addition to provide efficient software, to access a desired result. Some of these most important factors are: i Beliefand Support of Organization Top Management:in preparing and implementing new systems in the organizations such as information systems, belief and support of top management is above other requirements. It is necessary that top managers believe designing project and implementing human resources information system are not only software and computer equipment, but also it is a development program that has influenced all structural COPY RIGHT à © 2013 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1010 ijcrb. webs. com FEBRUARY 2013 VOL 4, NO 10 INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN BUSINESS imensions of organization, including vertical and horizontal, as well as it will influences the performance of all processes. Organization top managers may get the project into trouble, in two ways. Abandon the project and leave it to middle managers: since the establishment of a comprehensive system will lead to power substitute and disrupting balance of powers in an organization, it will interfere with the interests of middle managers (creating transparency in functions and preventing concealment) and if this issue doesnââ¬â¢t control by top managers, the projects will destroy among disagreements of middle managers. Furthermore, sometimes the executive difficulties of project arising from problems that resolving them is not possible by ability of middle managers. Absolute and unknowledgeable support of project: this absolute support of project will cause that some software reasonable errors not being detected, executor of the project has been abuse this subject, and will offer a system by improper quality; middle managers do not accept the responsibility of system, and because users feel that project has been imposed on them, their cooperating to set up system just is to do responsibility. Information technology, before being hardware system and a set of patterns, is an intellectual and cultural system and cannot be sustainable. Therefore, it called its ability, the culture of producing information. Without developing the culture of producing information, system is important and thinking is information oriented. Information technology, it, is formulated through connection and combination of useful production thoughts, and computers and supercomputers, and wire and cable only are instruments. In information technology, it is the thought of wise people that produce information. ii The Funding and Expenditure: preparing systems and procedures, particularly information systems, requires a significant payment. These costs, especially in the realm of topics and themes such as human resources that all its principles and criteria (rules and regulations) have not been universal or at least have not the national unity of procedure, are far more difficult, more time consuming, more specialized and more expensive. This is why, despite more than hundreds types of software in the field of human resources and administrative affairs in the market, because of specific organizational principles and criteria, none of them are applicable without fundamental and overall changes, and accordingly such organizations by using internal resources or resources outside of the organization provide this system in the form of project. At first glance, it seems that such expenditure is not economical but by analyzing and evaluating the current situation and the expenditure that are arising from lack of such a system, it will be clear that such expenditures are not only additional but also is a kind of investment that its benefits is reversible in less than a year. ii NeedAssessment: needs assessment indicate the interface between the current and ideal situation. It is a complex and scientific process that require using specific methods and techniques of that field of science from thematic experts and expert who a re familiar with the research methodology. It is necessary, in large organizations, that needs assessment perform in all organizational levels. The nature of need in different organizational levels, despite common ground has considerable discriminations that such a context will provide only through a comprehensive needs assessment mechanism, and establishing a dynamic and reliable feedback system. In organizations with a centralized system, application of a comprehensive and integrated human resource information system along with the operating COPY RIGHT à © 2013 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1011 ijcrb. webs. com FEBRUARY 2013 VOL 4, NO 10 INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN BUSINESS ability in all organizational levels is a necessity that makes possible the causes of controlling and monitoring, thriftiness, productivity, quality improving, unity of procedures, exchanging experience and knowledge and . . iv- Appropriateand Efficient Software:the software of a comprehensive system should have characteristics that at first glance are not collectable software. Some of these characteristics are: 1) The expansion and extent of its domains; 2) Its integrity, that means having a lot of common charts and reasonable references between them; 3) Its flexibility; 4) The ability of paying attention to the sequence of operations and internal controls; 5) Preparing necessary reports to all levels and in any number and any shape v- AppropriateOrganization:providing appropriate and effective software is not a great percentage of a project of implementing a comprehensive system. The largest part is related to other activities that should be done. Paying attention to this point is important: successful implementing the project of a comprehensive system depends on close relationship between factors that are involved in project. These factors include top managers of organization, project manager, software implementation team, analysts, middle managers, and users. Organizing and definition of these factorsââ¬â¢ working relationship should be so that all apply fully responsibly to development of project; in particular, determining a proper working relationship with software implementation team is a key and strategic action, especially if this team are not chosen from employees of company and related to the project in the form of a contract. vi- Identification of Priority: in order to guarantee the implementation of a project, determining stages and priorities are important. Therefore it is recommended that the following steps should be prioritized: A. Units that its middle managers and users are more motivated; B. Systems that have widespread mental impact in the organization, and will solve its fundamental problems; such as on time employeesââ¬â¢ elevating or duration of employment or on time payment system of salaries and benefits along with its details by the end of the month C. Bottleneck systems that their stabilization develops suitable ground to boot up other systems. vii- Shortening the Stages of Project:one of the most important factors that lead to failure of comprehensive system project is prolonging the time of executing different stages of the project. Because, needs vary continuously over time, management will substitute, motivation will reduce, and the cost will increases. COPY RIGHT à © 2013 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1012 ijcrb. webs. com FEBRUARY 2013 VOL 4, NO 10 INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN BUSINESS iii- Formulation Manual Plan: mechanization or computerization processes involves defining and drawing all operations of a com puter system. Therefore answer to some questions such as following items is necessary: ? How is the flow of operation in the organization? ? What type of documents should be prepared in each part and who should confirm it? ? How is the current shape and form of documentations organization? ? How should be applied internal controls in various operations? ? How is an organizational chart and task description of different sections? ? How are organizational domestic regulations, such as the regulation of promotions, appointments, and so on? It is clear that, without having appropriate answer to above questions, speaking about a comprehensive system is useless and in fact, manual plan as a prerequisite or interdependent factor of comprehensive system project is essential. ix- Training:one of the most important parts of preparing and implementing human resources information systems is user training and its related factors. This issue, particularly in large organizations and with affiliated units and geographically scattering throughout the country has been extremely important and requires special planning. This stage can be performed by selecting and adopting various methods, but one of its typical characteristics of information systems is devising a manual and guide in system. This manual acts as a permanently available instruction and consular to user. x- Reliable Hardware and Software Platform:while setting up a comprehensive system, the most important event that is taking place is creating an organizational trust towards software. This trust will create little by little and through practice and will disappear by small error. Especially, during setting up, usually direction that is in parallel to old and new systems is in the agenda that naturally increases usersââ¬â¢ workload and makes them restless and bored. In addition, planning and implementing the policy of human resources information has been a change and variation that fundamentally is along with resistance. Obviously, in this situation, in case of occurring any error in the system, the first responsible is new software; and it is possible that innovatorââ¬â¢s long time attempts to make trust, with no reason, become destroyed, and even acquitting the software will not effective. xi- Interactions and Relationship between Subsystems in a Comprehensive System:human resources information system along with integrating approach has subsystems that are available along with restrictions. Information and inputs of a subsystem are usable and necessary to other subsystem. However, at the same time, users of several subsystems are using database of comprehensive system. For instance, information related to the promotion or the group of personnel in promotion subsystem are using byappointments subsystem;but the user of appointments subsystem is not responsible about information appointments and the situation of promotion subsystem , and sometimes it is possible that availability and observing subsystem being undefined. xii- The Relationship between Organization Central Staff and Affiliated Units:one of the motivations of providing and implementing human resources information systems in COPY RIGHT à © 2013 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1013 ijcrb. webs. com FEBRUARY 2013 VOL 4, NO 10 INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN BUSINESS arge organizations with geographical extent and distribution, throughout the country, is speed of offering information and services. Howeverthis characteristic acts as a limitation and bottleneck to information systems,this problem will facilitate by choosing appropriate and effective telecommunication and communication methods, as well as, determining exact schedule of information exchange between users at different levels of organization and their continuous contact with each other. This exchange of information needs several considerations, including computer viruses and security and protective care. xiii ââ¬â Choosing the Appropriate Database Engine:there are many tools and instruments to implement software of a comprehensive information system. These instruments cannot absolutely being rejected or confirmed, because each one has advantages and disadvantages and is offered for a purpose to market, and their presentation in the market indicates their abilities. Choosing a proper database by using knowledge and experience of experts and skillful programmers, careful analyzing and investigating different dimensions and indices of information systems, and using the experiences of similar information systems in other organizations, and conversation withusers of organization at different levels have been useful and constructive, and will be very effective in effectiveness and efficiency of the system. Obviously, choosing similar organization should be concentrate on organizations that have the most common ground (processes, structure, rules and regulations, and ) with selector organization. iv- The Mechanism of Replacing Old System with the New One: The establishment of new system and replacing it with the old system involves some important considerations and points. Implementing new systems often is appropriate to systems that have not the necessary efficiency. The old system has been either manually or mechanized, however, has contained information from past to present, and will be basis of future actions. Then, this replacing has special considerations and requires scheduling and division of work in different dimensions. xv- The Levels of Accessing: definition of the level of accessing and determining limitations is inherent characteristics of a comprehensive and integrated human resource information system, especially by numerous users at different levels of the organization. This definition and controlling the security of information in comprehensive systems is more important than single-user system and multiple fragmented one, since a database mean that all can access to the central data, and practically will lead to complexity of responsibilities. xvi- Avoidance of Ambitions: all individuals who are involved in project should know that their most important duty is establishment of an effective comprehensive system and the first step in this direction, which is not a small step, is setting up systems, at an acceptable minimum. So emphasizing details and increasing expectations of the system during startup has no effect except reducing the speed of implementing project and increasing its risk. After implementing the system, we can quickly make all necessary details in the system and show accurate reaction to different expectations. Comprehensive systems has avalanche properties, that means, if an acceptable level of it setting up and being in a correct channel and with proper slope, the motion of system will means its growing up and expansion without needs to spend a lot of energy (Ismail Hashemi Far, 2006). COPY RIGHT à © 2013 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1014 ijcrb. webs. com FEBRUARY 2013 VOL 4, NO 10 INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN BUSINESS 10- The Constructionof Human Resource Information System If management of organization does not predict buying packs and prepared systems of human resource management in theirstrategic plan of information system, one of the methodologies of developing information systems should be used. In order to develop information systems by strategic approach, detailed procedures have been developed (ward et al, 1990) that among them the approach of walker has been mentioned here (Walker, 1993). There Are Different Phases In Order To Develop Human Resources Information Systems As Follow: ? Analyzing business and its requirements that include analyzing business, identifying the requirements of top managers, human resource managers and operations managers. ? Analyzing and reengineering the work flows that include choosing and identifying organizational processes, documenting processes and analyzing and redefining them. Development of system has provided based on the requirements and processes that include system design, system implementation, its testing and evaluating. As it is obvious, there is no differentiation between this approach and other approaches of definition and development of information systems, but it emphasizing the strategic position of human resources and its close relation with organizational business. 11- The Executive Obstacles of Human Resource Information System Bsat and Beckers (2002) have argued that the expenditure of setting up and maintaining human resources information systems can be so high that being the main obstacle to its implementation. Moreover, Covach and Cathcart (1999) believe that the lack of financial and spiritual support of top managers is the greatest obstacles of accessing to advantages and strengths of human resources information system. They also indicated that low knowledge, skill and experience ofusers in human resources is considering as a great challenge. A performed survey by a Management Institute (2002) shows that the problems and obstacles of applying human resources information system are: lack of expert and experienced personnel in the field of designing, implementing and applying human resource information systems, in particular, the lack of experts who know the tasks of management; as well as, both organization and information technology should be considered as limitations of the planning or designing and implementing these systems. In designing and implementing any plan, financial problems, definitely, are very conspicuous that this issue is true toward this type of system. If the expenditures of setting up and designing human resources information system are high, it is possible that top manager ignores its performing or performs it imperfectly. Therefore, the problem of expenditure should be considering as the greatest challenges of implementing and designing human resources information systems. Nevertheless, if managers be aware of the importance of this fact, certainly will consider it as one of the most important priorities of the organization and will call it investment not expenditure. COPY RIGHT à © 2013 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1015 ijcrb. webs. com FEBRUARY 2013 VOL 4, NO 10 INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN BUSINESS Problems related to time management, requiring the cooperation of other sectors and departments, lack of adequate support from the information technology (IT) (Asghar, Jabbar Zade; Fahimeh,Kokabi, 2009). 12- Conclusions In this paper, definitions and functions of human resource management along with goals and strategic management of organization have been introduced. Human resources management, in order to do their tasks effectively, and move from traditional and conventional level to better one, has to apply advanced instruments. Human resources information systems, is one of the instruments that serve human resource managers by applying information technology. These systems will serve different range of an organization, from top management to lower level employees. There are different approaches to development of these systems, on the basis of operational and strategic needs of organization, which purchasing prepared packages or in-house (intra-organizational) designing and implementing are some of them. Already there are different companies in the world that are engaged in providing services related to applying human resource information systems in organization. Unfortunately, in our country, Iran, strategic human resource information systems associated with strategic functions are less common. However, the development of informational instrument along with being important human resources in business has provided a proper opportunity to reconstruct the performance of human resource management by using advanced technology. (Dr. Siyamak Noori; Sayed, Kiyanoosh Kalantar; 2007) According to the emphasizes on the value and the importance of human resources as capitals of organization, more efficient and effective utilization of this capital and converting it to a competitive advantage for the organization requires an accurate planning. Human resource planning should be considering not as a definition but as a management tool to access professional and expert manpower. An efficient planning along with the ability of being farsighted will has the ability of recruiting the best human resources and retaining and improving available resources, thus human resource planning should be mentioned as an important factor in maintaining the constancy of the organization. Because each program needs information, and information is one of the organization assets, and its power factor the establishment of an information system will be necessary. According to this fact that all information is not useful for system, having an information system that has a high capability in data processing is essential. Therefore, designing and developing such type of system should be considering as one of the priorities of each organization (Asghar, Jabbar Zade; Fahimeh, Kokabi, 2009). Abovementioned items have some advantages and benefits to executive system and personnel of human resource management unit. But producing and implementing human resource information systems is infrastructure of widespread changes in the organization that including its role in contributing the professional development of staff, facilitating the process of changing and innovating, developing intellectual skills among managers, consideration and formation of research culture in the human resources, providing a standardization culture, strengthening the self-control culture, contribute in determining the product cost in industrial organizations and make it realistic and In organization.
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