Modern Management Chapter Essay

Influencing is referred to as motivating, leading, directing, or actuating. d. Controlling is the management function through which managers i. Gather information that measures recent performance within the organization ii. Compare present performance to pre-established performance standards. iii. From this comparison, determine whether the organization should be modified to meet pre-established standards. These functions are interrelated because the performance of one depends on the performance of the others. For example, organizing is based on well thought out plans developed during the planning process, and influencing systems must be tailored to reflect both these plans and the organizational design used to implement them. The fourth function, controlling, involves possible modification to existing plans, organizational structure, or the motivation system used to develop a more successful effort. 2. How can controlling help a manger to become more efficient? e. Managerial efficiency is the proportion of total organizational resources that contribute to productivity during the manufacturing process. The higher this proportion, the more efficient the manager. So if the manager is controlling properly like gathering information, comparing and contrasting pre-established standards and uses resources correctly then they are being efficient. 3. What is the value in having managers at the career exploration stage within an organization? Why? The decline stage? Why? f. The value of having mangers at the career exploration sage is because individuals at this stage is about 15 to 25 years old and are involved in some type of formal training, such as college or vocational education who may have fresh ideas to the organization. Whereas the decline stage is where individuals of about 65 years or older is either close to retirement, semiretired, or fully retired. So these type of individuals may find it difficult to maintain prior performance levels, perhaps because they have lost interest in their careers or have failed to keep their job skills up to date. 4. Discuss your personal philosophy for promoting the careers of women managers within an organization. Why do you hold this philosophy? Explain any challenges that you foresee in implementing this philosophy within a modern organization, how will you overcome these challenges? . I don’t believe there should be women managers, because women are too emotional. Possibly getting sued for discrimination. I would get a well-paid attorney to overcome these challenges. 5. List and define five skills that you think you’ll need as CEO of a company. Why will these skills be important to possess? h. (1) Technical skills: involves the ability to apply sp ecialized knowledge and expertise to work-related techniques and procedures. i. (2) Human skills: build cooperation within the team being led. They involve working with attitudes and communication, individual and group interests. j. (3) Conceptual skills: involves the ability to see the organization as a whole. k. (4) Defining organizational roles: the duty and responsibilities everyone has within the organization l. (5) Encouraging innovative thinking: motivating/encouraging those who have the best interests of the organization. These skills will provide to be important to possess in a CEO because there should be a balance of skills to make an organization efficient and effective.

Counselor Ethical Boundaries and Practices Essay

Part of being a counselor requires an understanding of dual relationships and the boundaries that are in place between a client and their counselor. Being a good counselor requires an understanding of the role that ethics plays in the professional relationship. Ethics are not simply a way of protecting the client but offer protection to the counselor as well. Counselor Decision-Making and Counseling Examples In the counseling profession dual relationships also known as multiple relationships can be defined as a situation in which multiples roles exists between the counselor and the client. Callanan et al discuss the fact that when a counselor and a client â€Å"blend their professional relationship with a non-professional relationship, then ethical concerns must be considered (2014).† The boundaries that are set in place between a counselor and a client are done so to protect both parties. A counselor is in a position of power in the life of their client and if the boundaries are not in place, the counselor could take advantage of their client and cause difficulties for them. To determine if a boundary crossing or a dual relationship is ethical and appropriate with a client that I am treating I would look first to the ACA code of ethics to determine what is viewed as unethical dual relationships. The ACA code of ethics goes into some detail in regards to what is considered to be a n unethical dual relationship. ACA Code A.5.a states that a â€Å"sexual and/or romantic counselor– client interactions or relationships with current clients, their romantic partners, or their family members are prohibited (2014).† The code of ethics also explains that counselors are prohibited from providing counseling services to someone that they have previously had a sexual/romantic relationship with. If the  situation that I am involved in is not covered within the ethical guidelines, then I would seek the advise of my supervisor or trusted colleague to determine what their thoughts are in regards to the situation that I have found myself in. In making my decision, I would look to determine that the decisions being made would not adversely affect my client or myself. I would also look to determine if the change in relationship would be therapeutic to my client. If I was dealing with a situation where I was sexually attracted to my client or my client was sexually attracted to me; I would look to the ACA code of ethics and determine that a sexual relationship with a client is considered unethical. Geyer believes â€Å"there seems to be considerable agreement within both secular and Christian circles that romantic or sexual relationships are always unethical concurrent with or during counseling and virtually always unethical afterwards (Dual Role Relationships and Christian Counseling, 1994).† If during a counseling session with a client, they felt that I was not hearing them, it might be appropriate to do some self-disclosure. This is a boundary crossing but as long as the self-disclosure does not cause the client to feel negative effects then it is acceptable as a way to make sure the client understands the counseling is listening and understands what the client is feeling. If I was working in a small town that did not have other counseling options, then I might be placed in a position to have a dual relationship with a client. A friend could come to me needing assistance in dealing with an issue and due to the area that we live in, there might not be another counselor that they could go and see. In this situation, I believe a dual relationship would be allowed as long as the boundaries between friendship and counseling are fully laid out before beginning. The friend would have to come into the sessions not as a friend but as a client, someone that I am there to assist without passing judgment. If I had been treating a client who had been involved in car crash where their actions caused the death of the passenger in the car, would it be ethical for me to cross the boundary of leaving the office and going to the site of the accident. I believe in this case that it would be acceptable for me to cross that boundary and go with my client as a support system as they are trying to come to terms with their actions that caused the death of another. By going with them to the site of the accident, they are able to have a sense of being protected as they process what  transpired and led them to that point in their life. Ethical Issues and Dimensions The ACA Code of Ethics defines an appropriate amount of time of 5 years following the termination of therapy to be acceptable for a counselor to pursue a sexual/romantic relationship with a past client. I believe that in some instances 5 years would be a good amount of time to pass before looking for that type of relationship but in some cases longer might be better. I will have been in a very powerful position with my client and therefore depending on what they were receiving counseling for, it might not have been enough time for that power dynamic to have equaled out. If I were seeing a client and they invited me to their birthday party, this would be considered unethical because I would be seeing them outside of the counseling sessions. If services have been terminated and we are the five years out of the counseling relationship, I would be able to attend the party without fear of my actions being unethical. How the relationship with the client ended also plays a part in being able to interact with them after termination of therapy. Lebaw (2014) states that there are different types of termination of counseling services; the termination of services can be carefully planned or be totally unplanned and based on cases that were either successful or unsuccessful. If the termination of services was a negative experience for the client, it might be more ethical to not interact with them after the ending of the counseling sessions. Professional Collaboration Counseling It is important for counselors and other stakeholders to work together in regards to the care of a client. There are different situations in which multiple areas of help will be needed for the clients’ safety and well-being and it is important that each member of the team is able to communicate effectively with one another. Multidisciplinary Team It is important for a counselor in certain situations to be able to work with  other professionals to ensure the best care is being given to a client. If I have not been trained in handling addictions and have a client that is dealing with severe depression but is also an alcoholic then it would be beneficial for me to work in conjunction with their addiction counselor. Then as I am treating the client for their depression, the addiction counselor is working with them in regards to their alcohol addiction. In this case the addictions counselor and I would need to be able to communicate back and forth with one another to ensure that our client was receiving the best possible care for their co-occurring disorders. Also, with having another person involved in the care of the client it helps to keep the firm boundaries in place that maintains the safety of the client and myself. The addictions counselor and I would meet regularly to discuss our plans to achieve a detailed care plan tha t gives our client the best possible outcome. Staton and Gilligan (2003) define the objective of collaboration as â€Å"developing mutual agreement on ways to work together to provide the most effective services.† Fiddler et al (2010) said that â€Å"meaningful engagement and decisions should be made in collaboration with the patient about his/her treatment and future management.† The client should be a part of the process of the care plan and not just being told what is going to be taking place, it allows the client to have a voice in their treatment. If my client did not wish for me to collaborate with their addictions counselor, wanting to keep the two areas separate then I would need to treat the client solely within the scope of the depression. I would not be able to provide my client with any advice as to why they are drinking or even why they find it difficult to stop drinking. As an individual counselor working alone with the client, I need to be sure that I do nothing unethical with the client. By knowing what I have been trained in and informing my client that because I do not have the experience or training to treat them in regards to their addiction, I am not only taking car e of myself ethically but the client as well. Part of the job of a supervisor-counselor relationship is for them to not only train the student in what it is to be a counselor, but to be a support system for the student. This puts the supervisor in a position of extreme importance to the student. Not only is the supervisor putting forth a grade on the students’ performance, but they are also being confided in by the student with the  struggles the student is having. The supervisor could use this position to influence the student in an unethical way if they are not careful. It would be simple for the supervisor to manipulate the student’s feelings towards them. These are very similar to the things that a counselor could do to a client if they did not monitor themselves. AS a counselor, you have the trust of your client that everything you are doing is being done to help them and not harm them. A criteria that could be used to determine if something a fellow counselor is being done is ethical or not is by knowing and being familiar with the ACA code of ethics as well as the laws of the state that I am practicing in. If I found a fellow counselor acting in an unethical way it would be my duty to report them to the licensing board. The board is the only one who has the right to pass judgment and sentence on a counselor who has behaved unethically. Development of Ethics Ponton stated â€Å"In whatever specialty counselors practice, they are asked to provide expertise to the problem of balancing an individual’s needs, strengths, and identity with the group or society within which that individual functions (2009).† Since taking this course I have become more familiar with the roles that ethics needs to play in the relationship between not only counselor and client; but counselor and counselor, and counselor and supervisor. That each of these relationships forms a chain that needs to be strong and well defined. The role that ethics plays in the life of a counselor is something that is very important. Ethics are not just there to protect the client, they protect the counselor as well. From this course I have learned that there will be times when the lines between ethical and unethical are not going to be clearly defined; yet there is a support system available to me. I learned that there is nothing wrong with going to my community of counselors for support or direction when I am unsure of a step. This is a profession where not only do we help clients but we help each other. Conclusion Someone who is beginning in the counseling profession needs to be fully aware of the ethical guidelines set in place by not only the ACA but the state in which they are practicing. The code of ethics are not in place simply to  protect the client; but to also provide protection to the counselor. The role of ethics and boundaries is important and something that a counselor will need to continuously watch and learn about as the work with clients. Though boundaries can fluctuate they should never be crossed in a way that could harm a client. As a counselor, I need to know what cases that I can treat and those that I can’t and be willing to work with others to give my clients the best possible care. There are ethical guidelines for not only the interaction with clients but for the interactions with other counseling professionals. Without ethics to guide a counselor in their practice, they are in a position to do major harm to their clients. This course has shown me that ethics a re an integral part of the counseling profession and need to be respected. Refeences American Counseling Association (2014). 2014 ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author Callanan, P., Corey, C., Corey, G., & Corey, M. (2014). Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions. Stamford:CT Fiddler, M., Borglin, G., Galloway, A., Jackson, C., McGowan, L., & Lovell, K. (2010). Once-a-week psychiatric ward round or daily inpatient team meeting? A multidisciplinary mental health team’s experience of new ways of working. International Journal Of Mental Health Nursing, 19(2), 119-127. doi:10.1111/j.1447-0349.2009.00652.x Geyer, M. C. (1994). Dual Role Relationships and Christian Counseling. Journal Of Psychology & Theology, 22(3), 187-195. Lebow, J. (2014). Stages of therapy: Engagement, assessment, and termination. In , Couple and family therapy: An integrative map of the territory (pp. 151-170). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/14255-007 Ponton, R. F., & Duba, J. D. (2009). The â€Å"ACA Code of Ethics†: Articulating Counselin g’s Professional Covenant. Journal Of Counseling & Development, 87(1), 117-121. Staton, A. R., & Gilligan, T. D. (2003). Teaching School Counselors and School Psychologists to Work Collaboratively. Counselor Education & Supervision, 42(3), 162.

Rapid Rise of Oil Prices

The point of the abstracts is to show how different societies can be affected by the same economic factor – rising oil prices. Countries, that I am going to present in the light of this question can be divided on two categories: oil-importers and oil-exporters. The following abstracts will be guided by this division. Oil-exporters Many of these countries have their economies based mainly on oil export, which makes them highly dependent on their resources on one hand, and give certain political buttons on the other. Most of these countries form OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries). One of them is Iran: â€Å"Revenues from oil and gas exports provide up to 70% of the state's general budget. Both the government and economy of Iran are highly dependant on oil. Foreign goods are mainly paid by petrodollars, enriching many Iranians and making many individuals quite wealthy. The boost in oil revenues that came with the 1973 oil price boom led to the creation of many new enterprises.†(Karbassian Akbar (2000) Islamic Revolution and the Management of the Iranian Economy. Social Research. V.67; i.2; p621.) â€Å"By this spring the price per barrel had nearly tripled†¦OPEC production ran slightly behind world purchasing.†(Gregg Easterbrook (05/15/2000) Opportunity cost – Hooray For Expensive Oil; The new Republic. P.21) From this we can assume that triggering oil prices to go up simply by slowing down the production can be very profitable. â€Å"We have an income distribution from oil importing countries towards the oil exporting countries.†(Breffni O'Rourke. EU: High Oil Prices Affect Economies, Societies. http:/ rferl.org/ nca/ features/ 2000/ 09/ F.RU.000911133329.html). This way many macro economical problems (budget holes, financing of social needs et c) could be happily solved. But in real life these profits appear ambiguously. If we take a close look at countries like Iran in the period of time we don't find fast economic growth like in most European oil importing countries. That is because these countries sometimes tend to have a petrodollar injection rather than seek for more natural ways of improving their economies. â€Å"The high oil prices and the cheap rouble which killed the competition of foreign goods provided the push for a modest recovery.†(Dimitry Shlapentokh. (05/00) Putin's Russia: What Is Ahead? Contemporary Review. V.276 i.612 p.225) Thus the conclusion is that rising oil prices are beneficial for oil-exporting countries only in a short-term matter, because they can provide a necessary boost for their economies. But used as a recovery tool petrodollars could be dangerously addictive stunting natural progress of the economy. Oil-importers Oil-importing countries are dependant on oil as well, only in a different from oil-exporters way. â€Å"Higher prices are making a strong impact across Europe, provoking protests in some areas and threatening to reverse the continent's economic recovery.† (Breffni O'Rourke. EU: High Oil Prices Affect Economies, Societies. http:/ rferl.org/ nca/ features/ 2000/ 09/ F.RU.000911133329.html). â€Å"For the typical oil-importing country, the temporary income loss due to a rise in oil prices leads to a decrease in saving rather than a downward adjustment of consumption.† (N.Loayza; K. Schmidt-Hebbel; L. Serven. 05/00. What Drives Private Savings Across the World? Review Of Economics And Statistics. V.82 i.2 p.165). Of course high oil prices usually cause certain damage. Depending on whole economic and politic situation damage can be serious or mild: â€Å"High oil prices are causing hardship for many Americans – Americans on modest incomes that have to drive a long way to work, independent truckers that have big fuel costs.†(The President's Radio Address. (05/27/00) Weekly Compilation Of Presidential Documents. V.36 i.12 p.581), 1comparing to â€Å"The â€Å"fuel riots† were sparked off by a sudden increase in the basic price of oil. People can not afford the increased oil prices because having lost their jobs because of the government actions in the state sector.† (African News Service. (07/19/00) p.1008201 n.0410) But besides short-term negative effect (â€Å"†¦this is the impact which counts most at the moment.†Ã‚   Rising oil prices sometimes lead to some positive changes in the society. Situations like that push governments to spend more funds on researches of alternative or more efficient fuels, which in future would allow to be less dependant on oil: â€Å"Meanwhile, we will continue to work toward a longer term solution. I've asked Secretary Richardson to conduct a 60-day study on converting factories and major users from oil to other fuels, which will help to free up future oil supplies for use in heating homes.† (The President's Radio Address. (05/27/00) Weekly Compilation Of Presidential Documents. V.36 i.12 p.581).

Choose one Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Choose one - Essay Example There has been a lot of emphasis on empowerment of people, equality of rights, and eradication of racism from the society at all levels over the past few decades. This has made gay marriage one of the most debatable topics of the present age. â€Å"Fifty percent of Americans believe same-sex marriages should be recognized by law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages† (Newport). Anti-gay notions that have been an integral part of the conservative culture are being openly discussed and challenged now as these notions are being identified as racism and discrimination against the gay community. I personally believe that since religion has condemned gay marriage, and religion happens to be the fundamental source of knowledge of ethics for the mankind; gay marriage should remain illegal. Analysis of the Issue Proponents of the gay marriage say that it should be legalized because illegalization of gay marriage is a discrimination against the gay community. The Natio nal Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Executive Director, Rea Carey shared her views in these words, â€Å"Equal protection under the law is a foundational guarantee for all Americans, and denial of the right to marry flies in the face of this shared value† (Carey). ... Even some heterosexual people approve of gay marriages. While declaring that he approves of gay marriages in an interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts, President Barack Obama said, â€Å"I hesitated on gay marriage in part because I thought civil unions would be sufficient [and that] for a lot of people, the word marriage was something that evokes very powerful traditions, religious beliefs and so forth† (Obama cited in â€Å"JUST IN†). Opponents of the gay marriage primarily base their argument on the teachings of religion. Homosexuality has not only been condemned but has been described as a transgression of the limits imposed by God upon mankind in most of the religions in general and the Abrahamic religions in particular. George (Carey) refers to the gay marriage as a threat to the bond between the state and the church. In addition to religion, opponents of the gay marriage consider it an unnatural act since gay couples cannot produce children in the biological w ay. They either have to adopt children or live with the children they have had through previous heterosexual marriages. Opponents of the gay marriage also highlight the negative implications of the gay marriage on the psychology of children living with the gay couples, as well as upon the society particularly which suffers from a negative rate of population growth. Conclusion Legalization of gay marriage is an ethical controversy since it involves the right of a certain community i.e. gay community and its implications on their own lives, on the lives of people related to them, and the society at large. In most countries of the world, women outnumber men in population. On one hand, if gay marriages are legalized,

Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 19

Case Study Example Carnival Cruise Lines had established an office in Boston that concentrated on advertising the fun aspects of the company’s cruise ships. However, the new advertisements will focus mainly on showcasing the safety precautions that the company has installed in its cruise ships for example, the fire safety technologies and a vacation program that grants one hundred and ten percent refund for disgruntled customers (Levere). This reassures the passengers that they are safe. The advertisement will also showcase the fun aspect of cruise by airing videos and photographs taken by former passengers and employees to display the experience on the cruise ships. They will also invite a number of celebrities who will discuss food and other family related topics (Levere). The new marketing strategy will attract new customer after considering the safety measures provided, hence assuring passengers a safe cruise. The segment focusing on the fun part of the cruise ship will help attract passengers as they will want to experience some of the moments that other passengers have experienced aboard the cruise ships (Levere). Levere, Jane. "Spot Shares Moments of Better Cruise Memories." The New York Times. Web. 13 Feb. 2014.

Student survival guide personal action plan Essay

Student survival guide personal action plan - Essay Example University education requires a large amount of independent learning and often involves search for information. Information is required to construct ideas, theories, or data. A variety of sources provide such information; but the most obvious ones are the University Library and the internet. Libraries can be either paper libraries or digital ones, where the contents of books are stored in digital form. Searching for information in books consumes too much time and hence it is preferable to access digital libraries on occasions when time could be a limiting factor. Also, the information contained in a book may not be updated. Hence library searches are better conducted within digital sources. Searching through digital catalogues offers speed and convenience, with an added advantage that one can access these from remote locations. Internet is the most convenient source of information because time, space or location doesn’t constrain it. Following guidelines will provide an overview of how best to search the internet. But they are not exhaustive; the World Wide Web has such potential that people can, and need to customize it to meet their specific requirements: 2. Use a search engine that displays results from more than one source – sometimes referred to as a meta-crawler – info.com is one such, though google.com gives excellent results fast, provided the search criteria are selected properly. Advanced search options needs to be used to refine searches. Commercial sites tend to be unreliable as far as a student is concerned. University sites and sites with .org and .edu suffixes should be preferred. However, the objectivity of opinions expressed in individual sites must be assessed after careful reading, since many activist sites masquarade as authentic unbiased ones. Passing off another person’s work as one’s own is unethical, apart from being unlawful. However,

Any from book Juvenile Delinquency 11th edition Term Paper

Any from book Juvenile Delinquency 11th edition - Term Paper Example This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of juvenile delinquency and crime theories that aim at predisposing the idea of juvenile crime and how it develops. This paper further addresses the problem of juvenile crime in detail. The history of juvenile dates back to the 19th century and it remains dynamic to have a clear understanding and the statistics associated with the vice. Adolescents go through various social problems as they grow. According to Zimmerman, Ramirez-Valles, & Maton (1999), 31% of adolescents are faced by drug abuse, 14% face other social problems, and 14% face crime related problems while 7% suffer the repercussions of sexual abuse. So intense are these problems that the survival and growth of affected adolescents depend on how efficiently they tackle the problems. Counseling is one of the practices that can help adolescents cope with whatever problems that they face from time to time. Adolescents between the age of 9 and 13 are the most vulnerable to these problems due to their high anxiety and excitement coupled with their newness to the adolescent stages (Siegel & Welsh, 2012). To this group, however, counseling is the most important thing in making them control themselves. This coun seling must be administered by the right person and at the right time if positive results need to be realized. It is noteworthy that the adolescent stage is one of the most challenging stages for individuals as it is full of difficulty in making decisions, thus indulgence in risky behavior. According to Miller (2010), youths have always failed to make safe and healthy choices that would effectively support them avoid risky behaviors such as drug abuse, poor school attendance record, criminal gangs, and sexual activity. This kind of trend is certainly observable in environments characterized by increased poverty level, high crime rate, as well as violence. It is no doubt that black urban males in single parenting setting living in subsidized

Report of investing in London office market Essay

Report of investing in London office market - Essay Example fully analyse different elements influencing the market before investing in it in order to make sure that the investment is profitable in long run (Ball, Lizieri, and MacGregor, 1998). For this purpose, the economic, political, institutional, social, legal, and many other factors are explored and investigated to understand and comprehend the future implications for the London office market. Apart from this the supply and demand and other important elements like property planning and pipeline projects with reference to the different regions and breakup of the overall London office market have been explored and analysed in order to get better understanding of the overall market and industry. London is considered as major financial hub not only of UK where major business giants are operating their businesses. It is considered as one of the command sector of the global economy. This feature of London makes it more appealing city for foreign investors. London economy can be best measured through Gross value added (GVA) which demonstrates the contribution of not only individual industries or sectors but also the individual producers present and working in the boundaries of London. The GVA also measured the income generated from employment by production of goods and services. The latest data of Gross value added produced by ONS in December 2011, London contributed 21% of the whole UK and per head which is around  £35,026 (more than  £15,000 than UK average) in 2010 (The Guardian, 2012). According to the research conducted by the city group, London is likely to have more GDP than any other city in the world from by 2025 due to its exceptional growing financial service. Currently it is the one of the tenth largest GDP contributor in the world in term of US dollar. A recent research conducting for London offices shows that almost 60% of the commercial property investment in central London was made by foreign investors from 27 countries in 2011 which is considered as

EC can be used to create strategic advantage for a firm Essay

EC can be used to create strategic advantage for a firm - Essay Example Thus, it is important that an e-commerce strategic projection has to be incorporated in a company's strategic business plans. (King, et al, 2004) For the purpose of this paper we shall examine the details of a specific Electronic Commerce tactic in this case the electronic data exchange and analyze the effects it has on three companies which are Amazon inc., MySpace Company and First American bank. For firms, e-commerce implies using the web and the internet as a channel of distribution in marketing and selling of goods and also service to the firm's customers. This is a narrow definition, of e-commerce as it only describes internet commerce. E-commerce is much wider in what it entails. According to King, et al (2004) e-commerce is the exchange of information, services, goods and payments electronically and it involves formation and continuation of Web-based relationships. Thus, e-commerce encompasses the internet, extranets, intranets, electronic data exchange (EDE) and other electronic aspects. Examples of activities performed using e-commerce includes; Internet has globalized this world and in the same e-commerce is global. Difference in cities or countries even does not affect e-commerce if you have any kind of crises you can log on from any where in the world and can solve your problem in a faction of a minute. Transaction is very fast and effective; many online business sites now offer sophisticated tools to help consumers manage all their assets more effectively and conveniently. (King, et al, 2004) A simple example of this can be taken from the simple accounting software e.g. in the banking sector. Some online banks provide to simplify record keeping. Another importance of e-commerce is that less paper work has to be done and once u have entered information, it doesn't need to be re-entered for similar consequent checks, and future payments can be programmed to occur automatically. Importance of e-commerce on companies E-commerce serves as a vital strategic tool for companies. When e-commerce is well used in companies it brings considerable opportunities to the company. The importance of e-commerce to companies can be classified in two main classes; the tangible advantages and the intangible advantages that are brought about by information technology. E-commerce is vital for many companies, today e-commerce has assisted many companies and organizations to revolutionize the manner in which they operate and manage their operations. Though, for a company to realize maximum benefits of e-commerce it must invest in the technology and manpower. (Chan, Lee, & Dillon, 2001) Tangible benefits The tangible benefits of e-commerce touches on the monetary aspect of the company, it touches on the financial benefits that occur due to the company investing in e-commerce that can only be measured using tangible metrics. For example, cost saving, market share, productivity and profitability of the company. These benefits enables the company to make a lot of saving and the money goes along way in improving other aspect of the company. (Chan, Lee, & Dillon, 2001) Intangible benefits T

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Assignment

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) - Assignment Example The Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), are used by the accountants to record and report accounting information. The set of principles have been developed over the year by the accounting profession and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The laws that give the SEC that authority to establish, reporting and disclosure requirement, include the two laws which are: The Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. There are certain assumptions upon which the current set of principles operates (Cliff, 2013). These assumptions and the principles are normally considered to be GAAP and some of them are as discussed below: This assumes that each financial entity is to be maintained separately for each economic entity. The economic entities include social organizations which are together with schools, churches, districts, governments and businesses among others. This goes that, there are certain economic events that affect companies and are not easily quantified in monetary terms such as introducing a new product or hiring a new CEO. These then do not, most of the times, appear on the company’s records. Therefore, accounting records are required to be made through the use of a stable currency, for instance, the US uses dollars. This principle requires that, a full disclosure should be made on the financial statements of a company’s finances or assets pending lawsuit, incomplete transactions of a company, or any other important financial information about the company. In this case, footnotes should be used to supplement financial statements in order to convey such kind of information. This requires that, artificial time should be used to record and report the results of the activities of a business. This artificial time normally leads to questions on when certain transactions should be recorded. The accountants then use the GAAP to record and report the established accounting period of transaction. This principle

Construction ICT Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Construction ICT - Research Proposal Example In this section I will talk about the main problem situation regarding the lacking of implementation in the construction process and management. In this section I will discuss about the main problem situation and its possible effects regarding the effective construction process management and handling. The trouble that causes a serious hurdle in the construction industry is the lack of the communication. In this scenario the worker and management are ignorant to the in progress state of the development of the construction site. We also have less interaction in case of the on site construction management. Then we have a most important problem on the subject of the data transfer. In the absence of the ICT tools it is tremendously complicated to supervise and handle the construction process. The on time data movement is really indispensable for on time project handling. For instance we have traced a new alignment regarding roof settlement. This data requires instantaneous transfer to access the new construction strategy or handling information. There is also the main problem regarding the less effective management of the overall human resource on the site. In the presence of the ICT tools we would be able to handle the overall workforce in a better way. The customary way of construction lacks the on site labour communication and handling of the overall construction resource. Next main problem in absence of ICT tools is regarding the effective resource management and handling on the site. In this scenario the construction site resources are managed manually that is more time consuming and complicated task. In the field construction we have no observation means for the overall workforce performance. This means that workers are working in separation and there is no check on their performance assessment. The automotive vehicle tracking and management is not possible in the overall scenario. IT in Construction In this section I will talk about the implementation of the most modern developed information based technology in the construction industry. This technology has changed the on the whole working structure and configuration of the construction market. "Now the methods of construction engross more enhanced tools and techniques regarding the overall development of the construction business" (Sarshar et al, 2004). This carrying out of the information technology in the field of construction business projected an innovative approach to enhance the construction developments in the course of utilization of mobility and information technology. This policy intended to build up effectiveness, consequently, reducing expenditure as well as time of the resources facilities procurement practice. It is as well intended to build up the freedom of a structuring or capability, meeting customers' needs. The role of ICT in the vision of the construction business was presented, and a multi step technique was planned for carrying about a balanced acceptance through the business of IT (Arayici et al, 2005). ICT based technology All the way through the world the majority of the organizations accept as true that the effectual utilization of

Denver Art Museum Essay Example for Free

Denver Art Museum Essay The Denver Art Museum is one of the few luxuries Colorado residents and tourists alike, have the pleasure of experiencing. It is truly a world class facility, from the outside in. Within the confines of its walls reside masterpieces from the likes of Monet, Degas, and Picasso. There is a broad spectrum of art from all corners of the globe represented here. This includes art from various European nations, as well as that of far eastern cultures to American Indian design. Each exhibit presented work which seemed to grasp and shed light onto the respective time period or culture represented. I found three particular compositions to be representative of their era or genre. The first of which is an oil painting on a wood panel by an Englishman named William Larkin to be completed in 1610. This piece, entitled Mary Radclyffe, is a portrait of King James’s wife, Mary Radclyffe. It is very obvious to see, after reviewing the Roman artistic style of idealizing an individual in a realistic way, that this is a idealized view of Radclyffe. As a matter of fact, William Larkin was one of the last artists to work in this refined, elegant portrait style of Elizabeth I. The clothing Radclyffe is donning in the aforementioned painting is typical of the high class during the time it was completed in the early 17th century. This piece can also be classified as having a Baroque nature about it. The Baroque cultural movement pertained to not only art, but music, dance, and literature as well. The artistic style emits a sense of awe and a tremendous attention to detail which is seldom mistaken for any other method. This Idealized style derives from Plato and the â€Å"higher reality of eternal truths† which he refers to in his book, the Theory of Forms. â€Å"Plato’s theory of forms proposes that all sensory objects are imitations of Forms, which, like the simplest mathematical equations, are imperishable and forever true. † (Fiero I: 98) The next piece which caught my attention is a sculpture I have always been intrigued in. Shiva, King of Dancers, or Shiva Nataraja, comes from Tamil Nadu during the Chola Dynasty, in India. The Chola Dynasty enjoyed a long ime span of power from the late 9th century all the way up to the 13th century. The bronze sculpture standing 36’ 7/8† tall, encompasses radial balance contains a strong symbolic message, typical of most Hindu art. This iconic statue portrays Shiva dancing, with his right foot supported by a crouching figure, and his left elegantly raised in the air. The figure appears to have four arms, so it is clearly not meant to be realistic. Shiva is understood to be two conflicting things. One side of him signifies total tranquility, whereas he is also filled with total activity and energy on the other side. Not only does this depict what many people from this culture aspire attain, but people in many different cultures all over the globe as well. Although this particular work was made centuries after the Greeks revolutionized portraying the human body in sculpture, this freestanding figure was almost directly influenced by the Greeks. Not only for the fact that it is freestanding and praises the individual, but also because it pays homage to something greater than the human. As it says in the text, The Humanistic Tradition, â€Å"they paid perpetual homage to the gods. (Fiero I: 109) Not only that, but the perfection of the piece also comes from the Archaic period in Greek sculpture. More specifically, â€Å"the quest for realism was offset by the will to idealize form. (Fiero I: 109) This is also an idea from the philosopher Plato in his book, Theory of Forms. At the end of my journey of cultural enlightenment, I felt an obligation to take a gander at the African art exhibit because of how unique the style is compared to the rest of the museum. While there were many interesting works in the gallery, a certain piece done by Moyo Ogundipe caught my eye from a distance. Perhaps one of the better known images within the gallery, Soliloquy: Life’s Fragile Frictions was completed in 1997 and was done in acrylic on a 54’ x 78’ canvas. The cool collection of analogous colors really drew me into the image. The content in the piece is said to be inspired by the Egungun Festival in the village where the artist grew up. Some of the influences were drama, acrobatics, poetry, mime and pantomime, and black magic all play a role in creating the mood and atmosphere of this piece. Although this piece isn’t an ancient African work of art, it embodies my view of African art for its vivid color selection, organic shapes, chaotic nature, and intricate detail in the patterns. To me, this composition is reminiscent of an Egyptian scene done on the tomb walls in the 14th century. It tells a story in a similar fashion which the Egyptians did and depict the importance of the figure by size in a comparable way as well. This style is referred to as conceptual â€Å"that is, based on ideas rather than perceptual†¦ based on visual evidence. † (Fiero I: 34) Each piece I reviewed from the Denver Art Museum clearly depicted the transcendent nature of how art progresses. Each culture and movement reflect the ideals of the past through either subject matter, content, style, or technique. In many cases, philosophy and literature influenced the development of art especially Plato’s teachings. Overall, I felt more comfortable when I was in the North building because of not only the subject matter, but the architecture as well. Call me old fashioned, but I find that I appreciate art in a more intimate setting like the North building provides. From the wood floors, to the tighter confines of the vicinity between each piece, and the amount of information provided for each exhibit, I felt like I walked away with a deeper appreciation for the art in this building. The Hamilton building gave a unique presentation of each exhibit, though. I enjoyed the abstract architecture although I don’t think it is very practical for a museum. The next time I venture out to the museum, I will definitely spend more time in the temporary exhibitions, as I did not even scope that specific area out.

Glycosilation of Recombinant Protein in Hamster Ovary Cells

Glycosilation of Recombinant Protein in Hamster Ovary Cells GLYCOSILATION OF RECOMBINANT PROTEIN IN CHINESE HAMSTER OVARY CELLS MANISHA YADAV INTRODUCTION: GLYCOSYLATION OF PROTEINS The phenomenon of addition subsequent processing of carbohydrates in most of the plasma- membrane and secretory proteins is called glycosylation. This is the principle chemical modification or post- translational modification to most of such proteins. Glycosylation reactions occur in the lumen of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) and can also occur in the Golgi cisternae [1]. There are two different forms of oligosaccharide chains: O-linked oligosaccharides and N-linked oligosaccharides. The O-linked oligosaccharides are short structures and contain 1-4 sugar residues whereas; the N-linked oligosaccharides always contain mannose along with N-acetyl glucosamine. The structures of N-linked oligosaccharides have various branches terminating with sialic acid residues which are negatively charged groups [1]. Approximately 50% of the proteins manufactured in the eukaryotic cells are glycosylated. Many glycoproteins are produced from different glycoforms with different glycan structure which are attached to a single peptide backbone [2]. These glycan structures affect the biological properties of various glycoproteins which include pharmacokinetics, secretion, solubility, bioactivity, in vivo clearance, antigenicity and receptor recognition [2]. CHINESE HAMSTER OVARY CELLS (CHO CELLS) For the production of biopharmaceuticals, animal cell cultures are used due to their abilities of post-translational modification of proteins involving glycosylation [2]. Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells were first used in the year 1919 as a laboratory specimen for typing pneumococci [3]. CHO cells are the most commonly used cell lines for studying gene expression (particularly to express recombinant proteins), toxicity screening, genetics and nutrition. They are frequently used mammalian hosts for production of recombinant protein therapeutics at an industrial level [3]. Due to their adaptability to several culture conditions, relatively fast generation time, easy to maintain and also due to their plasticity in the surroundings of genetic alterations, CHO cells are technologically more prominent and highly useful [2]. DIFFERENT EXPERIMENTS AND STUDIES ON GLYCOSYLATION OF RECOMBINANT PROTEIN IN CHO CELLS Alterations in the glycosylation of recombinant proteins depend on a range of parameters which include: metabolic flux, cellular metabolism and the efficiency of the glycosylation process [4]. CHO cell lines are used in identifying the biological roles of mammalian glycans and the pathways to synthesise them [5]. An analysis of N- glycans and major O- glycans in CHO mutants was performed using glycomic analysis by MALDI-TOF (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization- Time of Flight) and time of flight- Mass Spectroscopy (TOF-MS). To enhance the applications of CHO mutants and to obtain its insights, alterations in the glycosyltransferase activity was done. It was found that lectin resistant CHO cells make very large and various complex N-glycans. Also it was observed that terminal addition of sialic acid enhances polylactosamine extension whereas fucose addition reduces polyLacNAc extension [5]. To determine the structural characteristics of recombinant envelope glycoprotein (rgp120) present in human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV- 1), the virus was produced by expression in CHO cells. To confirm the primary structure of rgp120 protein, enzymatic cleavage was done to assign intrachain disulphide bonds and the potential sites for N-glycosylation were determined. To carry out such technique reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography method was employed [6]. For tryptic peptide mapping studies, N-glycosylation of 24 potential sites were characterized by determining the susceptible carbohydrate structures attached to the peptides which include: endo-ÃŽ ²-N-acetyl glucosaminidase H and N- glycosidase F [6]. It was found that in all the 24 sites of gp120 protein, 13 consisted of complex-type oligosaccharide structures and the remaining 11 consisted of mannose-type oligosaccharide structures. It also contained certain hybrid-type oligosaccharide structures [6]. Analys is of the carboxyl terminal using carboxypeptidase digestions demonstrated that the glutamic acid residue 479 is the carboxylterminus molecule secreted by CHO cells [6]. The gp120 protein has a polypeptide core of approximately 60,000 Daltons, an extensive modification in this polypeptide by N-linked glycosylation results in an increase in its molecular weight to 120,000 Daltons [6]. Glycosylation is a cellular process in which achieving a precise glycan distribution is challenging, because it is a non-template driven process. Hence, it results in significantly uncontrolled variability in the glycan distributions [7]. Different cell types differ in their ability to carry out specific post-translational modifications; for example: glycosylation, which affects the different processes such as receptor binding, bioactivity, susceptibility to proteolysis, clearance rate of therapeutic recombinant protein in vivo and immunogenicity [8]. As a result of this difference, various forms of glycans are formed and their attachment to proteins increases variability and non-uniformity [7]. Hence, an experiment was conducted to study the heterogeneity of a recombinant protein in different animal systems including Chinese hamster ovary cells [8]. CHO cells have proven produce proteins with glycoforms which are both bioactive and compatible in humans [3]. CHO cells produce recombi nant IFN-ÃŽ ³ which has 3 sources of variation: site-specific N-glycan microheterogeneity, variable N-glycosylation site occupancy and C-terminal polypeptide truncations [8]. It has examined that for efficient secretion and dimerization of IFN-ÃŽ ³, glycosylation of Asn25 is necessary [8]. For optimal enzymatic activity, glycosylation is required. Neutrophils release granules such as Myeloperoxidase (MPO) into the phagosome during the process of phagocytosis of exogenous structures. Respiratory burst is initiated which reduces oxygen and releases superoxide radical anions. These superoxides upon dismutation produce Hà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Oà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã¢â‚¬Å¡ which mediates MPO-driven oxidation of chloride to antimicrobial HOCl [9]. To increase the production of MPO protein, recombinant human MPO (r-MPO) are produced by expression in CHO cell lines. However, the r-MPO in CHO cell lines consists of some missing proteolytic steps as compared to the dimeric leukocyte enzyme (h-MPO). As a result, the r-MPO protein differs in the glycan structure and is a monomeric protein [9]. Tryptic digestion of reduced carboxamido- methylated proteins was carried out to determine the glycan structures. A method like con A-immobilized affinity chromatography was used to enrich the glycopeptide s. These glycopeptides were fractionated and analyzed by HPLC. The N-deglycosylated forms along with their glycopeptides were then identified by MALDI-MS. The result indicated that both r-MPO and h-MPO consists of high-mannose structures. The r-MPO has high amount of complex-type glycans like di- trisialylated triantennary structures [9]. A glycoprotein hormone called human erythropoietin (EPO) regulates the level of circulating erythrocytes in humans. They play an important role in maturation of erythrocytes. In normal human, EPO is produced in the kidney. Various recombinant human erythropoietins are being produced in non-mammalian mammalian cells. There are two forms of EPO (erythropoietin), EPO-bi and EPO- tetra. Each one of them have different biological activities. These were isolated from culture medium of CHO cell line (B8-300) encoding human EPO [10]. The culture was purified by reverse-phase chromatography, anion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The highly purified recombinant human erythropoietin from mast cells was used as a control and it is the standard EPO [10]. The results obtained showed that EPO-bi has only 1/7 in vivo activity and the invitro activity was 3 times higher than in vivo activity. Whereas EPO-tetra have similar in vivo and in vitro activities as the standard EPO. EPO-tetra, t he standard EPO and EPO-bi had same immunoreactivity and amino acid composition. The structural analysis of N-linked sugar chains showed that EPO-tetra and the standard EPO contain tetraantennary complex-type as their major sugar chain, whereas EPO-bi contains biantennary complex-type as their major sugar chain [10]. Heparin is most widely used in modern medicine to control blood coagulation and is in great demands. Therefore, CHO cells are used for producing heparin. CHO cells are capable of producing HS (Heparan Sulfate) naturally, which is a related polysaccharide as heparin [11]. Human N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase (NDST2) and mouse heparan sulfate 3-O-sulfotranferase 1 were sequentially transfected into CHO host cells. Screening of these transfectant cells was carried out using quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting technique. The heparan sulphate produced by CHO cells is a less sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG). This is due to the glycosylation process resulting in heterogeneity in glycan structures. This HS has similar disaccharide units as heparin, but HS has lower anticoagulant activity than heparin [11]. TREATMENT OF DISEASES: Glycosylation process has been proved efficient in treating various diseases. Few examples are as follows: Fabry disease: it is an X-linked genetic disease. It arises due to a deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme called ÃŽ ±-galactosidase A (GLA). This enzyme hydrolyzes the terminal ÃŽ ±-galactosyl moieties from glycoproteins and glycolipids. An enzyme replacement therapy is carried out to treat the disease. CHO cell lines are used to produce recombinant GLA with very high productivity. When the recombinant GLA was compared to an approved GLA (agalsidase beta), the charge and size of the recombinant GLA was found to be more neutral and smaller respectively. This difference was due the absence of terminal sialic acid. To increase the sialic acid content, combined reaction of sialyltransferase, galactosyltransferase and their sugar substrates was developed. This product generated had same isoelectric points, size and sialic acid content as in approved GLA (agalsidase beta) [12]. Gaucher disease: it is an inherited metabolic disorder and is caused due to impaired activity of glucocerebrosidase (GCR) enzyme. This is a lysosomal enzyme which is responsible for hydrolysis of glucocerebroside to ceramide and glucose. The treatment of this disease consists of enzyme replacement therapy in which exogenous GCR is administered in the patients. This protein was expressed in CHO-DXB11 (dhfr ) cells. The glycosylated GCR produced due to transfection and gene amplification with methotrexate is then detected by immunoblotting assay. CHO cells are the highest producer of glucocerebrosidase enzyme [13]. CULTURE PARAMETERS THAT CAN AFFECT GLYCOSYLATION: Culture conditions such as pH, nutrient content, temperature, ammonia and oxygen have an important effect on distribution of glycan structures in recombinant protein [2,4,10]. pH: any adverse change in the external pH conditions can change the internal pH of Golgi apparatus, resulting in reduction in the activity of glycosylating enzymes [2]. Oxygen: to maintain optimum growth and metabolism of producer cells in bioprocesses, the dissolved oxygen level should be under control. At high oxygen level there is an increase in sialyltransferase activity. By controlling dissolve oxygen (DO) set points, the galactosylation of IgG immunoglobulin was changed efficiently and a decrease in digalactosylated glycans was observed [2,4]. Effect of producer cell line on protein glycosylation: in the Golgi of the cell, the protein glycosylation pattern depends on the expression of several glycosyltransferase enzymes. Differences in the activities of these enzymes result in significant changes in the protein structure [2]. Fucosylation: the Fucosylation pathway synthesizes the fucose donor called GDP-fucose. ÃŽ ±-1,6-fucosyltransferase enzyme is a glycosyltransferase enzyme which catalyzes the transfer of fucose to Asn-linked GlcNAc residue from GDP-fucose [2,6]. This enzyme is found in the N-glycans of several glycoproteins. Few studies suggest that fucose residues play a vital role in defining the oligossacharide conformations which are required for specific protein- carbohydrate interactions [2]. CONCLUSION: The properties of a mature protein depend on the carbohydrate moiety of glycoproteins. These properties include protein stability, solubility, molecular recognition or immunogenicity [9,4]. CHO cells are being widely used in biopharmaceutical industry. By optimizing glycosylation, the therapeutic efficacy can be improved. The bioprocesses to produce monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins have shown complex relationship between these variables and its protein quality [14]. Glycosylation can be controlled by understanding the cellular and metabolic alterations which results in the modification of protein structures [4]. It has been observed that by decreasing the concentration of glutamine to 0mM, there is reduction in fucosylation, sialylation and antennarity, but an increase in neutral N-linked glycans has been observed [4, 7]. Stable CHO cells wih functional recombinant proteins which are properly glycosylated and secreted can be easily generated. The screening strategies can be used to produce biopharmaceuticals and other biological products which are highly cost-effective and is used for public health value [12, 13]. REFERENCES: Lodish, H., Berk, A. and Zipursky, S. L. 2000. Molecular cell biology, New York: Freeman, 4th edition. Butler, M. 2006. Optimisation of the cellular metabolism of glycosylation for recombinant proteins produced by mammalian cell systems. Cytotechnology, 50 (1-3), pp. 57-76. Jayapal, K. P., Wlaschin, K. F., Hu, W., Yap, M. and GS, A. 2007. Recombinant protein therapeutics from CHO cells-20 years and counting. Chemical engineering Progress, 103(10), p. 40. Burleigh, S., Van De Laar, T., Stroop, C., Van Grunsven, W., Odonoghue, N., Rudd, P. and Davey, G. 2011. Synergizing metabolic flux analysis and nucleotide sugar metabolism to understand the control of glycosylation of recombinant protein in CHO cells. BMC biotechnology, 11 (1), p. 95. North, S. J., Huang, H., Sundaram, S., Jang-Lee, J., Etienne, A. T., Trollope, A., Chalabi, S., Dell, A., Stanley, P. and Haslam, S. M. 2010. Glycomics profiling of Chinese hamster ovary cell glycosylation mutants reveals N-glycans of a novel size and complexity. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 285(8), pp. 5759-5775. Leonard, C. K., Spellman, M. W., Riddle, L., Harris, R. J., Thomas, J. N. and Gregory, T. 1990. Assignment of intrachain disulfide bonds and characterization of potential glycosylation sites of the type 1 recombinant human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein (gp120) expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells.Journal of Biological Chemistry, 265 (18), pp. 1037310382. Amand, M. M., Tran, K., Radhakrishnan, D., Robinson, A. S., Ogunnaike, B. A. 2014. Controllability Analysis of Protein Glycosylation in Cho Cells. Plos One, 9(2), p. 87973. James, D. C., Goldman, M. H., Hoare, M., Jenkins, N., Oliver, R. W. A., Green, B. N., Freedman, R. B. 1995. Posttranslational processing of recombinant human interferon-ÃŽ ³ in animal expression systems. Protein Science, pp. 331-340. Van Antwerpen, P., Slomianny, M., Boudjeltia, K. Z., Delporte, C., Faid, V., Calay, D., Rousseau, A., Moguilevsky, N., Raes, M., Vanhamme, L. and Others. 2010. Glycosylation Pattern of Mature Dimeric Leukocyte and Recombinant Monomeric Myeloperoxidase GLYCOSYLATION IS REQUIRED FOR OPTIMAL ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY.Journal of Biological Chemistry, 285 (21), pp. 1635116359. Takeuchi, M., Inoue, N., Strickl, Kubota, M., Wada, M., Shimizu, R., Hoshi, S., Kozutsumi, H., Takasaki, S. and Kobata, A. 1989. Relationship between sugar chain structure and biological activity of recombinant human erythropoietin produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 86 (20), pp. 78197822. Baik, J. Y., Gasimli, L., Yang, B., Datta, P., Zhang, F., Glass, C. A., Esko, J. D., Linhardt, R. J. and Sharfstein, S. T. 2012. Metabolic engineering of Chinese hamster ovary cells: towards a bioengineered heparin. Metabolic engineering, 14 (2), pp. 8190. Sohn, Y., Lee, J. M., Park, H., Jung, S., Park, T. H., Oh, D. and Others. 2013. Enhanced sialylation and in vivo efficacy of recombinant human ÃŽ ±-galactosidase through in vitroglycosylation.BMB reports, 46 (3), pp. 157162. Novo, J. B., Morganti, L., Moro, A. M., Paes Leme, A. F., Serrano, S. M. D. T., Raw, I. and Ho, P. L. 2012. Generation of a Chinese hamster ovary cell lineproducing recombinant human glucocerebrosidase.BioMed Research International, 2012. Hossler, P., Khattak, S. F. and Li, Z. J. 2009. Optimal and consistent protein glycosylation in mammalian cell culture.Glycobiology, 19 (9), pp. 936949.

Aspects and benefits of Work Life Balance

Aspects and benefits of Work Life Balance 1.0 INTRODUCTION This following thesis discusses with the work life balance of an organization. As it is to be explained in this essay a work life balance is required in any organization. It is a vital aspect which most of the organizations do not consider and as a result they end up facing critical situations which could have been easily prevented from happening. The reason is that all the employees would get a proper balance between their work and the time that they spend at home and family. This is very important because the satisfaction of an employee must be given high priority. It is only when the employee is satisfied that his performance could reach to its maximum levels. When the production capacity of every employee in the organization increases, this would obviously increase the productivity of the organization. Therefore this would lead to high sales and profits which would help organizations to reach the optimum level possible. The essay also talks about what is important to manage people within the organization. There are explanations about how stress, empowerment, government regulations and employee of choice could help in the management of employees within the organization. There are also illustrations of how to implement work life balance within the organizations. So as told above the whole routine on an organization depends on the performance of the employees which most organizations dont understand. On continuing with this essay everything will be explained in detail and how work life balance affects an organization. 2.0 DISCUSSION 2.1 HRM defined Human Resource Management (HRM) is the function within an organization that focuses on recruitment, management, and providing direction for the people who work in the organization. Human Resource Management can also be performed by line managers. (Alexander, J. O. 2005) 2.2.1 Work Life Balance Before look into it deep it is all ways a question on what work life is. It basically represents the meaning of an individual balancing his life from work and family. In such situations it is believed that a person can perform to his/her expected level. Work life balance is not a problem to be solved; it is an issue to be managed. Many people and organizations think of work life balance as a problem whereas it should be not. It is only a problem if one is not able to achieve it which in most cases happens but also it basically tells a person that managing it will always make him/her successful. (Luthans, 2008. P. 250) In the earlier days work was just done as a requirement and a part of endurance, however now it is a form of personal satisfaction and less as a kind of survival. One of the medium that help these employees reach their personal development and organizational success is work-life balance. Work-life balance used in the right spirit may not only cause benefits to the employees, it may be a source through which the entire organization gains competitive advantage. Work-Life Balance is taking a bigger bite out of corporate profits than any other bottom line issue today. As a result, it provides the biggest and easiest upside opportunity to immediately affect on the business As employees of firms have been bombarded with overload of work over the decades, as shown in the picture, the concept of work-life will help organizations to hold their best employees. However, it should be remembered that Work-Life balance is not a problem to be solved; it is an issue to be managed as told before. Unfortunately most mangers are woefully untrained to manage this issue for themselves, much less help others to manage it. During the course of this essay recommendations will be provided to overcome this fundamental problem. 2.2.2 Benefits of work life balance for the organization When organizations are able to create a work environment with work-life balance, there are many benefits to the organization. In such cases it can be pointed out that work life balance carries out some benefits. (Perrow, 2006, p.125) Retain staff- As told before with a proper well maintained work life balance employees will be satisfied with whatever they are being given with and will be willing to work more. With self and work satisfied employees an organization can easily retain staff. This will reduce the cost of advertising, recruiting and training of new employees To improve team work and working bonds- Well satisfied employees will always look to work more and perform tasks that they are being assigned to. A work environment with work-life balance will enhance the working relationships between colleagues, improve morale and will encourage employees to show more initiative and teamwork. To increase level of production- With proper retained staff and team effort a higher production level can be achieved. This will help the organization to cater into mass marketing with mass level of production. 2.2.3 Benefits of work life balance for the employees Increase in Job Satisfaction- Since the employees do not have to worry about much of their other matter as a result of a well maintained work life balance they will be able to concentrate on their work which will eventually lead to job satisfaction. This will improve the quality of work which will also lead to better quality output. Decreasing stress and burn out- With proper work life balance being maintained it is obvious that stress is being reduced. As a result of reduction in stress performance of the employees will increase which will eventually benefit the organization. Collaboration- If work life balance is achieved employees will be much satisfied with the work, this will act a motivational factor. Then the employees will be able to work as a team and develop their skills. Therefore they will be benefited by adopting new skills and new techniques which will not only help them in their career but also their social life. 2.3 Why is it important to manage people Think of the last time you heard statements like these; Im the boss here!, Just do the job I gave you!, You need to do it my way! How did you actually feel? Did you feel de-motivated to carry on with your work? Of course you will. Keeping the employees of the organization happy and making sure that they are comfortable with their work surroundings is crucial to the employees performance. And it is their performance that ultimately affects the organization as a whole. The words and the employers reaction, as well as the reactions of others, reflect generational differences in the workplace. For example, if an employee is not happy with his/her boss, this might de-motivate the employee to perform. This de-motivation may rub off on other fellow employees. And ultimately when most of the employees of the department are de-motivated to work, it would result in the poor performance of the entire department. (Alexander, 2006, p.5-12) We have four different generations working side-by-side in the workplace. Remember, if you are old enough, when older workers were the bosses and younger workers did what was asked of them, no questions asked. There were definite rules as to how the boss was treated and how younger workers treated older workers. No longer: Roles today are all over the place and the rules are being rewritten daily. Research indicates that people communicate based on their generational backgrounds. Each generation has distinct attitudes, behaviors, expectations, habits and motivational buttons. Learning how to communicate with the different generations can eliminate many major confrontations and misunderstandings in the workplace and the world of business. (Hammil, 2005) There are four generations of employees, which are silents, baby boomers, generation xers and generation Ys. The table given below shows the generation timeline. Source: http://www.fdu.edu/newspubs/magazine/05ws/generations.htm As of today many of the employees included in the baby boomer generation is retiring or is expecting to retire. Thus the modern day workforce mostly consists of the Generation X Y. Generation X value education, parenting and independence more than work and they have developed varying skills and are more determined in meeting an employee that best suit their needs. Generation Y are those born between 1980 to the present. They are also called Millennias and Echo boomers. Generation Y has been defined as better educated, more tech-savvy, more achievement oriented, and better at problem solving than boomers. (Henricks, 2007) The table given below shows the individuals his or her underlying values, or personal or lifestyle characteristics and how it corresponds with each generation. Source: http://www.fdu.edu/newspubs/magazine/05ws/generations.htm 2.3.1 Factors that affect the employees in the workplace Looking at the factors that affect the employees in the workplace: Stress Stress occurs when you exceed your ability to cope with pressure. It can be simply described as the harmful physical and emotional response that occurs when there is a poor match between job demands and the capabilities and the resources of the employee. We know that lack of control and autonomy, long hours, lack of job satisfaction and bullying can all cause stress. What cannot still be identified is how resilient an individual may be at coping with pressure. At present one cant predict the impact that exposure to a stressful environment will have on a person. It depends on genetic make-up. You could suffer mental failure or you could get a heart disease. Therefore overly stressed workers will only result in being a burden to the organization as performance commitment levels tend to decline, adding to the losses. (John, 2002, p.25). Empowerment Empowerment is the authority to make decisions within ones area of responsibility without first having to get approval from some superior (luthans, 2008, p. 290). This is about the trust element between the employee and the manager that comes thorough flexible working and is very beneficial to the organization. Freedom to work flexibly is one of the most powerful incentives to attracting and retaining staff. Since we all know that a flexible workforce is also a powerful economic weapon because it helps safeguard against inflation. Indeed, the freedom to work flexibly if so desired is an essential tenet in the new psychological contract between employers and employees. Surveys show it is one of the most powerful incentives for attracting and retaining staff. (Samson Daft, 2005, p.164) Government Regulations -These are simply laws made by the government to provide flexibility for working parents of small children. Again this is crucial to maintain proper work life balance. The governments at present plan to preserve the notion in law regarding this matter. To avoid bitterness, employers will have to offer different incentives to all staff. The movement towards offering a new work-life balance is unstoppable, as it is what everyone wants. However it is a requirement that organizations together with individuals find the perfect balance, with equal commitments to sectors, work life. (kaufman, 2000, p.254) Employer of choice The primary objective of any business is (or should be) to create a high performance workplace. High performance workplaces are characterized by their creativity, innovation, flexibility and competitiveness. Workplaces where people choose to work and give freely of their energies and feel a sense of personal achievement, satisfaction, individual purpose and security, where there is synergy between personal missions and work challenges, and organizational achievement and where the workplace sense of community contributes to overall social cohesion. (Centro, 2009. P. 300) 2.3.2 So what does Employer of Choice mean In simple terms it means that people will choose to work for you and they will: Choose to dedicate them to your success. Choose to stay with you, even when they are being courted by recruiters from other Employers recruiters with exceptionally attractive inducements. An employer of choice is one who inspires highly talented workers to join them and stay with them. (Herman Gloria, 2004, p.158). 2.4 ASPECTS OF WORK LIFE BALANCE 2.4.1 Job sharing Job sharing if we examine is a form of permanent part-time work, where the full time work is coordinately divided between two or more people, where each individual is given specific responsibilities and areas for the entire workload. It needs to be understood that a change from full-time to a job sharing arrangement doesnt mean that the continuity of the employment is broken. (Jones, 2005, p.256) Benefits It increases co-operation and collaboration between all staffs Enhance the experience and knowledge of each individual when the job is shared Enable is better balance paid work persona, family, social and community If any employee is currently involved in any part time studies, this gives them the flexibility for them to complete their studies in a faster rate. Potential Disadvantages Job sharing may also give rise to; Duplication of work or conflicting decisions due to poor communication between the job sharers Disruption of work caused by the absence of a person working on a matter which needs to be completed that day Difficulties renegotiating a job share arrangement if one job sharer leaves The need for additional communication mechanisms for job sharers and other staff Salary, superannuation and other entitlements being affected. Suggestions for overcoming potential problems Chose a job share partner who has a complimentary working style and one whom you communicate well. Job sharers and Managers should clarify the details of the job share arrangements together, prior to the commencement of the job share arrangement. Factors to consider include: How tasks will be divided How to hand over How important decisions will be made How to keep the Manager and other staff members informed about these What will happen if one job sharer resigns Staff members are encouraged to outline these details in their flexible work proposal and Managers need to ensure that they are clearly documented in the final agreed arrangement. Plan well prior to the introduction of the job share arrangement. This is crucial to preventing many of the potential problems that may arise under this type of arrangement. 2.4.2 Part time work Part-time work for professional staff members entails working less than the standard weekly or fortnightly hours, for which all entitlements are paid on a pro-rata basis. Types of the part-time work arrangements include: Weekly fraction: working 0.5 on the basis of two and a half working days each week Fortnightly fraction: three working days one week and two working days the next week within a pay period. Annual fraction: working 0.5 time for the whole year but working six months full time and six months off. Converting from full-time work to part-time work for a defined period of time is also negotiable. This enables a phased return to work following extended or prolonged leave (eg. maternity or sick leave) or phased exit before retiring. Benefits Part-time employees are better able to manage their working hours to suit their personal, family, social and community responsibilities and interests. For e.g. Having time to do well in their job Keeping stress at an acceptable level Maintaining a good balance between work and other aspects of life Meeting their family responsibilities. Employers have greater capacity for attracting and retaining high performing, innovative employees who might otherwise have difficulty in working full-time. Organizations that demonstrate an appreciation of part-time work and flexibility in assisting staff to manage work-life balance enjoy an enhanced public perception. Potential Disadvantages Salary, superannuation and other entitlements may be affected by a reduction in working hours. There may be a need to cover load/hours when part-time employees are not working, especially for roles previously performed on a full-time basis. There is potential for overloading other staff members with work to cover load/hours when part-time workers are not working, especially for roles previously performed on a full-time basis. Suggestions for overcoming potential problems By planning well prior to the introduction of the flexible work arrangement, managers can ensure that when part-time staff members are not working, the work unit is adequately covered. Effective planning and clear communication amongst the parties concerned shall ensure that staff members are not burdened with an overload of work. 2.4.3 Flexible time Flexi-time is an arranged agreement between a Manager and staff member in which they mutually agree to vary their staff members commencing, ceasing and meal break times while still maintaining the total number of hours worked over a period. Another version of flexi-time is when time off in lieu accrued when a staff member works longer than 7.35 hours per day or 36.75 hours per week. These accrued hours can be used to reduce the work hours during other days within the week/fortnight. Since 2006, record keeping requirements under the  Workplace Relations Act  1996 require staff members, entitled to overtime or penalty rates, to record hours for worked in excess of their ordinary work hours. Flexi-time arrangements take into account the current and operational needs of the work area. This means that some positions or work areas will not be able to accommodate flexi-time. Benefits Flexi-time enables the arrangement of working hours to suit personal or family commitments, particularly staff with dependent children. For example, by commencing work at a later time or finishing work at an earlier time enables many parents to drop their children off to school in the mornings or pick them up in the afternoon. Accumulating additional hours then having long stretches of time off work allows employees to more effectively pursue broader career/personal/social and community responsibilities and interests. Employees who are better able to manage their work-life balance more effectively are more likely to have high staff morale, greater employee satisfaction and work commitment resulting in a more enriched working environment and a correspondingly more vibrant, creative and productive workforce. Potential Disadvantages Flexi-time arrangements may mean there are inadequate staff levels at some times. Staffs are required to keep detailed records of flexi-time, which is resource intensive and time-consuming. Suggestions for overcoming potential problems Good planning prior to the introduction of the flexi work arrangements is crucial to preventing many of the potential problems that may arise under this type of arrangement. 2.4.4Pre Retirement contracts A pre-retirement contract is a fixed-term contract entered into by the University and a staff member seeking to retire at a specified future time (usually in between 1-5 years time). Professional and academic staff who are eligible for consideration of a pre-retirement contract includes staff who have: Tenured or continuing employment with the company Reached 55 years of age and will retire at the expiry of the pre-employment contract. Benefits For the staff member A pre-retirement contract allows a staff member to plan for the future by giving guaranteed employment for the duration of the contract. Employees receive a 10% loading above normal salary which is bonus. The contract period provides the work unit time for succession planning. Conversion to a pre-retirement contract can also be combined with part-time employment, enabling employees to enjoy the benefits of retirement while at the same time undertaking paid work. For the Company Pre-retirement contracts provide job opportunities for other employees. The contract period allows the Company to know when a staff member will retire provides certainty for forward/succession planning. 2.4.5 Work from home Professional and academic staff members may work from home: For a specified period of time For a specific project Under certain conditions provided the arrangement is both appropriate and practicable. Approval for a home based work arrangement is therefore considered on a case to case basis, having regard to the nature and requirements of the work, including Occupational Health and Safety requirements. Work duties that involve a  high level of autonomy and independence  are more appropriate for home based work arrangements and include: Project work Report writing Policy development and analysis Computer design and programming Duties that do not require close supervision or contact with other staff, students and public relations A degree of computer literacy to facilitate independent work from home Minimal usage of files and other resources located in the office. The type of  equipment  required for undertaking home based work may include: A computer with disc drives, a USB port or Ethernet connection for transferring work done at home to the office Switching work phone through to the home computer or home phone Having access to University databases and networks on the home computer The provision of a telephone answering service, fax machine or mobile phone. Benefits Working from home can result in: The ability to concentrate on a primary project Less time spent travelling to and from work Reduced child care costs More time with the children and family. Potential Difficulties Working from home may also facilitate: Practical difficulties in arranging equipment required by the employee to undertake home based work Potential risks/hazards at home Distractions resulting in an inability to work as effectively and efficiently as an equivalent staff member on campus Feelings of isolation Lack of access to  staff development opportunities  and workplace information. Suggestions for overcoming potential problems Good planning prior to the introduction of the home based work arrangement is crucial to preventing many of the potential problems that may arise under this type of arrangement. The University provides information for Managers, including steps to be followed in  negotiating flexible work arrangements  and a checklist to assist with this process. 2.4.6 Paternity Leave Providing services such as paternity leave, child care and elder care will further develop the employee relationship with the Organization. Hence, increasing the balance of work and family. All parents  with children under the age of 8;  in the case of a child with disabilities the age limit is 16  are entitled to up to 14 weeks Parental Leave 2.4.7 Compassionate or Emergency Leave Most employers recognize the need for leave in emergency situations. Arrangements vary from organization to organization and are frequently informal. Many employees prefer the need for leave in emergency situations or unavoidable circumstances however arrangement may vary for company to company. However if the company is practicing work life balance they will be able to provide leave to that individual and sharing the work among the employees. 2.4.8 Term-Time Working This system means that the employee works during school terms but not during the school holidays. It appeals, in particular, to parents of school going children. Employment or career break:  At certain stages in working life a break may be needed, for example: to devote more time to other things or for personal development reasons. The facilitating of such breaks can assist in retaining valued staff. A growing number of organizations provide such breaks on either a formal or less structured basis. Sabbaticals:  This is a period of absence from work, which may or may not be on full pay, and duration is normally related to length of service. They provide an opportunity for employees to take a break from or reflect on their work, or engage in new activities. Exam and Study Leave:  When an employee is pursuing further education (this may or may not be job-related), an organization may provide paid leave for the purposes of study and to enable the employee to sit exams.   In the case of workers under 18, this may be mandatory as set out in the  Education (Welfare) Act (2000). 2.4.9 E-Working The concept of e-Working involves working at a distance, not face to face using the technology to ease communications. Through the state of the art technology such as video conferring and Skype for e.g., communication has been made simple and just about everywhere and anytime. It is well suited to performing information technology tasks and works well in certain situations where the employee has a high degree of autonomy, e.g.: Architecture, journalism. Difficulties to be overcome can include issues of control, lack of face to face contact and consistency of service provision. 2.4.10 Virtual Teams Virtual development includes where forming teams of e-workers to work in a mutually supportive way. The team members may not work together or in fact stay in the same country however via the internet the communication is made effectively. This form of teamwork may be suitable in certain situations but the lack of personal interaction and human contact will render it inappropriate in situations where these factors are considered important. 2.5 Benefits of work life balance in work places Work life balance and practices can bring benefits in direct and in direct form to employees, employers and as a whole to the organization. The benefits that come into the organization due to the practices of such strategy would be tangible and quantifiable than other, where they contribute to the organizations gain in the long run. When organizations are able to create a work environment with work life balance, there are many benefits to the organization which could be priceless. 2.5.1 Image An organization that implements such strategy would be a most preferred work place by employees, more over this would create an image for the organization as an entity that emphasizes on their employees satisfaction and well look into the needs of their and satisfy them where as ensuring that organizational goals are been archived. As a whole the organization would have an image in the society as a workers most preferred organization. 2.5.2 Increase in productivity Many researchers have been proved that the best motivation a human can get is not when he is benefited only in monetary terms, where as the person would get motivated and satisfied when his basic and essentials needs are recognized and satisfied. Thus work life balance provides a ground for such practices for the in a organization. Where flexi work hours are encouraged according to the employees situation, telecommuting, job sharing and maternity leaves etc. therefore the employee would feel that his basic and essential needs are been recognized and been addressed and due to the above mentioned methods they could perform their task from homes or flexi working hours where they could address their personal needs and do along with the organizational demand. This would bring down the stress level of employees by not loading everything in one time and as a whole would increase the productivity of the employees in the long run. 2.5.3 Retention of current employee rates When such practices are been exercised in an organizations and where employees are been looked after well where by addressing their issues in a more effective way the employee retention level would be on a positive note. This would reduce the burden on the organization looking for new employees, the cost associated with hiring new employees is relatively high in contrast to the real world where the organization has to incur cost such as advertising and recruitment and training which would be a timely process with high levels of cost involved A work environment with work-life balance will enhance the working relationships between colleagues, improve morale and will encourage employees to show more initiative and teamwork. Therefore, it will increase the levels of production and job satisfaction by decreasing stress and burn-out 2.6 World Class examples of successful organizations which has practiced Work Life Balance 2.6.1 How Google Inc. helps its employees to balance work-life Google as one of the top 10 best companies in the world as a motivation technique (usually called Innovation Time Off), all Google engineers are encouraged to spend 20% of their work time (one day per week) on projects that interest the. The culture at Google Inc. have helped its employees to do what they like to do and thereby reduces their job related stress levels. In an effort to maintain the companys unique flexible work culture, Google has designated a Chief Culture Officer in 2006, who also serves as the Director of Human Resources and the purpose of the Chief Culture Officer is to develop and maintain the culture and work on ways to keep true to the core values that the company was founded on in the beginning-a flat organization with a collaborative environment in order to help the employees to perform well in their jobs by balancing their work-life. Here are some things you might find in a Google workspace: Bicycles for efficient travel between meetings, dogs, lava lamps, and massage chairs. Googlers sharing cubes, yurts, and huddle rooms (few single offices!) with three or four team members. Laptops in every employees hand (or bike basket), for mobile coding and note-taking. Pool tables, volleyball courts, assorted video games, pianos, ping pong tables, lap pools, gyms that include yoga and dance classes. Grassroots employee organizations of all kinds, such as meditation classes, film clubs, wine tasting groups, and salsa dance clubs. Healthy lunches and dinners for all staff at a wide variety of cafà ©s, and outdoor seating for sunshine brainstorming. Snack rooms packed with various snacks and drinks to keep Googlers going throughout the day. These have helped the employees of Google Inc to balance their work-life so, that they could do more innovative, creative things. 2.6.2 How Cisco Systems helps its employees to balance work-life As one of the top 10 companies of the world sustainable work performance based on employee satisfaction is critical to Ciscos success. Accordingly, their managers are trained and encouraged to make sure employees can successfully balance their work and personal lives. Cisco has a tradition of offeri

Lesson Learned in Warfare Essay example -- Warfare

This paper examines lessons learned that are timeless in their relevance for all types of warfare with respect to the lesson materials discussed in the Warfare Studies course. The first lesson learned that this paper examines is the United States’ adaptability in response to changing nature of warfare. The United States has experienced various types of warfare ranging from war of annihilation, war of attrition, or fourth-generation warfare; the United States has no identifiable American way of war. Second, this paper looks at the importance and enduring nature of fourth-generation warfare and counterinsurgency operations. These events are here to stay and will be significant in the future conflicts. The third lesson learned discusses America’s poor planning and preparation for stability, security, transition, and reconstruction operations (SSTR) and demonstrated the need to avoid stovepiped, single agency planning. The apparent lack of planning for SSTR operations severely complicated and extended the United States mission in Iraq. Fourth, America must always strive to be on the cutting edge and maintain technological superiority over our adversaries in order to secure great advantages. However, the United States cannot solely rely on technological savvy military to achieve success. The last lesson learned discusses the growing relevance of information IOP as a powerful tool of war and the importance of it in shaping public opinion. The first lesson learned is the adaptability of United States to evolving nature of warfare. Adaptability is a trademark of the American way of war. The American way of war is usually associated with war of annihilation in which aims for decisive victory or war of attrition in which aims fo... ...ia and Military Operations. Carlisle Barracks, PA: US Army War College, 2008. Murray, Williamson. â€Å"Decisive Battle and the Ghost of Napoleon.† Marine Corps Gazette 84, no. 7 (July 2000): 36-37. Parker, Geoffrey. â€Å"The Western Way of War.† In History of Warfare: The Triumph of the West, 2-9. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995. Snow, Donald M. and Dennis M. Drew. Making Twenty-first Century Strategy: An Introduction to Modern National Security Processes and Problems. Maxwell AFB, AL.: Air University Press (January 2006). Ulrich, Marybeth P., â€Å"A Primer on Civil-Military Relations for Senior Leaders.† In US Army War College Guide to National Security Issues, Volume II: National Security Policy and Strategy. 3rd ed. Edited by J. Boone Bartholomees, Jr. Carlisle Barracks, PA.: US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute (June 2008): 241-252.

Free Awakening Essays: Romanticism :: Chopin Awakening Essays

Romanticism in The Awakening Even though it was written in the Victorian era, Kate Chopin's The Awakening has several romantic qualities, especially with the main character, as she struggles between society's obligations and her own desires. Chopin writes about a woman who continues to reject the society around her, a notion too radical for Chopin's peers. Edna Pontellier has the traditional role of both wife and mother, but deep down she wants something more, difficult to do in the restricted Victorian society. The typical Victorian woman maintained her sphere which deemed "women's personal lives center around home, husband, and children." (Victorian Women, p. 118). Women were supposed to happily accept this position in the home, and be satisfied. It never satisfied Edna, who always seemed out of place when with other women. She was a wife and a mother, but not the typical Victorian wife and mother. With regards to her children, "Their absence was sort of relief...It seemed to free her of a responsibility which she blindly assumed and for which Fate had not fitted her" (p. 18). Already she is revealing ideas uncommon in the Victorian era. She tries to maintain her roles, but it is very difficult for her. As the story progresses, Edna focuses on her desires rather than what her husband wants. She refuses to participate in the traditional role given to her as a woman. The romantic notion of individualism comes out as Edna decides to go out on a Tuesday afternoon rather than receive visitors. When her husband finds out, he is extremely upset. "'I should think that you'd understand by this time that people don't do such things; we've got to observe les convenances if we ever expect to get on and keep up with the procession'" (p. 51). Edna disregards her husbands appeal to conform and continues to do what she wants. Victorian society was not ready for a novel whose main character disregards the norm for her own happiness. The rejection Chopin received was mainly due to Edna's rejection of the traditions and the adultery aspect of the novel. Edna, caught up in a loveless marriage, resorts to adultery to keep herself satisfied. Edna follows her heart rather than reason when she pursues Robert Lebrun. In revealing her love for Robert, her romantic passion is expressed. "'I love you,' she whispered, 'only you; no one but you.