Adolescents With Food Allergy Health And Social Care Essay

Aim: To develop and formalize the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Teenager Form ( FAQLQ-TF ) in the Dutch linguistic communication. Methods: Ten nutrient allergic striplings ( 13-17 old ages ) were interviewed and generated 166 HRQL points. The most of import points were identified by 51 nutrient allergic striplings utilizing the clinical impact method, ensuing in the FAQLQ-TF incorporating 28 points ( mark scope 1 ‘no damage ‘ to 7 ‘maximal damage ‘ ) . The FAQLQ-TF, the Food Allergy Independent Measure ( FAIM ) and a generic HRQL questionnaire ( CHQ-CF87 ) were sent to 98 nutrient allergic striplings for cross-sectional proof of the FAQLQ-TF. Consequences: Construct cogency was assessed by the correlativity between the FAQLQ-TF and the FAIM ( rho 0.57, P & A ; lt ; 0.001 ) . The FAQLQ-TF had first-class internal consistence ( Cronbach ? 0.92 ) and discriminated between striplings who differed in figure of nutrient allergic reactions ( 1 nutrient allergic reaction vs. & A ; gt ; 2 nutrient allergic reactions, entire FAQLQ-TF mark, 4.3 vs. 3.5 ; p=0.037 ) , but did non know apart between reported anaphylaxis or non. The FAQLQ-TF correlated decrepit with 6 of the 11 CHQ-CF87 graduated tables, showing convergent/discriminant cogency. Decision: The FAQLQ-TF is the first self-administered, disease-specific HRQL questionnaire for nutrient allergic striplings. It has good concept cogency and first-class internal consistence and discriminates between striplings who differ in figure of nutrient allergic reactions. The FAQLQ-TF is short and easy to utilize and may hence be a utile tool in clinical research.Clinical DeductionsThe Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Teenager Form ( FAQLQ-TF ) is dependable, valid, short and easy to utilize and therefore a utile tool in clinical research.Capsule sum-upThe FAQLQ-TF is the first self-administered, disease-specific HRQL questionnaire for nutrient allergic striplings. It is dependable and valid and hence a utile tool in clinical research in which HRQL is the result of involvement.Key wordsAdolescents EuroPrevall Food allergic reaction Health-related quality of life AdolescentsAbbreviationsHRQL Health-Related Quality of Life FAQLQ-TF Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire – Adolescent Form FAQLQ-CF Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire – Child Form FAQLQ-PF Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire – Parent Form MI Mean Importance OI Overall Importance FAIM Food Allergy Independent Measure EO Expectation of Outcome IM Independent Measure CHQ-CF87 Children ‘s Health Questionnaire – Child Form AADR Allergen Avoidance and Dietary Restrictions EI Emotional Impact RAE Risk of Accidental Exposure DBPCFC Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Food ChallengeIntroductionHaving a nutrient allergic reaction can be fatal and striplings are at the highest hazard of decease from nutrient allergic reaction ( 1-3 ) . It is estimated that 2.3 % of striplings are nutrient allergic ( 4 ) . The lone effectual signifier of intervention of nutrient allergic reaction is rigorous turning away of the implicated nutrient ( s ) and proviso of medicines for exigency intervention ( 5 ) . In malice of the high hazard of decease, nutrient allergic striplings really reported societal isolation as the most distressing facet of their disease ( 6 ) . In add-on, some striplings reported depression as a consequence of nutrient allergic reaction and this may take to troubles in school public presentation and leisure activities ( 7 ) . Therefore, nutrient allergic striplings need to be continuously watchful as to what they are eating in legion state of affairss and scenes and, along with the fright of allergic reac tions, this may hold a negative impact on quality of life. At present, no validated self-administered, food-allergy-specific health-related quality of life ( HRQL ) questionnaire exists for usage in striplings. A few surveies have reported that nutrient allergic reaction has a negative impact on HRQL in striplings. However, three restrictions arise when construing these surveies. First, no differentiation was made between striplings and younger kids ( 8-13 ) , whereas HRQL in striplings demands to be addressed individually, because HRQL may be influenced by the phase of neurocognitive and emotional development of an person ( 14 ; 15 ) . Second, HRQL questionnaires were administered to parents therefore mensurating parents ‘ perceptual experiences ( 8-13 ) . However, kids and parents differ in their positions and judgements about quality of life ( 16 ) . Finally, surveies used generic HRQL questionnaires ( 11-13 ; 17 ) or disease-specific questionnaires which have non been validated ( 8 ; 10 ) , whereas generic HRQL questionnaires are n on every bit sensitive as disease-specific HRQL questionnaires ( 18 ) and proof is highly of import in order to find whether the questionnaire is mensurating that portion of quality of life which is determined by the mark upset ( 19 ) . Therefore, we have developed and cross-sectionally validated the first self-administered, food-allergy-specific HRQL questionnaire for striplings, the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Teenager Form ( FAQLQ-TF ) . This questionnaire has been developed as portion of the EuroPrevall undertaking, a European multi-center research undertaking on nutrient allergic reaction. The FAQLQ-TF complements the late developed self-administered Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Child Form ( FAQLQ-CF ) for kids aged 8 to 12 old ages ( 20 ) and the parent-administered Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Parent Form ( FAQLQ-PF ) for parents of nutrient allergic kids aged 0 to 12 old ages ( 21 ) .MethodParticipants and processDuring point coevals, participants were recruited merely from our outpatient pediatric allergic reaction clinic. Two striplings were approached during a double-blind placebo-controlled nutrient challenge ( DBPCFC ) and, based on patient records, eight strip lings were approached by phone. All approached striplings ( niˆ?10 ) agreed to take part in an interview on the impact of nutrient allergic reaction on their day-to-day life. During point decrease and cross-sectional proof, participants were recruited from our outpatient pediatric allergic reaction clinic ( based on patient records or assignments for DBPCFC ) or were recruited by advertizement in local intelligence documents and through nutrient allergy support organisations ( the Dutch Foundation for Food Allergy and the Dutch Anaphylaxis Network ) . A missive of invitation, the questionnaire and a pre-paid return envelop was sent to suited striplings from our clinic and to striplings who responded to the advertizement. The missive of invitation stressed that engagement was wholly voluntary. When the questionnaire was non returned within a month, the stripling was contacted by phone as a reminder. Adolescents were non paid for their engagement in any phase of questionnaire development or proof. Before cross-sectional proof, the questionnaire was pre-tested in three striplings ( aged 13, 15 and 17 old ages ) . No major jobs emerged during this pre-test. Thereafter, the FAQLQ-TF, the Food Allergy Independent Measure ( FAIM ) and the CHQ-CF87, a generic quality of life questionnaire, were sent by mail to 98 nutrient allergic striplings. Some of them had participated in the point coevals ( 10 % ) or point decrease ( 49 % ) . Descriptive features were asked sing age, sex, type and figure of nutrient allergic reactions, type of symptoms and diagnosing. For the striplings recruited from our clinic, we checked patient records to find whether nutrient allergic reaction had been diagnosed by a DBPCFC. During all phases of questionnaire development and proof, all common nutrient allergic reactions and different types and badnesss of symptoms were represented. The survey was approved by the local medical moralss review committee ( METc 2005/051 ) who deemed that permission from the committee was non required.DevelopmentItem coevals For the development and proof of the FAQLQ-TF, the same methodological analysis was used as for the development and proof of the FAQLQ-CF, which is described in more item elsewhere ( 20 ) . Briefly, possible points for the new questionnaire were generated by questioning 10 nutrient allergic striplings ( aged 13-17 old ages ) . In add-on, literature reappraisal and adept sentiment were consulted. This resulted in an drawn-out point questionnaire of 166 points. Item decrease The drawn-out point questionnaire was sent to a different group of 51 nutrient allergic striplings to place the most of import points by utilizing the clinical impact method ( 22 ; 23 ) . The striplings were asked to bespeak the importance of applicable points utilizing a five-point graduated table. Frequency ( per centum ) was multiplied by average importance ( MI ) , ensuing in the overall importance ( OI ) of each point. The maximum possible OI was 5.0 ( 24 ; 25 ) . Items with the greatest OI were selected for the FAQLQ-TF, except one of any brace of points with an inter-item correlativity & A ; gt ; 0.85 and/or overlapping content ( face cogency ) . The selected points were worded as inquiries holding a seven-point response graduated table runing from ‘not troubled ‘ to ‘extremely troubled ‘ ( 23 ; 25 ) . A psychologist and a linguist reviewed the FAQLQ-TF for lucidity and easiness of usage.Cross-sectional proofConstruct cogency Construct cogency was investigated by computation of correlativity coefficients for the FAQLQ-TF with the Food Allergy Independent Measure ( FAIM ) . This attack has already been successfully implemented to formalize disease-specific HRQL questionnaires ( 9 ; 20 ; 21 ; 25 ) and it is particularly utile in anaphylactic upsets where no nonsubjective measuring of the extent or badness of disease exists ( 26 ) . The FAIM, which was besides used to formalize the FAQLQ-CF ( 20 ) , includes four Expectation of Outcome ( EO ) inquiries and two Independent Measure ( IM ) inquiries. The EO inquiries are based on the sensed outlook of patients of what will go on following exposure which is likely to be a impulsive force of quality of life ( 26 ) . The IM inquiries are based on the same rule and inquire about the sensed figure of nutrients one needs to avoid and sensed impact on societal life. We expected moderate correlativity coefficients ( 0.40-0.60 ) for the FAQLQ-TF with the FAIM. The proof of the FAQLQ-TF was carried out in the Dutch linguistic communication. The English version of the FAQLQ-TF and the FAIM are presented as Figure E1 and Figure E2 in the Online Repository. The Dutch FAQLQ-TF and the FAIM were translated into English by a native English talker and back translated by a native Dutch talker, harmonizing to the guidelines of the World Health Organization ( 27 ) . The original Dutch version was compared with the back translated Dutch version. No of import differences in content or significance of inquiries emerged. Discriminative ability To set up the discriminatory ability of the FAQLQ-TF, we compared the entire FAQLQ-TF mark for striplings who reported anaphylaxis ( i.e. striplings who reported two or more of the undermentioned cardiovascular symptoms ; giddiness, experiencing your bosom round fast, loss of vision, inability to stand, light headedness, prostration, loss of consciousness/passing out ) versus striplings who did non, for striplings who reported many nutrient allergic reactions versus striplings who reported few nutrient allergic reactions, for male childs versus misss ( 28 ) and for striplings who were recruited from our clinic versus striplings who were recruited by advertizement. Dependability The dependability of the FAQLQ-TF was assessed by administrating the questionnaire to 34 striplings on two occasions 10-14 yearss apart. Convergent and discriminant cogency To look into convergent and discriminant cogency, a generic HRQL questionnaire was administered: the Children ‘s Health Questionnaire-Child Form ( CHQ-CF87 ) ( 29 ; 30 ) . This questionnaire is self-administered by striplings and contains 87 points divided into 12 graduated tables. We expected weak correlativity coefficients ( 0.20-0.40 ) for the FAQLQ-TF with the CHQ-CF87.Statistical analysesThe natural FAQLQ-TF and FAIM scores 0 to 6 were recoded as 1 to 7. The entire FAQLQ-TF mark is the average mark of all points with a scope of 1 ‘no damage ‘ to 7 ‘maximal damage ‘ . To measure concept cogency, Spearman ‘s correlativity coefficients were calculated between the FAQLQ-TF and the FAIM. The allotment of the points of FAQLQ-TF into spheres was based on factor analysis ( chief constituent analysis with Varimax rotary motion ) ( 31 ) and face cogency determined by a clinical expert panel ( BMJFdB, JNGOE and AEJD ) ( 14 ; 32 ) . To look into the inter nal consistence of the FAQLQ-TF and the spheres, Cronbach ‘s ? were calculated. An ? greater than 0.70 indicates good internal consistence ( 33 ) . The Mann-Whitney trial was used for mensurating the discriminatory ability of the FAQLQ-TF. The dependability of the FAQLQ-TF was assessed by ciphering the intraclass correlativity coefficient of the repeated FAQLQ-TF measuring ( 34 ) . Finally, convergent and discriminant cogency were assessed by ciphering Spearman ‘s correlativity coefficients between the FAQLQ-TF and the CHQ-CF87 graduated tables. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS for Windows 14.0 ( SPSS Inc. , Chicago, IL, USA ) .ConsequenceDevelopmentDescriptive features of the striplings involved in the point coevals and point decrease are shown in Table 1. The drawn-out point questionnaire was returned by 46 striplings ( response rate 90 % ) . The OI tonss of all 166 points of the drawn-out point questionnaire ranged from 0.00 to 2.89. The point decrease re sulted in the choice of 28 points ( OI & A ; gt ; 1.37 ) for the FAQLQ-TF ( Table 2 ) .Cross-sectional proofParticipants The questionnaire bundle including the FAQLQ-TF, the FAIM and the CHQ-CF87 were returned by 75 striplings ( response rate 77 % ) . One stripling was excluded because the descriptive features were losing from the questionnaire, ensuing in 74 assessable questionnaires for the cross-sectional proof. Forty-three striplings ( 58 % ) were recruited from our clinic, of which 19 ( 26 % ) had a nutrient allergic reaction confirmed by a DBPCFC. The other striplings from our clinic had a physician-diagnosed nutrient allergic reaction ( skin asshole and/or blood trial ) and the bulk was expecting DBPCFC. All striplings recruited by advertizement ( 42 % ) reported physician-diagnosed nutrient allergic reactions. Descriptive features of the striplings involved in the cross-sectional proof are shown in Table 1. There were no important differences in descriptive features between male childs and misss, between striplings recruited from our clinic and striplings recruited by advertizement or between s triplings with a physician-diagnosed nutrient allergic reaction and striplings with a nutrient allergic reaction diagnosed by DBPCFC. Construct cogency Most points of the FAQLQ-TF correlated significantly with at least one of the FAIM inquiries and with the mean of the FAIM inquiries. Five points did non correlate with any of the FAIM inquiries and were hence excluded from the questionnaire. The validated FAQLQ-TF therefore consists of 23 inquiries. As expected, we found moderate correlativity coefficients between the FAQLQ-TF and the FAIM. The entire FAQLQ-TF mark correlated significantly with the average FAIM ( rho 0.57, P & A ; lt ; 0.001 ) and with the single FAIM inquiries ( Table 3 ) . This important correlativity coefficient was found for striplings with a nutrient allergic reaction diagnosed by DBPCFC and for striplings with a physician-diagnosed nutrient allergic reaction ( entire FAQLQ-TF mark with the average FAIM, rho 0.76, P & A ; lt ; 0.000 and rho 0.52, P & A ; lt ; 0.000, severally ) . These consequences support the concept cogency of the FAQLQ-TF. That is, the FAQLQ-TF steps that portion of quality of life that is a ffected by nutrient allergic reaction. Expectation of Outcome inquiry 3 ( EO3 ) did non correlate with any of the single HRQL points and is therefore improbable to be an appropriate independent step for nutrient allergic reaction in striplings. Therefore, we excluded this inquiry from farther analyses.Sphere construction and internal consistenceThe 23 points of the FAQLQ-TF were subjected to factor analysis ( chief constituent analysis ) , which revealed 5 factors with characteristic root of a square matrixs & A ; gt ; 1. To assistance in the reading of these factors, Varimax rotary motion was performed for 5, 4 and 3 factors. These groupings were reviewed by an adept panel, and based on face cogency the grouping of 3 factors made the most sense. This grouping revealed the undermentioned spheres: Allergen Avoidance and Dietary Restrictions ( AADR ) , Emotional Impact ( EI ) and Risk of Accidental Exposure ( RAE ) . These three factors showed a figure of strong burdens ; all exceed 0 .300, which is regarded as an acceptable standard ( 31 ) . The adept panel allocated 3 points to a more appropriate sphere based on face cogency. The FAQLQ-TF and the spheres had first-class internal consistence with Cronbach ‘s ? transcending 0.70 ( Table 3 ) .Discriminative abilityAdolescents who reported two or more nutrient allergic reactions reported a significantly more impaired HRQL than striplings who reported merely one nutrient allergic reaction ( entire FAQLQ-TF mark 4.3 vs. 3.5 ; p=0.037 ) . There was no important difference in entire FAQLQ-TF mark between striplings who reported anaphylaxis ( cardiovascular symptoms ) and striplings who did non describe anaphylaxis ( 4.5 vs. 4.0 ; p=0.184 ) or between male childs and misss ( 4.0 vs. 4.3 ; p=0.324 ) . Adolescents who were recruited by advertizement reported a significantly more impaired HRQL than striplings recruited from our clinic ( entire FAQLQ-TF mark 4.6 vs. 3.9 ; p=0.015 ) . Dependability The entire FAQLQ-TF mark intraclass correlativity coefficient was 0.98 ( 95 % assurance interval, 0.95-0.99 ) , bespeaking first-class test-retest dependability. Convergent and discriminant cogency The entire FAQLQ-TF mark correlated weakly with 6 of the 11 CHQ-CF87 graduated tables. In add-on, the spheres of the FAQLQ-TF correlated weakly with several CHQ-CF87 graduated tables ( Table 4 ) . This indicates that both questionnaires step constructs that are partially related ( i.e. convergent cogency ) . However, as expected the correlativities are weak and sometimes even absent because the CHQ-CF87 is a generic quality of life questionnaires and hence non every bit sensitive as the disease-specific FAQLQ-TF ( i.e. discriminant cogency ) .DiscussionWe have developed and validated the first health-related quality of life ( HRQL ) questionnaire particular for striplings with nutrient allergic reaction, the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Teenager Form ( FAQLQ-TF ) . We found that the FAQLQ-TF has good concept cogency and first-class internal consistence ( Table 3 ) . In add-on, the FAQLQ-TF discriminates between striplings who differ in figure of nutrient allergic reacti ons. Finally, the FAQLQ-TF showed convergent/discriminant cogency ( Table 4 ) , which supports the demand for a disease-specific quality of life questionnaire for nutrient allergic striplings. It is known that HRQL may be influenced by the current phase of cognitive, societal and emotional development of an person. Therefore, it has been argued that HRQL in striplings should be measured by agencies of a specific instrument ( 14 ; 15 ) . The FAQLQ-TF was specifically designed for nutrient allergic striplings aged 13 to 17 old ages. Age rightness was ensured by bring forthing and including merely points that were regarded as of import by nutrient allergic striplings ( clinical impact method ) . The FAQLQ-TF focal points on the perceptual experiences of the striplings themselves, because the questionnaire is self-administered. Many of the points in this instrument are specific to striplings. An illustration is ‘Carrying an Epipen ‘ . The Epipen issue in nutrient allergic striplings is in harmony with the literature. It has been reported that striplings raise concerns about its size and portability ( 35 ) and sometimes striplings do non transport it based on societal fortunes and sensed hazards ( 36 ) . Despite our age specific attack and the separate development of kid and adolescent questionnaires, it is striking that about two tierces of the adolescent inquiries in the FAQLQ-TF correspond to the kid inquiries in the FAQLQ-CF ( 20 ) . Therefore, although we generated many age specific points, there are seemingly ‘general ‘ nutrient allergic reaction points that are of import in kids and striplings. Furthermore, we found that the three most of import points that impair quality of life were the same in kids and adolescents ( ‘Always be alert as to what you are eating ‘ , ‘The ingredients of a merchandise alteration ‘ , ‘Able to eat fewer merchandises ‘ ) . An unexpected determination was that EO3 ( Chance of deceasing when by chance exposed ) was non correlated with any of the points of the FAQLQ-TF. This may bespeak that fright of deceasing of nutrient allergic reaction is non a driving force of quality of life in striplings, which may be characteristic and specific for striplings. It has been reported that striplings perceived their anaphylaxis as ‘no large trade ‘ ( 35 ) . In add-on, striplings are at the highest hazard of decease from nutrient allergic reaction ( 1-3 ) . This high hazard may be the consequence of underestimate of the badness of nutrient allergic reaction and the belief of striplings that they will non decease from any cause, including their nutrient allergic reaction. In fact, there were no striplings in this survey who reported ‘always ( 100 % opportunity ) ‘ of deceasing when by chance exposed, whereas this was reported by 5 % of kids and 4 % of grownups in other FAQLQ proof surveies ( non shown ) . Although non statistically important, this is a notable observation. The wrong belief of immortality of striplings may ensue in risk-taking behaviour that may increase the hazard of deceasing from a nutrient allergic reaction. Therefore, doctors and other health-care suppliers should be cognizant that underestimate of nutrient allergic symptoms may be of import when reding striplings with nutrient allergic reaction. When comparing the discriminatory consequences of the FAQLQ-TF with the FAQLQ-CF ( 20 ) , two interesting observations emerged. First, there was no important difference in entire FAQLQ-TF mark between striplings who reported anaphylaxis ( cardiovascular symptoms ) and striplings who did non. The same consequence was found in kids ( 20 ) . Second, striplings who were recruited by advertizement reported a significantly more impaired HRQL than striplings recruited from our clinic. This difference was non important in kids, although a tendency was seen ( 20 ) . It may be that striplings see safety and security by being looked after in the clinic, whereas striplings outside the clinic experience more uncertainness and insecurity about their nutrient allergic reaction ( 37 ) . Most striplings recruited from our clinic were known to us for many old ages ( average figure of old ages since first visit 12.5 ( SD 5.4 ) ) . In add-on, it has late been shown that parental trait anxiousness is hig her in parents of kids with a suspected nutrient allergic reaction who refused to take part in a DBPCFC than parents who did take part ( 38 ) . Since it is known that parental anxiousness is related to child anxiousness ( 39 ) , it may be that the striplings in our survey recruited by advertizement have higher degrees of trait anxiousness than striplings recruited from our clinic and may therefore hold more damage in quality of life. This survey may hold some restrictions. First, the proof of the FAQLQ-TF was carried out in the Dutch linguistic communication. The FAQLQ-TF was carefully translated into English utilizing the guidelines of the World Health Organization. The cogency of the English linguistic communication version of this questionnaire is presently being investigated every bit good as versions in several other European linguistic communications. Our experience with the Dutch Vespid Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire was that the English interlingual rendition validated good ( 25 ) . It is possible, nevertheless, that cultural differences may act upon the ability of our questionnaire to place the most of import points for nutrient allergic patients in different cultural or lingual scenes. Second, patients were recruited at our clinic and by advertizement. These patients may differ from each other, for illustration in footings of degree of information about their nutrient allergic reaction. However, we did non happen important differences in the descriptive features between these groups and other possible differences would non hold adversely influenced the proof process, where a spectrum of badness is good to obtain optimum correlativities. Third, some of the points in this questionnaire are likely to be clip sensitive in the long tally. For illustration, new labelling Torahs could do the labelling points included in this questionnaire obsolete. It is likely that in clip, this questionnaire will necessitate some updating and version. Finally, this study describes merely the cross-sectional proof of the FAQLQ-TF. Currently, the longitudinal proof of the questionnaire is being investigated ( i.e. the capacity of the FAQLQ-TF to mensurate differences in HRQL over clip ) . In drumhead, we have developed and validated the first HRQL questionnaire particular for nutrient allergic striplings, the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Teenager Form ( FAQLQ-TF ) . We found that this questionnaire is valid and dependable and it is short and easy to utilize. The FAQLQ-TF will be therefore a suited questionnaire for clinical research in nutrient allergic striplings in which HRQL is the result of involvement.RecognitionsThis work was funded by the EU through the EuroPrevall undertaking ( FOOD-CT-2005-514000 ) . We would wish to thank Dr. GFEC van Linden new wave lair Heuvell, medical psychologist, and Karel Verbeek, linguist, for reexamining the drawn-out point questionnaire and the FAQLQ-TF and Tina van der Velde for executing the test-retest of the FAQLQ-TF.

WebDesPix Ltd case study questions

1. What does the name WebDesPix Ltd tell you about the ownership of the company? It tells us that it is a private limited company; this means that it is in the private sector and it must have the letters ‘Ltd' after its name. The main features of a private limited company include: * It is owned by the shareholders. * It is controlled by the board of directors. * It is managed by appointed managers. * Finance can be gained by borrowing from banks or selling shares. * The profits go to the shareholders of the company, in the form of dividends. Socratic Seminar Questions 2. Give (2 or more) reasons why they may have decided on this type of company? This type of business is more expensive to set up than a sole trader or a partnership, however: * It carries less financial risk for the owners as they have limited liability, which means that if the company goes bust, they only lose the amount of money that they invested in the company and not their personal possessions. * Limited companies are also incorporated which means that the company has a separate legal identity from its owners. Which means that it is the company that can be sued or sue, not the owners. * It also gives the company greater continuity because its existence is not ended by the death or retirement of its owners. 3. Tom and Dee are shareholders. What does this mean? * It means that Tom and Dee are the people who invest money in the company by buying shares, and are therefore called shareholders. It also means that they are the owners of the company. * By buying shares in the company Tom and Dee are entitled to a share of the profits known as dividend. How much dividend a shareholder receives depends on how well the company is performing, the type of share they own, and the number of shares they own. * This also means that as they are shareholders they can elect people to the board of directors to represent their interest and be responsible for the long term strategy of the company. The directors will then appoint managers to be responsible for the day-to-day running of the company. Also, some managers may also be directors and are known as executive directors. In a private limited company the major shareholders, board of directors and managers may all be the same people. 4. They have an overdraft facility. Explain how an overdraft works and say what they might use if for. An overdraft is when a business draws more money from its bank account than it currently has in the account. It has permission from the bank, which sets an agreed limit called an overdraft limit. Interest is payable on the overdraft and this is calculated on a daily basis. An advantage of an overdraft is that money is only borrowed when needed; this means that interest is only paid when the bank account is overdrawn. The big disadvantage about an overdraft is that the bank can insist that it is repaid immediately. However, because of its flexibility an overdraft is probably the most frequently used way to solve a cash flow problem. The table shows the advantages and disadvantages of overdrafts: Advantages of overdrafts Disadvantages of overdrafts Flexibility-can change the amount borrowed within limits. Cannot be used for large borrowing. Interest is only paid on amounts borrowed. Rates of interest higher than loans. Bank can change limit at any time or ask for money to be paid sooner than expected. Used for anything wages, computer repairs etc 5. List 4 products the company offers. * Web design is still the core business of the company, but new services are also offered. * Electronic newsletters. * Domain registrations. * Hosting and search engine optimisation. * The company offers three standard web design packages, this is -budget at à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½800 -professional at à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½1000 -and executive at à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½1500 Each package provides a number of web pages, e-mail facilities and the cost of hosting the site. * WDP (WebDesPix Ltd) give a quotation to clients who require non-standard packages (a quotation is just an estimated price for job or service). 6. All their products are marketed online. Explain 3 advantages of this when compared to selling from a shop on the high street. Firstly, buying and selling products online is called e-commerce. The advantages of this include: * Websites can be used to reach wider markets; this means that the internet provides extra marketing possibilities. * The internet can be accessed all over the world-this makes it possible to target potential customers in foreign countries. * A company can put marketing material on its own website, or it could pay to advertise on other websites. * A good website can really help a firm's competitiveness and increase its market share. * Firms can market and sell goods through their website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ('24/7†²). * By using the strategy of marketing and selling '24/7†², it can give e-commerce firms an advantage over the traditional 9-5 businesses, as customers can shop at home, at a time which is convenient to them. 7. The company wants to build up their brand name. List 3 advantages of having a strong brand name. * Businesses will hope that this leads to brand loyalty, where customers will repeat-buy because they prefer the look, taste, quality or image of their products. * If the company's name becomes established with one product, it may encourage customers to buy different products bearing that name. * Customers can be reasonably sure about the quality they will get with branded goods. 8. What are overheads? Overheads (also called fixed costs or indirect costs) are costs which do not change whether the business produces lots of goods, or produces no goods at all. These are costs which still have to be paid, regardless of output. For example, the rent on a shop will still have to be paid, whether or not the shop has any customers. Examples of overheads are: -interest payment on loans. -managers' salaries. – Rates payable to the local council. -rent of premises. -gas -electricity -telephone costs -administration costs – and advertising 9. Explain why the company has relatively small overheads. The company has relatively small overheads because it is labour intensive. * It builds and upgrades its own computers. * Vacancies are just advertised on the company's website and at regular networking meetings with other businesses in the Bristol area. 10. List 2 factors which influenced the company to locate in Bristol. * They could have run the company from anywhere in England, but as they were all from different parts of the country it was easier to locate in Bristol where they had all studied (it was more convenient). * Bristol is a large city with good infrastructure, so transport is not a problem. * There is a university in Bristol, so the business is close to an educated working force. 11. List 3 non-financial fringe benefits available to the employees. * Free lunch each Friday. * The use of a Wii during their breaks. * Free health insurance after six months employment. 12. Give 2 reasons why the company gives fringe benefits. * To motivate their employees so that they feel valued by the company and are therefore more productive as well. * Helps attract and retain better qualified employees. * Improves efficiency and productivity as employees are assured of security for themselves (as well as their families). 13. Some employees receive a monthly bonus based on turnover. Explain bonus. Full-time employees receive a monthly bonus based on turnover. A bonus is a monetary reward. It can be paid within both the time rate and piece rate systems. Under the time rate system, a bonus is paid if the workers reach their production targets, which could be hourly, daily or weekly targets. 14. Explain one advantage of giving these employees a bonus. -this encourages workers to work at their maximum output, and so overcome the problem of the lack of incentive. It also increases the productivity, efficiency and motivation of employees, which may also increase their happiness. 15. Give one disadvantage of giving them a bonus. The disadvantage is that the employees expect a bonus and moral drops sharply when the bonus is not paid. 16. The 2 sales assistants receive commission in addition to their salary. Explain commission. Commission is a monetary incentive that the company can offer in addition to their basic pay. It is a payment to people who are employed in selling the products or services of a business. 17. Explain one advantage of giving these employees commission. This system ensures that employees have to work hard to earn their pay, but if they are successful, their earnings can be unlimited. 18. Give one disadvantage of giving them commission. If they fail to meet the required turnover or sales figures, they receive no commission. 19. List 2 advantages of using email. * It is quick and easy to send emails, as it allows communication easily over a number of sites. * People can keep in touch very easily-as many messages can be sent. * Messages can also be keyed-in and stored until they are needed. * One email can be sent to a number of different people at the same time. * They are very convenient, as multiple attachments can be sent. * It is easier to refer back to emails rather than looking through different pieces of paper. 20. Explain why the company might use video conferencing. Video conferencing is fast becoming more and more popular with companies. It involves using computer links and closed-circuit television, allowing people to hear and see each other. The advantages include: * Saves people travelling to meetings. * Large savings can then be made in terms of time and cost. * Face-to-face communication is possible rather than using telephone or letter.

A Study of Ethics in Relation to Business Practices

A Study of Ethics in Relation to Business Practices Combining ethics and business can be difficult at times, for every business’ goal is to make profit and certain ethical issues might be overlooked in order to avoid complications that might obstacle the company’s activities and jeopardise its revenue opportunities. The relationship between ethics and business has been discussed by many experts, such as Friedman (1970), who argued that a manager’s decisions should be driven by money, however they should not ignore the basic rules onto which every modern society is based. This may sound like a good solution to the ethical issues most companies have to deal with nowadays. A number of practical solutions to the ethical problems encountered by leaders who manage a group of individuals was given by Aristotle, a Greek philosopher who certainly didn’t run a company, yet analysed and discussed the duties of a leader, placing great importance on their morality and virtues, as every leader should be virtuous to deserve the name, as the pointed out in his Nicomachean Ethics. In the first place, it would be useful to analyse the meaning of the adjective â€Å"ethical† before applying it too liberally. Ethics comes from ancient Greek â€Å"ethos†, which means â€Å"character†, intended as the common belief that guides and determines the actions, behaviours and thoughts of a community. Ethics are not â€Å"absolute†, as different communities can have different opinions as to what is ethical and what is not, so before conducting a critical study on the relationship between ethics and business, it should be clarified that when it comes to business, western countries are the ones which dictate and set the standards for what is ethical, as Miriam Schulman (n.d.) correctly observed. Now, ethics and law do not always go hand in hand, as law can sometimes be unethical and a good action which may seem morally right could be deemed illegal by a country’s code, e.g. when Hitler ran Germany, the holocaust, albeit unethical, was permitted by the law, whereas helping a prisoner escape was considered illegal, even though arresting someone and forcing them to work without giving them a salary just because of their religious beliefs or nationality is absolutely unethical. Every manager should be able to distinguish between what is legal and what is ethical as to make decisions that do not simply conform to the law, but are also ethically â€Å"right†. Ethics, in fact, has to do with what concepts such as good, bad, right, wrong, fair and unfair. German philosopher Marx described the whole production process, explaining how the worker alienates themselves when manufacturing/creating something, whatever this is, emphasizing the importance of equality as opposed to meritocracy. That is the main reason why Marx’s theories have been questioned many times, for it is not easy to tell whether equality is ethically correct, seeing as people who possess qualities that others don’t and work harder than others deserve to be given more responsibilities and rewarded accordingly, as Michael Young (1958) observed. Human society and business alike are dynamic, which means that they tend to change alongside with people and governments’ needs, expectations and actions. It is their complexity that makes corporate ethics such an interesting, yet critical subject that every human resource manager should understand in order to make decisions that might benefit the company without damaging their employees in any way. In the following paragraph, a few cases will be analysed and discussed as to show what kind of issues may arise when business ethics are violated and determine whether Human Resource Management is compatible with them. Psychological implications in human resource management Managing an organisation’s employees is no easy task and requires specific skills, without which a manager might severely damage the company they work for. In fact, because employees are not to be seen as mere workforce, but also and mainly as individuals who have ambitions, needs, expectations, problems and feelings, a human resource manager, in fact, should know that when it comes to managing people, theoretical issues, as well as practical ones, are faced. Therefore, a deep understanding of the human psyche and behaviour is required, which is why psychology plays a very important role in human resource management, as Suraj Kumar (2011) pointed out. Job dissatisfaction is not to be underestimated, for all humans tend to adapt to new situations and, when they find themselves in unpleasant ones, research has revealed that they do whatever they can to reduce dissatisfaction. These defensive mechanisms may negatively affect a company, leading to bad performance, absence, low productivity, withdrawal behaviours and, last but not least, lack of loyalty, in the sense that employees will leave the company as soon as given an opportunity to do so, damaging the company, which will have to invest time and money in the finding and training of new employees. (Rosse, J. G., Saturay, S. L., 2004) O’Toole (n.d.) argued that Aristotle’s theories on leadership and ethics could be adapted to modern times and used by managers to make fair decisions that will benefit the companies they work for and the employees they supervise. To do so, they should ask themselves what they would want if they were in the employees’ shoes, how they would like to be treated, what kind of treatment and incentives would help them express their potential, whether they would like their opinions to be kept in consideration when important decisions that might affect their careers are made and so forth†¦ Moreover, Aristotle, as well as other thinkers, such as Socrates, maintained that a leader (and mankind in general) should not be enabled to rule other people unless they know themselves and are virtuous. According to Socrates, self-knowledge is an ability that prevents failure from happening. In light of such enlightening observations, it would be useful to analyse a few contemporary cases. Western companies and ethical issues Nike and forced labour Nike Inc. is a popular and successful sportswear brand and equipment supplier whose net income, as of 2010, was over US $1, 900 billion (United States Securities and Exchange Commission, 2010). The company has been harshly criticized for manufacturing their products in countries such as China, Vietnam, Mexico, Cambodia, Pakistan and Indonesia, where, according to Locke (2002), not only adult employees underpaid, child workers are used especially in stitching centres. Even though Nike’s code of conduct says that the company provides healthy and safe workplaces for all their workers, ensures that nobody below the age of 18 can sign a labour contract with them, does not use any form of forced labour, respects their employees, does not practise discrimination and commits to providing their employees at least the minimum wage plus benefits (Kochan, A. T., Schmalensee, R., 2003) , Australian Channel 7 News (2008) revealed numerous cases of forced labour involving the American company and a few years later Associated Press (2011) published an article reporting cases of forced labour and employee abuse at some of Nike’s plants in Indonesia. Are forced labour, abuse and child labour ethically correct? Obviously not, seeing as freedom is not just a privilege, it is a right for the simple reason that everyone is born free, even though many factors contribute to shaping humans’ judgement and choices throughout their lives. According to English philosopher Thomas Hobbes (1651), a person is free when they can decide to do something even though they could have done otherwise. That is what free will, intended as liberty, is. Gap and child labour With regards to child labour, the employment of people below a certain age, which is not always 18, is seen as a form of exploitation in most western countries, for, ethically speaking, children are weaker than adults and should not be made to work hard, especially considering that several western companies, such as Nike and Gap (The Guardian, 2007) have been criticised for collaborators with contractors which employ children, force them to work under horrible circumstances and treat them nearly as slaves, in terms of minimum wage and abuse. It goes without saying that these practices are unethically correct, as we are all born equal and a person should not exploit and abuse of another one. As reported by The Guardian (2007), after the child labour scandal, Gap confirmed its code of conduct, promising to put an end to its collaboration with those contractors found guilty of child labour and abuse and to withdraw thousands of products which had been manufactured by children. Two other interesting cases are those of HM and Zara, two popular clothing retailers which have been accused of using cotton which might be picked by children in Uzbekistan and Bangladesh, where they are forced to work under horrific conditions. They both responded to these accusations stating that their codes of conduct banned child labour, however ensuring that raw materials are not picked by children is a very difficult thing to do, for most underdeveloped and developing countries fail in guaranteeing that unethical practices, such as slavery and child labour, are removed. (Independent Television News 2009) Nowadays, ethical behaviour and commitment to moral values (non-economic ones) are often used by companies to promote their services and/or products. However, Adam Smith (1952) argued that businesspeople’s ultimate goal is to make the public believe what they want to believe as to raise prices. That is why sensitivity to ethical issues is often included by companies in their marketing strategies. Try as they might, governments can not monitor corporations’ sensitivity to ethical issues, as ethics regulates details of human actions and behaviours which governments can not control. (Berle, A. A., Means, G. C., 1932). Utilitarianism and business Utilitarianism is a philosophical trend initiated by Jeremy Bentham (2005) and John Stuart Mill (2009), who spoke thoroughly about ethics, their relationship with business and human rights, maintaining that a right action leads to a good consequence, therefore, the ethical worth of an action can be gauged by its outcome. Unlike other philosophers, such as Hume (1975) or Locke (1997), who simply maintained that every action has a consequence without giving recommendations as to what is the most ethical thing to do, Bentham and Mill argued that, when faced with a decision, everyone should carefully consider their options and the consequences implied by each of those options and finally choose the one that will generate the greatest felicity. Only by going through this specific decision-making process can one be certain of being making an ethically correct choice. According to Richard Mervyn Hare (1981), most people tend to use intuitive, instead of deductive, moral thinking to make de cisions, as in doing so, happiness is maximised. However, when it comes to more delicate matters, such as human rights, managing and supervising other people and ensuring that employees are treated fairly not only because employee dissatisfaction is known to increase the likelihood of failure, but also and mainly because it is right to treat employees fairly, a more deductive and critical thinking method is required. Applying the utilitarian principle to business and human resource management in particular, a manager should consider their various options, asking themselves what the various courses of each action might be, what costs, risks and harms they would imply, not only for the company, but also for its stakeholders, employees and themselves and all those who might be somehow affected by their decision. The main problem managers are usually faced with is to avoid potential conflicts of moral rights. In order to do so, a manager should ask themselves what choice they have the moral right to make in relation with the current circumstances, what moral rights the other party have and whether there is a conflict of moral rights between themselves and the other party. Should there be a conflict of any kind, the manager should whether their rights or those of the other part deserve precedence. Job enrichment and employee motivation While ethics are often overlooked especially during negotiations, when information that might jeopardise the success of a merger, just to name one, is withheld, managing employees is a completely different matter. In fact, keeping account of ethics when making decisions that involve employees, elaborating strategies that will affect them or simply assigning tasks is essential to the creation of a stimulating and productive working environment. According to American psychologist Hertzberg (1993), job enrichment is the best method to motivate employees, ensure their loyalty and cooperation whilst letting them express their abilities and fulfil themselves. In order to create a pleasant working environment that stimulates employees and benefits the company, a manager should make sure that each employee is given the opportunity to perform different tasks of varying difficulty, faces challenges and receives constant feedbacks. Communication is key to the encouragement of ethical behaviour and motivation, as through it, a manager can provide merit recognition. Among the other things, a manager should provide their employees with adequate resources to perform their assigned tasks well, give clear instructions, let employees know what the corporate mission is and make them feel involved in the decision-making process, provide them with enough freedom, rewards, incentives and encourage them and, last but not least, ensure job variety so that every employee can express their abilities and feel self-fulfilled. (Mione, P. ) Now, in order to create a positive working environment where the manager takes actions that display their virtues, instead of their vices (dishonesty, greed, laziness, selfishness, neglect†¦), ethical behaviour should be motivated. Therefore, it is important that the manager should set the example among employees and develop a programme that rewards good behaviours and penalises bad ones through penalties and sanctions. Rules and expectations that define what is acceptable and what is not should be written down and communicated to employees, as to anticipate bad behaviours. At the same time, good behaviours should be rewarded through incentives and praised. Participative management techniques should be used to motivate ethical behaviour and, in order to assure justice when it comes to disagreements and conflicts, these should be handled impartially and formally. The company should also create an effective method for employees to file complaints and report unethical or illegal behaviour so that they won’t have to go to the ombuds office every time a workplace issue arises. Regardless of the efficiency of its method, which might also include an ethics hotline and website, the company should use an ombuds office to investigate complaints with confidentiality, ethics and objectivity. Conclusion Ethics differs from country to country, being a framework of rules which define what is right, wrong, good, bad, acceptable and unacceptable. Corporate ethics in China is different to corporate ethics in France, which does not mean that one of them is wrong, whereas the other one is right, since ethics goes hand in hand with culture. Therefore, a relativistic approach is sure to be the most appropriate one to study ethics without letting personal prejudices and opinions influence the course of the analysis. Ethical norms evolve and, nowadays, consumers are sensitive to ethical issues, such as forced labour, diversity, discrimination and child labour, which is why western companies such as Nike (Associated Press, 2011) and Gap (The Guardian, 2007), which have been accused of violating basic ethical norms, have had to revise their codes of conduct and reassure consumers that their products, despite being manufactured in underdeveloped and/or developing countries, where governments still find it difficult to eradicate slavery, forced labour and other unethical practices. Now, when it comes to human resource management, ethical behaviour is strongly recommended for research (Hertzberg, F., 1993) has proved that it plays a very important role in creating a productive working environment. While ethical norms are often overlooked during negotiations, it is crucial that a manager should be virtuous, set the example among their employees and take actions that will produce the greatest benefit f or the company, its employees and themselves. In this regard, three principles should be applied in order for the manager to make decisions that display their virtuous traits and benefit those around them: the utilitarian principle, the right principle and the care ethics principle. In other words, before taking an action, a manager should ask themselves whether that action will do the greatest good for those who will be affected by it and evaluate all the different options, then, they should ask themselves what action they have the moral right to take and, finally, whether their choice â€Å"cares† for their needs and those of the people with whom they have working relationships (coworkers, stakeholders, supervisors, suppliers, employees and so forth†¦) That is why every working environment should be regulated by ethical norms and employees should be encouraged to obey them through incentives and rewards, which will ensure their satisfaction and loyalty, which have been proved to greatly contribute to the enhancement of employee performance, hence to the corporation’s success. (Judge, T. A. et al., 2001)

A Study of Traffic Noise Affecting Residential Properties along Dissertation

A Study of Traffic Noise Affecting Residential Properties along Expressways - Dissertation Example Ethical Considerations 34 3.8: Strengths of the Methodology 35 3.9: Limitations of the Methodology 35 3.10: Summary 35 Chapter 4.0 Results and Discussion 36 4.1 Introduction 36 4.2 Interview Analysis 36 4.3: Personal Interpretation of the Researcher of Interviews 44 4.4: Summary 45 Chapter 5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations 46 5.1 Introduction 46 5.2: Conclusion 46 5.3: Recommendations for Mitigating Traffic Noise 50 5.4: Recommendations for Future Research 50 5.5: Summary 51 BIBLIOGRAPHY 52 APPENDIX 55 A. Interview Letter 55 B. Consent Form 56 List of Figures and Photos Figure-1: Retrofitting Works along Fanling Highway for figure in Chapter-2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.23 Figure-2: Retrofitting Works along Cheung Pai Shan Road for figure in Chapter-2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦23 Figure-3: Use of Low Noise Material on Chiu Shun Road for figure in Chapter-2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..24 Figure-4: Use of Low Noise Material on Deep Bay Link for figure in Chapter-2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â ‚¬ ¦24 Figure-5: Banning Heavy Vehicles on Tsing Fung Street during Nights, Chapter-2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦25 Figure-6: Pedestrianisation Scheme at Causeway Bay for figure in Chapter-2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.....26 Figure-7: Awareness Initiative by EPD on Noise Issue for figure in Chapter-2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦27 CHAPTER-1: INTRODUCTION 1.1: Introduction Road traffic has emerged as one of the most basic areas of concern for many residential properties across the world and Hong Kong is no more an exception when it comes to facing traffic noises and disturbance especially for residents residing along expressways. Road traffic has emerged as one of the prime reasons behind noise pollution affecting millions of people around the world. The situation is all the more worse for people residing along expressways as the traffic noise causes health concerns and frustration (Field, 1993). The level of traffic noises has been increasing at an alarming rate and householders are finding it difficult to maintain a healthy and noise free life. Moreover, traffic noises in wee hours affect the sleep and mood of householders leading to irritation and frustration (Espey and Lopez, 2000) The research aims to investigate traffic noise affecting residential buildings along expressways in Hong Kong. Hong Kong like any other city in the world faces its share of traffic noises affecting the life of millions of people. There is no doubt that the economy of Hong Kong has grown in last few decades mainly because of the expansion of business and commercial activities. This has also led to an increase in the level of traffic noises ad business and commercial activities are very much driven by transportation. The impact has been severe in densely populated areas of the city but even expressways have been the major concern for many householders considering the fact that large numbers of vehicles move at wee hours causing mental stress and hearing problems (Hughes and Sirmans , 1992) The Government of Hong Kong has been focusing on reducing the level of traffic noise by planning and policies implementation but the major issue of traffic noise for residents along expressways

Would green deal achieve objectives by 2020 Dissertation

Would green deal achieve objectives by 2020 - Dissertation Example If the environment suffers, there is every possibility that every human activity will suffer in the short as well as in the long run. The discussion aims at underpinning and exploring the scheme set out by the conservative party to reduce green gas emission in the United Kingdom. It is important to understand the nature and influence of greenhouse gas before underpinning the policies and agendas of the conservative party in the United Kingdom. Greenhouse Gas is available in the atmosphere that not only assimilates but also emits radiation that can be pretty harmful in terms of increasing the overall temperature of the earth. The primary greenhouse gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, ozone and nitrous oxide. All these gases are produced in the environment from different natural and industrial activities. All these gases also cause Greenhouse Effect where radiation from the surface is assimilated by these gases and is spreaded in all directions causing an increase in the te mperature that often creates detrimental impact over the earth and its sources and resources. There is no denying that there has been an increase in the greenhouse gas emission largely after the industrial revolution. A large number of industries were mushrooming in different parts of the world causing a rise in greenhouse gases emissions along with an increase in the earth’s temperature at an alarming rate (The Independent, (2008) A number of countries have tried taking initiatives in order to reduce the greenhouse gas emission along with saving the earth for a long period of time. This shows that the world is serious in protecting the earth by understanding the overall impact of greenhouse gases. One of the highly admired initiatives that have been taken in order to combat the aftermath of green gas emission is in the form of Kyoto Protocol. It is a protocol to the UNFCC directed at controlling the global through natural and mutual initiatives. As of 2011, 191 states have s igned the protocol and United States has not signed the protocol. This can be considered as quite staggering considering the reality that the United States is the super power and a large number of multinational organsiations are based in and around the United States. As a matter of fact, more than 30 countries have committed to control and reduce the emission of green gases that will help in lowering the ever increasing temperature of the earth (Murray, 2011) It needs to be mentioned that every country wants to strengthen its image and reputation in the global world by creating value and using sources and resources in an effective and efficient manner. The increase in the number of industries across the world especially in the developed and developing countries has resulted in the emission of green gases that is not only an alarming sign but also a danger for the business and social environment in the present as well as in the future. The top ten countries emitting green house gases at an alarming rate are China, the USA, India, European Union, Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, Japan, Canada and Mexico. All these countries have large number of industries engaged in the production of different goods and services catering to the needs and demands of millions of consumers across the world. However, these countries are also posing great threat for the humanity in terms of emitting gases that are really harmful for humans in order to survive (Murray, 2011) It is important to take initiatives in order to reduce the emission of these gases along with creating awareness that will help in creating a favorable environment all across the world along with saving

Conflict Managment and Resolution Research Paper

Conflict Managment and Resolution - Research Paper Example In order to achieve this aim, the paper will conduct a literature review of the researches conducted till date that have explored the transactional leadership and manager’s approaches to resolving and mitigating conflicts in a workplace. A manager is a person who has to manage the workforce and to make them achieve organizational objectives. A manager has to plan, organize, lead and control. Leading is the core function of management. However, a manager is always a leader but a leader is not always a manager. The transactional leadership is a type of leadership style in which the leader perceives that people can be motivated through rewards and punishments only. This is the most common type of leadership style and widely adopted in contrast to charismatic and transformational leadership style. Every manager has to face conflict issues that takes place while they are performing their roles. In this regard, they have to undertake steps to handle these conflicts and to resolve th em in a manner that is beneficial to the organization. Nevertheless, there are various approaches to conflict management and resolution that varies according to their outcomes and nature. For instance, Hendel, Fish and Galon (2012) conducted a research study of Israeli nurse managers in general hospitals to analyze their choice of strategy whilst managing conflict and their leadership style. The primary reason for undertaking the research was the fact that nurse managers encounter conflict. The conflict management style determines the degree of effectiveness of the managers. Increasingly, the organizations are realizing the importance of adopting effective... This paper approves that Korabik, Baril and Watson found that the men adopt transactional leadership style while managing conflicts at their workplace. Like, they consider the elements of reward and punishment as important factors in managing and resolving conflicts. The study also found that the leadership styles adopted and their subsequent outcomes were the same between both genders. This study shows that the approaches to conflict management from the managers and transactional leaders point of view are gender biased. The females are more towards transformational leadership roles than the transactional ones as the latter involves definite rules and guidelines to follow. The study also shows that male managers are more focused on adopting leadership style that can help them achieve multiple benefits and no loss. The employees are also informed about the incentives of achieving the required standards and the subsequent penalties for failure. Thus, making it easier for the leaders to identify the potential causes of conflict, develop methods to avoid future disputes and resolve the existing problems effectively. This esssay amkes a conclusion that the nature of conflict and its diversity has demanded a uniform set of process to resolve disputes that arise in a workplace and in legal cases. For instance, the large number of intellectual property right cases and their sensitive nature has required a speedy, cost-effective and mutually binding solution to the intellectual property rights stakeholders.

Premium Travel on the Way to Becoming a Better Serving Travel Agency Essay - 1

Premium Travel on the Way to Becoming a Better Serving Travel Agency - Essay Example Travel is an activity of leisure and Premium travel operates in this scenario. As such, provides similar services are also likely to face the problems associated with the current market. However, one of the advantages that some travel business enjoy today is the facility to book online. The cost of getting a website developed is quite simple today. As the company utilizes the services of part-time students, it is advised to hire another student proficient in web development as standard times required to develop such websites can take as little as a month to develop and deploy for customer use. Additionally, figures obtained for the years between 2002 and 2006 have shown that apart from the countries in the EU and the US, a large number of travelers preferred other destinations in Asia and Africa, with the largest among them preferring India, Egypt, and Turkey.  However, the good news is that even during times of recession, statistics from the Department of Statistics in the UK gove rnment show that the amount of spending on travel has remained relatively unhindered. This is partly because the willingness to travel among customers is not diminished to ground levels and customers instead prefer to go on shorter holidays. the added pressures that are part of the today’s corporate world do not provide young people with a lot of time to consider holidays. as such, offering shorter deals for durations between 1 to 2 weeks is also advised.  Additionally, the number of travelers going abroad on trips for the duration between 1 to 2 weeks is nearly half the trips of duration in the range of 3-4 weeks. As such, it presents a wonderful opportunity for Premium travel to consider the shorter segment as a wonderful opportunity to expand a business, which will help further in weathering the crisis.

Labor Force from the Household Survey Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Labor Force from the Household Survey - Essay Example U6 reflects the rate that includes persons marginally attached to the labor force and those who are employed part-time for economic reasons in generating the unemployment rate. Discouraged workers form part of the marginally attached workers. ïÆ'   According to the authors, the main reason for the continuing stagnant growth of the U.S. economy lies in the â€Å"ongoing and scarcely improving shortfall in aggregate demand relative to the supply of productive resources†. (Bivens, Fieldhouse & Shierholz 2013) Consumption of produced goods and services have decreased since the onset of the ‘Great Recession’ in 2008. 2. The authors discuss the issue of the relationship between strong GDP growth and a strong recovery. What does their argument suggest about the relationship between strong GDP growth, the deficit and reducing unemployment? ïÆ'   The authors’ argument suggests that budget deficit reduction results to decelerated GDP, which, in turn, translates to higher unemployment and underemployment rates. The austerity measures implemented to reduce budget deficits lead to less economic activities, fewer jobs, less production of goods and services, less demand from the consumers, and, ultimately to a lower GDP. Lower GDP requires less labor. More and more plants and factories will operate below their full capacity and will lay off more workers to cut costs and survive the economically difficult times. ïÆ'   According to the authors, achieving full employment will bring in economic recovery. Full employment can be attained by boosting the consumers’ demand for goods and services produced by the country as the initial step toward narrowing the output gap – the difference between what the economy can produce and its actual output.  

Strategic Management of Chevron Corporation Case Study

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Trolley problem and Utilitarianism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

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Ipad Mini Review Essay Example for Free

Ipad Mini Review Essay 1.Remarkably thin and light, the iPad mini is the perfect size for holding in one hand. The iPad mini also fits comfortably in the pocket of a coat or a handbag, making it ideal for use on the move. Its also beautifully designed, with obvious influences taken from Apples iPhone 5. Finally, its Apples cheapest iPad starting at like 270. The iPad Mini supports the LTE networks of ATT, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless (no luck, T-Mobile!). This means it has access to 4G mobile broadband in hundreds of markets around the country. Even with LTE on board, Apple says the iPad Mini will still get about 10 hours of battery life. Thats an incredible amount of uptime when considering the productivity needs of todays mobile professionals. 2.Its no surprise that Apple is charging a HUGE price for its smaller tablet when compared to other 7-inch models. With an introductory price of $329, it costs a full $80 more than the 16 GB Nexus 7. Of course, the Nexus 7 is thick, heavy, and made of plastic, while the iPad Mini is thin, light, and made of aluminum. It also has a slower processor than iphone 5 or the regular ipads. Its comes with the dual core A5 when iphone 5 has A6 chips and ipad has A6X chips. 3. Through advertising and marketing. Word of mouth is the best advertisement, so when people get this item, the first thing they do is tell their friends how cool it is and all good and bad things about the product. That’s adds value to the item through societies eyes.

Three Dreams, One Future Essay Example for Free

Three Dreams, One Future Essay Closing my eyes, a quaint structure amongst a vast green field and a clear blue sky paints itself in my mind. On the wooden porch, it is the serenity of an elderly couple, gently rocking amongst a calm breeze, silently content in each others company that depicts the final years of my journey. Looking back then, I hope to have gained what I strive for today: the security of a successful career, the warmth in a loving companion, and the pride from cherished ones. Today, I awake to see my efforts directed at a single goal; being accepted into a prestigious university. This drive is emphasized by the illuminated prospects of what a successful career can offer, the doors it can open. Yet it also propelled by the momentum of witnessing the struggles of being chained to an inadequate job. A career is what I comprehend to be the code of the outcome of ones life, the security to your future and this monumental impact is why I aspire to achieve an accomplished career. What good is security if you have nobody to share it with? Finding this undisputable, indescribable, irrevocable love is not a meager endeavor or false hope, but rather a way of living. To laugh with freedom, live with dreams and wear your heart on your sleeve permits a life with great highs but also daring lows. Like the striking crash of tides, only a soul-mate is capable of drawing out such powerful emotions. Someday, I long to have experienced this brilliance in life. Life is beautiful but devastating. Too often do you hear the cries of famine, the shots of war and the agony of poverty. There is little in your control except for the ripple effect of your very own actions. If even for the briefest of moments, I am capable of igniting a smile on a loved ones face, I will feel joy. Perhaps it is selfish, but if my works and efforts have the influence to provide delight to others then I will feel a sense of honour. Because amongst the tragedies and anguish of living, I hold a key to bringing enlightenment and will undeniably treasure this gift. The promise of a bright career, passionate partner, and spreading happiness is what careens me to trek forward through this wayward world. If I can look back in time on that dainty porch, I will have know to cherish three dreams but one future; my future.

The Characteristics of Foreign Exchange markets

The Characteristics of Foreign Exchange markets Foreign exchange refers to money denominated in the currency of another nation or group of nations. Foreign exchange can be cash, bank deposits or other short-term claims. But in the foreign exchange market as the network of major foreign exchange dealers engaged in high-volume trading, foreign exchange almost always take the form of an exchange of bank deposits of different national currency denominations. Market Characteristics The foreign exchange market place is a twenty-four hour market with exchange rates and market conditions changing constantly. However, foreign exchange activity does not flow evenly. Over the course of a day, there is a cycle characterized by periods of very heavy activity and other periods or relatively light activity. Business is most heavy when two or more market places are active at the same time such as Asia and Europe or Europe and America. Give this uneven flow of business around the clock, market participants often will respond less aggressively to an exchange rate development that occurs at a relative inactive time of day, and will wait to see whether the development is confirmed when the major markets open. Nonetheless, the twenty-four hour market does provide a continuous real-time market assessment of the currencies values. The market consists of a limited number of major dealer institutions that are particularly active in foreign exchange, trading with customers and (more often) with each other. Most, but not all, are commercial banks and investment banks. The institutions are linked each other through telephones, computers and other electronic means. There are estimated 2,000 dealer institutions in the world, making up the global exchange market. Each nations market has its own infrastructure. For foreign exchange market operations as well as for other matters, each country enforces its own laws, banking regulations, accounting rules, and tax codes. They also have different national financial systems and infrastructures through which transactions are executed and within the currencies are held. With access to all of the foreign exchange markets generally open to participants from all countries, and with its vast amounts of market information transmitted simultaneously and almost instantly to dealers throughout the world, there is an enormous amount of cross-border foreign exchange trading amongst dealers as well as between dealers and their customers. At any moment, the exchange rates of major currencies tend to be virtually identical in all of the financial centers. Rarely are there such substantial price differences among these centers as to provide major opportunities for arbitrage. Over-the-Counter vs. Exchange-Traded Segment There are generally two different market segments within the foreign exchange market: over-the-counter (OTC) and exchange-trade. In the OTC market, banks indifferent locations make deals via telephone or computer systems. The market is largely unregulated. Thus, a bank in a country such the USA does not need any special authority to trade or deal in foreign exchange. Transactions can be carried out on whatever terms and with whatever provisions are permitted by law and acceptable to the two counter-parties, subject to the standard commercial law governing business transactions in the respective countries. However, there are best practice recommendations such from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York with respects to trading activities, relationships, and other matters. Trading practices on the organized exchanges and the regulatory arrangements covering the exchanges, are markedly different from those in the OTC market. In the exchange, trading takes place publicly in a centralized location and products are standardized. There are margin payments, daily marking to market, and a cash settlement through a central clearinghouse. With respects to regulations in the USA, exchanges at which currency futures are traded are under the jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Corporation (CFTC). Steps are being taken internationally to harmonize trade regulations and to improve the risk management practices of dealers in the foreign exchange market and to encourage greater transparency and disclosure. The various parties involved Today, commercial banks and investment banks serve as the major dealers by executing transactions and providing foreign exchange services. Some, but not all, are market makers, that regularly quote both bids and offers for one ore more particular currencies thus standing ready to make a two-sided market for its customers. Dealers also trade foreign exchange as part of the banks proprietary trading activities, where the firms own capital is put at risk on various strategies. A proprietary trader is looking for a larger profit margin based on a directional view about a currency, volatility, an interest rate that is about to change, a trend or a major policy move. . Payment and Settlement Systems Executing a foreign exchange transaction requires two transfers of money value, in opposite directions, since it involves the exchange of one national currency for another. Execution of the transaction engages the payment and settlement systems of both nations. Payment is the transmission of an instruction to transfer value that results from a transaction in the economy, and settlement is the final and unconditional transfer of the value specified in a payment instruction. The foreign exchange instruments Spot: A spot transaction is a straight forward (or outright) exchange of one currency for another. The sport rate is the current market price, the benchmark price. Outright Forwards: An outright forward transaction is a straight forward single purchase/sale of one currency for another, that is settled on a day pre-arranged date three or more business days after the deal date. FX Swaps: In the FX swap market, one currency is swapped for another for a period of time, and then swapped back, creating an exchange and re-exchange. Currency swaps: In a typical currency swap, counter-parties will (i) exchange equal initial principle amounts of two currencies at the spot exchange rate, (ii) exchange a stream of fixed or floating interest rate payments in their swapped currencies for the agreed period of the swap and then (iii) re-exchange the principle amount at maturity at the initial spot exchange rate. Direct and Indirect Quotation for Exchange Rates Purpose: This component enables you to manage exchange rates for each currency pair using direct or indirect quotation. The type of quotation used is dependent on the market standard. You can define the type of quotation per client and currency pair (business transaction). Indirect quotation has not been required until now, because direct quotation was usually used for exchange rates. With the start of the dual currency phase of the European Monetary Union (EMU), indirect quotation is now used within Europe for exchange rates with the euro. Indirect quotation is also becoming more widely accepted internationally. Until now, there were many limitations involved in processing indirect exchange rates. Direct quotation is where the cost of one unit of foreign currency is given in units of local currency, whereas indirect quotation is where the cost of one unit of local currency is given in units of foreign currency. Your local currency is GBP: Direct exchange rate: 1USD = 0.6464 GBP Indirect exchange rate: 1GBP = 1.5470 USD Direct or indirect quotation can be maintained as the standard form of quotation for a certain currency pair. You use: 1 for direct quotation 2 for indirect quotation If a standard form of quotation has not been specified for a currency pair, the system automatically uses direct quotation. Foreign currency options: A foreign exchange or currency option contract gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy/sell a specified amount of one currency for another at a specified price on a specified date. That differs from a forward contract, in which the parties are obligated to execute the transaction on the maturity date. An OTC foreign exchange option is a bilateral contract between two parties. In contrast to the exchange-traded options market, in the OTC market, no clearing-house stands between the two parties, and there is no regulatory body establishing trading rules. Trade mechanics Dealer institutions trade with each other in two basic ways: direct dealing and through a brokers market. The mechanics of the two approaches are quite different, and both have been changed by technological advances in recent years. Direct Dealing: Each of the major market makers shows a running list of its main bid and offer rates that is, the prices at which it will buy and sell the major currencies, spot and forward and those rates are displayed to all market participants on their computer screens. The dealer shows his prices for the base currency expressed in amounts of the terms currency. Although the screens are updated regularly throughout the day, the rates are only indicative-to get a firm price, a trader or customer must contact the bank directly. A trader can contact a market maker to ask for a two-way quote for a particular currency. Theories of Fund Flow Fund flow is usually measured on a monthly or quarterly basis.  The performance of an asset or fund is not taken into account, only share redemptions (outflows) and share purchases (inflows).   Net inflows create excess cash for managers to invest, which theoretically creates demand for securities such as stocks and bonds.  Ã‚   Law of one price The law of one price is another way of stating the concept of purchasing power parity. The law of one price exists due to arbitrage opportunities. If the price of a security, commodity or asset is different in two different markets, then an arbitrageur will purchase  the asset in the cheaper market and sell it where prices are higher. When the purchasing power parity doesnt hold, arbitrage profits will persist until the price converges across markets. Foreign exchange risk exposure : We can define exposure as the sensitivity real home currency value of an asset, liability or an operating income to an unknown change in the exchange rate, moreover foreign exchange risk means variabilty of the domestic currency values of assets, liabilities operating income due to unknown changes in exchange rate. The foreign exchange business is by nature risky because it deals primarily in risk measuring it, pricing it, accepting it when appropriate managing it. Market Risk: Market risk, in simple terms, is price risk, or exposure to adverse price change. For a dealer in foreign exchange, two major elements of market risk are exchange risk and interest rate risk. Exchange rate risk is inherent in foreign exchange trading. Interest rate risk arises when there is any mismatching or gap in the maturity structure. Thus, an uncovered outright forward position can change in value, not only because of a change in spot rate but also because of a change in interest rates, since a forward rate reflects interest rate differential between the two currencies. Credit Risk: Credit risk arises from the possibility that the counter-party to a contract cannot or will not make the agreed payment at maturity. In foreign exchange trading, banks have long been accustomed to dealing with the broad and pervasive problem of credit risk. Know your customer is a cardinal rule and credit limits or dealing limits are set for each counter-party and adjusted in response to changes in financial circumstances. Over the past decade or so, banks have become willing to consider margin trading when a client requires a dealing limit larger than the banks is prepared to provide. Under this arrangement, the client places a certain amount of collateral with the bank and can then trade much larger amounts. Other Risks: Numerous other forms of risks can be involved in the foreign exchange trading, such as liquidity risk, legal risk and operational risk. The latter is the risk of losses from inadequate systems, human error, or lack of proper oversight policies and procedures and management control. Interest rate swap and currency swap: Interest rate swaps: This type of swaps are derivatives as the the underlying asset is not exchanged in the trancation. It is an agreement in which two parties exchange interest payments of differing nature on an imaginary amount of principal for a defined time span. Actually, it is an exchange of different cash flows; one generated by a fixed interest rate on a sum, the other by a floating interest rate on the same sum. For instance, a party (such as a depository institute) that earns a steady stream of income may prefer one which matches (fluctuates with) the market interest rates. It may agree to exchange its interest income on a certain sum (say ten million dollars of principal) for a certain period (say one year) with another party (such as a mutual fund) which earns a fluctuating interest income but prefers a steady one. Currency swap: An agreement between two parties to exchange  interest  payments and principal on loans denominated in two different currencies. In a cross currency swap, a loans interest payments and principal in one currency would be exchanged for an equal valued loan and interest payments in a different currency. Different Types of Foreign currency option: Arrangement in which a party acquires (upon payment of a fee) the right but not the obligation to buy or sell a specified amount of a currency on a fixed date and at a fixed rate. Such options are used usually by importers as a hedge against exchange rate fluctuations. See also foreign exchange contract. Call Option: The call options give the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy the underlying shares at a predetermined price, on or before a determined date. Put Option: A Put Option gives the holder the right to sell a specified number of shares of an underlying security at a fixed price for a period of time. Knock-Out Options: These are like standard options except that they extinguish or cease to exist if the underlying market reaches a pre-determined level during the life of the option. The knockout component generally makes them cheaper than a standard Call or Put. Knock-in Options These options are the reverse of knockout options because they dont come into existence until the underlying market reaches a certain pre-determined level, at this time a Call or Put option comes into life and takes on all the usual characteristics. Average Rate Options The options have their strikes determined by an averaging process, for example at the end of every month. The profit or loss is determined by the difference between the calculated strike and the underlying market at expiry. Basket Options A basket option has all the characteristics of a standard option, except that the strike price is based on the weighted value of the component currencies, calculated in the buyers base currency. The buyer stipulates the maturity of the option, the foreign currency amounts which make up the basket, and the strike price, which is expressed in units of the base currency. Difference between a call and a put option : The main diffenence in writing a put option and buying a call option is that they both are opposite to each other an elaboration of a put and call option will diffenciate clearly. An inverstor who writes a call option sees the future price of the underlying asser will go up and they will be able to get profit from this investment. An investor who buy put options believe the price of the underlying asset will go down and they will be able to purchase another option on the same asset for reselling at a price lower than the current exercise price. Put Option : Because put options vest the buyer with the right to sell stock at a pre-determined price, these option contracts are frequently used to protected stock holdings from losses in the event of a market decline.   Much like insurance, a stock investor can pay a premium and purchase a put option to protect his holdings.   In the event of a market downturn, he may sell the put option at an increased value to offset any losses or the option may be exercised, and the stock sold, at what would be above market prices. Call option : A call option, often it is simply labeled a call, is a financial contract between two parties, the buyer and the seller of this type of option. The buyer of the call option has the right, but not the obligation to buy an agreed quantity of a particular commodity or financial instrument (the underlying) from the seller of the option at a certain time (the expiration date) for a certain price (the strike price). The seller (or writer) is obligated to sell the commodity or financial instrument should the buyer so decide. The buyer pays a fee (called a premium) for this right. Why are the premiums different with the same contact specifications but different trading dates: The premium is the amount that is offered to the contactor for taking the risk while making a forwad, future or options contract as the investor is making his/her investment safe the contractor is exposed to risk so he/she might charged an amount called premium. The reason that the contract might have different premium amount with the same specifications is that the risk of currency appriciation or depriciation or the maturity of the contract, foir instance if the contract is one month long the premium might be low as the contract time is less and more accurate predictoins can be made by the contractor but if the maturity date is too long it will be difficult for the contractor to predict the future or will be difficult for him to manage his/her own risk do he/she might charge more premium for the transaction. Deep in the money : An option with an exercise price, or strike price, significantly below (for a call option) or above (for a put option) the market price of the underlying asset. Significantly, below/above is considered one strike price below/above the market price of the underlying asset.  For example, if the current price of the underlying stock was $10, a call option with a strike price of $5 would be considered deep in the money. Many option traders (both professionals and individual investors) will exercise, as they have the right, an expiring option that is in-the-money by any amount, even though this amount may be less than OCCs thresholds for automatic exercise. Therefore, you might anticipate assignment on any in-the-money option at expiration. An option is  in-the-money if it has positive intrinsic value that is, if the holder would profit from exercising it. In terms of strike price, a call is in-the-money if the exercise price is below the underlying stocks spot price. A put is in-the -money if the exercise price is above the stocks spot price. If GBP would depreciate against the dollar a call or put option would have been better for a British exporter If the GBP would depreciate against the dollar a call option will be beneficial for a British exporter as he is carrying transactions in dollar and he can buy GBP on low price at the future date and when it appreciates he can again write a put put option to get the benefit

The Develoment of the Horror Genre Essay -- essays research papers fc

The term Gothic is significant for the understanding of the origins and development of the horror genre. Both of these genres differ, whilst Gothic literature is the text that explores the frightening extremes in mankind, horror focuses more on the unknown. The Gothic horror genre has changed over time and retains importance because it is the antecedent of the horror genre. Factors such as the definition of the word Gothic, the archetypes of the genre, and its social and historical contexts, have altered considerably as time progressed. The value and popularity given to the gothic horror genre has also varied during the past few centuries. As a result, in order to understand the horror genre’s foundations, it is important to observe the Gothic novel’s modifications. Horror stories have existed for thousands of years, initially in the form of verbal communication. The themes of ruthless enemies and supernatural beings were common themes in myths in an attempt to set morals. However, at present, the true horror literature in its written form mostly aims to entertain. Its forerunner, the Gothic novel, rose in the eighteenth century and was extremely popular until the nineteenth century in England. The meaning of ‘gothic’ varies exceedingly. The word initially refers to German tribes that took part in overthrowing Rome. This word can be perceived as a synonymous for barbarous and dreadful. Similarly, the horror genre also has factors of monstrosity and dread. The â€Å"Gothic† style of architecture was famous in the middle ages and has been found on many cathedrals such as Notre Dame. Historians would describe this style as â€Å"gothic† to suggest their negative opinion of the architecture, that it was tasteless and dry. Instead of conforming to this perception, people were only led to believe the word to mean â€Å"dark and ominous†. Gothic architecture, with the foreboding atmosphere posed around it, correlates with the Gothic novel because it has been a prevalent backdrop to gothic novels in the 19th century, such as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. These Gothic horror stories were some of the first examples of the horror genre, and are therefore vital for the understanding this field. In its historical context, the gothic horror genre is believed to have emerged as a response to a time of rational thought, the Enlightenment or the Age of Reason. This intellectual movement a... ...tablished in the modern horror genre, thus it is practical to observe the archetypes of the Gothic novel as well. This allows the responders to grasp a better understanding of the origins of horror elements. It is therefore evident that the Gothic horror genre has evolved a great deal over the past two hundred years or so. The Gothic novel has affected the horror genre because of the intrigue created with the intense emotions and aspects of human nature. This as a result creates Gothic horror, similar to the horror genre but instead plays on the horrifying attributes of the radical human mind rather than the dread of the unknown and the irregular. In order to become more aware regarding the origins of the horror genre, it is important to understand the progress of the Gothic. It is notable to recognise the meaning of the term, its changing values, historical context and the varying archetypes of the Gothic novel in order to become acquainted with the horror genre’s development. Bibliography: http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/gothic/history.html http://www.wwnorton.com/nael/romantic/topic_2/welcome.htm http://cai.ucdavis.edu/waters-sites/gothicnovel/155breport.html