Why Support the Kidney Care Quality and Improvement Act

For the past years, health and health care have transformed to become the dominant economic and political issues in the United States and many other countries. Because most nations have experienced rapid rises in health care spending over the past 30 years, governments have assisted patients in their countries because the cost is simply becoming unaffordable for them.During the earlier times, provision of health care was a relatively simple matter. Doctors carried most of the equipment they used in a black bag and the same doctor was likely to attend a patient for most, or all, of her or his life. During those days the range of medical and surgical interventions was quite modest. Today, sophisticated diagnostic technology complements an extensive array of medical and surgical options making medical care a very complex, highly specialized, and costly commodity.One of the most alarming diseases that had burdened American people is kidney failure. According to a U.S. Newswire report (16 March 2005),   approximately 400,000 Americans currently suffer from kidney failure and of those, around 300,000 require dialysis several times a week, for an average of 3.5 hours per session. At the current rate of new cases — many the results of diabetes, obesity and hypertension — the number of patients is expected to quadruple to more than 2.2 million by the year 2030. Many experts recommended that early detection and better disease management is regarded as the best means to delay the onset of kidney failure.Definitely, kidney function is essential for life. Once a person’s own kidneys fail, some form of treatment is necessary if they are to go on living. Currently, there are two forms of treatment – dialysis (in which the kidney function is taken over by artificial means) and transplantation (in which another person’s kidney is used instead). Successful treatment – by dialysis or a transplant – now gives people with kidney fa ilure a new lease of life, sometimes for many years (Stein 2002, p. 122).However, death can be inevitable. Patients and families usually want to know how long a person can survive with untreated end-stage kidney failure. This too is variable, depending on the extent to which their old kidneys are working – and therefore the amount of urine that they pass. The kidneys may be able to get rid of some excess fluid, but unable to process waste products such as creatinine and urea, or salts such as potassium. It is the build-up of these substances in the blood (especially the potassium) that usually leads to death. This is why dialysis represents the success of our knowledge and skill in conquering a kidney illness. Dialysis is all about life. And, it could cost an insurmountable amount of money when someone goes to dialysis three times a week for the rest of his or her lifeIndeed, there is an immediate need to improve the government’s program that provides dialysis care for those with kidney failure. This is why the members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate introduced bipartisan legislation to update the End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) program, which 75 percent of the nation's dialysis patients rely on to live.This is called The Kidney Care Quality and Improvement Act of 2005, sponsored by Senators Rick Santorum and Kent Conrad, and Representatives William Jefferson and Dave Camp. This legislation would update Medicare's composite rate for ESRD — which does not automatically adjust for inflationary increases — as well as provide for important education and preventative programs to help stem the rising tide of kidney failure in the United States (U.S. Newswire, 16 March 2005).The primary reason for health care is to prevent or cure diseases or attend to people with chronic or terminal illnesses. It may be possible, however, for health care costs to undermine the soundness of what our pockets can afford, and such an eventuality would be und esirable. Hence, a pressing issue entails how to achieve a situation in which expensive medical care can continue to be available while, at the same time, the total cost of health care is scaled back so as to keep this cost in line with the overall rate of skyrocketing prices.For instance, Talladega in Alabama has only two dialysis units and there are almost 100 patients that cramp the two units. With The Kidney Care Quality and Improvement Act of 2005 patients will be assured for better care among patients stricken with kidney disease through improvements in Medicare and enhanced education programs, which would prevent numbers in Talladega County from growing any more. Although the act currently sits in a Senate committee awaiting approval, that’s not stopping local doctors from offering warnings to at-risk patients.Ghayas Habash, a nephrologist, said that the main thing people need is to get the message across to people at risk for kidney failure, those with diabetes, hyper tension, black people and those with a family history. If only we address these people aggressively, we can prevent a lot of kidney failure (Casciaro, 18 August 2005).True enough, medical costs have more than doubled over the last decade, and health insurance premiums have risen nearly five times faster than wages. Americans are spending far more on health care than residents of any other industrialized country while receiving lower-quality care overall. Meanwhile, big U.S. businesses that provide health coverage to workers complain that the high costs are crippling their ability to compete with companies abroad whose workers get government-subsidized care.The Bush administration is encouraging consumers to switch to consumer-directed health plans, whose high co-payments would force them to shop for more cost-effective care. But critics argue that individuals can do little to control costs. Instead, they argue, the plans would primarily benefit the wealthy and that society must make hard choices about which care should be paid for by public and private dollars (Clemmit, 7 April 2006).The overwhelming amount of health care purchased in the United States is paid for by the government through Medicare and Medicaid or by privately owned health-insurance companies. Both Medicare-Medicaid and health insurance firms employ personnel, process claims, and issue payments. Their procedures and personnel are expensive and add to the cost of health care without actual medical benefit to anyone.Proposals have been made to dismantle the so-called third party infrastructure and change to a single-payer system in which government would provide and pay for health care. Taxes would be adjusted to cover the costs and administrative bureaucracy would be kept to a minimum so as to maximize efficiency. While a single-payer system has obvious merits, a national consensus in favor of such a system has not emerged. Thus, the problem of health care dollars paying for administrative infr astructure remains, and there is no clear indication as to how to resolve it.For kidney patients, The Kidney Care Quality and Improvement Act of 2005 is long overdue because dialysis is not an option but a necessity for them to continue living. This legislation modernizes the Medicare ESRD program by: ·    creating public and patient education initiatives to increase awareness about Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and to help patients learn self-management skills; ·      ensuring patient quality through improvements in the ESRD payment system, including establishing an annual update framework and evaluating the effect of the new Physician Fee Schedule G-code visit requirements; ·      providing Medicare coverage for CKD education services for Medicare-eligible patients; ·    establishing an outcomes-based ESRD reimbursement demonstration project; ·    aligning incentives for physician surgical reimbursement for dialysis access to promote quality and lower costs;  ·      establishing a uniform training for patient care dialysis technicians; and ·    improving ESRD coverage by removing barriers to home dialysis and creating an ESRD Advisory Committee (RPA Website, 2006).Some critics have argue about the use of CKD education. In deeper analysis, CKD education is very crucial because people need to know the things about it prior to developing kidney failure but there is no funding for education that could have helped prolong your kidney function. This Act will be beneficial not only for CKD patients, but also for people who may be at risk. This act will definitely enable people that you (or your loved one) can get more treatments. With the current policy, most people cannot avail the dialysis they need because Medicare doesn't pay for more than 3 treatments a weekAs quality of care is everyone’s privilege, Medicare reimbursement should be updated annually for dialysis clinics just like it is for other providers. Medicare's low reimbursement could result to employer health plans paying more than their share and private companies have to pay higher. This would be a heavy burden for people with CKF because they need to pay higher premiums or their health coverage is reduced, or sometimes employees with CKF or employees that have dependents with CKF have the risk to lose their jobs because of the high costs on their part.Kidney patients need life-saving treatments that need to be improved because their lives are on the line and it is sapping them out of their funds because of the costs. Enacting Kidney Care Quality and Improvement Act of 2005 should therefore be prioritized and Congress should not think twice. Everything should be done to help CKF patients combat this lethal disease, and support them with all our efforts to get better treatments before it is too lateReferencesClemmitt, M. (2006, April 7). Rising health costs. CQ Researcher, 16, 289-312. Retrieved September 12, 2006, from CQ Researcher Online, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2006040700.Renal Physicians Association (RPA). (2006). The Kidney Care Quality and Improvement Act of 2005 Bill #S.635. Retrieved September 12, 2006, from RPA Website at http://capwiz.com/renalmd/issues/bills/?bill=7319331&size=fullStein, A. (2002). Kidney Failure Explained. London: Class Publishing.U.S. Newswire. (2005, March 16). Members of Congress Announce Bipartisan Legislation to Update, Improve Kidney Care Quality and Ensure Access to Dialysis. Retrieved September 12, 2006 at http://www.prnewswire.com/products-services/reach-us-media-bloggers.htmlpublic-interest-newslines-2.htmlGetRelease.asp?id=44507

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court Essay

The concept of time travel was not a subject new for fiction. However, it was quite a leap for the like of Mark Twain who has been writing about clear-cut fiction (To Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn) before he wrote something purely out of fantasy. The Legend of King Arthur arguably does not have a historical base; it is arguably a tale that gave one of this world’s strongest nations its foundation. Indeed, England’s rich traditions would not be complete without this great legend of the King. Such tradition must have caught the fancy of Mark Twain for in this book, he placed a Yankee, an American to the core, in the midst of England’s most precious fictional knights and in the book, Mark twain made the particular American powerful as he had the benefit of 1200 years of mankind advancement. Mark Twain did not embellish on the time travel itself. The Yankee just knocked his head and managed to wake up in King Arthur’s court. Of course, he was ridiculed because he talks funny and dresses weird and Merlin himself sentenced him to burn at the stake, like a woman accused of making a pact with the devil. It just so happened that the Yankee has the benefit of luck. He remembered from his history lessons the great eclipse that will happen and at the time of his burning at that. He used this advanced knowledge to get himself out of death and because he was cunning enough to be a great actor and convince the citizenry of his powers, he was elevated to a position equal to that of the King or the Pope. He even surpassed the great Merlin in rank. Merlin, of course cannot allow this, hence a power struggle between the Yankee and Merlin ensued but what use is Merlin’s incantations to science and technology? As the book trivialized, chanting of magic spells cannot really repair a leak as much as good, old repair can. Merlin lost and the Yankee then introduced more modernization to the court, attempting to abolish monarchy. How Mark Twain must have enjoyed writing this novel. The Yankee introduced the then modern American way of living- telephones, public education system, newspaper publications, factories – all these aimed to destroy Arthur’s romanticized and chivalrous kingdom. It is like the American revenge to the British Empire for colonizing them and treating them like heathens for centuries. At this time in the 19th century and even to this date in 2010, there are a lot of British snobs who look down on Americans. This was Mark Twain’s fantasy- had this book happened in reality, then the British will probably know some humility and perhaps make Americans superior to the British citizenry. The 6th century Britain could certainly use introduction to the modern world. Economics was developed by the Yankee; industrialization was commenced yet despite all these contributions, the King refused to get out of his chivalric way of living. The Yankee, being weird yet intelligent was despised by fellow noblemen. His rise to prominence angered the others who were bested by the weird man who talks funny and seems to be loved by the people. Many people devised his ruin and eventually succeeded. The ending of the book raises some eyebrows; the Yankee was cursed by Merlin to sleep for 1300 years, transporting him back to the day and age he initially came from. Mark Twain puts the elements of â€Å"what if† in his readers’ mind as with the ending, the readers will think, â€Å"Hey, this could be real after all†. Overall, despite being a fantasy, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court shows Mark Twain’s disdain for romanticism. The Yankee’s logic and intellect reflects how stupid chivalric people were. The most chivalrous time was arguably in King Arthur’s court and Sir Lancelot and Guinevere’s love story was most romanticized about and Mark Twain in this book showed how silly all of these are. Works Cited: Twain, Mark. â€Å"A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. † 1889. New York: Bantam Classic, 1983.

Business Strategic Direction

The Knox box was created to help out the fire department in case of emergencies. It is a non destructive way for the fire department to enter a commercial building or a residence. There are over 10,500 fire department and government agencies that are signed up with the Knox Company. The Knox Company does business in the United States, Canada, Japan, Bahamas, Puerco Rice, and Germany as well as other European countries. The European and Asian foreign market demand for the Knox box is mostly fromU. S military bases stationed there. In Canada, Puerco Rice and the Bahamas the demand for the box comes from commercial businesses and residential homes. The driving factor for purchasing a Knox box comes from whether the fire department requires a building to have one for emergency access as compared to a customer needing one for safety reasons to store a spare house or business key. Both AAA and The Knox Company face many of the same internal forces that affect the organizational behavior of the two companies.AAA and Nook's success both rely on the need to meet customer demands. Knox may need to engineer a new type of lock box to meet the current needs of fire department while AAA may need to provide a new service or insurance product to better serve their loyal customers. Both companies are working to maximize profit and meet the needs of their customers at the same time. While the two companies have many similarities they also have a few differences. Knox is a company located here in Arizona, producing American made parts.AAA has operation centers in various states from coast to coast. The size Is also quite different between the two companies. AAA employs thousands of employees and caters to the needs of millions of members where Knox Company only employs approximately a hundred employees. The vast difference In size creates many different challenges for AAA and Knox. The two companies are In two completely different Industries, but they are both customer driven. Bo th companies face different Internal and external forces that play a large part In the shaping of each company.

Rationale and Analysis for Agency Selected, Essay

Rationale and Analysis for Agency Selected, - Essay Example Currently, the agency is being administered by Julian Castro, who is the U.S. secretary of the HUD agency since 28th July, 2014. According to United States (2013), there are some Key Historical Events of the Agency since its formation in 1965. The table shown below summarizes the date an important enactment was made and its function. These are as tabulated below. The mission statement summarizes what is entailed in the HUD department with well spelt out and articulated cut outs that enable its operations. The mission is spelt out as shown in the paragraph below. The mission of the United States Agency of Housing and Urban Development is to create sustainable, strong and affordable, quality and inclusive communities homes for all. This agency is working towards ensuring that the housing market is strengthened (Senate Report, 2013). According to United States (2013), this federal agency is principally charged with the responsibility of programs dealing with national housing demands. It also ensures that the housing opportunities are fair and that the nation’s communities are developed and significantly improved. This agency was created to undertake the following functions: The agency seeks to ensure that the principal programs of the department are administered with the objective of extending assistance on matters pertinent to housing. The agency further provides assistance when it comes to national communities’ development. The agency partners with localities and different states in its quest to promote community development and housing. These partnerships ensure that service delivery is effective, fast and efficient and is done in accordance to the clearly stipulated mission and objectives. They tap the power derived from synergy. Another important function of the agency is to promote optimum contribution through mortgage lending firms and rigorous private-based homebuilding. These may be in the

Education Should be privatized as it is a privilege not a right Essay

Education Should be privatized as it is a privilege not a right - Essay Example Firstly, private schools offer quality and good education that meets the students’ needs in the society. Unlike public schools, private schools have developed a personal approach to learning. Through this approach, learners have many benefits in linking education demands and the job market skills. Meryzn & Ursprung (2005) note that the United States public schools have been an example of the economics of education because of poor quality that do not match the financial allocation by the government. The quality of education can be seen in three approaches. One is quality, this is education that is a personalized, economical and able ensures the needs of students. It is an education system that can make sense in objectives and the societal demands. In order to achieve these good goals of education, some scholars have said that privatization of education is a good step that will make good purpose of education. Brown (2013) Education should not be seen as a right, today there are many great business persons and known sportsmen who have made an immense contribution to the economy without necessarily going to schools (Davidsona 2010). According to National Center for Education Statistics Report 2010 it identified many stidents in public schools as a big problem for the quality of education (Espiona & Gonzalez 2013). The report said that, private schools have half of the public school population. Schools and classes are smaller in the private institution leading to personal teaching that touches the classroom activities. The teacher-student ratio is more favorable, mostly they have a numbers of 1:9 that allows economic value of the parents money. Many public both primary and secondary schools have a ratio of 1:19, meaning there is an acute shortage, and the quality of education is quite low (Brown 2013). Public schools continue to have a big number of students that do not learn due to the big numbers as compared to the teachers. These

Methods of evaluations for Premarital programs of Thalassemia and SCD Essay

Methods of evaluations for Premarital programs of Thalassemia and SCD - Essay Example Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease are the most prevalent hemoglobinopathies. Both these conditions are inherited as autosomal recessive disorders. They share common features like premature destruction of red blood cells and elevated erythropoietin levels in the marrow and other sites to compensate for the loss of red cells and accumulation of the products of hemoglobin catabolism due to increased rate of red cell destruction (Aster, 2007). Thalassemias are a group of heterogeneous inherited disorders caused by genetic defects as a consequence of which decreased synthesis of either the alpha or beta chain of HbA occurs (Aster, 2007, pg.632). When deficient synthesis of beta chain occurs, it is known as beta-thalassemia and when alpha synthesis is affected, it is known as alpha-thalassemia. Sickle cell anemia is a type of disease characterized by production of defective hemoglobins because of which sickling of red cells occurs in certain conditions like deoxygenation (Aster, 2007, pg.628). The WHO has estimated that about 7% of the world population are carriers of inherited hemoglobin disorders and that there are about 3 to 4 hundred thousand babies being born each year with severe forms of these diseases (Weatherall, 2001). About 3% of the world population is carriers of a beta thalassemia mutation (Ghotbi & Tsukatani, 2002). Though globally, carriers of thalassemia are more than the carriers of sickle cell anemia, the number of affected births of sickle cell anemia is more than thalassemia due to higher frequency of sickle cell genes in certain areas (WHO Secretariat Report, 2006). These conditions are prevalent all over the world with the highest incidences noticed in tropical regions (Refer to tables-1 and 2). The gene for sickle cell anemia is distributed widely in the regions of sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and the Indian sub-continent. In these regions, it has been estimated that the carrier frequencies range from 5% to

5 Page Book Critique on Francis A. Schaeffers book, How Should We Then Essay

5 Page Book Critique on Francis A. Schaeffers book, How Should We Then Live for a Advanced School Law Class - Essay Example ly states â€Å""To understand where we are in todays world -- in our intellectual ideas and in our cultural and political lives -- we must trace three lines in history, namely, the philosophic, the scientific, and the religious." In this book Schaeffer aims at motivating the people to return to religion and the Christian way of life. He speaks of the problems of the modern day and their affect on society today. By tracing back through history he provides a compelling argument to explain the value of the Christian ethic and belief. His conclusion is that the only way to achieve success and satisfaction in the world today is to go back to the ultimate truth: The Bible. This is considered the absolute perfection that is revealed to Christ through the Scriptures. The book also speaks of the beauty and magnificence of God. It mentions the importance of understanding the true power behind the infinite God as human beings are mere finite shadows under his supremacy. To better explain this aim, a quote has been taken from the book â€Å"It is important that the Bible sets forth true knowledge about mankind. The biblical teaching provides the meaning of all the particulars, however this is especially so with regards to that particular which is critical to man, namely, the ‘self’ individual either him or her; it really provides a reason for the individual to be great. The ironical factor here remains that humanism, which initiates with Man being central, ultimately has no real meaning for people. At the same time, if one starts off with the Bibles position that an individual is created by God and created in the image of God, there is a basis for that persons dignity. People, the Bible preaches, are created in the image of God -- they are not programmed. Each is thus Man with dignity.†(Chapter 4) In his acknowledgements Schaeffer writes â€Å"â€Å"Using my study, over the past forty years, of Western thought and culture as a base, we could attempt to present the flow and

Critque Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Critque - Essay Example All of these are believed to aid in the learning of the students on the particular content proposed by Ms. McMahon. Her work obviously is centered on the premise that media has an important part in the education of the patients. However, she does not show a random use of available media. Her use of these materials is anchored on the objectives she has set out for each session of her program. For example, the discussion on the importance of aerobic exercise, through the use of video presentations and giving out of handouts, is done in the first few sessions of the patient education program. In so doing, she enables the students to comprehend the objectives of the program, the activities of each session and the overall impact of the class to their well-being. Also, in her lesson on the duration of exercise, she gives the students exercise charts where the students can note and monitor how long or how often they have done the assigned exercise and to what extent they have reached their targets. This is a good follow-up of learning because the students will be able to apply what they have learned (th at this type of cardio work-out can only last for this period of time or that doing this cardio work-out should bring heart rate to this value) and that this will also monitor the development of the patients in as far as their participation on the activities is concerned. I agree on her use of various types of media because this makes the patients eager for the next lessons in their anticipation of what media will be used. Also, the class content in itself needs the use of media, particularly videos and pictures to show or illustrate the various exercises, materials used and the like. The classic classroom discussion is not sufficient with this type of class content or class objective. The flow or sequencing of events in the program is also well planned. It starts with the

How stress leads to injuries on the job Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

How stress leads to injuries on the job - Essay Example 516) For example, conflict may arise between the individual and the world of work because a transition is called for. To illustrate: for the beginning worker we have the self-centredness of adolescence to the disciplined subordination of personal needs to the demands of the workplace. (p. 516) This is the reason why many workers need to learn and adapt to the reality those personal feelings and values are often of little importance or relevance to the workplace. The dilemma is underscored by the fact that the work environment is becoming more complex, ever changing and technologically sophisticated. The impact of stress in the field of occupational safety engineering is tied to the fact that exposure to stressful working conditions can have a direct influence on a worker’s safety or the risk of illness and injury. The study of occupational stress was given impetus in the early 1970s by the establishment in the US of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), whose goal is to conduct research to reduce work-related illnesses and injuries. From then on, research and studies conducted by the agency would help shape the course of job-stress research in the United States. One of the most important findings of NIOSH is that job stress is viewed as a situation in which job stressors – alone or in combination with other stressors – interact with individual worker characteristics and result in acute disruption of psychological or physiological homeostasis. Levy, Baron and Sokas (2006) elaborated on this study further, citing that: This disruption (often called job strain) can be psychological (disruption in effect or cognition); physiological; or behavioral. Job strain, if prolonged, is thought to lead to a variety disorders, including cardiovascular disease, psychological disorders and musculoskeletal disorders. (p. 383) Cary Cooper conducted an early

CULTURES WITHOUT A COUNTRY - STATELESS NATION Term Paper

CULTURES WITHOUT A COUNTRY - STATELESS NATION - Term Paper Example The development in the country has not gone unnoticed. However, they have been associated similar outcomes in other decentralized countries like Germany, United States and Australia. The association is treated under the foreign policy or international relations of the regional government that is known as the wider rubric of paradiplomacy. The domestic and international structures play an essential role in conditioning the consequences of nationalism for regions that operate internationally. Regional autonomy, national foreign policy agenda and constitutional frameworks are crucial elements of the domestic context. The key elements of international environment shaping are determined by the behavior of the foreign state in connection to political and economic continental regimes. Basque country is geographically situated at the western end of the Pyrenees and it covers territories in both France and Spain. The most polluted area of Basque country is in Spain, which is known to be a compound state that incorporates various degrees of internal ethno territorial plurality. The modern political unification of Spain took place through the means of a dynastic union under the catholic Kings in the year 1469. (Friend) However, its constituent territories maintained their autonomous existence. The incorporation of territories to the Hispanic monarchy was achieved in the unruly stage s of European Mordent Age. This was centuries before national homogenization process was carried out in the European monarchies. Prior to the union of the catholic Kings, the Castilian prices had the unification of Leon and Castile in bringing through royal marriages and conquest. It also incorporated the Basque provinces of Alava, Biscay and Guipuzcoa. These three provinces took good care of their local rights, fueros and traditions. During the XIX century, many Spanish dominions

Elizabethan society Essay Example for Free

Elizabethan society Essay At the end of the novel there can be seen to be a change of attitude of society towards Grenouille. Due to his amazing gift, Grenouille is able to create a scent that powerfully manipulates human emotion through preserving the aroma of the 25 virgin girls. At Grenouilles execution he reveals this scent and the whole town is overwhelmed by emotion. It is at this point in time that the townsfolk admire Grenouilles gift and because of their state of delirium, disregard Grenouilles crimes. It is here when Grenouille can be seen to be accepted into society. However, regardless of this Grenouille still perceives himself as an outsider. Grenouille believes that he is not loved for himself but for the perfume he created, he states; I have always found gratification in hatred, in hating and being hated, not love. He then decides to return to Paris upon finding that the satisfaction that he initially felt has transformed itself into self-hatred and disgust. In comparison to Othello the novel Perfume can be seen to be both similar and different in their representations of the Outsider. Like Grenouille, Othello is seen as an outsider because of his background. He is outcaste because of his race and his differing values due to past experiences. Grenouille can be seen to reflect this idea, as he is an outsider initially because of his background that challenges the norm of society at the time the novel was set. Another similarity that can be made between these two texts is that the perception of the outsider is perceived from society and also from within the outsider itself. Othello, even though quite underestimating at times, believes that he is inferior to the Venetians, he states; Happily for I am black and do not possess the soft parts of conversation chamberers have. Grenouille also perceives himself as an outsider and is aware of the unwelcoming presence he bestows upon others. The fact that Grenouille devotes his life to creating a scent that will make him accepted and valued in society shows how he is aware if this. Another likeness between Othello and Grenouille is that both characters share a differing attitude to women that makes them outsiders in society. They are both somewhat oblivious to women as a sexual commodity, or do not show the affiliation to what would be expected of them. Othello shows an unusually lack of affection or infatuation towards his wife Desdemona. Othello has just been married to a young, and beautiful woman but does not seem to be besotted with her at all. This can be compared to Grenouilles differing attitude to women. Although Grenouille does not have a rightful relationship towards the women he comes across, he is still obsessed with them, unlike Othello. The way Grenouille expresses this obsession or feeling, however, is still different to what would be expected of most adolescent men. Grenouille is not attracted physically to the women but is enthralled by them because of their scent. Grenouille can also be compared to Iago in the play Othello, as both are dismissive towards the values and ideologies of their context. Loyalty, love, reputation and honesty were all values of great importance in Elizabethan society. Iagos actions, however, derive from hate, vengeance and deceit. Yet Iago is still considered an insider in Venice and only chooses to disregard the values of society. Grenouille on the other hand is completely isolated from society and struggles for any kind of acceptance. His brutal actions that go against the values of 18th century France may be partially influenced by the fact that he was not introduced to the morals of society in the first place, due to this isolation. Grenouille, having seen no human affection or experienced any of the values we inherit from human interaction such as love and compassion, find it difficult to distinguish right from wrong in his actions. Another text that has enhanced my understanding of how the concept of the outsider can be portrayed is the short film The Story of Bubbleboy. The film was produced in 2006 for the annual Australian tropfest short film festival. It was directed by Sean Ashcroft, produced by Kristy Fransen and stars Andrew Supanz. The Story of Bubbleboy is a film about a man named Bubbleboy who is trapped in the past and redeemed by the future. Bubbleboy is a sad outsider who lives alone due to a fanatic phobia of pointed and sharp objects. He is so afraid that he results to wrapping everything, including himself, in bubble-wrap. He never ventures from his house because the outside world is too terrifying and he cannot comprehend his fears. The film tells the story of his self-imposed exile from the world and how one day, driven by dwindling supplies he ventures out. Bubbleboy, while growing more confident as his adventure draws to an end, is ironically stabbed in an ally way. However, having been stripped from his protective bubbles in his last moments, Bubbleboy finds salvation and feels connected with the world. Because of Bubbleboys fear and self imposed isolation, he is regarded as an outsider by society. He completely avoids human contact and is scorned by the community. Bubbleboy longs for belonging but cannot comprehend his fears. A particular scene in the novel that conveys this idea is the beginning segment where we are introduced to Bubbleboys way of life and how it differs greatly from that of society. Here, filming techniques are used to show that Bubbleboy is an outsider. A flashing mirage of everyday pointy items is shown while a narrator explains Bubbleboys situation. There is then a long shot of Bubbleboy wrapped from head to toe in bubble-wrap huddling in a corner of his home. This initiates the idea that he is definitely an outsider and is uncomfortable with his surroundings. Close-ups are used to show the trepidation on Bubbleboys face to emphasize this point. A panning shot is then used to show how every household item has been covered in bubble-wrap, emphasizing the intensity of the problem. A birds eye view is also used here of Bubbleboy moving uncomfortably through his home; this suggests that he is a victim and is clearly suffering from his phobia. To show how Bubbleboys fears cause him to be perceived as an outsider by the community is the use of dramatic contrast between the outside world and his own. A view from the inside of the house looking out into the street brings a striking contrast of lively colors. When this is compared to the insides of Bubbleboys house, which is mostly colored in grays, the fact that he is an outsider is emphasized. Two young girls ride past the house and stop mocking Bubbleboys strange appearance from the window. Bubble boy then shuts his curtain and disappears. The use of the window here also symbolizes the physical barrier between himself and society. Contrast is used in a further scene in the film when illustrating the differences of Bubbleboys lifestyle to that of people his own age. Here, Bubbleboy is seen looking longingly into the window of a house where a lively and entertaining dinner party is taking place. A camera angle is used to show how Bubbleboy is looking up into the scene creating a sense of his inferiority and isolation. There are then a series of flashing images back and forth between the vibrant and colorful party life, with Bubbleboys lonesome isolation, again reinforcing this idea. When Bubbleboy finally faces his fears and leaves the house, more techniques are used to show how new and trepidating this is for him due to his experience as an outsider. For example when he opens the door into the outside world, a blinding and foggy light is emitted suggesting the unknown. Once outside the house, Bubbleboy again contrasts greatly with his surroundings as his general appearance is confronting and obviously very odd. Close-ups are used to show the looks of mockery and confusion on the towns peoples faces to convey this idea. The attitudes towards Bubbleboy as an outsider may be seen to change towards the end of the film. When he is ironically stabbed on his way home from his healing journey his is stripped of his bubble-wrap protection. It is here when society can accept him as his true self is revealed. This is shown by a woman rushing to the aid of injured Bubbleboy, truly concerned for his wellbeing. Bubbleboys perceptions of himself as an outsider can also be seen to change. A narrators voice is used to explain that at that point, Bubbleboy finds salvation, and for the first time feels connected to the world once outside his shell. There are not many similarities to the play Othello as the short film is such a vastly different text. Though it is clear that both characters; Bubbleboy and Othello are perceived as outsiders by society. However, it is Othellos unforeseen and irrational actions that confirm his status as an outsider. While it is Bubbleboys out of the ordinary actions that enable him to be accepted into society. Also, Bubbleboy is portrayed to be a victim of the imposing views of society, as he is a lonely and lost character, but on the other hand Othello victimizes society itself when he undergoes the actions that make him an outsider. Evidently, the three texts; Othello, Perfume and The Story of Bubbleboy have all increased my understanding of the outsider as they illustrate a vast use of techniques and concepts that make a person an outsider in society.

Weimar Republic Essay Example for Free

Weimar Republic Essay The WR began after WWII the Treaty of Versailles was signed by the Germans and forced to have a democracy rather than a monarchy. The Government from the start was full of problems with its economy, social and political areas, what made it worse was the Great Depression in 1929. The WR was vulnerable to a number of attacks from many different areas including the Nazi party and its leader Hitler. It was attacked for its constitution, unfamiliar structure and its inability to quickly restore Germany. The Nazis appealed to their audience with its foreign and domestic policies, its authoritarian rule, propaganda radical policies and Hitler’s Charisma. After many problems challenging the WR, it collapsed in 1933 and the Nazis thrived from this. The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919 by the WR and was a huge hit on Germany and its people. The treaty was seen by Germans as the loss of Germany’s image of a great nation with a powerful military. As a result the WR was often called the ‘November Criminals’ and accused them of the idea of the ‘Dolchstoss(stab in the back)†. Most of this was due to the fact that the allies forced Germany to pay the harsh terms of the war reparations amounting to 60 billion dollars. The WR’s obvious economic problems and the public’s view on them made it look like it was inevitably going to collapse. Hitler used the idea of ‘November Criminals’ and the Treaty of Versailles as propaganda to show the shame that the WR brought on Germany. In one video it is shows Hitler ripping the Treaty of Versailles in front of the crowd causing a frenzy of high German spirit. The WR as a democratic system was very new to the Germans as they were used to an authoritative monarchy. Germans had a â€Å"rich monarchical tradition that had substantial success under authoritative moulds of government† which made it difficult to accept the democracy. Another problem faced by the WR was that the constitution clause of the Reichstag being that of proportional representation which meant a political leader for every party. This was troublesome as it was difficult to find a majority because of many conflicting perspectives. The fire in the parliamentary building in 1933, which some believe the Nazis started, was a situation used by Hitler to show the failure of democracy. He also took advantage of Article 48. In years later when Hitler has much power he completely contrasts the WR policies by being a single powerful dictator and making policies to get rid of all opposition by any means as shown in the ‘Night of the long knives†. In 1924 to 1929 Germany was surprisingly paying the reparations rather quickly. During this period Stresemann agreed to the Dawes Plan, the system of loans from the United states helped Germany get back on its feet which got rid of the French in the Ruhr that troubled the Germany people as well as the WR. â€Å"The Dawes Plan sounded the signal for a period of recovery, the scope and intensity of which were unparalleled in recent German History†. This period of stability however fell due to the depression in which the stock markets crashed. Unemployment soared and many lived in poor conditions. The German people had last all hope in the Weimer republic and started looking for radical change like the communists and the Nazis. As a result, Hitler became popular and made promises to the military and to the industrialists that Germany would return to greatness once again. Hitler exploited the trust of the German people to its fullest during these times of hardship so he could gain support to become in full control of the German state. The depression was a main factor in Hitler’s success and the rise of the Nazi party. The weakness of the WR were truly revealed by Hitler and showed its shame and thus gaining support from the public. â€Å"The depression put the wind into Hitler’s sails†

Private Health Insurance In Kenya Economics Essay

Private Health Insurance In Kenya Economics Essay Insurance is an arrangement by which one party The insurer promises to pay another party the insured or policy holder a sum of money if something happens which causes the insured to suffer financial loss (Diacon.S.R and Carter R.L, 1998) In the past few years, private health insurance sector in Kenya has been recorded as the highest loss-making insurance class with loss ratios of 74.0 per cent, 80.4 per cent , 81.5 per cent and 83.5 per cent in 2008, 2009 2010 and 2011 respectively (AKI report, 2011). Private health insurance has continued to perform poorly in the year 2011, posting a loss of 650 Million compared to a loss of Kshs. 530 Million in the previous year. According to the Association of Kenya Insurers (2011), only four out of the 20 Private health insurance providers in Kenya made an underwriting profit in 2011, the four include General Accident Insurance Company, Jubilee Insurance Company, Mercantile Insurance Company and Real Insurance Company. The sector has the highest loss ratio in the industry of 83.5% with net earned premiums reaching KES 8.9bn (US$74.5mn) and net incurred claims reached KES 5.4 bn (US$60.6mn). This trend has been consistent for the last 4 years 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, with all indications that 2012 will also be a loss, a situation has prompted the Private health insurance premiums to be increased from time to time but the situation has not been improved much, it is therefore imperative to examine the challenges facing Private health insurance companies and their effect on business performance with a view of informing future insurance policy formulation. This study will seek to investigate the cchallenges facing insurance companies in the provision of Private Health insurance and their effect on business performance because this sector is an important one for the economic development of the Nation hence the need to guard it. This chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, research objectives, research questions, justification of the study, significance of the study, assumptions limitations and delimitations, definition of terms and chapter summary. 1.1 Background of the Study Health insurance is a form of collectivism by means of which people collectively pool their risk, in this case the risk of incurring medical expenses. It is a contract between an insurance company and an individual or a sponsor in the form of an employer. The contract can be renewable annually or monthly depending on the agreement between the parties in that contract. The type and amount of health care costs that will be covered by the health insurance company are specified in advance, in the member policy contract. The importance of health insurance cannot be underestimated in any economy. As observed by Wasow and Hill (1986) who argued that health insurance is an important channel for financial capital accumulation. Health insurance companies policies offer policies, which are purchased exclusively to protect the customer against risk. They often involve substantial savings. This is because Insurance companies must accumulate reserves against anticipated future claims which provide for large sums of money, which can be lend to individuals, the government, commerce and industry. According to the World health Organization (World Health Report, 2008), access to healthcare is the right of every individual. Governments all over the world have therefore undertaken various programs in order to realize this objective. The Government of Kenya has also not been left behind on this as Kenya is a signatory to the Abuja Declaration (Institute of Policy and Research, 2005) which requires its signatory member states to spend at least 15% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on healthcare. As of the year 2009, Kenya spent 9% of her GDP on healthcare which was far below the recommended proportion (IPAR, 2005). Health insurance schemes are an increasingly recognized factor as a tool to finance health care provision in low and middle income countries. Given the high latent demand from people for health care services of a good quality and the extreme under-utilization of health services in several countries, it has been argued that social health insurance may improve the access to health care of acceptable quality. Whereas alternative forms of health care financing and cost recovery strategies like user fees have been heavily criticized, the option of insurance seems to be a promising alternative as it is a possibility to pool risk transferring, unforeseeable health care costs to fixed premiums. Private health insurance is considered private when the third party (insurer) is a profit seeking organization such as the private insurance companies. In Private Health insurance, people pay premiums related to the expected cost of health services to be provided to them. Therefore, people who are in high health risk groups pay more, and those at low risk pay less. Membership to a private insurance scheme is usually voluntary and is solely based on the decision of the insured. Private Health insurance has been offered by general insurance firms as one of their portfolio of products. One of the overall goals of the Government of Kenya is to promote and improve the health status of all Kenyans by making health services more efficient, available and affordable. The importance of Private health insurance in the provision and utilization of health care cannot be overemphasized. Funding for health care has become a cooperative responsibility shared among the government, employers, and insurance companies because of the importance of the service and the rising costs of medical services. This makes Private health insurance one of the most significant instruments to maintain a healthy workforce to drive the economy. Private health insurance coverage is provided by public and private sources. Public sources include National Hospital Insurance Fund while private sources include private insurance companies such as APA insurance company Kenya limited, UAP Insurance Company limited, Jubilee Insurance Company and Madison Insurance among others 1.1.1 Private health Insurance Health insurance is an institutional and financial mechanism that helps households and private individuals to set aside financial resources to meet costs of medical care in event of illness. It is based on the principle of pooling funds and entrusting management of such funds to a third party that pays for healthcare costs of members who contribute to the pool. The third party can be government, employer, insurance company or a provider (Kraushaar, 1994). Wangombe et al., (1994) identify two categories of private health insurance in Kenya: direct private health insurance and, employment based insurance. Direct private health insurance is very expensive and only the middle and high-income groups afford it (Nderitu, 2002). In the employment-based plans, the employer provides care directly through employer-owned on site health facility, or through employer contracts with health facilities or healthcare organisations. These are both voluntary health schemes and are not legislated by the government. 1.1.2 Private Health Insurance in Kenya According to the AKI report (2011) there was 47 licenses insurance Companies with 20 companies licensed to practice and sale health insurance products. There are additional 23 medical Insurance providers (MIPs) which are more of managed care organization. The total premiums for private medical insurance in 2011 were over 8.3 billion with claims ratio at 83.5 percent. Private health insurance accounts for 15 percent of the gross total premium for all insurance products in 2011. According to the World Bank working paper number 193 (2010), the health insurance penetration stands at 2 percent with about 600,000 people insured with public insurance and over 2 million insured under the public insurance NHIF In the past few years, private health insurance sector in Kenya has been recorded as the highest loss-making insurance class with loss ratios of 74.0 per cent, 80.4 per cent , 81.5 per cent and 83.5 per cent in 2008, 2009 2010 and 2011 respectively (AKI report, 2011). Private health insurance has continued to perform poorly in the year 2011, posting a loss of 650 Million compared to a loss of Kshs. 530 Million in the previous year. According to the Association of Kenya Insurers (2011), only four out of the 20 Private Health Insurance providers in Kenya made an underwriting profit in 2011, the four include General Accident Insurance Company, Jubilee Insurance Company, Mercantile Insurance Company and Real Insurance Company. The sector has the highest loss ratio in the industry of 83.5% with net earned premiums reaching KES 8.9bn (US$74.5mn) and net incurred claims reached KES 5.4 bn (US$60.6mn). 1.2 Statement of the Problem Despite numerous efforts and strategies by insurance companies to maximize profitability, private health insurance has been performing poorly The insurance industry in Kenya is experiencing diverse challenges, key among them being the poor public perception of insurance (AKI Report, 2011 despite being the highest loss making class among the other classes of insurance. In the past few years, private health insurance sector in Kenya has been the highest loss-making class with loss ratios of 74.0 per cent, 80.4 per cent, 81.5 and 83.5per cent in 2008, 2009 2010 and 2011 respectively (AKI report, 2011). Private health insurance has continued to perform poorly in the year 2011, posting a loss of 650 Million compared to a loss of Kshs. 530 Million in the previous year. According to the Association of Kenya Insurers (2011), only four out of the 20 Private health insurance providers in Kenya made an underwriting profit in 2011. The sector has the highest loss ratio in the industry of 83.5% w ith net earned premiums reaching KES 8.9bn (US$74.5mn) and net incurred claims reached KES 5.4 bn (US$60.6mn). The trend has been consistent for the last 4 years 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, with all indications that 2012 will also be a loss, this has prompted the Private health insurance premiums to be increased from time to time but the situation has not been improved much A big proportion of health insurance companies covering Private health insurance have continued to suffer losses and face the risk of collapse unless urgent measures are taken to understand and mitigate against the current the trend of losses where the total premiums collected cannot fund the number of claims incurred thereby forcing insurance companies to finance the claims with other premiums, thereby compromising profitability. The sale of private health insurance products in the Kenyan industry is proving to be a high risk investment for insurance companies. Several companies have collapsed with billions of policyholders funds, causing uncertainty and turmoil in the insurance industry. Examples of some of the insurance providers doing Private health insurance that have collapsed in Kenya include Discovery health, Mediplus and Smart Guard. Discovery Health, Health Plan services, Medex and Mesco consultants There is little empirical data and information available on the challenges and constraints facing private health insurance in Kenya. The study will therefore seek to address this knowledge gap. An explication of the challenges facing Private health insurance will facilitate insurance companies in positioning their products better in the market, and enable them undertake mitigation measures to ensure profitability. The study will seek to investigate the real challenges facing Private health insurance in Kenya, and the effects on business performance with a view of informing the formulation of effective mitigation strategies. 1.3 Purpose of the study The purpose of this study is to examine the the challenges facing insurance companies in the provision of private health insurance and the effect on business performance 1.4 Research Objectives To identify the challenges facing the Private health insurance companies in Kenya. To determine the effects of these challenges on the business performance of Private Health insurance companies in Kenya. To recommend strategic interventions measures to address the challenges facing the Private health insurance sub sector in Kenya. 1.5 Research Questions What are the challenges affecting provision of Private health insurance companies in Kenya? How do these challenges affect the performance of the Private health insurance companies in Kenya? What interventions measures can be employed to address the challenges in the Private health insurance Companies in Kenya? 1.6 Justification Previous research studies on insurance have concentrated on documenting the coverage and impact of insurance products, with little empirical evidence on factors affecting the sustainability of different insurance categories in the long term. It is envisaged that this research study will serve to fill this knowledge gap by identifying and elucidating the challenges that influence the implementation of private Health insurance, and contribute to the existing body of knowledge on insurance. It is hoped that this study will yield data and information that will be useful in formulating sound insurance policies and form the basis for further research and review on the insurance sector in Kenya. As such this study is important as it will identify the challenges facing the private health Insurance sector and how the challenges can be mitigated to ensure the industry grows and does not make losses. 1.7 Significance of the study This study will be important to various stakeholders including Private health insurance providers, future researchers and academicians, Association of Kenya Insurers, Insurance Regulatory Authorities and the General public. 1.7.1 Private Health Insurance Providers The findings and recommendations of this study will be useful to new Private health insurance providers intending to introduce new Private health insurance products by enabling them to formulate and target their products effectively. The study will benefit the existing Private Health insurers in understanding underwriting challenges facing medical insurance and how to address with the problems. Managers of insurance companies will find the findings of this study useful in designing strategic plans to help their businesses gain competitive advantage. 1.7.2 Academia Knowledge seekers in the fields of economics, research methods, management, and development studies will find this research study useful. In particular, this research study will be beneficial to the researchers with research interests in insurance, by serving as a point of reference. In addition, future researchers will be able to formulate further studies based on the recommendations of this study. The author, who is also a knowledge seeker, will be awarded a Master of Business Administration degree by successfully completing this research study. 1.7.3 Government and Regulatory agencies Government and regulatory agencies will find the findings and recommendations of this study useful in formulating future insurance regulations and laws that will aid in regulating and operationalization of the private health insurance industry. 1.7.4 Employers and Members of the Public The study will benefit the members of the public by helping demystify the operation of the insurance business and thereby appreciate the role of private Health insurance as well as challenges facing the Private health insurance sector in Kenya. Employers will find the findings and recommendations useful in understanding underwriting conditions proposed by insurance companies in Private Health insurance covers. 1.8 Scope of the Study The target population of this study will be all the Private health insurance providers currently operating in Nairobi, Kenya. The study will cover all the insurance companies licensed to offer Private Health insurance. Data will be collected by administering a questionnaire to managerial staff in the insurance companies. 1.9 Limitations and Delimitations This research study may encounter a number of limitations. First, the data collection will be subjected to insurance managers who may have their own formed opinions on the challenges of Private health insurance, which they may fail to articulate or tend to overemphasize for fear of the information being used for other reasons other than academic. To overcome this limitation, the researcher will carry along an introduction letter from Daystar University to confirm that the data requested will only be used for academic reasons. Data collection procedure will be restricted to the use of questionnaires thereby locking out other vital data collection tools like document analysis as they may not be availed by the companies for scrutiny. To overcome this, the study will visit the Companies websites and the information filed with the Insurance Regulatory Authority and the Association of Insurance to add on the information collected. The study will also look into other studies that have been done by other scholars on this subject. 1.10 Definition of terms Principle: A principle denotes a general guiding rule, which does not include specific directions, which vary according to the subject matter (Holzheu, 2006). Insure: To make sure or secure, to guarantee, as to insure safety to anyone. It also means to indemnify a person against pecuniary loss from specified perils or possible liability (Chen and Wong, 2004) Insured: The insured is the policy-holder who is entitled to indemnity or monetary compensation on the happening of an event insured against. The insured is also the person who obtains or is otherwise covered by insurance on his health, life or property (Holzheu, 2006). Insurer: He is the party who undertakes in consideration of an amount paid to him by the insured (premium) to pay money to the insured or assured on the happening of a stated (Holzheu, 2006). Underwriting: The process of assessing and classifying the degree of risk presented by a proposed insured or group with respect to a specific insurance product and making a decision concerning the acceptance of that risk. ( Bickley.M,C,Jones H. E, Brown.B.F and Brown J.L 2007) Adverse selection: People with a higher than average risks of needing health care are more likely than people to seek health insurance. Adverse selection results when these less healthy people disproportionately enroll into a risk pool.People with a higher than average risks of needing health care are more likely than people to seek health insurance (De Weerdt and Dercon, 2006). Co-insurance: A form of medical cost sharing in a health insurance plan that requires an insured person to pay a stated percentage of medical expenses after the deductible amount, if any, was paid (Gertler and Gruber, 2002). Co-payment: A form of medical cost sharing in a health insurance plan that requires an insured person to pay a fixed amount when a medical service is received (Leive and Xu, 2008). Deductible: A fixed dollar amount during the benefit period usually a year that an insured person pays before the insurer starts to make payments for covered medical services. Plans may have both per individual and family deductibles (Leive and Xu, 2008). Fully insured plan : A plan where the employer contracts with another organization to assume financial responsibility for the enrollees medical claims and for all incurred administrative costs (Russel, 1996). Premium: Agreed upon fees paid for coverage of medical benefits for a defined benefit period. Premiums can be paid by employers, unions, employees, or shared by both the insured individual and the plan sponsor (Leive and Xu, 2008). Self-insured plan: A plan offered by employers who directly assume the major cost of health insurance for their employees (De Weerdt and Dercon, 2006). CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0 Introduction This chapter summarized the information from other researchers who had carried out their research in the same study challenges facing health insurance and their effects on busines performance. The study specifically covers the theoretical discussions, conceptual framework and research gap. 2.1 Insurance 2.1.1 Concept of Risk The existence of risk is the fundamental rationale for insurance (Criel 1997). If there is one thing about which we can be certain in this world, it is that uncertainty surrounds all that we do. This uncertainty is at the heart of risk and risk is at the very core of insurance. Risk would be defined as the probability of a cause of an event with negative outcome occurring. The cost of risk can be looked at in at least three different perspective i.e. frequency of risk, monetary cost or financial severity and human cost in terms of pain and suffering (Dickson 2002). In view of the adverse effects of risks there is a need for risks to be managed. Insurance companies are able to provide protection against the financial consequences of loss because the concept of risk pooling 2.1.2 Insurance Device Insurance contract involves two parties including the insurer and the insured. The primary function of insurance is to act as a risk transfer mechanism. Insurance involves transferring or shifting risk from one individual to a group and sharing losses, on some equitable basis by all member of the group (Vaughan, 1989). Insurance has two fundamental characteristics namely transferring or shifting risks from an individual to a group and sharing losses on some equitable basis by all member of the group (Dickson 2002). Insurance rests upon the principal of risk-sharing between many people. It relies on the law of large numbers whereby what is unpredictable for an individual is highly predictable for a large number of individuals (Criel, 1997). The law of large numbers state that typically the more times we observe a particular event the more likely that it is that our observed result will approximate be true probability that the event will occur (Bickley, Jones, Brown. Brown, 2007: 7) Insurance primarily concerns itself with risks which have financially measurable outcomes and whose outcome can only be unfavourable or leave enterprises in the same position as they were before occurrence of an event (Chen Wong, 2004). Insurance deals with fortuitous or accidental losses which must not be catastrophic for example wide spread in nature. To counter the tendency of the persons whose exposure to loss is higher than average to purchase or continue insuring to a greater extent than those whose exposure is less than average, which is referred to as avoidance of adverse selection, there must be randomness in the risks covered (Holzheu, 2006). That is there must be a proportion of good and bad risks in the insured group equal to the proportion of good and bad risk of the group on which the prediction is made. Finally the cost of insuring the risk must not be high in relation to the possible loss i.e. insurance must be economically feasible. The major activities of all insurers include rate-making, production, underwriting, loss adjustment and investment. Rate making is the process of determining the price per unit of insurance which like any other price is a function of the cost of production. The rates must be adequate, not excessive and not unfairly discriminatory (Holzheu, 2006). The premium income of the insurer must be sufficient to cover losses and expenses. Production involves supervision of the sales efforts which is carried by the agents or salaried representatives of the Insurer while underwriting on the other hand is the process of selecting and classifying exposures. If an insurer does not select from among her applicants, the result will be adverse to them (Bickley et al, 2007). The main responsibility of the underwriter is to guard against adverse selection. While attempting to avoid adverse selection through rejection of undesirable risks, the underwriter must secure an adequate volume of exposures in each class. In addition they must guard against congestion or concentration of exposure that might result in a catastrophe (Marwa, 2007). Finally loss adjusting is the loss settlement process which provides for the indemnification of those members of the group who suffer losses. It is obviously important that the insurer pay claims fairly and promptly but it is equally important that insurers resist unjust claims and avoid overpayment of them (Vaughan, 1989). As a result of their operations, insurers accumulate large amounts of money for the payment of claims in the future which are added to the funds of the insurers themselves. It would be a costly waste to permit these funds to remain idle and it is the responsibility of the insurers finance department to s ee that they are properly invested. 2.1.3 Basic principles of Insurance Insurance practice is reputed for its general principles, and the principle of indemnity is one of them, others are insurable interest, utmost good faith, subrogation, contribution and proximate cause (Marwa, 2007). Insurance is an intricate economic and social device for the handling of risks to life and property. It is social in nature because it represents the various co-operations of various individuals for mutual benefits by combining together funds to reduce the consequence of similar risk. Insurance is the placing back of a person who has suffered a loss in the same position he was before loss occurred. It aims to eradicate the consequence of a loss by not allowing the insured to suffer the consequential loss. However, unless one meets the requirements of all the basic principles of insurance, he will be estopped from claiming under an insurance contract (Holzheu, 2006). Risk is the uncertainty about an outcome in a given situation. An event might occur, and if it does, it leaves us in unfavourable position. Insurance therefore is one of the most established techniques of risk transfer. Insurance is a risk transfer mechanism by which one exchanges uncertainty for certainty. It is a risk reducing investment in which the buyer pays a small fixed amount (premium) to be protected from a potentially large loss. An entity seeking to transfer risk becomes the insured party once risk is assumed by the insurer, the insuring party, by means of a contract, called an insurance policy (Shavell, 1979). The fee paid by the insured to the insurer for assuming the risk is called the premium (Dionne and Doherty, 1994). Insurance principles are the basic doctrines that guide the practice of insurance. They include insurable interest, utmost good faith, proximate cause, indemnity, subrogation and contribution (Marwa, 2007). While life assurance is guided only by the fir st three, non-life insurance (including motor) is guided by all the six principles. 2.1.4 Social Insurance Insurance is not always practised in this ideal commercial situation as described above as there are some people in society who face risks that they cannot afford to deal with themselves and require a social approach to insurance. Social insurance (SI) is defined as a device for pooling of risks and their transfer to an organisation usually governmental that is required by law to provide pecuniary or service benefits to or on behalf of covered persons upon the occurrence of certain pre-designated losses (Vaughan, 1989). In SI individual equity is secondary in importance to the social adequacy of the benefits (Carin, 2004). Benefits are weighed in favour of certain groups so that all persons will be provided a minimum flow of protection. SI does not exclude anyone who belongs to a group that qualifies for coverage nor does it charge risk related premiums. SI includes Social Health Insurance (SHI), which deals with the risk of ill health. Health Insurance as a source of financing for health care is a system in which potential customers of health care make an advance payment to an insurance scheme, which in the event of future health service utilization will pay the provider of care some or all the direct expenses incurred (Criel, 1997). The International Labour Organisation (ILO) provides a guideline for an initial minimum package for social health insurance (SHI) which includes general practitioners care such as home visits, hospitalization where necessary, specialists care in hospitals, essential pharmaceutical supplies and prenatal, maternity and postnatal care by medical practitioners or qualified midwives. (ILO, 1952). SHI is guided by the basic assumption that health is a basic human right and insurance is a tool to advance its implementation whereas Private Health Insurance (PHI) on the other hand views health as a cluster of risks, insurance of which is a profitable economic activity. (UN, 1948 1997, WHO 1978). This brings forth the argument that society should provide at least basic health care to all citizens. However, attainment of this status is usually gradual and has to be within a set legal frame work as is illustrated in the examples provided below. For instance in Belgium during 1851 a special law officially acknowledging the sickness funds (referred to as mutual health funds) was enacted. Sickness funds were based on occupational groups and were rather small-scale. During 1894 registration provided the legal foundation of these funds with a broader scope of activities, while they could henceforth benefit from government subsidies. Subsequently mutual health funds from the same political or ideological background combined into national alliances or unions. Until early 1940s membership to mutual health funds had been voluntary. In 1944 a decree was adopted to make health insurance compulsory for all salaried workers. In Israel the first health insurance fund, the KUPAT HOLIM CLALIT (General Sickness Fund), was founded in 1911 by agricultural workers in collective settlements (Kibbutz) which during 1920 was taken over by the HISTANDRUT (General Federation of Labour) and became one of its political power bases (Carin, 2004). In 1920 three other health insurance funds were established and by 1948 when Israel gained statehood, 53% of the population was covered 80% being members of general sickness funds. By 1995 when National Health Insurance Law was voted 96% of the population was covered. Now it is the duty of every resident to register as a member in one of the existing funds (Holzheu, 2006). Meanwhile the origin of SHI in Japan is the development of voluntary community health insurance scheme in the nineteenth century. In 1935 a community health insurance scheme (having rice as a pre-paid contribution and basic care as the main benefit) was established in the Fukuoka Prefecture. In the 1930s government encouraged the replication of community health insurance on a National Citizens Health Insurance law based on community financing principle but with cash-based contribution was proclaimed and implemented. The law was designed to meet the needs of poor in underserved rural villages, the farmers and self-employed workers in rural communities and small companies. It was initially run on voluntary basis (Carin, 2004). In 1922 a law was voted establishing compulsory insurance for selected groups of workers and by 1945 employee health insurance together with National Citizens Health Insurance covered 60% of the population. Legislation establishing compulsory insurance for all wa s finally adopted during 1958 and was implemented in 1961 (Carin, 2004).

A Rose for Emily Setting Analysis Essay -- essays papers

A Rose for Emily Setting Analysis In "A Rose for Emily", a woman (for whom the story is named) confines herself in her somewhat large house in a small town during the early half of the twentieth century. For the most part, in order to understand the entirety of the story, it is vital to understand the setting and how each character develops it, and,or, interacts with it. As far as the town is concerned, it is very isolated and the people seem to value this quality, as well as the lack of progression in social change, most. There is also a great deal of gossip that regularly circulates about the town's people with great interest. All this was best implied in the comment, "At first we were glad that Miss Emily would have an interest, because the ladies all said 'Of course a Grierson would not think seriously of a Northerner, a day laborer.' But there were still others, older people, who said that even grief could not cause a real lady to forget noblesse oblige -- without calling it noblesse oblige"(719). This is a comment on Emily's relationship with construction work...

Inventiong Of The Bicycle, Including Formal Outline :: essays research papers fc

The invention of the bicycle: Was it the greatest invention ever? "There has not been a more civilizing invention in the memory of the present generator than the invention of the bicycle open to all classes, enjoyed by both sexes and ages"- Lord Balour (Leek&Leek9.) he bicycle invented in 1816 was to become one of the greatest inventions still used today. A small town blacksmith in Germany had an idea for an invention the people though was crazy. That idea ended up being something used daily today 185 year later. One mans simple idea 185 years ago has become a major part of today’s culture. The Bicycle was one of the most influential inventions of transportation in the world. The Bicycle in its first forms looked nothing like today’s idea of the bicycle. Its original designs were more similar to a â€Å"hobbyhorse† than a bicycle. The Draisine had two wheels in tandem along with a crude steering mechanism. This original idea was left open for other additions. From simple things like rubber tires to most importantly brakes. The Velocipede was a little later in time than the Draisine but still had major issues. They had extremely large front wheels and minute rear wheels. This caused for the super high center of gravity along with almost impossible mounting and dismounting. In a German blacksmith shop around 1816, a man was to invent something that was to become a major part of today’s culture. The original idea was to have a machine. That would allow a person to travel a long distance with little energy. Only after it was built, it was something that would take a large amount of energy to go on flat or a slight uphill for a short coast down a hill. After the invention was refined a little, it could almost get to the idea of what Drais had. It was used for long distance travel with a lot of downhill coasting. The people of Karlsruhe wanted the Barons invention banned from the sidewalks and the streets. On January 12 1818, the baron received this order, â€Å" We, by the grace of God, duke of Baden, grant Duke of Zahringer, grant to Karl, Baron Von Drais for his invention of tread machine an invention patent for ten years duration that no one can copy of have copied in the land of grand duchy, or shall use this on public street or places without first, having settles with the inventor about it and have gotten proof of it from him. Inventiong Of The Bicycle, Including Formal Outline :: essays research papers fc The invention of the bicycle: Was it the greatest invention ever? "There has not been a more civilizing invention in the memory of the present generator than the invention of the bicycle open to all classes, enjoyed by both sexes and ages"- Lord Balour (Leek&Leek9.) he bicycle invented in 1816 was to become one of the greatest inventions still used today. A small town blacksmith in Germany had an idea for an invention the people though was crazy. That idea ended up being something used daily today 185 year later. One mans simple idea 185 years ago has become a major part of today’s culture. The Bicycle was one of the most influential inventions of transportation in the world. The Bicycle in its first forms looked nothing like today’s idea of the bicycle. Its original designs were more similar to a â€Å"hobbyhorse† than a bicycle. The Draisine had two wheels in tandem along with a crude steering mechanism. This original idea was left open for other additions. From simple things like rubber tires to most importantly brakes. The Velocipede was a little later in time than the Draisine but still had major issues. They had extremely large front wheels and minute rear wheels. This caused for the super high center of gravity along with almost impossible mounting and dismounting. In a German blacksmith shop around 1816, a man was to invent something that was to become a major part of today’s culture. The original idea was to have a machine. That would allow a person to travel a long distance with little energy. Only after it was built, it was something that would take a large amount of energy to go on flat or a slight uphill for a short coast down a hill. After the invention was refined a little, it could almost get to the idea of what Drais had. It was used for long distance travel with a lot of downhill coasting. The people of Karlsruhe wanted the Barons invention banned from the sidewalks and the streets. On January 12 1818, the baron received this order, â€Å" We, by the grace of God, duke of Baden, grant Duke of Zahringer, grant to Karl, Baron Von Drais for his invention of tread machine an invention patent for ten years duration that no one can copy of have copied in the land of grand duchy, or shall use this on public street or places without first, having settles with the inventor about it and have gotten proof of it from him.

The Aeneid by Virgil Essay -- Greek Gods Shipwreck Essays

The Aeneid by Virgil In Virgil’s famous text The Aeneid he writes about the history of the coming of Rome and the journey of its Trojan founder, Aeneas, from the wreckage of his old home at Troy. While this text is extremely supportive of the greatness of the Roman Empire, it also has a distinctly private second voice that talks about loss. We also find that in Confessions by Saint Augustine the author at times addresses God very personally, and at other times does not refer to him much at all. The private tones of these two texts contrast in that Augustine’s is generally positive, while the corresponding voice in Virgil describes loss. Virgil begins The Aeneid with a general summary of the story that he is about to tell and, while the great rise of Rome is foretold, the suffering of its founder is also interwoven. That the greatness of Rome is mentioned so early is not surprising, because the purpose of this text is to glorify Rome, its people, and their histories. Virgil begins his text with, â€Å"I sing of warfare and a man at war. / From the sea-coast of Troy in early days / He came to Italy by destiny,†¦ / [There] he could found a city and bring home / His gods to Latium, land of the Latin race, / The Alban lords, and the high walls of Rome.† (Virgil, 3) These first few lines appear very optimistic and boastful. Aeneas is destined by fate to found Rome, and also to bring with him the favor of his gods. When read in this form, these lines are positive; however, Virgil also forecasts misfortune for Aeneas. Several of the first few lines also contain prospects for Aeneas to suffer losses. In the lines in the preceding paragraph, the first ellipsis reads as follows: â€Å"†¦A fugitive... ...der’s attention to important issues within the text without compromising the author’s style or message. The main differences between the two are that it is more accurate to characterize Augustine’s writing as having one voice which speaks in a private, direct tone to God when he has something important to say and in a general, relaxed tone the other times. In contrast, Virgil writes in a private voice to pity the large amount Aeneas suffered against his own will to found Rome while the public voice solicits propaganda for Rome. Nevertheless, both authors successfully use their styles to convey important ideas which we continue to see and hear of today. Works Cited Virgil. The Aeneid. Trans. Robert Fitzgerald. New York: Random House, 1990. Saint Augustine. Confessions. Trans. Henry Chadwick. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992.

Effects of Pollution on World Economy Essay

Today, the increase in the world population and the fact that improved lives leads to life in the cities could only mean more pollution and a concern for every one. The daily requirements of the humans have created an unrelenting world where human enterprise would not be ignored. The direct or indirect involvement such has been created by the necessity to survive largely as the major reason. Although, at times the basic force behind that, is the human nature to live comfortable lives by making work easier. Human activities on the face of the earth have affected the natural settings leading to major environmental impacts. Damage to the environment through pollution has always been the overriding result rather than improvement and development. In the recent increase in green house gas emissions have been rampant therefore warranting research, analyses and survey. The green house gases include carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons that cause air pollution chemicals responsible for water pollution water and other metals that cause pollution to land and water (Hill, 2004). The analysis of pollution The graph below illustrates the yearly carbon emissions from different regions from 1800 up to 2000 in Million metric tons of carbon per year. From, this graph it is clear that the most leading countries in carbon emissions rank among the most developed countries. Developing countries and the less developed countries like Africa rank the lowest from this graph. It has been explained that less developed and developing countries is that economic costs of environmental regulation and compliance are small in respect to factors of production inclining more to those that influence comparative advantage (Gallagher, 2004) Source: Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, Online, n. d. There is evidence that increase in economic growth leads to an increase in pollution has been authenticated by the research in Mexico by the use of Kuznet curve. What Gallagher in his paper says is that pollution surpasses the economic growth thus the industries must come with strong environment strategies to ensure hat the growth of both are at per. Otherwise pollution leads to loss of profits made by an industry. This means that pollution eats back to what has lead to the accumulation of wealth (Gallagher, 2004). Pollution effects from a negative outlook What do we mean by the term environment? The environment is composed of the natural situations that form the human living space. This means that these are the inputs for nature that man has to turn to at one point of his life for survival or to aid in acquisition of an otherwise important need in his or her life. In economic terms the environment is seen as a scarce good that has its own special attributes (Siebert, 2007). The argument is that environment has two conflicting functions, one being a public consumption good and the other a home for deposition of waste from the consumption and production processes. The transformation of the environment on the other hand has affected the humans and the enterprise leading to a cyclic system; a system that works by triggering form one end and the process comes back trough and from another end. One of the major environmental impacts has been pollution thus this research paper will concern on how pollution affects the world economy from all perspectives. Pollution in the world has seen the increase in carbon dioxide and fixation of nitrogen present in air since the start of industrial revolution. The major reason for this increase is due to human activities changing and recoursing the natural law order of making and degeneration of organic and inorganic substances. Fresh water available sources have been put into human use and millions of birds have gone to extinction due to human activities. It is very clear that the rate of degeneration caused by man is much faster than the way natural order would take to replace back or deal with the amount of excretion. This therefore, means we have a cause to worry because in the quest for dominion of the earth and to improve our lives the other side of the balance is getting heavier. The process of natural replacement requires one to a hundred years to be effective therefore if pollution goes on with the same kind of alarming rate then man has to use his own means to replace the depleted materials to their original levels. This is very costly and affects the world’s economy negatively (Ash & Scholes, 2005). It is thus crucial to harmonize the different views on pollution to achieve pragmatism and success in the fight against man’s environment eventual extinction due to his own activities. This statement stems from the fact that pollution rates are different form the position of the country or region in that developing countries have the highest rates of pollution. This is a result of inadequate and many times lack of planning policies for the management of the waste form industries. On the other hand the rampant corruption harbored in these countries contributes immensely to the mismanagement of funds meant for the environment conservation and measures taken to avert the consequences of industrial effluents. However this does not mean that the developed countries are an exempt from this blame. Some of the most developed countries like America have large number of pollution from industries leading to mass destruction of animals especially in rivers lakes. At times these pollutant ranges to national border effects transported by agents like water and wind. Most of the large world economies since 1980’s have adopted the liberalized economy. This involves the right to engage in free trade using the available means of production. This thus, raises the concern of economy from the effect of pollution as a result of different countries applying all their resources to beat their inadequacy. This has translated to pollution taking two major turns. The first is the pollution from production and the second is pollution arising from consumption. In the quest to sustain energy production and sufficient supply of power major economies like China have resulted to using nuclear energy. This source of energy is renewable but has high dangers of leaking emission s to the atmosphere which can be lethal. The fact is that if it is lethal then it upsets the supply of labor if death occurs due to its results (Ash and Scholes, 2005). Labor is a very important factor of production which when terminated can lead to closure of factories besides causing negative growth. A very good example is the Bhopal accident in India that lead to the closure of the pesticide company due to death of 2000 to 8000 workers hours after the accident. Therefore the increased concern in the world environmental management has lead to United Nations concern of a fast fading natural setting world. This can be explained by the Kyoto protocol of 1997 which sought to achieve stabilization of green house gas concentrations in the atmosphere from dangerous levels that cause anthropogenic interference with the climate of the world. Many less developed and developing countries find themselves in situations of lack of enough capital to invest in the business equipment. It is therefore to assign a mammoth task to ask these business firms or industries to assign capital for purposes of preventing pollution. The implication from such kind of scenarios is that the externalities of pollution end up being passed to the society and to the governments indirectly. It is common in these economies to find that strategic industries are exempted from policies that are meant to curb the externalities because governments are not in position to make policies of internalization due to the importance attached (Stellman & Bureau, 1998). Pollution has proved to be very costly to countries in terms of health and safety, waste, and clean up costs. Of most crucial point to be noted is the reduced life expectancy especially in developing nations. When pollution either air, water, land, noise or any other has adverse effects to the humans it becomes a major concern to check and rationalize the existence of such a firm or industry. Human life should be first be respected from any angle of perspective. The United Nations millennium goals state that life is a right that is inalienable. Therefore, the slightest notion that life human life is at risk should not be taken lightly. Gravity lies at the core of issues pertaining pollution and disturbance of human life. The greatest damage to the economy would be to destroy human life emanating from pollution. First it is not easy to diagnose the various signs and symptoms resulting from instances of pollution in the environment. This requires specialized personnel, equipments and a variety of high demanding technology to sort out the problem. Nonetheless, some of the effects to human health are life lasting thus the issues of compensation cannot be avoided. The point here is that a long and time exposure to pollution is an expense to the economy of a country. The expenditure in treating and maintaining health of humans caused by pollution is a major drawback to achieving success in the global development especially if the magnitude of such pollution is very prolonged over a long period of time (Limited, 2001). The other way of looking at the effect of pollution to the economy is the customer relation to pollution. From the point of any organization, firm, or business the ultimate final goal is to make profit. This means that form the management of business affairs all means must be employed to remain in the market for a long time and outdo other rival business or firms. This from the business point of view is very encouraging but to look at the other side of the face it has an ugly look. Pollution being a costly project requires planning for efficiency to balance internalities and externalities of a business. The damage that is done to the economy is that this cost is passed to the consumer. Such an economy where the consumer is robbed of the power to buy is a weak economy that is not driven by the market forces. It results to exploitation of the employer to the employee sine he has the means. The employee only works to achieve the basic needs. There is no pleasure derived from work thus the value of work in such an economy is downtrodden (Driesen, 2003). Pollution had had a myriad of problems and affects the economy of the world in a myriad ways. It is therefore, pertinent to mention that it might not be possible to tackle al of them. However, one major effect of pollution to the economy is international trade. The concept of international trade operates form the point of multinational companies moving to transnational border and trade relations between states. The fact that most of the products are transported from their place of manufacture to heir places of consumption means that they offer employment, so when such goods are found to be below standards or then they might be rejected. This means that the number of people who were working from these firms is laid off. This increases the rate of unemployment of such places in such countries. In this context, if such firms are closed the chances to improve are thwarted thus no chance is given to the possibility of innovation (Driesen, 2003). Conclusion In the light of this research paper it is worth to note that the effects of pollution have also a positive side. Already discussed above are the negative effects thus, the following part will try to look at the positive aspect of pollution. It might sound rather unconvincing but the approach will try to authenticate the concern correctly. Pollution being seen from the international trade of states lens can lead to effective prevention. This is possible from the fact that if a certain state identifies a certain product to be a pollutant then measures to control the production of such a product are put in place. This means that the regulations will apply to other state trading with this nation. This means that the overall economies are focused to have products that are acceptable to them and to other member states. This at he same time means that if pollution prevention measures are put in place the firms and manufacturing companies seek the alternative of innovating other methods to produce better goods that are in lime with the regulations on pollution prevention. This means that the products that arise as a result for this new invention are better placed thus they penetrate markets to leap heavily at the expense of the earlier polluting products. This raises the firm’s reputation as well as the market advantage (Driesen, 2003). At the same time, this new invention lead to offer of new employment thus the once aversive pollution firm now becomes the centre of interest by complete change of ideology and repackaging. If a manufacturing firm changes its products from the polluting ones to the zero or less polluting ones there is an increase in the requirement from the market due to the increase in population. This means that industrialization takes human life and aspects to another level of civilization. Thus, if there is no pollution we might be stagnating with obsolete technology that does not help mankind. Tabb argues that an economy grows from the pollution that emanates from the industries. If workers must die from pollution and in the response economy grows, then pollution is might be justified (Tabb, 1992).

Conference and Banqueting Management Essay

Introduction This report presents a research into the banqueting and conference sector of the hospitality industry, focusing on size and scope of banqueting in UK and the importance that has grown in the past years because of world-wide conference and meeting development as well as and the financial evolution that has brought the segment to the national economy Conference and banqueting is normally about putting together an event and it usually have as a scope different forms of get-together like a ceremony, or a celebration, small gatherings, seminars, family events, birthday party or weddings. The event industry is a truly global industry with events being held each day around the world in different exhibition centre that host numerous events attracting local and international delegates. www.studymode.com/†¦/size-and-scope-conference-and-banqueting.co.uk TASK A 1.1 What is the size and scope in Conference and Banqueting in UK Banqueting is mostly related to hotels or any other different ha lls that can provide the space for any type of event even if this kind of service is now being hired by various food service companies, like restaurants, due to its profitability. The traditional meaning of the banqueting business is â€Å"providing food and beverages to a group of people who will eat together at the same time†. The scope of banqueting is to accomplish and deliver good service focusing most on celebration, bringing together a group of people for a certain event and to emphasis on food and beverage which can last for several hour. 1 The scope of this events is to provide different types of benefits for destinations where we can include tourism, employment opportunities and financial growth. The market is estimated to be worth  £18.8 billion to the UK economy, including spend at different occasions and in the wider destination by representatives and organisers. There were an estimated 94 million attendances at events in 2009 (an estimated 1.32 million events with an average attendance of 71 people) There was an average of 379 per venue in 2009, down slightly on 2008 (an average of 391 events per venue). Hotels and conference/training centres typically hosted more events than other types of venue, with hotels accounting for 61% of all business events. Banquet food and beverages in some large convention hotels, can account for as much as 70% or more of the combined total food and beverage percentage from all other services in the hotel, such as restaurant, room service and bars. According to Cousin , Foskett , Gillespie , (2002) In the UK are approximately 6,650 conference and banqueting venues that works with all the major hotel brands such as Hilton, Marriott or Best Western and there are estimated around 9.001,053 meeting rooms across the UK.   A Conference can be described as a meeting for consultation, exchange of information and discussion. Some conferences have only a few delegates while others have several hundred. They may be held on behalf of a political party, to create a new image, launch a new product, communicate to employees or make some kind of public announcement. Venues vary and may include a hotel, dedicated conference venue, college or university campus. 2 In our days, conferences are thought to be one of the most important and essential aspects in  globalization as it bridge the openings of numerous industries from one nation to a different one and it is facilitating various economies of various nations to be accepted all over the world. www.bibliotecaregielive.co.uk Other types of conference Academic conferences. Professional association conferences. Training conference (http://www.capital.uk/details-article/news/in-event-industry) J ust a few minutes’ walk from either Old Street or Barbican tube station, LSO St Luke’s combines the accessibility of a City position with the good-element of a exclusive, lovely location that is excellent for both banqueting and conference. Inside the central Jerwood Hall, the 18th-century original architecture appear together with contemporary structures to generate a spectacular location, with normal bright flooding that could held up to 250 to 300 seats that could be moved on a side leaving the entire floor free for dancing or entertaining. www.hospitalityinfo.com 1.2How will Pestle affect Banqueting and Conference PESTEL stands for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal factors which may affect the business. 3 POLITICAL Political issues have a direct impact on conference and banqueting and it’s very important to maintain healthy political links with leading party leaders for goodwill of business. Some of the government mandates have a strong impact on hospitality industry that include, political stability or instability, tax policy, environmental law, trade restrictions. According to Cousin , Foskett , Gillespie , (2002) ECONOMICAL Economic aspects have a substantial control about how an organisation does business as well as how commercial they are. Major aspects consist of – economic increasing, interest rates, exchange rates, inflation, disposable income of consumers and businesses. SOCIAL Hospitality industry is one of the biggest employer institute in United Kingdom, around 20% of the workers in Britain are involved in hotel and catering employment. It is contain the public freedom of movement, earnings allocation, and providing skills acquired. These characteristics consist in – residents growing, age dissemination, health consciousness, and career attitudes. TECHNOLOGY The technology plays a vital role in business. Over the year the establishment is depends on the technology, the hospitality technology continues to provide a best and complete software solution to the hospitality sector. According to Cousin, Foskett , Gillespie , (2002) ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS The rising aspiration to care for the environment is to have a major control on numerous institute like hospitality or tourism and the general change regarding more ecologically, pleasant products and developments is affecting demand patterns and generating business opportunities. Legal Factors Legal factors involve – health and safety instruction, different prospects, customer civil rights and rules, product labelling and product safety. It is normal that all companies want to know what is and what is not legal if they want to have success in business. In current years in the UK there have been many important legal changes that have affected company’s behaviour. According to Cousin , Foskett , Gillespie , (2002) CONCLUSION As a personal conclusion I consider that to have success in this sector or any other from hospitality industry we need to always be one step ahead trying to know in advance what the clients want and need, paying a special attention to details and have great opportunity to make every event memorable . I consider that the progress of the conference and banqueting industry is a beneficial and supportive thing for the people by generating employment that leads to attracting visitors and also making revenue. It featured the UK’s change exclusively London in one of the most significant for events all over the world. 5 Bibliography (Cousin J., Foskett D., Gillespie C., (2002), Food and Beverage Management, second edition) www.studymode.com/†¦/size-and-scope-conference-and-banqueting.co.uk http://www.capital.uk/details-article/news/in-event-industry http://dommcg.hubpages.com/hub/whatis-pestel-analysis www.bournemouth.co.uk/London/conference.uk www.hospitalityinfo.com