The Key Components Of Anxiety Disorders And The Methods Of...

This research paper will explore eight articles that report on results from research conducted online on the key components of anxiety disorders and the methods congetitve behavioral theory. The articles will explore the treatments and outcomes of CBT on patients, who were diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder. The research papers examines _________ research in relation to the other articles to suggest that CBT is productive form of treatments of anxierty disorders. The history of Congetive Behavioral Therapy can be traced to the 1960’s when the psychodynamic perspective was questioned. The Behavior therapy gained a prominence. However, back in the 60’s, these therapies were controversial and relegated to the treatment of behavior dysfunction in severely disordered children .(Puleo,Settipani,Brodman,Emunds,Communigs, Kendall, 2011). Yet, in the 1970’s, cognitive behavioral therapy reached higher functioning individuals, integrated the role of cognitive processing, and incorporated a focus on emotion. The transition did not happen over night, but in the end, social cognitive processing, the psychology of self-control, and emotion regulation were melded into behavioral intervention and, eventually, emerging as multifaceted, widely applicable, extensively practiced, and well reached CBT of the present day.( Puleo,Settipani,Brodman,Emunds,Communigs, Kendall, 2011). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a method of assisting individuals to indetify andShow MoreRelatedSymptoms And Symptoms Of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Essay1085 Words   |  5 PagesGeneralized Anxiety Disorders Introduction to the paper Anxiety is a component found within many other mental disorders. The most common is depression. There are a number of anxiety disorders in the DSM, we will be looking at generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Generalized anxiety disorder causes one to worry and have anxiety about an event or activity that will most likely intensify and have a high impact on that particular activity or event. An individual diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorderRead MoreThe Key Components Of Anxiety Disorders And Cognitive Behavioral Theory ( Cbt ) Essay1630 Words   |  7 Pagesresearch conducted online on the key components of anxiety disorders and cognitive behavioral theory (CBT). The articles will explore the treatments and outcomes of CBT on patients, who were diagnosed with anxiety disorders. The research paper will examine the theory, model, and effectiveness of exploration in relation to the other articles to suggest that CBT is a productive form of treatments for anxiety disorders. Keywords: Beck, CBT, Problem Solving Model, and Anxiety. To experienceRead MoreCognitive Behavior Therapy And Mental Disorders1563 Words   |  7 PagesCognitive Behavior Therapy Cognitive behavior therapy is a great way to help people with depression. According to Wright, â€Å"Cognitive behavior therapy is a pragmatic, action-oriented treatment approach that has become a widely used psychotherapy for major mental disorders. Cognitive behavior therapy methods were initially developed for depression and anxiety disorders, and later they were modified for many other conditions, including personality disorders, eating disorders, and substance abuse; theyRead More As Good As It Gets?: An Examination Of The Mechanism And Mode Of Treatment Of Obsessive-Compulsive1283 Words   |  6 PagesAs Good As It Gets?: An Examination Of The Mechanism And Mode Of Treatment Of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder, often referred to as simply OCD, is a mental illness in which an individual experiences endless cycles of repeated thoughts and rituals, known as obsessions and compulsions, which she feels she cannot control (1). Although many people possess habits and routines that help them organize their every day schedules, people with OCD form patterns of behaviorRead More Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 962 Words   |  4 Pages Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric sequel to a stressful event or situation of an exceptionally threatening or catastrophic nature. It develops after a person is involved in a horrifying ordeal that involved physical maltreatment or the threat of physical harm. These events can include combat or military experience, abuse during childhood or adulthood (physical or sexual), terrorist attacks, serious accidents or natural disasters. This person may have been the one thatRead MoreChildhood Abuse Or Neglect And Gene tically Such As Relative With Mental Health Problems1727 Words   |  7 Pagesuse of psychotropic medication, type of trauma, time since the trauma and following traumatic event† (Karatzias et. al, 2013, p. 503). Not all trauma survivors will develop permanent PTSD disorders and some may be later on will be affected. The risk factors: environmental, demographic, prior psychiatric disorder, personality dimensions, dissociation, biological and cognitive risk factors. â€Å"In the end, the impact of an environmental event, such as a psychological trauma, cellular and molecular levelsRead MoreThe First Wave Of Psychological Therapy1386 Words   |  6 Pagespsychological therapy focused on the clinical application of behavior principles. The second wave introduced cognition into therapy and linked the idea of irrational thoughts to behavioral issues (Hayes, Follette, Linehan, 2004). The third wave is the most current theory which focuses on traditional cognitive-behavioral conc epts with the addition of mindfulness techniques and the acceptance of thoughts (Hayes, Masuda, Bissett, Luoma, Guererro, 2004). This third wave of cognitive-behavioral therapies includesRead MoreCognitive Behavioral Therapy For Substance Abuse1574 Words   |  7 PagesServices Administration [SAMHSA], 2013). Cognitive-behavioral therapies are among the most thoroughly studied psychotherapeutic approaches for individuals with substance abuse disorders that date back to the work of Ivan Pavlov on classic conditioning. There have been multiple studies that show cognitive-behavioral model of addiction can be effective as a stand-alone treatment or combined other treatment strategies. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for substance abuse incorporates a variety of individualRead MoreCognitive Behavioral Therapy Essay example1507 Words   |  7 PagesCognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most extensively tested psychotherapies for depression. Many studies have confirmed the effi cacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a treatment for depression. This paper will provide background information about the intervention, address the target population, and describe program structure and key components. It will also provide examples of program implementation, challenges/barriers to implementing the practice, address how the practice supportsRead MoreCognitive Behavioral Therapy ( Cbt )1697 Words   |  7 PagesCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one therapeutic approach that is capable of providing this group with effective psychotherapeutic treatment and interventions as well as approaches that enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of group therapy. Often developed for skills training, cognitive-behavioral groups are characterized by the use of practical interventions focused on behavior modification techniques (Wilson, Bouffard, and Mackenzie; 2005). The therapeutic goal of cognitive behavioral therapy

Diceratops Facts and Figures

You can learn a lot about Greek numbers by studying ceratopsian (horned face) dinosaurs and their distant and not-so-distant relatives. Theres no such animal (yet) as Monoceratops, but Diceratops, Triceratops, Tetraceratops, and Pentaceratops make for a nice progression (alluding to two, three, four and five horns, as indicated by the Greek roots di, tri, tetra and penta). An important note, though: Tetraceratops wasnt a ceratopsian or even a dinosaur, but a therapsid (mammal-like reptile) of the early Permian period. The dinosaur we call Diceratops also rests on shaky ground, but for another reason. This late Cretaceous ceratopsian was diagnosed at the turn of the 20th century by the famous paleontologist Othniel C. Marsh, on the basis on a single, two-horned skull lacking the characteristic nasal horn of Triceratops--and given the name Diceratops, by another scientist, a few years after Marshs death. Some paleontologists believe this skull actually belonged to a deformed Triceratops, and others say Diceratops should properly be assigned to the synonymous genus Nedoceratops (insufficient horned face.) If, in fact, Diceratops winds up reverting to Nedoceratops, then the possibility exists that Nedoceratops was directly ancestral to Triceratops (this last, most famous ceratopsian only awaiting the evolutionary development of a third prominent horn, which should only have taken a few million years). If thats not confusing enough, another option has been touted by the famously iconoclastic paleontologist Jack Horner: perhaps Diceratops, aka Nedoceratops, was actually a juvenile Triceratops, in the same way Torosaurus may have been an unusually elderly Triceratops with a grotesquely overwrought skull. The truth, as always, awaits further fossil discoveries. Diceratops Facts Name: Diceratops (Greek for two-horned face); pronounced die-SEH-rah-tops; also known as NedoceratopsHabitat: Woodlands of North AmericaHistorical Period: Late Cretaceous (70 million years ago)Size and Weight: About 15 feet long and 2-3 tonsDiet: PlantsDistinguishing Characteristics: Two horns; odd holes on sides of the skull

Of Mice and Men Commentary - 958 Words

Of Mice and Men is a novel written by the 1962 Nobel Prize winner, John Steinbeck. It is an emotional tale of the extraordinary friendship between George and Lennie, who are traveling workers in the harsh depression years of the 1930s. George is a caring person whose love to Lennie is just like a father-son relationship, where Lennie, a mentally challenged man whose strength lies in body rather than brain, appears to be very dependent on George. Of Mice and Men teaches a universal theme about the nature of human beings that a person whose power exists over another turns corrupt. Steinbeck exploits the theme of power and control in his novel through the extensive use of sexism, racial discrimination, and the power of the strong over the†¦show more content†¦The stronger, in this case man (Carlson), mercilessly shoots Candys dog, who knew nothing of his grief fate. Candy then sees his reflection upon the killing of his dog, that he will soon get too old and therefore useless, which will then have him left alone. This pushes him into desperately asking George to permit him to join with him and Lennie for the pursuit of their own dream ranch, Thas three hundred an fifty bucks Id put in, I aint much good, but I could cook and tend the chickens and hoe the garden some. On the contrary, Curley is a man who takes advantage of his authority and power to oppress and mock others to make himself seem stronger and even more powerful. He uses his power and gender to boss around with workers of his ranch and his wife, respectively. However, when he chose to do so towards Lennie, Lennie reacts angrily and smashes his hand. Through the intense use of sexism, racial discrimination, and the power of the strong over the weak, Steinbeck successfully exploits the theme of power and control. Whether it is mentally, physically, or money wise, power seems to be moving from one person to another depending on the situation. Perhaps it really is the roots of evil; that occurs as a result of someone realizing his power over others, and then uses it for his own personal desires, while taking advantage of others. In otherShow MoreRelatedSocial Commentary on Sexism in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbek1003 Words   |  5 PagesAdministration states that during the Great Depression era, â€Å"...the federal government did prohibit a married couple from both holding government jobs, and as late as 1939, legislatures in 26 states considered laws limiting married womens work. Both men and women believed that married women should give up their jobs if their husbands wanted them to. In the Depression decade, those wives who worked outside the home were viewed as selfish, greedy women who took jobs away from male breadwinners.† (Grice)Read MoreMice and Men Annotated Bibliography855 Words   |  4 PagesSierra Villanueva Mrs. Josà © English II PAP 4th 8 November 2011 Of Mice And Men : An Annotated Bibliography Book Review: Of Mice amp; Men. A Novel Menagerie. Novel Menagerie, 2009. Web. 7 Nov 2011. lt;http://anovelmenagerie.com/2009/02/18/book-review-of-mice-and-men/gt;. The author of this review focuses on the life of Lennie. She sympathizes with the hard times Lennie had to go through as a character. The author describes Lennie to the readers as an innocent, childlike character whoRead More Cloning - It’s Time for Organ Farms Essay1441 Words   |  6 Pagesexistence of unknown viruses in pigs DNA.   Daniel Salmon at the Scripps Research Institute found that human cells could be infected with viruses called porcine endogenous retroviruses, which exist dormantly (inactively) in all pigs.   Salmon found that mice transplanted with pig Islet of Langerhans cells became infected with the virus, although it only replicated a few times before it became dormant in them as well.5   Another concern is the possibility of pig viruses merging with human ones to createRead MoreMale Birthpill615 Words   |  3 Pagesmoves a step closer16th August 2012Researchers have finally found a compound that may offer the first effective and hormone-free birt h control pill for men.The study, published today in the journal Cell, describes how the small molecule makes male mice reversibly infertile, without putting a damper on their sex drive. When the animals stop taking this new form of birth control, their sperm rebound and they are able to produce perfectly healthy offspring once again.This compound produces a rapidRead MoreSummary Of Of Mice And Men Essay2240 Words   |  9 PagesQueenie Lau Mrs. Moskovitz English IH- Period 5 20 May 2016 Of Mice and Men Ap Book Report 1. Title of Work: Of Mice and Men 2. Author and Date Written: The book â€Å"Of Mice and Men† was written in 1937 by John Steinbeck, which was during the Great Depression in the 1930s. The Great Depression caused many to lose their jobs and their homes in a short period of time. Few were rich during this time and those who had no money starved. Approximately 25% of people during the Great Depression had no jobsRead MoreThe Colors Of Racism By John Steinbeck And Of Mice And Men 1330 Words   |  6 Pages The Colors of Racism in Of Mice and Men The struggle of racism in America is one which has been regularized in American society. The devaluation and undermining of colored individuals has become commonplace, due to social injustice. In particular, racial discrimination prevails among African American societies due to the color of their skin, and the stereotypical notions of racial superiority that the white race illuminates. For over three-hundred years, the African American communities haveRead MoreCommentary on the Bat by Roethke816 Words   |  4 PagesAliona Fezoua My Expert Commentary ‘The Bat’ – Theodore Roethke: By day the bat is cousin to the mouse. He likes the attic of an aging house. His fingers make a hat about his head. His pulse beat is so slow we think him dead. He loops in crazy figures half the night Among the trees that face the corner light. But when he brushes up against a screen, We are afraid of what our eyes have seen: For something is amiss or out of place When mice with wings can wear a human face. Read More Voltaires Candide as an Attack on Optimism Essays1265 Words   |  6 PagesWhen, at the end of Candide, Pangloss asks the dervish as to why man exists, the dervish responds What does it matter whether theres good or evil? When his highness sends a ship to Egypt, does he worry whether the mice on board are comfortable or not? To Voltaire, men were the mice, and his highness was not concerned in the least with their day to day existence.    How are Voltaires views manifest in Candide    Pangloss is meant not to attack Leibnitz, but rather optimism asRead MoreOf Mice and Men Essay-a Comparison Between Lennie and Candy1408 Words   |  6 PagesThe novel â€Å"Of Mice and Men† is filled with characters that portray weakness. They are Steinbeck’s commentary on the general attitude towards the â€Å"weak†, and on the stereotype of â€Å"weak†, and perhaps even on the belief of â€Å"survival of the fittest†-social darwinism. Candy’s dog and Lennie are two characters that do so perhaps the most significantly, although in the case of Candy’s dog it is slightly less obvious as he’s not given much of a personality. Upon digging deeper into these two characters,Read MoreThe Philosophy Of Environmentalism In Ecotopia, By Ernest Callenbach1252 Words   |  6 Pagesissues. Ecotopia draws upon this time-frame in an almost self-aware manner, giving it the ability to translate into the 21st century quite appropriately. This awareness allows it to establish the tone of not only an inspirational novel, but a social commentary as well. The story begins with Times-Post journalist William Weston receiving an assignment to infiltrate Ecotopia, an independent country composed of Washington, Oregon, and Northern California. Seceding from the United States in 1980, the country

Analysis of Model Selection and Model Testing

Question: Discuss about the Analysis of Model Selection and Model Testing. Answer: Introduction: In the present case Mingalabar Inc is considering setting up a manufacturing unit in Myanmar. Capital budgeting is employed to analyze the risk and returns and thereby the financial feasibility of the project. In this respect of this project the biggest risk is that the company may not earn the returns as estimated and the project may fail (Bierman and Smidt, 2014). The risk of not earning the estimated returns may be due to the following factors: Inflation as estimated by the company in analyzing the project may increase in future resulting in reduction in the value of investments. The interest rates may rise in the future making the borrowings more costly and thus, reducing the profits earned by the company. There may be rise in the prices of the materials and labor over and above the anticipations of the company. Further, the company may not achieve the estimated demand or there be sudden hike in the competition resulting in market loss. The political conditions in Myanmar may also change in future resulting affecting the company adversely. The arbitrage pricing model (APM) provides the basis for computation of the theoretical return that is to be used in estimating the theoretical prices of the securities. The model postulates the mechanism to pave the way to determine the percentage return that an investor would expect by investing in a particular security or asset (Bhatti, Shanfari, and Hossain, 2006). In the determination of the expected return, the consideration of the risk attached with the investment is of paramount importance. However, different models provide different ways to incorporate the element of risk in determination of the expected return. As per the arbitrage pricing theory, the risk is not related to a single factor; rather it correlates with multiple factors. Those multiple factors may not necessarily be specific to the security being valued directly, but certainly affect the return on security in some or other way. Thus, apart from beta, consideration of the multiple factors such as gross domestic product, inflation, and interest rates was necessary, which was made possible by the APM (Rasiah and Kim, 2011). As discussed above, the arbitrage pricing model works on multifactor basis, therefore, the theoretical/expected return is computed by applying these multiple factors (Rasiah and Kim, 2011). The theoretical return in respect of a security under APM is determined by applying the equation given below: E(rj) = rf+bj1RP1+bj2RP2+bj3RP3+bj4RP4+..+bjnRPn Where, E(rj) = Theoretical/ expected return on security rf = Risk free rate bj = Sensitivity index RP = Risk premium of multiple factors Thus, it could be observed from the equation given above that the risk free rate is increased by the proportionate risk premium of multiple factors. Generally, the risk factors considered for computation of the return range from three to four involving GDP, inflation, and interest rates (Focardi and Fabozzi, 2004). The capital asset pricing model was in use before the arbitrage pricing model coming into use for computation of the theoretical return and security valuation. The capital asset pricing model was considered to be quite effective in incorporating the risk element in determination of the theoretical return (Wang and Xia, 2012). Though, this model was effective, but it was based on the single factor that is beta. Beta represents the sensitivity of the return on a particular security relative to the market as a whole. However, the risk of a security does not necessarily depend entirely on beta. There are other macroeconomic as well as security specific factors that affect the risk of the security. Therefore, the incorporation of the risk in computation of the theoretical return was considered by the Economists imperfect in the CAPM model. In order to overcome this imperfection in the CAPM model, the arbitrage pricing model was innovated with the consideration of the multiple factors in d etermination of the risk (Stowe, 2007). Apart from application of the multiple factors, the APM model is completely based on the premises set out in the CAPM model. Thus, the arbitrage pricing model is considered to be an extension of the CAPM model (Stowe, 2007). There are various advantages of the APM as claimed by the proponents of the APT theory. The biggest advantage of this model is that the investor is compensated for all the risks because of consideration of the multiple factors. Further, the proponents claim that the analysts are not required to make many more assumptions while applying APM because this model already takes into consideration a wide range of factors. The APM model provides a fair determination of the theoretical return, which results in fair valuation of the security. Thus, the probability that the decisions taken by the investors would be right is increased when APM is applied in decision making (Stowe, 2007). Though, the innovation of the arbitrage pricing model was appreciated by the world, but this model has certain disadvantages. The most crucial among them is the difficulty in applying this model in practical situations. Since, the model considers multiple factors, thus, the analytical exercise is also extended to a greater extent. The determination of the proportion of a particular risk factor in computing the return in APM may be subjective in certain situations (Stowe, 2007). Valuation of a Security Factors which affect the return of the security Sensitivity Index Risk premium (%) Sensitivity * Risk premium GNP 0.80 2.00% 1.60% Inflation 0.80 1.50% 1.20% Interest rate 1.30 2.00% 2.60% Market Index 1.20 5.00% 6.00% Industrial production 1.00 1.00% 1.00% 12.40% Add: Risk free rate 5.00% Return as per APM 17.40% Valuation of portfolio Input data Actual portfolio return 10% Expected return on portfolio 15% Risk free rate 4% Beta 1.15 Sensitivity to GDP 1.20 Proportion of Beta in total systematic risk of portfolio 0.60 Proportion of Sensitivity to GDP in total systematic risk of portfolio 0.40 Output data: Theoretical Return on Portfolio 1 Risk premium 5.00% 2 Beta*proportion in systematic risk 0.69 3 Sensitivity to GDP*proportion in systematic risk 0.48 4 Return (1*2*3) 1.66% 5 Risk free rate 4.00% 6 Theoretical Return on Portfolio (4+5) 5.66% References Bhatti, M.I., Shanfari, H.A., and Hossain, M.Z. 2006. Econometric Analysis of Model Selection and Model Testing. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. Bierman, H. and Smidt, S. 2014. Advanced Capital Budgeting: Refinements in the Economic Analysis of Investment Projects. Routledge. Focardi, S.M. and Fabozzi, F.J. 2004. The Mathematics of Financial Modeling and Investment Management. John Wiley Sons. Rasiah, D. and Kim, P. 2011. The effectiveness of arbitrage pricing model in modern financial theory. International journal of economics, 2(3), pp. 125-135. Stowe, J.D. 2007. Equity Asset Valuation. John Wiley Sons. Wang, S. and Xia, Y. 2012. Portfolio Selection and Asset Pricing. Springer Science Business Media.

Lady Catherine Essay Example

Lady Catherine Paper In Pride and Prejudice the main target of Austens is satire, are the characters with money and the characters that have to prove their position because they feel they deserve respect due to their money and position. Also Jane Austen uses religious hypocrisy, snobbery and the concept of proper social conduct to show her personal views of society. She didnt believe the idea that education and money resulted in intelligence. In Austens time, religion was predominately Christian and so most people would go to church and also one of the most popular jobs then was a clergyman. At the top of the social scale were the aristocracies: they had titles, owned land and did not work. Then below them were the gentries: they inherited their fortunes and did not work. In Austens day, women of the gentry were almost entirely dependent on men. The only employment they were likely to get was to become governess and this was not viewed as a satisfactory way of life. Most women who did not marry remained financially dependent on their male relatives, like Jane Austen. Through marriage, a woman could have her own house and enjoy some status in society. We will write a custom essay sample on Lady Catherine specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Lady Catherine specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Lady Catherine specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Austen ignored the Napoleonic wars raging over in France at the time because they simply didnt affect her directly, despite occasional propaganda; there was little chance that Napoleon would invade Britain. Austen turned down many marriage proposals because they werent for love, and she firmly believed that people should marry for love, not money. In the novel she makes her opinions known through the narrative comments as well as the protagonist opinions. During the first ball in the book, the characters involved immediately attempt to cement their position in society. Lady Catherine is a prime example of Jane Austens satire. This is because as discussed earlier in the introduction, Austen clearly does not approve with the notion that money equals intelligence. Nevertheless, many believed this notion at the time and Austen portrays this through the characterisation of Lady Catherine. Firstly, we hear about Lady Catherine through the dejected Mr. Collins who boasts to the Bennets about her. Bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish. (p51) Lady Catherine is shown to be a woman who believes that due to her social status and her substantial fortune, her opinions and instructions should be followed without question. For example she is happy to use, what she presumes to be, her superior knowledge of social etiquette to assist the less fortunate such as Mr. Collins. Austen does not agree with this opinion and shows this through the satire of Lady Catherines instructions to people about how they can better themselves. This is explored further when Lady Catherine bestows these comments onto equally ridiculous characters, such as Mr. Collins who comments that these instructions give him superior society (p178). These humorous subtleties allow Austens social analysis of such people to be shown in a comic manner. Austen also shows her opinion of Lady Catherine through the description, Her air was not conciliating such as to make her visitors forget their inferior rank whatever she said, was spoken in so authoritative a tone, as marked her self- importance. (p135) This satirical instance of characterisation shows again how Austen creates intricate characters which we can assume are based on her personal findings of such people. Lady Catherine frequently speaks to Elizabeth in a condescending manner. Elizabeth however, being Austens sensible character responds to Lady Catherine using sharp wit and satire. Elizabeth suspected herself to be the first creature who had ever dared to trifle with so much dignified impertinence. (p138) Later in the novel, Lady Catherine confronts Elizabeth about Darcy and forbids the marriage not knowing whether Elizabeth has accepted the proposal or not. This suggests that she believes those who are beneath her in social status should do as she instructs.

Effective Management in International Business Lessons from Four Seasons Expansion to France

Effective Management in International Business Lessons from Four Seasons Expansion to France Introduction Managing in an international business presents unique challenges due to differences in aspects such as culture and legislation among countries. For instance, a manager from a monochronic culture (e.g. North America) may find it challenging to work with employees from a polychronic culture (e.g. France) due to their different perceptions of time.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Effective Management in International Business: Lessons from Four Seasons’ Expansion to France specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The monochronic-oriented manager would, for instance, focus on individual goals, sequentially, while the polychronic-oriented employees would be more comfortable working on multiple goals simultaneously (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003; Nardon Steers 2009). With respect to legislation, differences in legislation, for instance on labor and environment, may imply different operating costs for an en tity. This report analyzes how Four Seasons managed such dynamics when it expanded its services to France, to operate the Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris as reported in the case study by Hallowell, Bowen and Knoop (2003). Four Seasons has had a phenomenal history of operating luxury hotels and resorts as evidenced by its performance from 1996 through 2000. During this period, its revenues increased at a compound rate of 22.6% annually, with the operating margins increasing by approximately 9% (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003, p. 1). The entity’s revenue per room was also higher than the industry average in the U.S. and Europe (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). Such success was ensured by its effective management approach and well-informed principles that guided its international growth. Despite this success, its entry into France was challenging; for instance, labor legislation in France lowered working hours for employees, while the French cultural-orientation differed significa ntly from cultures in the other regions in which Four Seasons had existing operations (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). This report assesses how four seasons overcame such challenges. Following the introduction, the report evaluates the appropriateness of management approach used to open the Parisian hotel, the core values demonstrated by various members of Four Seasons, and the impact of management approach on service delivery. The conclusion subsequently identifies the key aspects discussed throughout the report.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Four Seasons Approach when Opening Parisian Hotel The appropriateness of the management approach used by Four Seasons to open its operations in France was evident from factors such as awareness of French culture, adaptation to such a culture, and the principles that conferred the hotel with the ability to drive change. These aspects are highlighted in subsequent sections. Cultural awareness and adaptation Differences in cultures among countries affects aspects such as negotiations, communication, trust, commitment and cooperation (Hurn 2007; Wendt, Euwema van Emmerik 2009), hence may lead to unfavorable performance for an entity (Mullen Copper 1994; Pillai Williams 2004). Following the realization that cultural distance influences business outcomes, the need for managers to have an awareness of cultures in countries in which they run business activities has necessitated such practices as cultural training to ease adjustment to foreign cultures (Waxin Pannaccio 2005; Causin, Ayoun Moreo 2011). The awareness of Four Seasons management about cultural orientation of the French was primarily evident in the choice of the entry mode. For instance, by recognizing the opportunity that hotel George V presented, Four Seasons mnagement was able to avoid liabilities such as the label of a foreign entity t hat could influence its start-up performance. Such approach prevented an unsuccessful entry into the French market that had been a characteristic of other American entities such as Disney (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). Additionally, Four Seasons’ management cultural awareness was evident with their choice of a French interior designer to overcome the challenges imposed by the choice of George V. The George V opportunity presented a challenge of establishing the appropriate balance between maintaining George V’s reputation and rebuilding the premises to meet preferences of contemporary visitors (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). By choosing a designer familiar with the French people’s perception of aspects such as luxury, thus capable of capturing the symbolism attached to the old hotel while creating a new look that would better customer satisfaction, the entity was able to enhance the hotel’s reputation with contemporary visitors while and retain the reput ation that hotel George V held (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). Other instances that indicate cultural awareness and adaptation were related to the entity’s adherence to employment legislation existing in France and its hiring of a non-Four Seasons executive chef (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003).Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Effective Management in International Business: Lessons from Four Seasons’ Expansion to France specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Whereas the chef had challenges meeting expectations of contemporary visitors (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003), hiring such an individual with experience in French cuisine helped to reinforce the perspective of Four Seasons being a French palace hotel. Ability to drive change and Impact on Performance Four seasons opening of their Parisian hotel faced various cultural challenges due to differences in culture between North America and France. For instanc e, the managers faced challenges in the process of performance evaluation since the French culture did not favor a direct and explicit approach to discussing employees’ weaknesses, an approach that would be easy to apply in their North American establishments (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). Similarly, whereas front-line and middle managers in North America assumed more responsibility and accountability for their roles, such managers in France tended to refer accountability for their decisions and policies to their superiors (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). Other conflicting cultural aspects included the differences in perception of time and the French emotional way of doing tasks, which could, on the negative, result into the French temper lashing out (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). Such differences implied that whereas Four Seasons management needed to adjust to some aspects of the French culture, in other aspects they would need to implement strategies that would help in cul tural transmission to help the entity meet its principle of providing services based on globally uniform standards. The approach taken by the management in opening the French hotel indicated the ability of Four Seasons to drive change. The entity for instance had established a strategy that enhanced cultural transformation to meet its established standards.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The entity’s strategy for instance encouraged the development of the right attitude to work by promoting employees who remained committed to the appropriate culture and attitude (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). Eventually, such employees would form a critical mass that would form force required to achieve a cultural transformation for the whole entity. To achieve such a cultural-transforming effect in France, Four seasons hired individuals with prior experience working in North America; such individuals helped to demystify negative perception of the North-American aspects of culture that Four seasons intended to introduce at hotel George V (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). Similarly, the managers hired had experience in other Four Seasons operations thus could help in training the employees on the expected standards of service (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). The cultural transformation was also aided by the direct involvement of top management as exemplified by the general manag ers (Le Calvez) encouraging the use of first names, an aspect that was rare in the French culture (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). The ability of the Four Seasons management to drive change was evident with changes in quality rating reported following second audit of quality of service at the hotel. In the first audit, various drawbacks to quality service included: staff’s inappropriate attitude, inability to sell the entity’s services and preoccupation with rules and policy to guide their actions (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). During the second audit, such aspects had given way to exemplary service that led to a quality rating comparable to other Four Seasons establishments (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). Additionally, such an effect was notable in the high staff satisfaction with their job at Four Seasons as revealed via an Employee Opinion Survey (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). Core Values Instilled in Four Seasons Team The successful opening and favorable performan ce of Four Seasons establishment in France resulted from various core values the entity entrenched in its staff. Among these values is the human resources’ â€Å"Golden Rule† that stipulates that staff ought to treat each other as they would wish to be treated (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). The top management demonstrates this principle for instance by inviting employees and their families to an open door event at the hotel for about three times a year (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). Additionally, the human resource approach that rewarded employees based only on meritocracy evidenced the application of this rule. Further, such a value was evident in Le Calvez’s approach of encouraging the use of first name to create a more-relaxed environment that ensured effective communication among employees at different levels of the organization’s hierarchy (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). Four Seasons favorable performance was also a factor of the entity insisting o n each employee rendering professional service to the clients. Such is evident, for instance, with the stipulation that there should not have been a reason to offer below-par service to the customer (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). For instance, managers in Four Seasons were noted to routinely help in clearing the restaurant tables in passing (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). Such an act avoided cases where staff shortage would result into a lower level of service thus lowering customer satisfaction with the entity’s service. The performance of four seasons was further aided by the strong allegiance of employees to the entity. For instance, Four Seasons had a low staff turnover with some employees staying with the firm for a period extending over 25 years (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). The general manager appointed to head the entity’s operations in France had been with Four Seasons for such a lengthy period having been an employee at The Pierre in New York, a hotel oper ated by Four Seasons, for 11 years (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). Finally, Four Seasons performance derived from its promotion of diverse cultures but maintaining uniform standards. Such diversity in cultures was, for instance, evident in the observation that the entity’s top managers were comfortable in various international settings (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). Through such knowledge, the managers could help employees learn about different cultures thus alleviating the challenges associated with cultural adjustment in foreign operations. Impact of Management Approach on Service Delivery The Four Seasons’ management approach enhances the service delivery within its establishments since it offers the motivation that employees need to remain committed to organizational goals. Such an effect is evident with the improvement in quality rating during the second audit of Four Seasons’ Parisian hotel (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). For instance, allowing middle and front-line managers to become accountable and responsible for decisions at their points of work (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003), empowers them to develop innovative approaches that better business outcomes (Cohen 2004; Burke et al., 2006). The management approach also supported the goals and principles of Four Seasons in a variety of ways. By instituting a cultural transformation, the management for instance sought to establish the attitude and behaviors that would result into a globally uniform service, irrespective of the location of the establishment. Such an approach reflected on Four Seasons’ notion of establishing service based on globally uniform standards, irrespective of the location of the establishment (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). Additionally, by basing employee promotion and rewards on meritocracy, the management practiced the human resources’ golden rule which stipulated that each employee was to treat others according to the treatment that one would e xpect from them (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). Four Seasons’ approach to improve communication among employees at various levels of the organization, through such ways as employees’ meetings with the general manager, improved the capacity of the entity to deliver intelligent, anticipatory and enthusiastic service as envisioned in the entity’s principles (Hallowell, Bowen Knoop 2003). For instance, the improved communication helps in identifying potential risks that could lower the service provision at the entity, thus help in initiating timely corrective actions. Conclusion Wide cultural and legislative differences between the home and host country present a barrier to the establishment of effective management practices in the host country. This report evaluates how Four Seasons, a company with roots in North America, was able to manage such challenges in its operations in France. Factors such as management’s cultural awareness, adaptation and capacity to institute change, helped Four Seasons to open and run its operations in France successfully. The management’s cultural awareness was for instance noted in incorporating features of the French culture during the renovations and hiring of French individuals such as a chef to enhance cultural learning. Nevertheless, due to conflicting aspects between the French culture and Four Seasons established norms, the entity’s ability to institute change was the core determinant of success. Such change was established through ways such as hiring individuals with experience working in North America, who would act as the foundation for the transformation other employees’ attitudes. The management experience and skills were also critical in ensuring success of Four Seasons in France. Managerial aspects that enhanced Four Seasons outcomes included empowering middle and front-line managers to make decisions at their place of work, establishing effective communication channels at all levels of the organization’s hierarchy and sharing the commitment to the principles envisaged in the entity’s goals. Through such aspects, the entity’s quality rating had improved to levels comparable with existing establishment by the time the second quality audit was performed. References Burke, CS, Stagl, KC, Klein, C, Goodwin, GF, Salas, E Halpin, SM 2006, ‘What type of leadership behaviors are functional in teams?A meta-analysis’, The Leadership Quarterly, vol. 17, pp. 288-307. Causin, GF, Ayoun, B Moreo, P 2011, ‘Expatriation in the hotel industry: an exploratory study of management skills and cultural training’, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 23, no. 7 Cohen, AR 2004 ‘Building a company of leaders’, Leader to Leader, vol. 34, pp.16-20. Web. Hallowell, R, Bowen, D Knoop, CI 2003, ‘Four Seasons goes to Paris: â€Å"53 properties, 24 countries, 1 philosophy†Ã¢â‚ ¬â„¢, Harvard Business Review, Case 9-803-069. Hurn, BJ 2007, ‘The influence of culture on international business negotiations’, Industrial and Commercial Training, vol. 39, no. 7, pp. 354-360. Mullen, B Copper, C 1994, ‘The relationship between group cohesiveness and performance: An integration’, Psychological Bulletin, Vol. 115, no. 2, pp. 210-227. Nardon, L Steers, RM 2009, ‘The culture theory jungle: divergence and convergence in models of national culture’, Cultural Foundations (part 1) in Cambridge handbook of culture, organizations, and work, eds RS Bhagat RM Steers, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 3-23. Web. Pillai, R Williams, EA 2004, ‘Transformational leadership, self-efficacy, group cohesiveness, commitment and performance’, Journal of Organization Change, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 144-159. Waxin, MF Panaccio, A 2005, ‘Cross-cultural training to facilitate expatriate adjustment: it works! Personnel Revie w, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 51-67. Wendt, H, Euwema, MC van Emmerick, IJH 2009, ‘Leadership and team cohesiveness across cultures’, The Leadership Quarterly, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 358-370.

Cultural Significance Associated with Interior Designs Essay

Cultural Significance Associated with Interior Designs - Essay Example It is the process of shaping the experience of interior space, through the manipulation of spatial volume as well as surface treatment. Interior design draws on aspects of environmental psychology, architecture, and product design in addition to traditional decoration. It is a creative practice analyzing programmatic information, establishes a conceptual direction, refines the design direction, and produces graphic communication and construction documents. The principle of interior design varies region to region as the difference of their cultural uniqueness. It intensely involves a strong belief system as part of the cultural significance that distinguishes its originality. Fang Sui in China, Vastu Shatra in India are live instances from the occidental nations while we can take the example of Gothic mode of aesthetics in design in western context. As interior design is closely associated with the field of Architecture, it is a blend of technological input in the flavor of aesthetics in the construction field. The quintessential aspect of interior design in case of cultural significance is the thematic expression of the graphic visualization. Interior designers may perform various activities, it primarily attaches to particular cult of tastes. Therefore, it cannot set a pattern of uniform principles as a profession. Its function includes research and analyzes client's goals and requirements, along with the developing the design documents, drawings and diagrams that outline those needs and to formulate the preliminary space plans and the two- and three-dimensional design concept studies and sketches that integrate the client's needs based on knowledge of interior design principles and theories of human behavior. It further focuses the conformity of preliminary space plans and design concepts are considered safe, functional, aesthetically appropriate, in addition to confirming that these elements meet all public health, safety and welfare requirements, including code, accessibility, environmental and sustainability guidelines. Among the priority of this job, we need to select colors, materials and finish the design concept to meet socio-psychological, functional, maintenance, life-cycle performance, environmental and safety requirements. The furniture, fixtures, equipment and millwork that are aligned with the design concept, including layout drawings and detailed product description are in need to collaborate with allied design professionals. They provide additional consulting services for the design project, including, but not limited to, architects, structural engineers, mechanical engineers and electrical engineers, in addition to various specialty consultants retained for the design project. Hence, there lies the integration of Interior Design as an independent discipline in the academics. SPECIALIZATION IN INTERIOR DESIGNING Interior designers can specialize in a particular interior design discipline, such as residential and commercial design, with some developing expertise within a niche design area such as