The diploma thesis is focused on the venture capital investments. Theoretical part of the thesis describes important concepts and key aspects of venture capital industry. Analytical part of the thesis is focused on the development and the present situation of venture capital industry in the United States of America, European Union, Israel, China and India.

Master's s thesis determines potential influence of "shale miracle" observed in the U.S. since the first decade of new millennium on energy independence which has been one of the U.S. policy priorities since the 1970s' oil shocks. Technological development and innovations supported by the government triggered an unexpected and in its way unique boom, which significantly strengthened the U.S. economy. The thesis examines impact of oil crises on the U.S. energy policy, history of unconventional gas and oil extraction, and the federal involvement in energy R&D programs. Energy independence is analyzed in terms of three fundamental pillars (reducing the amount of imported oil, reducing the energy intensity of economy and increasing energy self-sufficiency). All of the models, schemes and calculations cover a period of 1973-2013. Two indicators -- improving self-sufficiency and decreasing energy intensity of the economy -- speak in favor of achievable energy independence. However, deficient energy balance suggests otherwise. In case the need to fill the gap between energy production and consumption by foreign oil imports (which have been at their historically highest values since the 1990s) remains, then a complete energy independence as well as security is just an illusion.

The thesis deals with the current trends and development of the unconventional oil and natural gas production. The main aim is to evaluate and analyze the global development of unconventional production and the influence of its growth in the last decade on the global economy and the given markets. In addition, not only the pros, but also the risks and limitations of unconventional production, are examined, e.g. economic and environmental issues. The final part focuses on the United States and the local shale boom. Based on the analysis of American unconventional production, the future of these sources is predicted. At the end of the thesis the effects of shale boom on the U.S. economy are explored as well, focusing mainly on the U.S. trade balance.

The United States imposed the longest lasting sanction regime on Cuba in 1960 as a result of strained relations in recent years. Each US administration modified form of the sanctions regime, depending on the attitude toward the Cuban issue. General Assembly, the highest authority of the UN, adopts not legally binding but politically significant resolutions. Resolution condemning US sanctions regime has been adopted annually since 1992. Discussion on changes of the sanction regime in the General Assembly is a sign of reflection on current events and unrigid process of resolutions adoption. The main purpose is to determine whether the changes of the sanction regime were mentioned in the discussions on the adoption of the resolutions. The result of the analysis shows the reflection of the events in the speeches of ambassadors. The amount of mentioned events in speeches depends whether they were positive or negative step toward easing the embargo, and also how important the event was.

The Iran's nuclear program makes really deep wrinkles to the United States as one of the main supporters of peace and stability in the world. Despite the fact that Iran has not showed any tests of its nuclear weapons, the USA still tends to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities to protect its national interests. The aim of the thesis is not only to analyze US foreign policy towards Iran but also to deal with the issue of the US non-intervention of Iranian territory to halt the Iranian nuclear program.

The aim of the thesis is to describe and analyze comparatively spa tourism in the United States in relation to European countries. The thesis is divided into two parts, theoretical and practical. The theoretical part presents definitions and characteristics of general terms concerning spa tourism. After that there is approached importance of the spas in the tourism sector and health care. Particular attention is paid to the field of wellness, which is one of the most important components of spa tourism in the US. The practical part presents the characteristics of the United States from the perspective of basic and economic data and subsequently within the particular forms of tourism. The main part of this thesis presents a chapter devoted to the characteristics of spa tourism in the US, where is a briefly presented historical development of the spas, as well as the organizational framework and significant Spa Associations. Subsequent analysis of spa tourism, as well as the wellness area defines on the basis of statistical data the current state of spa tourism and its position in the United States to other countries. The final part presents selected spas in terms of significance of the occurrence of natural healing resources, and also in terms of tourist importance.

The thesis deals with importance of European Recovery Program (Marshall plan) for Irish economy. The aim is to analyse whether the Marshall plan aid was in the case of Ireland rather a political decision or an economic necessity. In the first half of 20th century the economic and political development was adherent to Great Britain, although Ireland was anxious to break this bound since the foundation of the Free State. Second World War neutrality and disputable survey of post-war Irish economy caused bitter relationships with the United States and therefore even harder communication in the case of Marshall plan. Prevailing and historically determinated Irish isolationism and nationalism, trading orientation mainly on Great Britain, undeveloped economy and scepticism about the leading role of the United States in post-war world and economic integration of Europe in consequence led to the fact that Ireland was one of least developed countries in western Europe in the beginning of 1960s, even though it adopted the Marshall plan.

This master thesis deals with the specifics of the business environment of the United States of America as one of the most important economies in the world. The aim is to analyze main aspects of current US business environment according to the PEST analysis methodology and based on this analysis then identify its basic advantages and disadvantages. The paper then should provide comprehensive information to entrepreneurs considering the development of their business activities in the US market. To achieve the goal the thesis is divided into four chapters.

Cette thèse analyse la manière dont les métaphores et les comparaisons de Harper Lee ont été traduites dans les trois versions françaises de To Kill a Mockingbird, un des romans les plus célèbres de la littérature américaine. Comme point de départ, nous examinons les théories existantes sur la traductologie et les figures de style, ce qui nous aide à comprendre la fonction de la métaphore et de la comparaison au sein d’un texte littéraire. Par la suite, nous étudions les métaphores et comparaisons qui n’ont pas pu être traduites aisément, souvent à cause de leur charge culturel. Paradoxalement, les connotations et les références culturelles jouent un rôle important dans l’œuvre de Lee, et elles sont indispensables pour la reconstruction de son univers à l’étranger. Afin de traduire l’intraduisible, le traducteur doit recourir à des stratégies complexes et variées, parfois faisant preuve d’une grande créativité. Un chapitre entier est donc consacré aux traductions inventives où le traducteur se transforme en écrivain. En effet, on se pose des questions sur le rôle du traducteur : doit-il rester passif ou est-il libre de façonner le texte cible comme il le souhaite ? Le dernier chapitre se focalise sur les similitudes entre le français et l’anglais, grâce auxquelles un passage fluide d’une langue à l’autre est souvent possible. Dans chaque version, nous observons des tendances méthodologiques et stylistiques, qui varient selon l’époque et/ou les préférences de chaque traducteur. Étant donné que la traduction parfaite n’existe pas, nous concluons que chaque nouvelle version contribue à sa manière à l’expérience du lecteur dans la langue cible. / This thesis analyses the way in which Harper Lee’s metaphors and similes have been translated in the three French versions of To Kill a Mockingbird, one of the most famous novels in American literature. As a starting point, we examine the existing theories regarding Translation Studies and stylistic devices, which helps us to understand the purpose of metaphors and similes within a literary text. We then study those metaphors and similes that could not be translated with ease, mainly owing to their cultural significance. Paradoxically, cultural connotations and references play a significant role in Lee’s work, and they are indispensable in reconstructing her universe abroad. In order to translate the untranslatable, the translator has to resort to complex and diverse strategies, sometimes demonstrating a high level of creativity. An entire chapter is therefore devoted to inventive translations where the translator becomes a writer in his or her own right. Indeed we ask ourselves several questions about the role of a translator : should he remain passive or is he free to shape the target text as he desires? The final chapter focuses on the similarities between French and English, thanks to which a swift passage between the two languages is often possible. In each version, we notice methodological and stylistic trends that vary according to the publication date and/or the preferences of each translator. Given that there is no such thing as a perfect translation, we come to the conclusion that every new version contributes in its own way to the reader’s experience in the target language.

Depuis leur fondation en 1870, les Témoins de Jéhovah ont connu une croissance spectaculaire jusqu’en 1995, dans les pays dont la religion dominante est le christianisme. Puis, un ralentissement progressif de leur croissance a été constaté au milieu des années 1990, en particulier dans les pays industrialisés. Par ailleurs, leur croissance a connu un succès inégal d’un pays à l’autre. Ainsi, en 2017, il y avait un Témoin de Jéhovah pour 50 habitants en Guadeloupe, un Témoin pour 112 habitants à la Barbade et un Témoin pour 263 habitants aux Etats-Unis. La présente recherche doctorale a étudié plusieurs facteurs de croissance, en empruntant les concepts des sociologues états-uniens Ryan Cragun et Ronald Lawson ainsi Rodney Stark et Lawrence Iannacone liant la croissance d’un groupe religieux à l’interaction entre l’offre religieuse qui est la sienne et la demande religieuse du pays où il s’est implanté. Une recherche documentaire a été effectuée passant en revue l’histoire et l’évolution de ce mouvement religieux. Puis, une méthode qualitative a été adoptée, à travers des entretiens menés auprès de dizaines de Témoins au cours de plusieurs années ainsi qu’une observation participante, afin de mieux connaître le mouvement, ses doctrines mais aussi la motivation des fidèles. Ensuite, une méthode quantitative a été appliquée à travers une enquête menée auprès de centaines de Témoins de Jéhovah à la Barbade en Guadeloupe et aux États-Unis d’Amérique. Les spécificités de ces trois pays expliquent en partie la différence de croissance constatées au sein du groupe religieux étudié. / Since their founding in 1870, Jehovah's Witnesses have experienced spectacular growth until 1995, in the country where Christianity predominates. A gradual slowdown in growth was then observed, particularly in the industrialized countries in the mid-1990s. Moreover, their growth has been successfully imbalanced from one country to another. Thus, in 2017, there was a Jehovah's Witness for 50 people in Guadeloupe, one for 112 people in Barbados and one for 263 in the United States.This PhD thesis examines several growth factors, borrowing from the concepts of American sociologists Ryan Cragun and Ronald Lawson as well as Rodney Stark and Lawrence Iannacone, linking the growth of a religious group to the interaction between religious offerings and religious demand. in the country where the religious group settled. A literature search was conducted to examine the history and evolution of this religious movement. In addition to that, a qualitative method was adopted in interviews with dozens of Witnesses over several years and with participant observation, in order to better understand the movement, its doctrines, but also the motivations of the members. Then, a quantitative method was applied to a survey of hundreds of Jehovah's Witnesses in Barbados, in Guadeloupe and the United States of America. The specificities of these three countries partly explain the differences in growth observed in the religious group studied. / Depi fondasyon yo nan lane 1870, Temwen Jewova yo te gen yon kwasans espektakilè jiska 1995, nan peyi kote dominasyon relijyon se krisyanis la. Lè sa a, yon ralentissement gradyèl nan kwasans yo te obsève patikilyèman nan peyi yo endistriyalize nan mitan ane 1990 yo. Anplis, li te kwasans yo te dezekilibre siksè soti nan yon peyi a yon lòt. Kidonk, nan 2017, te gen yon Temwen Jewova pou 50 moun nan Gwadloup, yon Temwen pou 112 moun nan Barbad ak yon Temwen pou 263 moun nan Etazini yo.Rechèch doktora prezan an etidye plizyè faktè kwasans, prete konsèp sosyolojis ameriken Ryan Cragun ak Ronald Lawson ak Rodney Stark ak Lawrence Iannacone ki lye kwasans yon gwoup relijye nan entèraksyon ant òf relijye ki se li ak demann relijye nan peyi kote li te etabli tèt li. Yon rechèch literati te fèt revize istwa a ak evolisyon sa a mouvman relijye yo. Answit, yo te adopte yon metòd kalitatif, nan entèvyou ak plizyè douzèn Temwen sou plizyè ane ak yon obsèvasyon patisipan, pou pi byen konprann mouvman an, doktrin li yo, men tou motivasyon fidèl yo. Lè sa a, yon metòd quantitative te aplike nan yon sondaj sou dè santèn de Temwen Jewova nan Barbad nan Gwadloup ak nan Etazini. Espesifikite yo nan twa peyi sa yo eksplike an pati diferans nan kwasans obsève nan gwoup relijye etidye.