Thesis (Ph. D.)--Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2007. / Gee-Kung Chang, Committee Chair ; Thomas K. Gaylord, Committee Co-Chair ; Glenn S. Smith, Committee Member ; John A. Buck, Committee Member ; Ali Adibi, Committee Member ; C. P. Wong, Committee Member.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2007. / Papapolymerou, John, Committee Member ; Adibi, Ali, Committee Member ; Citrin, David, Committee Chair ; Summers, Christopher, Committee Member ; Voss, Paul, Committee Member.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Supervisor: Ray T. Chen. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- McMaster University, 2004. / Adviser: Wei-Ping Huang. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 168-176).

Thesis (M. S.)--Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. / Hess, Dennis, Committee Member ; Teja, Amyn, Committee Member ; Kohl, Paul, Committee Chair ; Allen, Sue Ann Bidstrup, Committee Co-Chair.

Thesis (doctoral)--Helsinki University of Technology, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Th. 3e cycle--Génie électronique--Toulouse--I.N.P., 1982. N°: 147.

The purpose of this study is to critically evaluate the performance of tour guides in Thailand and their impact on the tourist experience. The research objectives include a: review of the literature on service quality and tour guide performance; a survey of tourists’ expectations and satisfaction with tour guides in Thailand; a critical evaluation of tour operators’ and tourists’ perspectives on the variables that constitute a high standard of performance for tour guides; analysing how the performance of tour guides influences the experiences of foreign tourists; and understanding the attributes of tour guides that influence the satisfaction of foreign tourists. The sample in this research comprised 400 tourists in Thailand who were currently on or had previously been on a group package tour in Thailand within the past two years. The survey took place in 2014 between January 1 and July 31and was conducted in the cities of Bangkok and Chiang Mai. A convenience sampling technique was utilised, with respondents being requested to provide a range of demographic variables. Descriptive analyses of these variables were conducted to examine tourists’ demographic profiles in order to understand tourists’ characteristics and their behaviours. The results of the questionnaires were analysed using statistical methods including factor, regression and multivariate analyses. Based on the results, a tour guide service quality evaluating model (TGSQEM) was developed, composed of eight dimensions: reliability (informative); personal traits; empathy1 (service-oriented mind); assurance1 (knowledgeable); professionalism; attitude; assurance2 (able to generate an atmosphere of trust); and empathy. The results identified the various factors that affect tour guide performance whilst enhancing the understanding of the perceptions of tourists’ expectations of tour guide performance and associated service quality. Using quantifiable data, these were then calculated and plotted into a graph utilising the Important Performance Analysis (IPA) technique. This investigation of the variables that influence the service quality performance of tour guides in Thailand has subsequently been used to create a theoretical framework that can be utilized to enhance the service quality of tour guides and contribute to a more successful tourism industry in Thailand. The development of this model represents a furthering of the knowledge about the performance of tour guides and, whilst constituted in a specific cultural context, it is envisaged that it would have generic transferability to tour guiding elsewhere.

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston University / The purpose of this study was to prepare a guide for field trips that would be of value to teachers of consumer education courses at the secondary school level. The guide is designed to be of use to teachers in planning field trips in their own communities.

The 2010 explosion of BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig was an environmental disaster unparalleled in United States history. Because of this, there has been a great deal of research studies regarding the matter. The purpose of this study was to determine what inshore fishing guides in the Tampa Bay Area feel should be a response to future oil spills using Image Repair Theory, as well as how this important group of stakeholders felt about the image repair responses employed by BP in the wake of the spill. In depth interviews were used to gather data and answer the pertinent research questions, which also generated follow up questions. The findings showed Tampa Bay Area captains feel that BP’s responses in the wake of the spill were inadequate in alleviating the situation. The captains felt that better planning on the part of oil companies is needed and also that oil companies should be mortified and have clear and decisive plans for correcting the situation as well as alleviating the effects of said spill on the pertinent publics.