Background: In light of the multitude of different channel options consumers have at hand and the rapidly advancing vertical integration of established brand manufacturers across industries, the question arises as to the basis on which consumers make their channel decision for a manufacturers direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales channel. Scholars have found that channel attributes and product-related factors generally play a pivotal role in consumer channel choice and have shown the influence they have on offline versus online channel choice. However, research in the context of established brand manufacturers offering D2C sales channels is so far underrepresented in the consumer channel choice literature despite its high current relevance. Purpose: This study investigates which channel attributes and product-related factors influence a consumer’s decision to fulfill a purchase through a manufacturer’s online D2C channel and how they do so, in order to gain insights into this so far insufficiently studied research context. Method: The data of this qualitative, explorative study was generated through semi-structured interviews with 16 purposefully selected samples. The sample was segmented demographically into four groups ranging from Baby Boomers to Generation Z, in which men and women are equally represented to create a heterogenous sample set. The data analysis followed an inductive approach using thematic analysis. Conclusion: This study found that 12 channel attributes and 8 product-related factors are relevant to consumer channel choice in the context of established manufacturers’ D2C channels.  Furthermore, it was found that channel choice is not exclusively based on the aforementioned, but that the individual factors are also interrelated. Particularly important are also influencing factors, which further affect consumer channel choice. Lastly, all identified factors are evaluated in tandem. A conceptual framework depicting these findings was developed.

Hardware implementations of artificial neural networks (ANNs) have become feasible due to the advent of persistent 2-terminal devices such as memristor, phase change memory, MTJs, etc. Hybrid memristor crossbar/CMOS systems have been studied extensively and demonstrated experimentally. In these circuits, memristors located at each cross point in a crossbar are, however, stacked on top of CMOS circuits using back end of line processing (BOEL), limiting scaling. Each neuron’s functionality is spread across layers of CMOS and memristor crossbar and thus cannot support the required connectivity to implement large-scale multi-layered ANNs. This work proposes a new fine-grained 3D integrated circuit technology for ANNs that is one of the first IC technologies for this purpose. Synaptic weights implemented with devices are incorporated in a uniform vertical nanowire template co-locating the memory and computation requirements of ANNs within each neuron. Novel 3D routing features are used for interconnections in all three dimensions between the devices enabling high connectivity without the need for special pins or metal vias. To demonstrate the proof of concept of this fabric, classification of binary images using a perceptron-based feed forward neural network is shown. Bottom-up evaluations for the proposed fabric considering 3D implementation of fabric components reveal up to 19x density, 1.2x power benefits when compared to 16nm hybrid memristor/CMOS technology.

The interest for blockchains and cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, from corporations, policymakers and individuals continues to increase. Due to its rapid growth in adoption, this technology can no longer be ignored. However, researchers have mainly been focused on the technical details of Bitcoin while the business and managerial opportunities have received little attention. This is especially true when looking at Bitcoin mining, the very fundamental operation that protects and maintains the network. Initiatives from the commercial sector are abundant as companies scramble to gain a competitive advantage in this industry but their business models and strategies are unexplored by modern literature. The thesis aims to contribute with knowledge to fill this gap in literature by studying the business models of Bitcoin mining and investigate their sustainability. This thesis is a case study with embedded units of three Swedish companies in the Bitcoin mining industry together with the commissioner company. The findings show that all companies have developed sustainable business models with very different approaches to value creation. In an industry marked by high dependence on volatile externalities, vertical integration of electricity production was shown to be a successful business model strategy for capturing value. Furthermore, the study highlights that such a strategy opens the possibility for a Bitcoin miner to create or take part in a private financial ecosystem of bitcoin that is largely disconnected from the traditional economy of local fiat currencies. The result of this study makes three contributions to literature. Firstly, the findings contribute to knowledge on the economics and the business models of the Bitcoin mining industry. Secondly, the thesis contributes by applying the business model strategy of vertical integration on the Bitcoin mining industry and showing that it can help companies create value. Lastly, the thesis contributes by developing the Business 2 Protocol (B2P) model for describing the dynamics of the Bitcoin mining industry. / Intresset för blockkedjor och kryptovalutor som Bitcoin från företag, lagstiftare och individer fortsätter att öka i snabb takt. Den snabba adoptionstakten som vi nu ser kan denna teknik inte längre förbises. Trots detta har nuvarande forskning främst fokuserat på de tekniska detaljerna kring Bitcoin medan de affärsmässiga möjligheterna i det stora hela har förbisetts. Detta gäller speciellt Bitcoin mining, den fundamentala verksamhet som skyddar nätverket och får det att fungera. Det finns gott om kommersiella initiativ i branschen där företag skyndar sig in i branschen för att etablera sig och försöker etablera marknadsmässiga övertag med affärsmodeller och strategier som är outforskade av den moderna forskningslitteraturen. Målet med denna uppsats är att utforska detta gap i litteraturen genom att studera affärsmodellerna hos Bitcoin mining och undersöka hur hållbara de är ur ett miljömässigt och finansiellt perspektiv. Det här examensarbetet är en studie av tre svenska företag inom Bitcoin mining branschen. Resultaten pekar mot att företagen i studien har arbetat med att utveckla hållbara affärsmodeller genom att närma sig värdeskapande från olika ingångsvinklar. I en bransch som är präglad av högt beroende av volatila externaliteter så har vertikal integration av energiproduktion visats vara en framgångsrik affärsstrategi för att skapa värde. Vidare så visar studien att en sådan strategi möjliggör för en Bitcoin miner att skapa eller ta del av ett privat finansiellt ekosystem av bitcoin som till stor del är frikopplat från den traditionella ekonomin av lokala fiatvalutor. Resultaten från det här examensarbetet gör tre bidrag till den befintliga litteraturen. För det första så bidrar det med kunskap om ekonomin och affärsmodellerna kopplade till Bitcoin mining branschen. Vidare så visas hur en strategi med en vertikalt integrerad affärsmodell kan användas för värdeskapande inom Bitcoin mining. Slutligen så utvecklas modellen Business 2 Protocol (B2P) för att beskriva dynamiken som finns i Bitcoin mining branschen.

Tourism is one of the largest industries in the world. Since the 1980s the role of tourism as a means of achieving the objectives of economic development has received prominence within the sustainable development paradigm. This dissertation examines the role of international tourism in achieving the objectives of economic development in terms of its impact on key social and economic variables, such as the balance of payments, inflation, employment and the social fabric of host communities. It also examines the constraints facing international tourism, such as the effect of perceptions on tourism flows and the powerful position of multinationals in influencing the tourist decision-making process. The success of the international tourism industry in selected countries is assessed and the relative position of the South African tourist offering is highlighted in an attempt to draw lessons for the future development of the industry in South Africa. / Economics / M. A. (Economics)

The study was undertaken to establish the role that should be played by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to strengthen existing second-tier agricultural cooperatives in South Africa to ensure that they are able to provide support services to member cooperatives. Ten existing second-tier agricultural cooperatives in the Zululand district of the province of Kwazulu Natal took part in the study. The results indicate that although these cooperatives understand the services to provide, they lack capacity mainly due to lack of the necessary infrastructure, finance and skills. The study recommends that DAFF should recognise the significance of this tier of cooperatives and provide direct and focused support. DAFF should develop a Cooperative Development Strategy for the sector that clearly articulates how it is going to support this level of cooperatives. Among others DAFF should also provide initial infrastructure to these cooperatives and facilitate private-public-partnership initiatives. / Public Administration & Management / M. Tech. (Public Management)

Syftet med avhandlingen är att beskriva, analysera och diskutera vilka organisatoriska och interorganisatoriska förhållanden som har betydelse för mellanchefers möjlighet att driva hållbar verksamhetsutveckling. Avsikten är att studera samspelet mellan organisatoriska och interorganisatoriska förhållanden kopplat till mellanchefers förändringskompetens. Forskningen har skett inom ramen för ett omfattande nationellt FoU-projekt inom vård och omsorg. Projektets syfte var att arbeta med ett hållbart utvecklingsarbete som byggde på en bred delaktighet bland anställda och chefer. Studien är en kvalitativ studie med ett interaktivt förhållningssätt, vilket innebär en ambition att forska med de berörda inom ramen för en gemensam kunskapsbildning. Den interaktiva forskningen strävar efter att vara till praktisk nytta, men framförallt är syftet att bidra till teoriutvecklingen. De datainsamlingsmetoder som använts är arbetsplatsbesök, intervjuer, ”critical incident”-metoden, reflektions-PM (inom ramen för två utbildningar), analysdialog- och reflektionsseminarier, informella samtal samt återföringsträffar. Ett antal gemensamma aktiviteter har anordnats inom ramen för det nationella projektet, vilka även har fungerat som datainsamling och gemensam analys, såsom nationella konferenser, styrgruppsmöten m.m. Avhandlingens resultat visar att mellancheferna inom vård och omsorgssektorn kan ha en strategisk roll i verksamhetsutvecklingen. Avsikten med min forskning har inte varit att generalisera resultaten i traditionell mening, men att visa på mekanismer och förutsättningar för mellancheferna vid organisering av utvecklingsarbetet. De organisatoriska villkoren – i form av ekonomi, ansvar, befogenheter, professionalisering och företagskultur – påverkar starkt mellanchefernas förutsättningar att driva ett utvecklingsarbete. Min forskning visar på intressanta möjligheter för mellancheferna när det gäller att åstadkomma en vertikal och horisontell integrering av utvecklingsarbetet. Det finns exempel på hur mellanchefer kunnat påverka och utnyttja dessa förutsättningar för att skapa ett handlingsutrymme i organisationen för att driva ett utvecklingsarbete. De har använt sig av målstyrning, skapat utrymme för lärande och reflektion samt skapat en organisationskultur som stöder utveckling. De interorganisatoriska förutsättningarna – i form av externt nätverk, forskarstöd och partsamverkan – har varit viktiga för mellancheferna i deras utvecklingsarbete. / The aim of the dissertation is to describe, analyse and discuss those organisational and interorganisational conditions which are of importance for the enablement of middle managers to drive sustainable development in activity areas. The intention is to study the interplay between organisational and inter-organisational conditions coupled to the change competence of the middle managers. The research has been carried out within the framework of an extensive national R&D project within healthcare and caring. The aim of the project was to work with a sustainable development effort which had as its foundation a broad participation between employees and management. The study is a qualitative study with an interactive type of approach, which implies an ambition to carry out research with those affected within the framework of a joint knowledge gathering. The interactive research attempts to be of practical use, but the aim is primarily to contribute to theoretical development. The data collection methods which have been used are visits to the workplaces, interviews, “critical-incident” methods, reflective-PMs (within the framework of two education areas), analytical dialog and reflective seminars, informal conversations and feedback meetings. A number of common activities have been organised within the framework of the national project, which have also functioned as data collection and common analyses, as well as national conferences, steering group meetings etc. The results of the dissertation show that middle managers within the healthcare and caring sector can have a strategic role in the development of this activity area. The intention of my research has not been to generalise the results in the traditional interpretation, but to reveal mechanisms and prerequisites for the middle managers in organising development efforts. The organisational conditions – in the form of economy, responsibility, authority, professionalisation and company culture – strongly affect the prerequisites of the middle manager for driving a development effort. My research demonstrates interesting opportunities for the middle managers concerning achieving a vertical and horizontal integration of the development effort. There are examples of how the middle managers have been able to influence and utilise these prerequisites in order to create room for action in the organisation for driving a development effort. They have availed themselves of goal orientation, created room for learning and reflection and have created an organisational culture that supports development. The inter-organisational prerequisitess – in the form of an external network, research support and collaboration of parties – has been important for the middle managers in their development efforts.

本研究以台灣、大陸及日本的觸控產業為主要的研究對象，依據邱志聖(2010)提出的4C策略行銷作為理論的架構，並依據AHP分析模式，將4C設定為目標構面，並同時展開評估準則，依據不同的對象－整體觸控產業、專業型觸控廠商、垂直整合型廠商及水平多角化廠商作出4C整體及個別交叉比較矩陣的分析，以分析出目標構面及評估準則的相對權重，以作為有效行銷策略的制定。　 其中整體觸控產業及專業型觸控廠商在4C行銷構面的權重及一致性較高，行銷策略運用的順位（由大到小）分別為：道德危機成本(C3)、專屬陷入成本(C4)、單位效益成本(C1)以及資訊搜尋成本(C2)。 就個別廠商類型之行銷評估準則的權重分析來看，仁慈同理心、降低總生產成本及產品專屬資產都是相對權重比較高的項目。尤其是整體觸控產業、專業型觸控廠商和垂直整合型廠商都是將仁慈同理心列為最重要的行銷評估準則；而水平多角化廠商則是比較特殊的，將產品定位列為最重要的行銷評估準則。 另外，專業型觸控廠商相當重視信守合約的承諾及提升買方效益。重視信守合約的承諾主要是因為客戶對產品的規格要求很高，若是能承諾完全達到客戶的要求，或是超過客戶的期望，這對未來長期合作均有明顯的幫助。而提升買方效益則主要是以產品定位在高品質及技術領先的領導觸控廠商為主，這與降低總生產成本為主要行銷評估準則的成本導向的觸控廠商是完全不同的行銷策略。 垂直整合型廠商則是特別加強與客戶之間要建立有效人員專屬資產。因為此類型廠商主要是延伸既有LCD合作關係上，再逐次增加觸控面板的合作商機，因此建立在既有的高層主管之間的人員專屬資產是最有效的行銷策略。 而水平多角化廠商則是採取比較特殊的行銷評估準則，將產品定位列為最重要的行銷評估準則。強調可以整合現有客戶端的觸控既有的產品規格與水平多角化觸控廠商的產品作一定程度的結合，以建立廣義的產品專屬資產。 / This research to Taiwan, China and Japan of touch panel industry for research of object, according to Professsor Jyh-Shen Chiou (2010) proposed of 4C strategic marketing as theory of schema, and according to AHP analysis model, will analylze the object and criteria for marketing target, and while started assessment to different of touch panel industry including professional touch panel manufacturers, vertical integration manufacturer and horizontal diversification manufacturers to made 4C overall and the individual cross compared matrix of analysis together with the assessment guidelines of relative weight,　 To serve as an effective marketing strategy formulation, overall touch panel industry and professional touch manufacturers in the higher weight and consistency of 4C marketing perspective, marketing strategies using the sequence (from large to small) are as follows: cost of moral hazard(C3), cost of specific asset(C4), unit cost/utility(C1), and cost of information search(C2). The weight of individual manufacturers guidelines for assessing types of marketing analysis, benevolence , reduce the total cost, and product specific asset are the highest weight of assessment criteria. Especially the whole touch panel industry recognizes benevolence as the most important assessment criteria level. Horizontal diversification manufacturers are quite special to keep product positioning as the most important marketing assessment criteria. In addition, the professional touch manufacturers attach considerable importance to honor its contractual commitments (can do) and increasing utility of the buyer. Attention to honor its contractual commitments is mainly because of the high customer specifications, to undertake to fully meet the customer's requirements or exceed our customers ' expectations, which had obvious help for future long-term cooperation. Vertical-integration manufacturers are particularly strengthened with customers to establish an effective personnel specific asset because this type of firms mainly extends on both LCD partnership, again increasing cooperation between the touch panel, a major marketing strategy can build on existing senior management staff between exclusive is the most effective. Horizontal diversification manufacturers are taking product positioning as the most important marketing assessment criteria to establish a broad product-specific assets.

L’objectif de cette thèse est d’étudier les nouvelles dynamiques et leurs impacts dans le secteur de l'électricité. Elle discute des sujets critiques d’après les perspectives de la macroéconomie, de la configuration structurelle, et de la transition vers des sources d'énergie renouvelables. Plus précisément, trois sujets se dégagent: le lien entre la consommation d'électricité et la croissance économique, les impacts de l'intégration verticale entre les producteurs et les détaillants, et les impacts d'intégration de production d'énergie renouvelable intermittente. En mettant en jeu ces trois sujets, elle tente d’apporter des réponses aux défis principaux de la sécurité d'approvisionnement, de la compétitivité, et de la durabilité du développement énergétique. En donnant de nouvelles orientations dans la recherche sur l’économie de l’énergie, elle servira à éclairer des débats politiques. / The objective of this thesis is to study the new dynamics and their impacts in the electricity sector. It discusses the critical issues from the perspectives of macroeconomics, structural configuration, and a transition to renewable energy sources. More precisely, three topics emerge: the nexus between electricity consumption and economic growth, the impacts of vertical integration between power generators and retailers, and the market impacts and integration issues of intermittent renewable generation. By studying these three topics, it provides answers to the key challenges of supply security, competitiveness and sustainable development in the energy sector. By giving new research directions of energy economics, it serves to inspire related policy debates.

鑒於轉投資收益占公司收益比重日形增加，且紡織業為一成熟期產業 ，頻頻地從事於轉投資活動，遂引起本研究的研究動機。 本研究的目 的是希望能對紡織業上市公司轉投資活動作一全面瞭解，並試圖找出會系 統化地影響轉投資活動的一些公司特質。 本研究結果發現公司屬於第 一類上市公司或第二類上市公司、公司屬於前兩百大企業集團或不屬於集 團、公司負債比率的高低、總經理持股比率的高低、公司近年來本業是否 曾虧損，都是會系統化影響公司轉投資活動的因子。 另外，從事轉投 資的動機方面最主要是因本業衰退，再者是希望能進入高報酬行業；而轉 投資又分三大類：垂直整合型、相關多角化型、非相關多角化型，從事這 三類型的轉投資其在實務上的考量因素都大致與理論所言符合；而在垂直 整合型轉投資與相關多角化型轉投資上，公司傾向於持有較高的股份。在 非相關多角化上，多數的公司都想跨入營建業、投資業、證券業、商銀、 創業投資業、資訊電子業等。至於選擇轉投資的對象時，首重被投資公司 的產品的市場可行性分析與投資的回收期間，而在事後的績效評估上，則 重投資報酬率與被投資公司的成長潛力；又當被投資公司獲利情形大好或 大壞時，或被投資公司的股票將要上市或上櫃時，投資公司都可能突然大 幅的增加或減少持股。

Tourism industry, one of the most rapid growing economic activities around the world, brings countries foreign exchange and creates million jobs. Due to the huge profit involved, more and more countries recognize the importance of tourism marketing and start to include it into their national development plan, so does Taiwan. However, little attention has been paid in the academic field to Taiwan’s tourism promotions on a global basis. Therefore, this research aims at analyzing how Taiwan manages and integrates its tourism marketing communications in its three main target regions—Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and Europe and America—from the perspective of Globally Integrated Marketing Communication (GIMC), and uses the current campaign “Tour Taiwan Years 2008-2009” as the subject. Following the IMC Audit proposed by Duncan (2002), this case study conducts document analysis and in-depth interviews with Tourism Bureau to investigate how Taiwan integrates its global communication either vertically across marketing disciplines or horizontally across countries. In addition, the level of standardization across marketing disciplines is compared, and suggestions for employing GIMC model are also provided. The finding can be summarized into three points: 1. Either within each region or across regions, the strategies Tourism Bureau employs are close to globally integrated strategy, but with different level of vertical and horizontal integrations. 2. The proposition, which suggests that public relation, sales promotion, and direct marketing are more difficult to standardize compared to advertising, is not supported in the case of “Tour Taiwan Years 2008-2009.” 3. The application of GIMC to tourism marketing in this case suggests that strategy should be the guiding principle for integration; and the classification of GIMC strategy should be adjusted and made based on a continuum approach.