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Energy and environmental impacts are two factors that will influence urban region composition in the near future. One emerging issue is the effect on water usage resulting from changes in regional or urban transportation trends. With many regions experiencing stresses on water availability, transportation planners and users need to combine information on transportation-related water consumption for any region and assess potential impacts on local water resources from the expansion of alternative transportation modes. This thesis will focus on use-phase water consumption factors for multiple vehicle modes, energy and fuel pathways, roads, and vehicle infrastructure for a given transportation network. While there are studies examining life cycle impacts for energy generation and vehicle usage, few repeatable models exist for assessing overall water consumption across several transportation modes within urban regions. As such, the question is: is it possible to develop a traceable decision support model that combines and assesses water consumption from transportation modes and related mobility infrastructure for a given mobility network? Based on this, an object-oriented system model of transportation elements was developed using the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) and Model-Based Systems Engineering principles to compare water consumption across vehicle modes for assessing the resiliency of existing infrastructure and water resources. To demonstrate the intent of this model, daily network usage water consumption will be analyzed for current and alternative network scenarios projected by policies regarding the expansion of alternative energy. The model is expected to show variations in water consumption due to fluctuations in energy pathways, market shares, and driving conditions, from which the model should help determine the feasibility of expanding alterative vehicles and fuels in these networks. While spatially explicit data is limited compared to the national averages that are used as model inputs, the analytical framework within this model closely follows that of existing assessments and the reusable nature of SysML model elements allows for the future expansion of additional transportation modes and infrastructure as well as other environmental analyses.

Selecting actors to appear in an advertisement is an important decision which has a crucial impact on the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. The same message, delivered by different actors, produces varying outcomes among consumers. This dilemma concerning the choice of actors occurs particularly in multi-racial societies, such as South Africa, where advertisers have to target different sectors of the community. In multi-racial societies, the choice of actors in advertisements goes beyond the usual commercial reasons. Indeed, two dimensions are generally conferred to multi-racial advertising. Firstly, the use of multi-racial representations allows for the targeting of a wider population that also owns a wider purchasing power. Marketers who want to market their brand use, for example, white and black actors so that white and black consumers can identify with the actors and recognize themselves as the target of the advertisement. Secondly, the multi-racial representations of this type of advertising hold a social role that counteracts the segregated depiction of the society. Consumers who are exposed to a multi-racial advertisement might perceive this social dimension and attribute a social responsibility to the advertisement. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the influence of the above dimensions on the effectiveness of a multi-racial advertisement. On the one hand, this study investigates the Identification Process followed by a consumer exposed to a multi-racial advertisement. On the other hand, it examines how consumers attribute a social responsibility to a specific multiracial advertisement and how this attribution, in turn, influences their responses to the advertisement and brand. Finally, the impacts of both of these dimensions on consumer behaviour are compared and the most persuasive dimension is identified. This thesis draws on Attribution Theory and Identification Theory in arguing that there are strong economic imperatives for adopting a multi-racial advertising approach. The thesis develops a conceptual framework and tests empirically hypotheses regarding the key constructs and moderating variables. The empirical results point out that both dimensions symbiotically influence the effectiveness of a multi-racial advertisement. Specifically, the results highlight that the social responsibility attributed by the viewers to the advertisement influences their behaviour more than the Identification Process.

This study aimed to develop a causal chain that illustrates the path through which a variety of factors influence consumer financial vulnerability. In order to achieve the stated aim, it was necessary to firstly identify the factors that gave rise to consumers being financially vulnerable. Secondly, the nature of the causal chain between the identified factors was determined. Thirdly, the causes of consumer financial vulnerability according to key informants in the financial services industry were determined. Finally, based on the results of the first three stages, possible explanations for consumer financial vulnerability were provided. Before the construction of the causal chain could be explored, a theoretical framework regarding household financial position as well as financial attitudes and behaviours was provided. The theoretical framework was supported by a description of the linkages through which consumers function and transact in an economy by applying chain reasoning. The chain reasoning was extended by providing financial statements reflecting the results of consumers’ interactions in the macroeconomy with an extract from the national accounts of South Africa presenting the income statements, balance sheets and relevant financial ratios of consumers for the period in which the research was conducted (2008 to 2009). For this study, the explanatory sequential mixed methods design was deemed appropriate to achieve the proposed research objectives. The research process firstly consisted of a quantitative strand where the possible causes for consumer financial vulnerability were identified after which the results were validated with data obtained in the second phase by means of four focus group discussions. To determine the factors giving rise to and establish the causal chain of overall consumer financial vulnerability, regression analysis was conducted. Based on the results of the regression analysis, it became evident that the financial vulnerability chain is not a singular linear process but rather a non-linear process (with contemporaneous and singular linkages) with a variety of factors influencing financial vulnerability, but also influencing each other over time. / Management Accounting / D. Accounting Science

The initiative “fairlangen.org – fair leben in Erlangen” (fair living in Erlangen) campaigns for global justice. Its activities are based on a holistic understanding of mission. Through networking, fostering public relations, educational work and specific campaigns, the initiative supports local commitment to global justice. Its main focus is the promotion of fair consumer behaviour. This MTh dissertation offers a missiological reflection of the initiative fairlangen.org, which is the author‘s action research project. Firstly, it establishes the missiological grounds on which local commitment for global justice can be understood as a part of holistic mission. This is concretised by actions to promote fair consumer behaviour, with an emphasis on Fair Trade. On this basis, the specific segment of fairlangen's practical activities are analysed using qualitative methods, and reflected upon in missiological terms. This study concludes by giving new impulses to other missionary projects that are planning to campaign for global justice. / Die Initiative »fairlangen.org – fair leben in Erlangen« setzt sich auf der Grundlage eines ganzheitlichen Missionsverständnisses für globale Gerechtigkeit ein. Durch Netzwerkarbeit, Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, Bildungsarbeit und Kampagnenarbeit fördert sie den lokalen Einsatz für globale Gerechtigkeit, vor allem fördert die Initiative ein gerechtes Konsumverhalten. In der vorliegenden Masterarbeit wird die Initiative fairlangen.org, die das Handlungsforschungsprojekt des Autors ist, missiologisch reflektiert. Dazu wird zunächst erarbeitet, wie der lokale Einsatz für globale Gerechtigkeit als ein Aspekt von ganzheitlicher Mission missiologisch begründet werden kann. Konkretisiert wird dies am Engagement zur Förderung eines gerechten Konsumverhalten – mit einem Schwerpunkt auf Fairem Handel. Davon ausgehend wird die Praxis des Handlungsforschungsprojekts fairlangen.org in diesem Bereich mit qualitativen Methoden untersucht und missiologisch reflektiert. Als Fazit der Untersuchung können Impulse für andere missionarische Projekte formuliert werden, die sich für globale Gerechtigkeit einsetzen möchten. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)