Using a quantitative survey distributed to regular players of MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) (N = 777), the current study employed a correlation matrix and a parallel mediation model to assess the relationship between play frequency, motivating factors, and video game addiction. The results demonstrated that each of these elements were related to one another to varying degrees (p < .001). The motivating factors identified by Yee (2006) included achievement, immersion, and social interaction, which were tested as mediators and indicated that achievement (a1 = 0.2817, p < 0.001; b1 = 0.4073, p < 0.001) and immersion (a2 = 0.3217, p < 0.001; b2 = 0.2574, p < 0.001) are mediators in the relationship of play frequency and addiction. Social interaction was not significant as a mediator (a3 = 0.3217, p < 0.001; b3 = -0.0235, p = 0.6753). Higher levels of addiction were present for those who were motivated by achievement (rewards) and immersion (storyline/diversion) to play more frequently per week. However, those who were motivated by social interaction to play frequently did not demonstrate a statistically significant relationship with higher levels of addiction. Findings suggest that motivating factors of gameplay may have a mediating effect on the relationship between play frequency and addiction.

<p dir="ltr">Sustainability has become a global movement that has fundamentally shaped and dictated the social climate of the twenty-first century. So much so that it has taken on revolution-like characteristics that would indicate that we are now in the sustainability revolution. Empirical evidence of this, however, is lacking. Through two studies, this dissertation examines and attempts to provide foundational support for the existence of a sustainability revolution. In study one, what sustainability means in the eyes of industry and brands is explored and study two explores sustainability through the lens of the consumer. </p><p dir="ltr">In study one, context and thematic analysis were used to analyze corporate annual reports of six most influential brands from food companies and apparel. Results revealed six themes in the data that aligned with all three pillars of sustainability. Most notably, however, most themes mapped onto the social and economic pillar, contrary to the environmental efforts that have been the focus in research and in industry alike in the past. Future research is encouraged to expand the sample size and confirm these themes with quantitative methods. </p><p dir="ltr">In study two, a survey was conducted among a US sample to understand individuals’ emotions and motivations, that would dictate their likelihood to engage with a brand and their perceptions on sustainability issues. Structural Equation Modeling was employed to test the viability of a conceptual model and understand how political affiliations and religious/spiritual identification would influence these relationships. Results indicated that the type of sustainability issue matters in whether emotions and motivations influence the likelihood to engage with a brand. Furthermore, whether someone affiliates with democratic ideologies or republic ideologies also impacts the conceptual model. Religious/spiritual identification also showed differences within the conceptual model where those that were religious/spiritual had different motivations to engage with a brand across different sustainability issues. </p>

No / This chapter discusses a linguistically orientated model of a conversational software agent (CSA) (Panesar 2017) framework sensitive to natural language processing (NLP) concepts and the levels of adequacy of a functional linguistic theory (LT). We discuss the relationship between NLP and knowledge representation (KR), and connect this with the goals of a linguistic theory (Van Valin and LaPolla 1997), in particular Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) (Van Valin Jr 2005). We debate the advantages of RRG and consider its fitness and computational adequacy. We present a design of a computational model of the linking algorithm that utilises a speech act construction as a grammatical object (Nolan 2014a, Nolan 2014b) and the sub-model of belief, desire and intentions (BDI) (Rao and Georgeff 1995). This model has been successfully implemented in software, using the resource description framework (RDF), and we highlight some implementation issues that arose at the interface between language and knowledge representation (Panesar 2017). / The full-text of this article will be released for public view at the end of the publisher embargo on 27 Sep 2024.

Private lands play a crucial role in protecting at-risk species in the Southeast, and finding ways to increase landowner participation in conservation efforts is essential. I surveyed non-industrial private forest owners in Mississippi to assess how their motivations for land management relates to their willingness to manage for at-risk species. I also assessed if landowners who hunt are more willing to manage for at-risk species. Results showed that landowners are motivated by a sense of stewardship for the land, but there is a lack of awareness about at-risk species. Although the effect size was minimal, there is a significant relationship between landowners who hunt and a willingness to manage for at-risk species. I also surveyed Mississippi landowners about chronic wasting disease (CWD) in white-tailed deer. Overall, there was moderate concern about CWD, but it had a minimal effect on landowners’ motivation for managing their land.

Dark tourism, understood as the type of tourism that relates to a visit to real or recreated places associated with death,suffering,misfortune or the apparently macabre, is not a new concept even from the touristic point of view. As a matter of fact,sites of war, disaster, death and atrocities have always cut the human eye and which made these sites a place curious enough for tourists to visit. As human beings, we have long been drawn either purposefully or if not towards places, attractions or circumstances that are connected in one way or another with death, suffering, violence and disaster. The idea about dark tourism has been designed and studied for the last decade and many were about understanding the motivations behind going or coming a dark tourist and the experiences the dark tourist seeks. But there is little research about the emotions that are involved in dark tourism from the tourist point of view when part-taking in ghost tourism and visiting places and sites that are said to be haunted. This Study focuses on exploring the emotions individuals and tourists seek to experience when they engage in special interest tourism like dark tourism and its experience by visiting haunted attractions. Using a case study of the Baron Palace which is a haunted attraction in Egypt. Studies on emotions are very limited in the tourism industry and talkless of dark tourism which is travelling to sites associated with death, suffering and atrocities.

Contexte. Plusieurs déterminants influencent les pratiques alimentaires des jeunes Québécois. Les aliments offerts dans les établissements scolaires ainsi que les politiques publiques figurent parmi ces facteurs d’influence. En 2011, la Commission scolaire de Montréal (CSDM) a adapté la Politique pour une saine alimentation. Toutefois, depuis sa parution, très peu de données concernant l’application de la politique des écoles de la CSDM ont été recueillies. Objectifs. Évaluer la satisfaction et la perception des élèves de troisième cycle du primaire et du secondaire à l’égard des services alimentaires de la CSDM. Méthode. Soixante-cinq écoles primaires et 27 écoles secondaires ont été ciblées par cette enquête. La collecte de données s’est déroulée sur une période de six semaines par le biais de deux questionnaires distincts disponibles sur le site internet Fluid Survey. La satisfaction et la perception des élèves ont été évaluées à l’aide de questions portant sur leur utilisation du service alimentaire, leurs préférences, ainsi que leurs attitudes et opinions. Analyse statistique. À partir des résultats obtenus, des statistiques descriptives ont été générées. De plus, des tests de Chi-deux ont été produits afin d’évaluer l’association de certaines variables. Résultats. Au total, 4 446 questionnaires ont été retenus aux fins d’analyses. Sommairement, le goût et la propreté des lieux sont deux aspects pour lesquels un grand nombre de jeunes du troisième cycle du primaire et du secondaire accordent de l’importance. Toutefois, la variété de l’offre alimentaire est l’aspect le plus apprécié par les deux groupes de jeunes. Les élèves du primaire sont plus nombreux que ceux du secondaire à accorder de l’importance à l’attrait santé des aliments. Par ailleurs, les plus jeunes élèves choisissent davantage leurs aliments pour contrôler leur poids. Les résultats montrent aussi que la majorité des jeunes du primaire et du secondaire accordent de l’importance à la qualité de leur alimentation, et ce, depuis quelque temps. Finalement, l’opinion des pairs et de la famille semble avoir très peu d’influence sur les choix alimentaires des jeunes, notamment chez les élèves du secondaire. Conclusion. Bien que plusieurs autres déterminants doivent encore être étudiés, ce projet de recherche confirme la pluralité des facteurs d’influence sur les pratiques alimentaires des enfants et des adolescents. Cela dit, en plus d’être un indicateur précieux pour l’évaluation de ses services alimentaires, les résultats obtenus suggèrent également une multitude de pistes d’action pour les intervenants de la CSDM. / Context. Several determinants influence the dietary practices of young Quebecers. Food offered in schools and public policies are part of these influences. In 2011, the Commission scolaire de Montréal (CSDM) published its healthy diet policy. However, since its publication, little data on the food services of the CSDM were collected. Objectives. To assess the satisfaction and perception of third cycle of elementary school and high school students about the CSDM’s food services. Methodology. Sixty-five elementary schools and 27 high schools were targeted by this survey. Data collection took place over a six weeks period through two online questionnaires available on the website Fluid Survey. Satisfaction and perception of the students were assessed using questions about their use of the food services, their preferences and their attitudes and opinions. Statistical analysis. From the results, descriptive statistics were generated. Additionally, Chi-square tests were used to evaluate the association between variables. Results. A total of 4 446 questionnaires were retained for analysis. Taste and cleanliness are the two most important aspects for third cycle elementary school and high school students. However, food variety is the most appreciated aspect in both groups. Elementary students are more likely than high school students to give importance to the healthiness of food. Moreover, younger students are more likely to choose their food in order to control their weight. The results of this study also reveal that the majority of students grant importance to the quality of their diet and have done so for some time. Finally, peers and the family seem to have little influence on children and adolescents’ food choices, especially among high school students. Conclusion. Although several determinants remain to be studied, this study confirms the plurality of influences on children and adolescents’ feeding practices. In addition to being a valuable indicator for the evaluation of its food services, the results suggest many courses of actions for stakeholders of the CSDM.

L’accidentalité des conducteurs de 2RM est au cœur des préoccupations de sécurité routière. Ce travail de thèse vise à apporter des connaissances sur les différences de sexe et de conformité aux stéréotypes de sexe au sein de cette communauté très masculine. Il a été montré que les femmes motocyclistes avaient des taux d’accidents corporels ou mortels bien inférieurs à ceux des hommes. Les résultats montrent que les comportements à risque accidentels des hommes et des femmes motocyclistes sont proches, hormis pour les comportements les plus risqués. Il a aussi été montré que le type de motocyclette avait un effet plus important que le sexe sur les comportements à risques accidentels. De plus, il a été montré que les motocyclistes se conforment aux stéréotypes de sexe qui leurs sont associés et que la masculinité renforce la prise de risque et la transgression des règles, cette relation étant expliquée par les motivations à conduire un 2RM. Enfin, ce travail a montré que les stéréotypes de sexe associés à la conduite d’une motocyclette existent déjà chez les adolescents dès 11 ans. Ce travail de thèse montre donc des différences significatives entre hommes et femmes conducteurs de 2RM, autant au niveau de leur accidentalité que de leurs prises de risque. De plus, des stéréotypes de sexe existent bien pour cette population spécifique d’usagers de la route. Ces travaux permettent d’avoir une connaissance plus fine des comportements des conducteurs de 2RM, et d’enrichir la réflexion sur des actions possibles en matière d’éducation routière, en ciblant les sous-populations les plus à risque chez les conducteurs de 2RM. / The powered two-wheelers (PTW) riders’ accidentality is at the heart of road safety issues. This PhD thesis is part of a comprehensive approach to generate knowledge on sex differences and sex stereotypes conformity within this very masculine stereotyped community. It first showed that female motorcyclists have much lower injury crashes and fatalities rates than males. A first study showed that males declared more intentional risky behaviors and female more non-intentional risky behaviors. A second study showed that the PTW type chosen had a more important effect on the aberrant behaviors than sex. A third study showed that individuals who conformed to masculine stereotypes declared more violations than those who conformed to feminine stereotypes (declared more lapses), whatever their sex. Motivations to ride a PTW explaining this relation. Finally, this work showed that sex stereotypes associated with motorcycle riding already existed on the adolescent population, from the age of 11, even if they are themselves moped riders or if at least one of their parents is a rider. As a conclusion, significant differences between male and female PTW riders were revealed, in terms of accidentology and risk taking. These differences are linked to the riders’ conformity to their sex group and to the effects of this conformity on their motivations to ride a PTW. Moreover, it also showed that sex stereotypes exist for this specific road users’ population. This work led to a more detailed understanding of PTW riders’ aberrant behaviors, and to enrich the thinking for actions with regard to road safety education and prevention.

Syftet med denna studie är uppdelat i två aspekter. För det första avser vi bidra till kunskapsutveckling genom att observera och presentera vilka incitament som kan finnas bakom kommunicerande av intellektuellt kapital (IK) utifrån IT-företags rapportering av IK genom årsredovisningen. För det andra avser vi att genom vår studie ge ett metodbidrag till forskningen på IK-området genom att visa hur kategorisering med hjälp av ett flerdimensionellt analysverktyg kan användas, tillsammans med olika teoretiska perspektiv, för att analysera hur incitament för rapportering av IK reflekteras i IT-företags årsredovisningar.Studien har utförts genom att empiriskt material från årsredovisningar har kategoriserats utifrån en nyskapad modell bestående av fyra huvudkategorier med vardera fyra underkategorier. Modellen är starkt influerad av Sveiby (1997) och Meritum Project (2002) men utgörs totalt sett av en syntes av ett antal olika modeller och teorier från forskare inom IK-området, med vissa externa influenser. Det kategoriserade empiriska materialet har sedan analyserats utifrån fyra teoretiska analysperspektiv. Dessa fyra perspektiv är intressentteorin, legitimitetsteorin, signalteorin och IC disclosure motivations. Studien är utformad som en kvalitativ innehållsanalys och empirisk data i studien utgörs av årsredovisningar från åtta bolag i IT-branschen listade på marknadsplatsen Nasdaq OMX Nordic Stockholm (Stockholmsbörsen).Resultatet av studien visar att det kan finnas olika incitament för företag att kommunicera sitt IK genom årsredovisningen beroende på vilken teori som används som analysperspektiv. När det gäller intressentteorin kan företagens incitament i stor utsträckning ta sin utgångspunkt i intresset att kunna bedöma företagets risknivå. Utifrån legitimitetsteorin skulle ett incitament bakom rapportering kunna vara att visa att företaget använder sina resurser på ett effektivt och ansvarsfullt sätt. Signalteorin kan erbjuda en möjlighet för företagen att skicka positiva signaler till marknaden även om önskan att inte lämna för mycket information till konkurrenter kan sätta vissa begränsningar. Utifrån modellen för IC disclosure motivations förefaller företagen ha incitament att använda kommunikationen av IK genom årsredovisningen som ett medel för att bland annat stärka sina varumärkens position bland sina intressenter. / Program: Civilekonomprogrammet

D'après le magazine Terra eco (2014),48% des français pratiquent régulièrement la consommation collaborative et 32% ont l'intention de le faire. Malgré l'engouement des consommateurs pour ces alternatives d'échanges, nous constatons comparativement assez peu d'études sur ce sujet en marketing. Cette recherche se propose donc d'analyser les motivations des membres des réseaux physiques de consommation collaborative, à travers l'étude du Système d'échange local (SEL). Le chapitre I propose un état des lieux du SEL, à travers son histoire, son étendue, son objet et son fonctionnement. Le chapitre 2 présente le SEL sous son approche académique. Par une revue de la littérature, il montre comment les différentes disciplines expliquent cette réalité. Il se penche plus précisément sur les déterminants au sélisme, et se termine par la proposition d'un modèle d'influence des motivations au sélisme et de leurs antécédents sur la pratique séliste. Le chapitre 3, par une analyse de l6 entretiens semi-directifs de sélistes, complète et enrichi le modèle. Le chapitre 4traite de la méthodologie employée pour le tester, Le chapitre 5 s'attèle à la création d'une échelle des motivations au sélisme, ainsi qu'à la validation des échelles de mesure du modèle. Le chapitre 6 se consacre enfin au test du modèle et à I'approfondissement des résultats. Cette étude quantitative se base sur un échantillon de 957 sélistes. Les principaux apports de notre thèse consistent : en une modélisation du comportement du séliste ; en la découverte de deux nouvelles motivations à faire partie d'un SEL : se distraire et s'enrichir intellectuellement; en la création d'une échelle de mesure des motivations au sélisme; en l'analyse de leur influence sur la pratique séliste ; et en la création d'une typologie de sélistes. Pour finir et sur la base de ces résultats, des préconisations managériales sont proposées aux SEL, aux entrepreneurs sociaux ou privés de réseau de consommation collaborative, ainsi qu'à l'État et aux collectivités territoriales. / According to the magazine Terra Eco (20 I 4), 48%o of French people are regular users of collaborative consumption, and 32%o of them are considering doing it. Despite the consumer craze for those alternative exchanges, comparatively, only a few marketing studies on the topic are currently made, This research's aim is therefore to analyse the various motivations of members from a physical network of collaborative consumption through the study of the local exchange trading system (LETS). The first chapter is focused on a state of play of the LETS, through its history, its geographical extent, its aims and uses. The second chapter will observe the LETS under an academic point of view. Through a litterature review, it will show how the differents disciplines are explaining this reality. It will also highlight in details what is determining LETS practices, and will end up suggesting an influence model on motivations behind becoming a LETS member, and their antecedents to the LETS practice. The third chapter will strenghten the model by a deep analysis of l6 semi-directives interviews of LETS users. The fourth chapter will put a light on the methodology used to test it. The fifth chapter will define a motivation scale on why becoming a LETS member, and to validate the measuring scales of the model. The sixth chapter will finally test the model and dig the results deeper. This quantitative study is based on a sample of 957 LETS users. Our thesis main assets are: a modelisation of the LETS member behavior, the discovery of two new motivations to join a LETS-distraction and intellectual enrichment, the creation of a motivation scale behind the decision of joining a LETS, analysis of their influences on the LETS practice, and the creation of a LETS member typology. To conclude, and based on those results, we'll come up with managing advices to give to LETS, to social or private workers from collaborative consumption networks, and also to the State and to territorial collectivities.

No description available.